Stop it! uncle

Chapter 3

  DAMIEN

I woke up to the sound of someone groaning. I immediately rushed to the little girl’s bed. Amelia told me earlier that the little girl had been abused and starved as there were signs of malnutrition and she had several bruises, so I was to offer her a glass of water the moment she opened her eyes.

The little girl tried to sit up with discomfort evident on her face, she bit her lip in an attempt to endure the pain. I watched her with interest.

She seemed to have realized she was in a hospital as she looked around in confusion. “How old are you?” I blurted out which was so unlike me. She was startled by my voice as if just noticing my presence in the room.
   
For the next few minutes there was no response and I was about to repeat my question when I heard a very small hoarse voice. 'I-I-I' then she started coughing.

I suddenly remembered I was to give her water and offered it to her which she drank lavishly. After she seemed more comfortable she repeated. “I-I am fi-fteen. Today is my birthday so I am fifteen”. I sighed.

“Give me your parents number” I said, bringing out my phone to type in the digits but was halted by a frightened voice. “I-I don't want to go back home”.

Okay, now all this was beginning to get annoying and my patience was running thin.

Taking a deep breath and reminding myself that I was dealing with a kid, I adjusted myself and tried to appear gentle.

“Why?”. Then she told me everything, how her mother died and how she was being blamed for everything, her step mother's treatment and the bruises.
       
I balled my hands into fists as I listened on. As If all that wasn't already my undoing, she held a corner of my suit and looked up to me with big doe eyes, her eyes which I was seeing for the first time.

She had the brownest eyes I'd ever seen, I suddenly didn't want to look away, all the anger and irritation of the whole situation melted away and I knew if she asked me to give her all my earnings and properties I'll drop them at her feet without any hesitation.

But she said only one thing. “Please don't make me go back there, I can cook, clean and do any house chores”. I saw the tears in her eyes, the desperation and I wondered what kind of family would do this to an innocent sweet girl.

The thought that someone with evil intentions could have found her before me had my anger returning in full gear.
     
'Hell no' I didn't want her to do any of those things for me. I just….. wanted.. to… protect her. I finally accepted that this girl wasn't leaving my life anytime soon. “Fine”. I finally replied “I'll take you in”.

Immediately, her expression changed and she gave me the brightest smile I'd ever seen and I could have sworn I saw stars in her eyes. “Thank you sir, thank you sir” she bowed over and over nearly falling off the bed.

“What's your name?”. I blurted out again before I could stop myself. She looked up at me still smiling. “Crystal,my name is Crystal Norman and I'm fifteen years old’’. I chuckled at her adorableness.

“From now on crystal, I'll be your legal guardian”. “Really?” she screamed “then can I call you uncle?”. I froze at word ‘uncle’.
     
Was I really that old, I mean twenty seven wasn't  really that old. I gave no reply. “The nurses would send in something later when your IV is finished”.

A look of confusion flashed through her face at my abrupt behavior but she said nothing and nodded in return. I turned to leave, my hand already on  the door knob when I heard a thump sound.

I spun around quickly, only to find Crystal sprawled on the floor, clutching her head. I rushed to her side. “What's wrong?”. I asked, panic visible on my face.
       
“I just felt so dizzy as I stood up”. She croaked out weakly and  I frowned “when was the last time you ate?” and she mumbled something that sounded like last night. I gritted my teeth, anger filling my veins.

'What exactly have this people done to Crystal?' .I helped her up and she stated that she needed to use the bathroom so I supported her there and waited outside till she was done and helped her settle back in bed.
     
“The nurses would send food down here soon and you make sure you eat every single spoon. I have something to deal with , I'll be back later to check on you” and I turned to leave when a small hand held me back.

“Please don't leave me alone here, I'm scared”. “You don't have to be scared” I said in a cold tone. “I'll be back that's for sure and no one would dare to hurt you as you belong to me now”. I walked out.
      
I made sure her meal was sent to her ward and after giving a few orders to the nurses, I called my secretary Daniel.

“Find out everything about the Norman family, financial status, background, every single thing. I'll meet you in the office in fifteen minutes and I want it on my desk by then”.

“Yes sir” he replied and the line went dead. I walked out of the hospital my blood boiling from unleashed anger and I knew just who I wanted to lash out on.

  CHRISTIANA
     
These guards were useless. They had the audacity to come back without the girl and as they stood before me with their heads bowed, I wanted to smash the glass in my hand on their useless heads.

“Where was the last place you spotted her?”. I asked angrily. “Ma'am we saw her run unto the highway but when we got there she was gone, she could have been dead by now ma'am”.

“She could have been dead by now ma'am”. I mimicked the stupid words back at them. “Did you see her dead body?”. “No ma'am”.

“Then how the hell could she be dead?”. I yelled, finally losing my control and smashing the glass on the floor.
       
“Search every nearby hospital for any accident victim around the time she escaped and every train station, find her at all costs. If you return without the girl consider yourself fired. Am I clear?”.

“Yes ma'am” they replied and walked out. I slumped into the nearest chair I could find, suddenly feeling drained of all my energy. I had to find that stupid girl and eliminate her or else she would reinforce herself and come back to claim her dad's inheritance.
     
One thing I learnt in this life was never to have any loose ends. My territory must be secured. I walked to the study where I knew her father would be and went over my next plan.

Now that the girl was temporarily out of my way, I needed to make sure any last bit of emotion her dear father had for her was turned to pure hatred. I knocked on the door and walked in.
       
“Honey” I said standing behind his chair and massaging his shoulders. “We've searched everywhere for crystal but we haven't heard any news” I said in a sad voice. “She could be anywhere right now, even in danger”.

I felt him stiffen beneath my hands. That wasn't a good sign so I continued on. “I wonder what child leaves their family and runs away. I mean why would she do that to her own father who nurtured her after her mother's death?.

Now that her presence is needed more than ever. When she would be the future heir of your company. She left all the responsibility to you. No daughter does that to her father, she should be helping out as the future heir to……”.
    
“She is not my future heir”. he said sharply, cutting me off. “Not now, not ever. From now on, crystal is dead to me”.

“Yes honey,whatever you say. I just hope we find her soon”. I said, still massaging his shoulders with a sinister smile on my face.