3:00 A.M.

XXIX

The world dimmed as I tried my hardest to breathe and calm myself. I know I won't be able to think straight if I panic now. I need to collect my thoughts.

My tears dripped like a broken faucet. It just kept on pouring down my flushed cheeks making the clog on my nose worse.

I buried my face on my hands.

"Tana?" I heard Lucas called, his voice still drowsy.

I felt him abruptly sat straight and held my hands for him to look at me properly.

"Why are you crying? What happened?"

The lump I've been trying to resist tightened my throat which made it even harder to breathe. Lucas hugged me tight.

"Sweetheart, why are you crying? What's wrong?" He asked softly.

I cried more, making my body shake uncontrollably as I tried to avoid the images of Dad soaked in blood flashing in my mind.

Lucas looked like he's panicking by now.

He placed both hands on my face.

"Tana, what is it? Tell me." He said, his voice both in alarm and commanding.

I calmed myself down and spoke in quivering mouth, "Dad...he was stabbed. He's at the hospital."

Lucas' eyes went wide in shock.

I sniffed and cried before facing him, "Lucas, you told me Mr. Owen wouldn't hurt my parents. You told me!" I shouted.

I know it's not his fault but I can't help but think that maybe, if I was with them I would have been able to stop it. I would have done everything to protect my parents.

But no! Lucas brought me here!

"I thought..." He began but trailed. His eyes looked guilty and was still in panic.

"I need to go back home. I need to go." I urged, my voice becoming hoarse.

"Yes. I'll get the plane ready."

Lucas wiped my tears and embraced me. Despite having a part of me that resented him, I didn't complain when he cooed soothing words to my ear. Telling me everything's going to be alright and Dad will be fine.

I immediately changed my clothes. I didn't have time to take a shower. I needed to see my parents right away.

Lucas phoned his pilots, drivers and some people from the Roscoe Fortune. He barked orders and commanded instructions to prepare for our departure.

I didn't talk the whole time during the drive on the road. Lucas held my hands and comforted me but I can sense his restlessness too.

Our anxiousness infected the air as it thinned and clouded with pressure.

I texted Macy and Paul to check on my parents. I can't trust anyone back at home except those two.

Whoever did this, I'll make sure he'll pay for it.

My fear quickly morphed into anger as I gritted my teeth while I crafted a revenge plan in my mind.

We arrived at the Emmanuel Private Landing where Lucas' private plane was parked. There were people in uniforms. Lucas talked to them together with his pilots that I still recognized, Pablo and Diego.

After a while, Lucas came to me.

"They won't let us fly. The country's security had become stricter. We'll need to catch a flight at the airport." Lucas said, his patience thinning out while he rubbed his forehead.