Solid Ground

Chapter 19

// This dedication is to Lost_In_The_Past. Thank you so much for checking on me. I'm just so touched. Thank you so very much. I know I haven't really have the time to talk to you but... I want you to know I'm so blessed to know you. Hope you like the chapter :) feel free to follow her guys :)

This chapter hasn't been edited. Sorry. You've been warned in advance;)

Riley

A shiver went down my spine as Marcus twisted the doorknob from the other side. I scrambled to find a place to hide his diary. I searched high and low for a hiding place, but at the end I just shoved it into the cupboard under the sink.

I straighten up my clothes before unlocking the door.

"What were you doing in there? I was about to call the fireman." He ran his fingers through his hair, his eyes scanning the bathroom.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." I moved out of the toilet and pulled him out as well.

He raised his eyebrows at me, and looked at me suspiciously.

"Let's just go eat or something." I smiled crookedly. Panic running through my veins.

He shook his shoulders backwards. Suspicion still written all over his face. "Sure, whatever you want." He turned around and took his handphone from across the room. He swiped his phone open to find a text from Kimberly.

"What did she say?" I was curious. What was she up to now.

"She is inviting us to see her perform at the Royal theatre. It's at 8pm." Marcus looked at me, asking for my approval.

Did I want to go? No. Did I want Marcus to go? Hell no. Did I want to sound like a brat? No.

"I guess we could take a visit at night." I said reluctantly. Bringing me more jealousy than it should. I took my purse, "Can we eat now?" Asking impatiently. The feeling of hunger never dies.

"Yeah. Where to?" He held my hand as he lead me out of the room.

Suddenly one of the maids rushed towards us. She held a silver platter on her hand with a phone on it. She looked anxious and concerned, her maid outfit messed up and her eyes were filled with fright.

"Milady, I think you better take this call." I could see sweat running down her porcelain face.

I reached for the phone and put it to my ear.

"Hello?"

Suddenly a familiar voiced appeared at the other end of the phone. It was my mother. Her voice was shaky, she muttered in a low voice.

By the end of the call, I was fright shaken. My eyes were tearing up, my heart sank a thousand floors downwards.

I lifted my head and stared at Marcus.

What am I going to do now...

Maybe I was in a moment if panic, but I ran towards Marcus, begging him.

"Marcus we have to go back to New York now. Please. M-my dad had an heart attack. Now he is in coma. Marcus please. You have to let me go back." I held him by the collar, rocking him back and forth, tears running down my cheek.

"Okay. Wait, deep breaths. I'll do whatever you want. Just stop crying. Please." He held me tightly, comforting me. "We will go back this instance. Let me just talk to my dad. He can arrange one of his private jets to send us back."

He gave me a quick kiss on the forehead. Before leaving me to find his father he mouthed to me "everything is going to be okay".

I rested my head against the wall behind me. Counting every deep breath I took.

I sure hope so.

Marcus

I'd do anything for her. I swear that I would never want to see any tears escape from her ever again.

"Dad, I need your help. I need you to lend us one of your jets. Riley's dad just got a heart attack. We need to go back. Now." I said firmly. There was no guarantee that he would lend us his jet. Especially when I'm not in good terms with him.

He gave me a long look. "I'll get everything arranged." He said as he pulled out his handphone from his pocket.

"David, fire up the jets. The Anderson's are heading to New York. Now. Get ready in two hours time." He ordered through the phone. After a few phone calls everything was set.

Wait, what did he mean by The Anderson's are heading back?

"Dad, you don't have to..." I studied his face, trying to understand what he was thinking.

My dad hasn't spared any of his precious time for family. Why now.

"Don't be stupid son. This is family. And in family, nobody gets left behind. Now, go pack your stuff. I'll call the limousine to pick us up." His tone of voice went stern.

I nodded and left.

"And son." I turned back to look at him. "Take care of Riley." He said before he left.

I've never seen this side of my dad. Did my years of anger and rage of him really penetrate his thick skull. He was the hero of many, always donating to orphanages, flood victims and etc. He was never my hero... Not until today.

We boarded the jet as soon as possible. Riley's face was pale, her eyes were fixed outside the window. I reached for her hand and gave it a tight squeeze. She didn't flinch, neither did take a glance at me. It was as though her whole world was crashing around her...

But little did she know, so was mine...

**********

Hey guys!! Sorry for making you guys wait for the update. School started in my country and it has been giving me hell ever since. So I hope you'll forgive me. *Gets ready a big box of pizza*

Thank you for all your support. Thank you so much for everything, thank you for messaging me and for all the reads and votes and comments. Thank you so very much. I'll never ever be able to make it up to all of you.

Hope all of you liked the chapter:) feel free to read, vote and comment. PS. I'll get to all you messages as soon as possible. Love you guys so much. Xoxo.