Two faces behind the mask

The doctors were running up and down trying to get something fixed because there was an important patient in the labour room. The patient is none other than Alexia Anna, the wife of the famous billionaire Alexia Johnson. She was about to be put to bed, but the baby refused to come out, and this got the doctors worried. "Push one more time; you can do it," the nurse said to Anna. "I'm getting tired; I can't do anything again." Anna said weakly. "You have to try, ma'am." Mr. Alexia was pacing up and down in front of the labour, and he really worried about his wife so much. The doctor finally came out after spending six hours in the labour room. "Doctor, how is my wife? Is the baby fine?" Alexia rushes his words. "Congratulations to you; you have a baby girl," the doctor said. Alexia was happy to welcome his baby. He was rejoicing when the doctor interrupted him. "I'm sorry to say this, but we lost the mother." The doctor drops the bad news. Alexia was dumbfounded by what the doctor said; he didn't know when tears began to drop from his eyes. The happiest day of his life turns out to be the saddest one. "You have to take heart, sir," the doctor consoled him. Alexia takes the baby home and starts to take care of her. ***** 10 years later A beautiful 10-year-old girl was running around playing in the compound, putting on a mask. She stopped when she heard the sound of her father's car. She runs towards her dad with full speed and hugs him tightly. "Good day, Mr. Alexia," Claire said, stretching her tiny hand for a handshake. "Good day to you, Miss Claire." Mr. Alexia accepted the handshake. They both burst into laughter on their way inside the house after the little drama they performed. After eating dinner, Mr. Alexia and Claire were having a drink in the sitting while Claire was watching her favourite TV show. "Little Princess, I have warned you several times to stop playing around by yourself. What if you hurt yourself in the process and your mask gets removed?" I'm sorry, dad, but I don't have anyone to play with, and sometimes whenever I feel my mother's presence in the house, I always play with her. "What did you mean by feeling her presence around you?" Mr. Alexia said, dropping the newspaper in her hands and sitting down beside his daughter. "Our teacher told us that those people who truly love us will never leave us alone and will always check on us, even when they are dead. So I was thinking my mother will always come to check on me even though she is dead because I know she loves me," Claire said, smiling. Mr. Alexia could not hold back his tears after hearing what his little princess said. He was surprised to see her thoughtfulness despite the fact that she is alone and no one wants to make friends with her because she always wears a mask. The only respect she got and what saved her from being bullied was because everyone knew she was his daughter, but they couldn't see her bare face. "Little princess, it's time to sleep," Mr. Alexia said, wiping his tears. "Daddy, why are you crying? Did you miss mommy that much? "Claire said, holding her father's hands. "No, little princess, I was just happy that you could play with your mommy.". Mr. Alexia replied "Ok, Dad, I have to go to sleep in order to wake up early tomorrow. You know I don't like being late to school," Claire said, standing up. Mr. Alexia kissed his daughter on the forehead and bid her good night. After Claire went to bed, Mr. Alexia was weeping profusely. He misses his wife so much, and he has been trying to get over her, but he couldn't. Sometimes he will blame Claire for her death, but he has no choice but to use Claire as a replacement for his late wife. He also loves his daughter so much, and he is always happy with her boldness, exactly like that of her mother, but he was really sad for giving the little girl a hard time. Claire has been wearing a mask since she was five years old, and it was due to a threat from an anonymous person. ~FLASH BACK ~ FIVE YEARS AGO (Alexia Mansion) It wasraining that evening. Mr. Alexia was in his study room working on his laptop on a new project when he received a phone call. ""Hello, who is this, please?" Mr. Alexia said, picking up the call. "The person you know," the voice on the other hand replied. "Please tell me who is speaking exactly; I don't seem to know you." Mr. Alexia replied "I don't have any explanation for that; all I want is that either you leave the project you are working on or you lose your daughter." Alexia stood up fearfully, his body trembling. "I will definitely leave the project, but please don't hurt my daughter. I beg you, " Mr. Alexia pleads "Once you leave the project, we will leave your daughter," the voice said, ending the call. Mr. Alexia was in tears; he was afraid of losing his daughter after losing his wife. He definitely doesn't care about the project, but what he cares most about is his daughter. While he was busy thinking, Claire walked in, smiling. "Dad, why are you still up by this time?" Claire said. "And that question goes to you. What are you doing here, and why are you here at this time, princess?" Alexia fakes a smile. "I woke up because I was thirsty after coming back from the kitchen. I saw the light on; that's why I came to check on you," Claire explained. "That's my princess, always smart. Daddy was just working on some projects. Mr. Alexia replied "But you are sweating, Dad; what is the matter? You know you can talk to me anytime. Share your problem with me, Dad. Problems shared are half solved." Claire said, holding his father's right hand with her tiny, small hands. Mr. Alexia was looking at Claire with surprise; she was too young, but she behaves like an adult. He was surprised to hear her response and the way she comforted him just now. But he can't let her know he has been threatened. "There is nothing, princess; I was just working on a project, and I was tired. I'm going to bed soon; I just want to clear something up," Mr. Alexia said, still putting on a fake smile. Claire strolled around the library, admiring the way the books were carefully arranged. Then she turned to her father suddenly. "Dad, since you said you were working, I was thinking of singing a poem for you so that it could release the work stress," Claire said out of the blue. "No problem. Let's think to the princess, " Mr. Alexia responds, facing his daughter. Claire clears her throat and starts clapping. Mom is gone Dad is here The daughter is threatened and Dad was scared Dad wants to protect his daughter. But he lied to the little princess. He was...... Mr. Alexia, stand up and interrupt. "This is not a good woman," he said, raising his voice. "I was trying to help you calm down, Dad," Claire replied, smiling. "Listen up!Don't ever sing this kind of poem again. OK, Dad "Since when have you been eavesdropping on my conversation?" "Awhile ago, when you stood up while receiving the call," "So you have learned how to spy on people, isn't it?" Mr. Alexia yells "No, no, I was just trying to help," Claire said, bursting into tears