The Wish You Left Behind

Chapter 17: The Convict's Lair?

YOKO

Two weeks ago, she was at Bunmi's home celebrating a birthday. Now, there she is not even in the mood to drink the tea that Mr. Bunmi prepared for them.

Big, on the other hand, is already on his second cup.

"If I know you will visit, I prepared dinner earlier."

"It's alright. We don't even know we'll be here, sir."

The old man's already wrinkled forehead creased even more. "Are you lost?"

"I really wish we were."

She wants to glare at Faye, but her bodyguard is not in the living room with them. As per the old man, Faye is putting Ryn to sleep.

Mr. Bunmi's about to pour some more tea, but seeing her cup is still full, he puts down the kettle and regards them confusedly.

"I don't understand."

"Well, chef, the thing is," Yoko pats her brother's thigh, signaling for him to stop.

She's not in the mood to explain right now.

"We just have a few questions, Mr. Bunmi. We are not planning to stay for long."

"What is it?"

Yoko pulls out her phone and shows Mr. Bunmi the picture of Aditeph. "Is this Ryn's father?"

It took Yoko a while to see the resemblance between the two, but it's clearly there; the curly hair, big brown eyes, even the smile, that when the kid smiles earlier, Yoko can feel her blood curdling.

Mr. Bunmi looks closer at her phone and nods. "Police officers came here the other day. They still haven't caught him yet?"

She shakes her head. As it turns out, Mr. Bunmi keeps Ryn from seeing the man in jail since their accident three years ago.

But it didn't stop Aditeph from sending gifts to his daughter.

"I forbid Ryn from going outside when I found out that her father escaped. The kid didn't know it, though. Me and my daughter decided not to tell the kid that her father was in jail. We told her he's working abroad instead."

"He didn't show up here?" Big asks worriedly.

"Haven't seen him. I wouldn't think twice about calling the police if he shows up. Did something happen?"

Yoko shakes her head and Big looks at her confusedly.

"I'm just curious about the kid's father, is all."

When Faye emerges from the bedroom, Yoko caught her attention. "Can I have a word with you?"

When Big stands up too, Yoko adds, "Alone. Outside."

Yoko didn't wait for her bodyguard's response as she stands and walks to the door.

As they walk outside, Faye's silence only proves her guess; that her bodyguard knew who Ryn's father was.

It took all her might not to snap at the woman right then and there.

As soon as the night breeze greets them, Faye mutters. "Won't you have some snacks? Or - er, coffee?"

Faye can't even look her straight in the eyes.

"Look at me. Since when did you know?"

"Know what, miss?"

Yoko scoffs at the woman.

She ran out of patience, and Faye playing innocent isn't helping.

"Since when did you know that the father of the kid under your wing is the one who hit and ran me and my dad?"