|Knocked Down|

CHAPTER 34

I walked down with dad through the notices of the deceased people. It was very congested in the park.

Derry and his parents went towards Diana's marker and Ty to his brother's with Soph.

I stood Infront of Mrs Empire's and Sarah's portrait. We flickered the candles and positioned on both the candleholders. Dad also bought some lavenders, since Mrs Empire loved them.

I saw him breaking and ran to him huddled him from sideways as he clutched me and cried badly. My gazes were blurry, how awful I am if I did know he endured like this every time, I would have chaperoned him in the past five years too.

My poor dad.

"See I told you Diana, our Ron will stop by you this time. She is all risen up, like how Sarah would have." We both hunched down. Oh dad, I hugged him so hard. I can't see him like this.

"Dad, please don't cry."

"My child its because of happiness." He wiped my tears.

We both sat there for a little while. However, dad was continuously chatting to Mrs Empire and Sarah about me being pregnant and that they were gonna become grandparents and aunt. As if they were really with us.

After that, he asked me if I expected to visit my parents too. I shook and chose to join Derry, and after that to Soph.

It was so packed in here, some were moaning, others offered some flowers, some were chatting to the photographs that made my gut hop a throb, my dad.

Suddenly I was ratified by a hedge, my eyes snapped towards a specific photo, it was a snapshot of a girl with brown doe orifices and most of her tooth were missing thus my eyes stung from pain. An insurable pain.

VINCENT ABRAHAM

Tomorrow is Sunday and why I don't know I'm visiting NY. It hurts so much, my child.

I was hunching in front of the photograph of my baby girl, Veronica's photo which I placed under a banyan tree and as it had a little seclusion here.

"Hey, little one its been 10 yrs huh.. I should have protected you if I were not careless at that time. In the act of conquering everything, I lost my everything.  Do you know? I came across a girl in Cleveland where I work and the funny part is her name is Veronica Empire. If you would have grown up you would have just looked like that kid." It's so bad I never had a chance to bid her(Veronica Empire) farewell.

"Will she be missing me?"

VERONICA

"Will she be missing me?" he begged to the photograph and sobbed.

"Of course I miss you, Vincent." I felt there drenched in my own tears not understanding, but can't withhold anything that what in the hell was happening to me.

He staggered his head and was astonished to see me there; he ran towards me stumbling a little and took my hand in his.

"Woah, Ron, I was just speaking to my daughter. I lost her along back." He looked around at the photo.

"She was such a cutie, with her big doe eyes, I only have this shot actually she saw this world up to this period. What are you doing here kid? is Ty with you-"

"Don't you recognize me, Vincent Abraham?" more tears slid through my cheeks, as a cold winter waft surpassed us in that action my lips quivered.

He stood there like a dead man when the realisation hit him so hard that he waned my hand and spun.

"Look into my eyes, Vincent. Aren't they warm like the ones you are staring at; don't you neglect the fair when me, you and mom prowled around hand in hand?

Don't you recognize me?" I shouted ultimately making him turn around by his shoulders Even though I'm breaking here with the pain of striking hundreds of whiplashes altogerher.

"I -I can't wrap up this all." He mumbled looking straight into my eyes. More tears deceived me.

I laughed at him.

"Do you know what? I'm the dumbest at first, I came here to glow candles for the two people whom I thought were long gone. Do you know what this whole time you both were alive creating fun of my invocations and emotions." I asserted gritting my teeth.

"What Caroline?" his eyes came out bulging.

I snickered even though I'm looking like a full wacko.

"Yes, she is wedded to Mr Rutherford and has two daughters with him."

"But that's absurd she-she" he began to babble and my blood started to boil.

"She-she what? Huh? What are you saying Cent, you knew she didn't show any interest in you? Don't act dumb.

Well, thank you for destroying your girl's life like this. If I detest someone the most it is you first and then her, Caroline." I confessed half mockingly but watching him was kinda hard he was with me all along and I didn't notice.

"I'm your dad Veronica don't say like that." Is he for real?

"NO, you aren't I'm the daughter of Tiago Empire. I don't need you." It was so hard for me to let out the last part but to be honest, he lost the right to call me his daughter. He lost it way back.

"Anyway, I want to confide you one thing, Tyson isn't the person you should trust. I guess he and Caroline learned about us all the time ,but they were investigating us. Be cautious Vincent." With that, I advanced with a new set of tears.

"But child..."

The rest was inaudible to me as I was moving ahead, but then I saw him answering his phone and he looked stunned. I supposed to ignore and went on to find my friends.

Derry, Soph and Tyson were standing near a coffee shop but I couldn't see Mr and Mrs Williamsons.

"Hey, our parents went to honour the other people; Mr Tiago also went with him." Soph said realising my confused face.

Derry bought me a coffee and some tissues to wipe my face. We all were just minding our business because no one was in the mood for chit-chatting. Derry cuddled me from back covering me in his long coat and correlating his arms around my bump.

Then suddenly Tyson got a call and appeared all nervous and told he will be right there, then at the same time his stares settled on me and I glared back at him. He gawked frightened; his hands were shivering while he held his cell phone tighter. All I did was to eye read him and I knew it was associated to me.

"Hey, guys, I'll be back, Derry please take care of these two and never leave them alone. Can you do that for me?" He said glancing at all of us, but I was just skimming him and yes, I was right Caroline is here and so is Vincent.

"What? Where are you taking off, Ty? Soph interrogated sipping her coffee.

"I'll be right back, don't worry." No, if he is going there alone, he won't make it back because Caroline is vicious and can effortlessly con anybody.

"And if you won't make it back to us?" I inquired coldly still in the embrace of Derry.

"Stop talking Veronica, Derry listen what I said and take care of them both." With that, he sprinted an alley and got into a taxi.

I'm leaving after him and I noted the taxi number.
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