Savior

Chapter Nineteen

‘Solare’ His name kept ringing in my ears even when it had been quite few minutes since Ricci had taken it. Both of us stood opposite to each other with him staring at me and me staring into oblivion.

‘Do you have any idea why Luna keeps saying that you were aware about the child?’ Ricci asked something I myself wanted to know. When I didn’t reply he said, ‘Maybe I should leave you alone. Take your time in processing the information.’

‘Why did the child…die?’ I asked.

‘I don’t know. ‘I sighed in disappointment. ‘But there might be someone who can shed more light on what happened.’

‘Her family isn’t going to tell me anything.’

‘Not her family. There’s someone else who knows what went wrong three years ago.’

‘Who?’

‘Daniel Clarke.’ When he said the name my jaw twitched.

‘Why would he know about her?’

Ricci put his hands in his pants pocket and said, ‘He was her doctor.’

‘He is a gynecologist?’ I asked in disbelief.

Ricci nodded. ‘She went to France for her delivery. Daniel was her doctor there. His name was mentioned in her health check-up file that she submitted at the hospital here.’

‘But she never mentioned him when we were together. How come they got so close, after all they just had doctor-patient relationship.’

‘They are close?’

‘The way he was acting on his wedding day, it looked like they were very close. He was protective of her.’

‘Maybe they became good friends?’

‘There is something more.’

‘Why don’t you discuss everything with Luna? I’m sure if you explain her how you had no clue about the baby she would explain her side of the story too.’

‘No, first I want to talk to this Daniel.’ I said in anger. The fact that they had some sort of relationship irked me enough to hate the guy.

‘Whatever you do, make sure not to mess things up. He’s not just your ex’s doctor but our investor’s son too.’ I gave him a nod and both of us left to visit Daniel.

Pressing the doorbell for the fifth time to their apartment I tapped my foot impatiently. ‘What is taking them so long?’

‘Have patience. They’re newly-weds.’ Ricci said.

‘As if I care.’ I mumbled and pressed the doorbell again. This time someone opened the door and it was none other than Mr. Clarke Jr.

He yawned widely and when he was done, his eyes finally landed on us. His gaze moved from me to Ricci and then back to me.

‘What are you doing here?’

‘I…’ I had no idea what I was going to say so I said, ‘We need to talk’ the standard line to utter before starting any important conversation.

‘I’m busy. Get lost.’ He said and slammed the door on my face. I blinked several times before turning to Ricci who could barely control his laughter.

‘Are you laughing at me?’ I asked.

He composed himself and said, ‘This is the first time someone had disregarded you like this.’

‘From where I’m looking at it, he’s not the only one to do it.’ I gave him the stare reminding him of times he’d forgotten he was my secretary.

‘What do we do now?’

‘I’m not going back without any answers.’ I pressed the doorbell again with determination. Daniel opened the door again, this time looking more pissed than before. He was still shirt-less hinting at what he might be busy in. ‘Look, I know we are intruding….’

‘If you know then why the hell are you here?’ Someone from behind him said and Daniel moved aside. Emily emerged from behind him and stood next to him folding her hands in the front.

‘Emily.’ I greeted her.

‘What do you want?’ She asked with distaste.

‘I just need to talk to Daniel. It won’t take long.’

‘If this is about yesterday then I’m not interested.’ Daniel said and tried to close the door but I blocked it with my hand.

‘This is about what happened three years ago. It’s about Luna’s baby…..my baby.’

He clenched his teeth when I said that. ‘How dare you call him your baby? You have absolutely no right to do so.’

‘Tell me everything or else…’

‘Or what? What are you going to do?’

‘I know you were her doctor. I just want to know what happened. How did he pass away?’

‘When you were not bothered by his birth then why bother about his death years later.’

‘I was not aware of his existence….’

‘Stop lying!’ Daniel threw open the door and grabbed my collar. ‘You dare not come here and say that you didn’t know that Luna

was pregnant when she told you, and not only did she tell you, she went to beg you time and again to help her out, to help her save the baby. But you being the bastard that you are refused. Even when you knew the both Luna and baby were at risk you refused to help her. What kind of a man are you Sole Accardi!?’

His sudden outburst paralyzed me. What was he talking about? Why was everyone blaming me and when did Luna tell me?

‘Get inside and then talk.’ Emily said looking at my state. When Daniel looked at her in frustration, she told him, ‘Look at him, he obviously wasn’t aware. He’s no good actor, I know.’

All of us went inside and I and Daniel took seats opposite each other. ‘Mr. Accardi just wants to know what went wrong back then. He didn’t know about the baby.’ Ricci said on behalf of me.

‘As far as I remember, both of you were good together. Luna also mentioned you were going to get married, that you proposed.’ Emily said.

‘We were going to but then she backed out.’ I replied.

Daniel scoffed. ‘You mean you backed out.’ I stared at him. Why did he had to counter everything that I said?

‘She broke up with me.’

‘No you broke up with her.’

