~Amanda~I blinked countless times to get rid of the blurry vision.My headache terribly and a strong smell of chlorine hit my nostrils.When I my eyes fully opened,I was met with a pair of grey piercing eyes and I couldn't help it but frown, wondering what the hell was going on.Gabriel's lips curved into a smile and I could see relief in his eyes.”You're finally awake,Amanda.I was so worried about you.How are you feeling?Are you hungry or do you feel thirsty?”Gabriel asked politely and I could feel the concern in his voice.I snapped when I recalled my daughter's condition.“Ariana!I have to go and check on my daughter.”I was about to get off the bed but Gabriel held my hand. I turned to look at his hand on mine,then raised my face slowly and looked at him,our eyes locked.“You don't need to worry about anything because Ariana is doing perfectly fine.Our daughter is okay.Mom is watching over Ariana.

~Amanda~Gabriel's question caught me off guard.I wasn't expecting him to ask me such a sensitive question.It was quiet for a while then I heaved a deep breath.“Can we talk from the balcony?”I asked and he nodded almost immediately.“Sure,”He said with a smile.I led the way and he followed behind me.“I will only allow you to be a father to Ariana under one condition.”I turned my head gently to look at Gabriel who was paying full attention.“And…what is the condition?”He asked hesitantly as though he wasn't sure if he wanted to hear my response.I heaved a deep sigh.“You are not allowed to tell Ariana that you're her father!You'll remain an uncle to her.I don't want Ariana to be affected by all this.That is why I didn't tell you that she's our daughter.It’s because I'm trying to protect her.”I paused to take a breath.“We will tell her the truth when she's mature enough

~Amanda~A FEW DAYS LATER “It's time to take your medicine Ariana.”Gabriel announced as soon as we arrived in our daughter's room from the dining room.Ariana made a funny face when she heard Gabriel's words and I couldn't help it but smile.She doesn't like medicines, everyone knows that.However,I think she has no choice but to take it.I placed Ariana on the bed then held her little hands in mine, giving them a gentle squeeze.I raised my head to look into my daughter's brown hazel eyes which resembles mine.“Uncle Gabriel is right.It's time to take your medicines dear.”Ariana looked at me with a pout,being sturbbon like always whenever she heard the mention of the word “medicine”.“You need to take the medicines as prescribed by the doctor so that you don't get sick again, darling.Do you want to make your mommy, grandma, grandpa, and uncle worried again?”I asked my daughter and she shook her head almost immediately.“I don't want to make you worried, mommy.”Ariana said and my lips cu

~Amanda~“You don't need to worry about anything.I will take care of Ariana.”Gabriel turned his head momentarily to look at our daughter and she giggled, happiness written all over her face.“I will make sure that Aria takes her medicines on time,I will change her clothes when they get wet from sweating…”Gabriel continued to mention all that and my lips curved into a smile.I was enlightened that he cared that much about our daughter.“I can see you know everything that is supposed to be done.”I joked and we both laughed lightly.“All you need to do is pay your full attention to the meeting ahead of you because I know how important it is to you.”I heaved a nervous sigh and smiled.I was happy to know that Gab cared that much about my career and the company.After checking on my daughter and making sure that she was doing alright,I left her room.Gab assured me that he would take care of our daughter and the worry that I had decreased a little bit.“Aren't y

~Amanda~“Please listen to me Amanda.Please I beg you.”She cupped her hands, pleading as tears flowed down her cheeks.“I don't have time to listen to you,Sarah!What is there to listen to?”My  anger escalated with each word that came from my lips.“I know I hurt you so bad and that's why I would like to talk to you about it.Please give me a chance to explain it to you.”She knelt on the tiled floor in front of me, holding onto the helm of my dress so tightly as she sobbed non stop.I could feel tears in my eyes but I blinked countless times to hold back.Heaving a deep sigh,I stepped back and Sarah fell back on her butt.“Stand up and Leave!I don't want to see your face ever again!I don't want to hear anything about you!Don't ever step foot in this company because the next time you do so,I will call the police on you!”More tears streamed down her cheeks when she heard my words.I saw disbelief in her eyes.She thought I would fall in her trap again?NEVER!Th