Connecting

Chapter 18

Chyler looked down at her feet before replying, "The director knows more about this but I will try to tell you what I know."

Melissa nodded nervously, she is nervous because she's not sure if she is ready to hear whatever she is about to hear in a few seconds.

"Your father," Chyler started. "Was a part of the secret agency or department of the FBI. He was like us. I wasn't working here yet when he left, but I know that he was one of the best agents before. He was suspended until further notice. They said it was because he violated rules such as going home from work even though he's working in a big case that requires full attention. But the big rule he violated was he brought a suspect to the police. His defense was it's not practical for prisoners to be imprisoned in a department that doesn't really exist to the world, but that is not a violation anymore because of our director who tried to help your father. He wasn't really a bad guy, he tried to make justice for every people including those who have sinned even if it means that he will lose his job."

Melissa was shocked; she didn't know that her father was like her–he was an agent. A better agent. "Where is he? Where can I find him?"

Chyler shrugged. "Ever since he was suspended, we were pretty sure that he went back to his family. He had connections with the director before, I just don't know if they still talk up to now. He asked the director to take care of you."

Chris looked at Melissa. "Do you want to talk to him? Your father?"

Melissa nodded. "We need him in this case."

"Your father helping you will make him prove his worth once more," Chyler suddenly said. "And it will make you to have more brains and power in this case. I will contact the director and ask him if you can contact him." Chyler grabbed her phone and faced the two.

"The director told me that he'll try to contact him today." Chyler said after a while. Chris and Melissa were supposed to go out and leave the place but Chyler stopped them and said, "He also said that when he last talked to your father, he was with your mom and he told him that it seems like you don't wanna talk to him."

Melissa looked down. "I didn't. And I still don't but I'll give it a try. I'll talk to him but just.. just for the sake of saving everyone, saving the country. Nothing more, nothing less."

Chyler shook her head. "No, Melissa, he's still your dad. You don't know what happened yet. You don't know his side of story, and I know you, you will want to hear every side of story before you decide."

"This is different. I don't plan on hearing his side because that's just him defending himself to try to manipulate me and reciprocate my beliefs." Melissa replied with sadness and anger in her voice and opened the door to leave. Chris looked at Chyler with a sorry look and Chyler just nodded at him in reassurance.

When Chris and Melissa reached the car, neither of them talked. Chris keeps looking at Melissa to make sure she's fine but Melissa just stared at the window.

Chris decided to break the silence. "I am not sure what you feel right now but, Melissa, don't keep your feelings to yourself. It hurts the most."

Melissa looked at him. Slowly, tears started running down her face. Chris looked at her. "Just let it all out, alright? I am always here for you if you ever need someone to talk to. Don't exert too much energy, you're asthmatic, we don't want you to get sick."

Melissa finds Chris's worry for her sweet but she can't think straight right now. She doesn't know if she should give her father a chance, her father whom she hasn't met before but keeps hearing both beautiful and ugly descriptions about him. "I just don't know what to do, Chris. I don't know who to believe and who to listen to. My mom keeps telling me good things about him when I was a child but when I asked her what happened to him and why did he leave us, she told me things that I never expected. He literally left us without a word, without anything. He left us after he said those bad things to my mother. Then, my oldest sister, who knew what happened about him, too, told me that everything my mom told me were true. Chris, I trust my mom, I trust my sister. This father that you're saying I should listen to, I don't know him. I don't trust him. He didn't listen to my mom and my sister when they cried for him not to leave, why should I listen to him?"

Chris held her hand to comfort her while his eyes are still glued on the road. Melissa stopped crying and tried to calm herself while holding onto her partner.

"I can't imagine how you feel. I feel like I'm not the right person to give advice to you about this. You always follow your instincts, Mel. For everything you decide, for every time you follow yourself and what you think is right, you make things right. This... this is your life. It's time to think about it like how you think about your cases. Try talking to your dad about the case and maybe – just maybe, you'll realize that he's worth giving a try."

There was a moment of silence. When they reached the village, Melissa softly and quietly said, "I will try talking to him about the case. But I want you to be there with me. Help me."

Chris looked at her, smiling. "Of course, I'll be there. I am your partner and this is about the case we're both working on. I always have your back, Melissa."