Hearing us arguing like that Emily stood up. ‘I think there is some massive misunderstanding between you and Luna. Sole why do you think she broke up with you?’

Looking away from all of them I began narrating the events of the most painful day of my life. The day we were supposed to get married.

Three years ago

‘Luna.’ I whispered in her ear. She was sleeping peacefully. It had been a week since I’d proposed her and she’d agreed to spend the rest of her life with me. She shifted under the sheets but didn’t open her eyes. I kissed her cheek and she smiled. ‘You’re awake?’

‘Hmm.’

‘Then get up and give me a hug before I leave.’

She opened her eyes immediately. ‘Where are you going?’

‘Did you forget? We are getting married today.’ She smiled again.

‘How can I forget such an important day? But where are you going?’ She got up and held my arm.

‘To get you a ring. You can’t wear the violin on the finger, can you?’ I said and both of us cracked up.  

She gave me a peck on the lips and said, ‘Be back soon then.’

‘Make sure to be there at the church on time.’ She nodded and kissed her forehead before running out the house to get the ring.

Stopping by the jewelry store, I selected the ring with a double heart-cut diamond, a thin band, perfect fit for her slender finger. ‘Congratulations!’ The staff said cheerfully when I told her it was a wedding ring. I bought one for myself too, which Luna would put on me. Next I went to buy a tux, I had to match to my bride’s beauty. Getting ready in the store itself I straight went to the church.

We were supposed to meet there by twelve and I waited for her to arrive. Time passed by, I thought maybe she was taking her time to get dressed, after all it was a big day. She didn’t want to invite her family after all they were never concerned for her. Same went for me. My family, I knew wasn’t interested in me either. So I didn’t bother to send my father the invitation. Since none of the families were coming, inviting friends didn’t made sense. Anyways I didn’t had any and she had just one, Emily, who Luna was sure would understand why she wasn’t invited.

A little later, I received a text from her saying that she was running late due to some problem with her dress. So I waited and I kept waiting thinking about her and me and soon it was evening. I tried calling her but she didn’t pick up. Many thoughts were running wild in my brain but I kept my mind positive. She might have some work, she might be caught up in something I kept thinking. Home phone also went unanswered. Where was she? When it was seven I could no longer wait.

Wanting to run back home, I turned but was met with an unexpected guest. I walked over to her and noticed she was crying. ‘You here?’ I asked.

‘Where were you Sole? Why weren’t you coming back home?’ She said.

‘How did you know I was here?’ I asked eyeing her with suspicion.

‘I had to ask our people to look for you. Do you know how much your father missed you that….’

‘That?’

‘He isn’t well, Sole. You father is very ill. He needs you right now.’ Typical step-mother Amanda Simon was. She would always use these blackmailing words to pretend to bridge the gap between me and my father.

‘These words don’t forget me anymore. Please leave.’

‘He’s in the hospital. Don’t you care about your father?’

‘Does he care about me?’ She breathed deeply and looked at me intensely.

‘Bodyguards!’ She shouted and on her command came six men wearing uniform which I recognized were from the security firm that my father’s company hires people from. They dragged me against my wishes and I tried to retaliate but it didn’t work. Forcefully I put in the car and I could do nothing but think what if Luna came after I left. What would she think? My step-mother sat beside me and said, ‘This time it’s serious.’

‘I don’t care!’ I shouted. ‘I need to be here. I’m….’

‘Getting married? You can do that once your father is well again.’

‘You’re not going to let me go, right?’ When she nodded I asked, ‘Can I at least text her telling that I’m going with you?’

‘Sure.’

I quickly moved my fingers over the phone screen, texting Luna that I was going to meet my father and that it could take some time but as soon as I will be finished I would call her and then both of us will get married. I waited for a while but when no reply came my heart started to worry. Where was she? And why wasn’t she replying to my texts or calls?

Present

‘She never contacted me again after that. Being late to the wedding was fine with me but at least she should’ve explained why she didn’t come. But there was never an answer from her. I sent her a text everyday asking her where she was and why she wasn’t replying but again I got no answer. My father’s condition was genuinely bad, it kept deteriorating and one day…..he was gone. Before I could sort things with him, tell him that I wasn’t such a bad son after all, he was gone.’

‘So according to you Luna never contacted you after that day?’ Emily asked.

‘Yes.’

‘You’re lying.’ Daniel said crossing his legs. His eyes on Sole, staring him hard he said, ‘Luna told me a different story.’

‘And you believe her?’ I asked.

‘Of course. She had a strong reason to contact you, why wouldn’t she then?’

‘I’m telling you the truth.’ I said.

‘This is not going to solve anything. Let me talk to Luna about this. I want to know her side of the story as well.’

‘Sure but before that I want to know something from Daniel.’ I looked at him and he stared back. ‘Why are you so concerned about Luna? Because she is your wife’s friend or she was once your patient?’

‘Because there was a time when I loved her.’ As soon as he said that Emily, I and Ricci, straightened up. So he dated her. Now I understand the unusual concern he had for her. I couldn’t help but grit my teeth at his smirk.