I went back to the car where Cameron is waiting.
“What happened?” he asked as soon as I entered.
“I thought I was going to die there. What about dad? Did he arrive?”
“Not yet, did they tell you anything?”
“Nothing. They told me nothing. I wasn’t even allowed to ask any questions!” I drank a whole bottle of water because of nervousness. “This is not the first time someone aimed a gun on me, but that was scarier this time. Their aura was different. They really look like some professional killers who can really easily kill me at one shot.”
“Because they are in an organization. Who knows, they could be a mafia?”
“M-Mafia?!”
“Let’s head back home first.” We hurriedly headed back home. Everyone was monitoring dad by the body camera he’s using.
“He just arrived?” I asked.
“Yes, he just did,” Stefano answered.
“Damn! It’s spooky and creepy. Can dad handle that?” Sylvester said. Which was answered by mom.
“Your dad isn’t a child anymore. If he has the guts to cheat, he would also have the guts to enter that building. Who knows? His next mistress might be a ghost of a sexy nurse.” I tried my best to hold my laughter when I heard mom. This is not the right time to laugh!
“Seriously mom? Is that a joke?”
“Maybe? Who knows?”
[You know I can hear you, right?] Dad said from the line.
“I said it for you to hear. You don’t have to act bothered. Focus on finding Aviana.”
Dad starting entering the building. It’s really an abandoned hospital, and I get shivers and goosebumps just by watching.
“I won’t judge you dad if you freak out and scream like a little girl. That place must be a bucket list for thriller seekers,” Sylvester said while shaking his head.
[How would I know where to go?! This place is huge!] Suddenly, a robotic voice from dad’s line was heard. [Find the nursery room. Your granddaughter is waiting for you.]
Dad continued walking on the abandoned hospital. It feels like we’re watching a horror film and there would be a jump scare anytime.
Minutes later, dad arrived at the nursery room. I immediately stood up when I heard Aviana’s cry. I saw a crib and something moving inside it.
“Dad! There’s Aviana!” Dad slowly approached the crib, and Via was really there. I sighed in relief and hugged Cameron.
“Our men are waiting outside the hospital—” Cassandra got interrupted when the footage suddenly started glitching. “Sir? Sir?!”
“Team one?! Can you hear me?!” Cameron said on a walkie talkie connected to our security teams. I started being nervous again and sat back down as I anxiously wait for the footage to get fixed.
We suddenly heard a loud noise from dad’s line. It’s like something is being thrown; it’s a banging sound.
“Team one be on standby!” Cameron commanded. The footage suddenly turned back on.
“Dad?! Can you hear us?! What happened?” I shouted. He did not answer, instead, we heard a groan. “Dad?!”
[I-I’m okay.]
“Where’s my daughter?!”
[S-She’s fine.] I saw a shadow walking towards dad. [What do you want?! I came here like you asked! Let me leave with my granddaughter!]
[This place... this where everything started. Don’t forget every single moment of it. It’s just the beginning.] The shadow disappeared and the light turned on. Dad stood up and quickly carried Via and escaped the building.
I am now completely relieved after seeing dad approaching the security team. They are now on their way back here. This is really the longest three days of my life. I can’t believe that it took us three days to bring back Aviana.
Half an hour later, dad arrived. I immediately grabbed Via from him and hugged her tight.
“Oh, my gosh! You’re finally back! I’m sorry it took as long to find you.”
“What’s important is that she’s back with us, safe and sound,” Cameron said as he hugs us.
“I did what you asked, but I won’t ask anything in return.” We turned around and faced dad. “Just make sure this won’t happen again. I won’t go there for the second time, keep that in mind.” He was about to walk away but mom stopped him.
“Did you see who’s the kidnapper?”
“I would already tell you if I did.”
“What happened when the camera was turned off? Also, what does that person mean when saying that it all started in that hospital?” Mom grabbed his arm and made him face her. “What’s really your connection with Via’s kidnappers?!”
“I don’t know! Stop questioning me! I have no idea what you’re talking about!”
“Something isn’t right. Everything about you and your involvement with this case is suspicious! Don’t forget the fact that you were personally requested—”
“Stop making an issue! I have no idea on who the kidnappers are! We are not ordinary people in Casterdale. A lot of the people hates us and is after us. Do you want me to memorize every single person on that list?!”
“Huh! They only hate you, but your life is affecting your children!”
“Can you just shut up! I don’t know anything and stop accusing me!” Dad walked out and we we’re left stunned. I turned to Stefano and gave him a glance be he just ignored me.
“Cameron, tighten the security in your house. Also, you three should never leave without a bodyguard. That Jackson is still roaming around.” Cameron’s father commanded.
We discussed for a few minutes before going back home. Me and Cameron decided to stay here at the mansion for tonight and leave tomorrow morning.
Cameron and Via fell asleep instantly but it’s the opposite for me. I left the room and went to the garden to breathe some air.
“Can’t sleep?’ Stefano asked after approaching me. He sat on the chair beside me.
“Do you really think that this is just a usual family enemy? I mean, this never happened before. We just get death threats, but no one usually kidnaps us or even points a gun on us.”
“It’s because a syndicate is after us, not just a normal enemy.”
“How could dad be involved in a syndicate? No matter how evil he gets, he’s not the type of person who will be entangled in a syndicate.”
“Who knows?” He stood up and glanced at me. “Maybe he is, we just don’t know. You should be worried about Jackson instead. Also, you’ll be having your wedding next month... prioritize that. Digging that syndicate and this incident will be next on our list once everything is settled. Let’s take one step at a time.”
“Thank you, for asking dad to save Aviana.”
“No worries. I’ll head back inside.”