We saunter back into the castle, to the smiley faces of our parents around the table. Their loud hums as Damian and I take our respective seats beside each other as reserved for us halts. From the look on their faces, they ought to have debated a lot in our absence, and I hope it's nothing as insane as this - the marriage agreement. If they were crazy enough before to come up with something as absurd as this marriage arrangement, I don't even want to speculate what else they can come up with. Perhaps the number of grandchildren they want to have? Beh!I throw a quick glance at Papa. His expression doesn't look so optimistic. It's nearly flat, and I understand why. He probably thinks I chose the choice he gave me. Makes me wonder though. If he was okay health-wise, and if Damian came clean on time, this would be such a beautiful gathering, right? We conceivably would be slipping the engagement rings on our fingers right now. It would have been a blissful event - with everyone happy. I

"Morning doctor Lemuel!" I greet the doctor in the hallway after checking on my father.He is still asleep. He must have been so exhausted by the time he retired to bed last night. That was predictable after all that long conversation we had."Good morning, Ellie! How was your night?" Lemuel asks after responding to my greetings.One thing I like about Lemuel is his devotion and outgoing virtue. He is so easy to talk with. His maturity and equilibrium are what crowns his physical glamour. He would be such a great catch, if only..."I slept well, but I'm worried about my father. How far is your consultation about the transplant?" I query."Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that.""Why? Is everything okay? Has the decision been finalized?""Yes. And I have already scheduled a transplant for your father. In two days." Wow! I can't explain the exhilaration I am feeling. Finally, my father will be free from all this agony. He will go through the transplant and everything will go ba

"You both stop this!" Mrs Riccaforte exclamations, standing between them and gazing at them one after another.She is a burning lioness among the two lions, but her anger is different. It's not because she is angry at someone, but that anger and fear of a woman seeing his family fight, and much worse, in front of her. It's that fear of seeing a hint of your family being torn to shambles- the fear of losing a home, a family that you built for years. I feel sorry for her, especially because neither Damian nor Mr Riccaforte is willing to back down. Not even at her plea."It's been years since we were together like this as a family, and this is what you two can do best? Can't you set your differences aside for once?" She cries, and I mean crying, except that only the tears are not falling. I don't know for how long, though, because her voice is totally broken, and I can see her chest heaving up and down from here.Mr Riccaford takes a step back from Damian, perhaps opting not to stress hi

I gulp down the third glass of water. It's been too long since doctor Lemuel got into the operating room with his team and they haven't come out yet. If I ever said I was nervous before, I take it back. I probably didn't know the real meaning of that but this, this is a real freaking wrecking anxiety. I have tried out all I could in an endeavour to stroke my nervous system, but nothing is working. The terror is stinging so badly. My mind is a catastrophe of a thousand sentiments all discombobulated together. I should probably go and try to peek through the window. Maybe I will see something that will calm me down, or probably an aberrative chat with Damian's parents? Yeah, I guess that will be good. There was no fucking point in staying inside this freaking room because this improbable jerk is keeping his word about not bothering me except by telling me to calm down. Calm down my itchy ass! He can do that for me!"Where are you going?" He racks before me before I could get to the im

"Thank you." I say to Damian as we saunter inside my room.He has been of so much help today, including going through the trouble of bringing me home."It's nothing. Please lie down and try not to worry." Damian speaks as he guides me to bed.I know what he anticipates. That I will lie down as if nothing happened. But how on earth can I do that?"After what Gracia did back there, and her threats, can you honestly tell me that I have nothing to worry about? That all is well? My dad just died, and they organized his funeral in a flicker?" I retort, curbing my apprehensions and refusing to sit on this bed."Maybe they wanted to intimidate you back there. Maybe...""The charade, maybe. But how did they plan all that in minutes when in fact they weren't even there to know my father passed away?" I ask."Any urge what this could be all about? I noticed that you don't get along with them. I mean, even for Nelly to do what she did, a sister can't do that.""I honestly have no idea, Damian. Al