GENESIS
Genesis watched the terror in her best friend's eyes grow with each sentence that she spoke. Sara seemed to be even more scared than Genesis whose brother was out to get her.
“Look, it's calm.” Genesis tried to assure Sara. “He'll not be able to do anything to me.”
That was a blatant lie but Genesis was willing to say anything to calm her friend down.
“No, it's not calm. Nothing is calm, Jenny.” Sara shook her head. “Don't you think now's the right time for your so-called help to intervene?”
“We don't want to make any sudden moves.” Genesis was still lying. “You saw how everything went down the last time we tried that with my brother.”
“Look, I still think we should get Dante and Matthew involved.” Sara suggested. “This situation does not seem to be improving at all. You need people that can take the due steps, Jenny.”
“No, no.” Genesis refused. “I've got everything in control.”
“But—”
“I said everything's under control, Sara.” Genesis sighed. “You don't have to worry.”
“Fine…” Sara said in a low tone. “My suggestion still stands if you change your mind.”
Genesis nodded and mustered a small smile. Just then, a staff knocked on the kitchen’s door and only opened it when Genesis said she could. The maid opened the door slightly and popped her head in.
“Ma'am? Boss said to inform you and your friend that the guests are about to leave.” The staff said.
“Alright, tell them we'll be there in a few.”
Sara was still looking at Genesis with concern even after the maid was gone. It was very obvious that her heart was heavy because of Genesis.
“Don't look at me like that, please.” Genesis sighed and her shoulders dropped. “I already told you I'll be fine.”
“I know, I know. But—”
“Matthew is waiting for you.” Genesis reminded her friend. “Let's get out of here.”
So she led her friend out of the kitchen and into the living room. All the while, Sara's concerned eyes still did not leave her face and she could tell that it was not easy for her best friend to say goodbye.
She sighed as she watched Matthew's vehicle zoom out of their compound and her only source of comfort at that moment was Dante's hand caressing her shoulder. She smiled at him as they both walked into the house together.
It was now less than an hour to dinner so she busied herself with setting up the table with the help of some maids.
******
Dinner was lively that evening. After such a long time of being in a fowl mood, it was refreshing for her to laugh to her heart's content. And Elon was responsible for that, he was being more talkative than usual and was asking the most outrageous questions.
At first, Dante was bent on making the kid shut up and just face his dinner, but he later succumbed and his laughs became the loudest.
She loved watching them like this, happy and without a care in the world. That was probably what came with no longer worrying about the dangers of the future. There was a high chance that this was going to be one of her last moments with them so she was going to soak it in. She let go of every bit of worry inside of her and she let herself be. Later, she was going to pick up the thinking from where she left off.
After dinner, the three of them sat in the living room to watch a movie, one that Elon picked. And they were about halfway through when someone rang the doorbell.
She thought that was weird as the body guards usually came in to inform them of any guests without knocking. Plus, it was a little bit past eight o'clock and they had never received any guests at this time, save for when Gloria showed up unannounced.
The doorbell rang again and she shared a concerned glance with Dante. He got up and went to the door. But once he opened it, she noticed him go stiff. His fingers tightened around the doorknob and his other hand formed a fist.
“What are you doing here?”
The last time she heard Dante speak with so much venom was when he spoke to his mother. So naturally, she assumed that Gloria had shown up again with her trouble. That was until she heard whoever was there speak.
“Dante, we just want to make things right.”
“There is nothing to be made right.” Dante countered. “Nothing.”
“That child deserves to have grandparents in his life.” The person speaking sounded old and desperate. “Please, Dante, please.”
“My wife and I are more than enough for him.” Dante declared. “You can leave now.”
“Your wife? You've remarried—”
“I said leave!” Dante thundered. “I do not like repeating myself.”
“Dante please—”
“Daddy, who is that?” Elon asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
“Nobody, El.” Dante responded without looking back. “They're nobody.”
“Dante, just let us see him. Even if it's just this once, please.” The old man, as Genesis had assumed from his voice, pleaded.
She heard Dante sigh. “So if I let you see him this once, do you promise to never show your face here again?”
“Dabte…”
“Yes or no?”
“Yes, yes.” The man's voice shook. “Just let us see our grandbaby.”
Dante opened the door wider and stepped aside so that they would come in. An old couple was revealed and as soon as they laid their eyes on Elon, they burst into tears, even before they got to where he was seated with Genesis.
“Elon…” The man went down on his knees before the kid and cupped his face. “It has been ages and I know you do not remember me. You were such a little boy the last time we met.”
Elon, in confusion, looked up at his father for some kind of explanation.
“They are your grandparents.” Dante said to him. “Your mother's parents.”
“Oh.” Elon looked back at them. “Then why does my daddy not want you to meet me? What did you do?”
“Something very bad.” The man was still shedding tears. “But let's not talk about that for now, okay?”
Meanwhile, the grandmother was just standing behind her husband without saying a word, silently sobbing.
“We have always wanted to tell you how much we love you, Elon.” The old man started. “We always dreamed of having our own grandchild and we have you now.”
“You're our treasure.” The woman finally said something. “And we love you very much.”
“We really do.” The man was still in uncontrollably tears.
“If I may ask, why are you crying?” Elon seemed genuinely curious.
“They're just tears of joy. We're happy.” The man said to the kid. “Happy that we've finally gotten to meet you again.”
Then his eyes landed on Genesis and he smiled warmly at her. “I'm assuming you're Dante's wife?”
Genesis nodded, returning the smile he sent her way.
“Thank you.” He said. “I can see that you're really taking good care of them.”
“I am doing my best.” Was all Genesis said.
It was as the old man was getting up that he noticed Elon's wheelchair that was positioned beside the couch. Looking around in confusion, he asked, “Who is that for?”
“It's mine.” Elon responded calmly.
“What are you using it for?”
“To move around, since I can't walk properly for now.” The boy innocently explained.
Shocked, the man to Dante who was already staring at him. “Why did you not tell us that this happened? How did this happen?”
“What makes you think that you deserve to know?” Dante frowned at him. “He's getting all the care that he needs so you need not worry.”
“But—”
“Would you have done anything to change the situation?” Dante asked, and when the man could not respond, he said, “Exactly, that's what I thought.”
“But you should have still informed us…” Elon's grandmother spoke in a soft tone. “We would have—”
“Come here and possibly put our lives in danger again. Even now, we can only hope that no such thing would happen.” Dante sighed. “I'll let you spend the night. But please, be out of here first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you.” The man said. “Given the situation, you're being pretty generous.”
“I know.” Dante responded.
Just then, they heard the doorbell again. Dante looked at both of them with his eyebrows furrowed.
“Did you bring company?”
“No.” The old man shook his head.
Dante sighed in frustration and went to open the door. But, almost immediately, he had lost balance and almost fallen to the floor as someone had forcefully pushed the door and walked in.
Genesis's eyes widened as she saw the sick smirk on his face once their eyes met. Her blood ran cold and her heart started beating twice as fast. She was expecting him at some point, but not this soon. Now, he had taken her by surprise and there was nothing she could do other than give in.
His smirk got even wider when he observed the fear in her eyes. And then he spoke.
“We meet again, dear Sister.”