Rising

Revealing News

        We spent a couple of hours in that cafeteria. I was trying to get to know Niray while calming her nerves. I bought her some tea and pastries, which I was sure she was thankful for by the look on her face.

      “So Niray, where did you come from?” I opened the conversation. She took a sip of the tea and looked at me with a nervous smile.

     “I came from Guatemala, sir. I lived there with my grandmother, she has been raising me since my mother passed away,” she replied, as I studied her intently.

     “I can’t help but be curious to know if we have met before. You just seem so familiar to me,” I mentioned.

    “I don’t think so. But I have heard we all have a look alike somewhere” she smiled. I could tell she was feeling so comfortable with my presence. I was trying to be kind to her. I looked at my watch and then at her.

     “Tell me, why did you cross the border to come here? You know that is illegal to do, right?” her shock on her face gave her away. Jayden always told me everything. That is why we had a good relationship. I couldn't say the same about Michael. 

    Fear took over her, and I could see her trying to leave. As she was standing up, I grabbed her by the arm. “Don’t worry, I won’t say a thing, but I want you to explain to me why?”

    "I have said it already, my grandma is sick and I need to send her money for medicines" 

    I took a deep breath while gesturing for her to sit down. "Don't you have another family member that can help you with it? Uncles or aunts?"

     "I am the only family my grandma has left. She told me my mom met this American tourist, but he disappeared after he left her pregnant" she said, with sadness in her voice. I suddenly thought about that beautiful woman I met there on my last business trip to Guatemala, and it hit me.

    "Niray, what is your mother's name?" I asked. She raised her eyebrows at me and shrugged her shoulders.

    "Umm...my grandma told me her name was Cecilia" 

    I felt a sudden pain in my chest and I couldn't breathe. Niray stood up from her chair and approached me. "Are you okay? You look pale" at her touch, I felt a wave of emotions. 

    “I will be fine, I just need some air” I said. Michael entered and he saw the whole ordeal. 

     “What did you do to him now? Aren’t you satisfied yet with causing my brother that accident?”

     “I didn’t do anything, he started feeling sick all of a sudden” she replied and I grabbed Michael’s arm.

      “She didn’t do anything. Please, take me outside, I need some fresh air” I said and Michael quickly helped me up. I looked at Niray and gave her a reassuring smile “it’s okay, I just had a sudden shock. But I am fine” 

     She stayed there while Michel walked with me outdoors. “Father, what did that girl do to you?” He asked and I just chuckled. Could she be my daughter? Despite not knowing Cecilia much, I liked her and I was sure Niray was mine. I could feel it in my bones. I needed to investigate more.

     “Dad” Michael said, pulling me out of my thoughts “what happened between you and her?” 

      I shook my head and a big smile appeared on my face. “Nothing son, I just found out some news, and I need to find out if they’re true” 

     I felt better and we headed in to wait for the doctor that was operating Jayden. We sat in the chairs, and Niray entered the waiting area with her head down, and sat all the way across the room. “Why are you sitting all the way there?” I asked. 

     “It’s not a problem, I want to give you some space” she replied shyly. 

      I walked over and took a seat next to her, surprising her. I could see Michael frown, but I glared at him and he just walked out of the waiting room. I took Niray’s hands and tried to comfort her. She looked up and those eyes were so beautiful. She looks just like her mother and I wished I could have brought her with me. I fell madly in love with her, and I regret leaving her behind.

     “Are you okay, Mr. Bell...John?” She asked and I just nodded. My mind took me once again to that night where Cecilia gave herself to me. We have spent most of my trip together and I was happy. I had escaped the pressure of my company and my family. I was hoping this girl was my daughter and I needed to find out.

     “Yes dear,  I am fine. I am as healthy as a horse. I just felt the need to get some air. And don’t worry, you did nothing wrong”  

     She squeezed my hand and looked at me with a cheery smile. “Can I tell you a secret?” She asked. 

      “Of course you can. I’m here for anything”

      “Ever since I saw you at the meeting, I can’t help but feel comfortable around you, it’s like I’ve known you my whole life and I felt at peace with your presence. I know it’s weird, but you have this...this...I don’t know how to explain it without sounding weird”

      “That’s okay. I felt the same way when I met you too. And I hope that doesn’t make me sound like a p*****t or an old hag trying to score points with young girls” I said, getting a laugh from her. 

       “No, sir. Not at all”

     I don’t know what came over me, that I felt the need to hug her, and that’s what I did. I took her in my arms and held her in a loving embrace. I hoped my suspicions were true and she was indeed, my little girl.