Chapter Seventeen

"Liza ,haven't you slept yet ? It's cold out here !

The storm is so bad that if you step outside for twenty seconds ,you get drenched !"Corazon said worriedly. "Mummy ,I'm not going outside . I'm only enjoying the cool breeze !

I need to prepare for tomorrow's journey to Acart !

I'm just looking into the case to see if I will get something solid to prove my client's innocence even if she has kicked the bucket !

I need to gather much evidences before the eleventh hour !"I said softly.

"But you seemed to be worried about something else .What is is beautiful ?

You know you can share everything with me because I'm your mother and I will understand you perfectly well better than anyone else !"Corazon said resting her hand on her shoulders persuasively .

"Ah well ! It finally dawned on Clinton to give our relationship another chance .He said he did what he did because he wanted me to spend time with you and dad !"I said taking a seat on the couch .

"What was your answer ? "Corazon asked with a grin on her face .

"I turned down his proposal because I was not sure about what he said !"I added .

"Don't you trust him anymore ?"She asked again .

"Looking into his daisy eyes ,I fell for his words .But mummy ,I don't know what to do anymore !

Hmm!"I heaved a sigh of relief .

"Follow your heart Liza ! You and Clinton have been through a lot to let this chance pass by easily !"She said with a smile .

"I'm handling the case with him and that's what makes our situation even worse !

Destiny has played such a game on us that I think we can never come out from !

Mummy ,you are right !

I will not allow this chance to pass by but I won't accept his proposal that easily !

He will have to suffer a bit more to win my heart ,attention and affection!

What do you think about that mummy ?

"I asked with a smile on my face .

"Just as you want it .Indeed ,you will have to strain him a bit longer ..hehe !"Corazon giggled .

.. ..

"How did it go with Liza ?"Klara asked inquisitively .

"Klara , she said I should forget whatever that happened between us .Can you imagine ?"Clinton asked with a shrug .

"She should have given you a few slaps too !"Hazel added from behind .

"Mum,how can you say that ? Seriously?I'm your son so you should take my side not Liza 's !"Clinton said wearing a dilemma on his face .

"Son ,this is the thing about ladies ;they keep taking their own sides and even I am with them !"Marcial also added upon entering the room .

"Incredible dad ! I thought you would understand me better because we are men but you are not even supporting me !

You're just making the case worse !

I'm tired of listening to your teases .I'm off to bed !"Clinton said .

[They laugh at him as he leaves ].

.. ...

"I can't believe that a grown man like Will Sam will dare assault a young girl like Laura .Where is the world heading to ?"Corazon asked perplexed.

"So much cruelty and shame has covered us all to the extent that we don't understand the essence of humanity !"Corazon added .

"Mummy ,I can't believe it either but I promise you that I will send that culprit to rot in jail for the rest of his life in hard labour !"Liza added while discussing her case with her mum .

"I know my dear ,you are a great attorney and I know until justice prevails for Laura's case ,you won't rest !

But I can help you know exactly what happened !"Corazon said .

"How are you going to do that mummy ?"Liza asked inquisitively.

"Just hold my hands and close your eyes !"Corazon said .

Liza did what she said and after a while she could see the scenes clearly .

Will forced himself on Laura when her parents were not around .He was Tricia's son .

She happen to be Laura's nanny .He took advantage of that and defiled the poor helpless girl !

With her eyes still closed and using her mother's charms ,she could see Laura scream for help but no one was there to help her .Tricia had gone to fetch her test results from the hospital and as a result ,left Laura to the care of her son .

Everything was so clear and she was now poised to attain justice for the poor girl .

Through out the break of dawn ,she kept making various analysis to incriminate the accused Will Smith .

She fell asleep and the dawn chorus woke her up .The early -morning bird songs gave a sign of relieve since a new day always dawns !

"I heard you are going on a trip today with your lover boy !"Jean teased once she entered into her room .

"Jean ,when are you going to stop making fun of me ?

Anyway ,it's for a case not for amusement !"Liza added stretching herself .

"Don't be so boring ,Acart is an island and you can both have great fun before returning !

Liza ,don't miss this opportunity to be happy . I hope you win your case as well .

Anyways , I'm also embarking on a charity campaign and I will be back in two weeks time .I wish you could come but unfortunately ,you have a case to handle !

Liza ,think about what I said ,okay ?Opportunity comes once in a life time and so don't miss yours !"Jean added pulling her chubby cheeks before leaving .

"Everyone kept telling me the same thing over and over again .

Clinton kept calling but I didn't answer any of his calls. I knew what I was doing was not right but I just wanted to buy some time to think !"Liza thought .

.. ..

"Son ,if she isn't answering then why don't you go over to her house ! Corazon has invited the whole family for breakfast at their home and since you will be going on a trip with Liza ,I think you should join .

As at now ,I'm sure Liza is confused about your proposal and being a woman myself ,I know she will not accept your proposal that easily !"Hazel said .

"Mum ,what do you want to say ?"Clinton asked while packing his luggage .

"Spend some more time with her in Acart .Let her know that you really cherish her and you are willing to sacrifice everything for her sake just the same way she did for you !"Hazel added with a smile .

.. ..

"Liza my dear ,it's time for breakfast . I have packed everything you will need for the trip in your suit case so don't worry ."Corazon happily said .

"Thank you mummy , but you know that you shouldn't have bothered ."Liza said with a childish smile on her face .

"Stubborn girl ..!"She said pulling my cheeks.

"Anything for my princess ...!"She added facepalming her .

"I love you mummy!"Liza said happily and that was the first time she had uttered those words to her .

She could see the joy on her face as she embraced her tightly .

"Can I come in ?"Elisa asked with a smile on her face .

"Mum!"Liza called out happily , hugging her .

"I missed you very much !"She said in tears of joy .

"You always miss me but your mother is also here with you !"Elisa said facepalming her.

"Nothing will ever change my feelings towards you mum .I love you very much and if I were to sacrifice everything I had for your sake ,then I would do so !"Liza said hugging her tightly once again .

"By the way ,this is for you mum !"Liza said handing over a package to her .

"What is it ?"Elisa asked perplexed while taking the package with a smile .

"Ha ! Liza ,this is too much..!"

"I know ,but it can't pay for the love and efforts that you showed towards me .

This is my first credit I had for winning my first case and I thought it wise to give it to you as a form of saying thank you for all you have done for me .

Mum,I'm grateful and I don't want you to refuse my package ,please !"Liza said .

"You were very little when you told me that ,you will grow to be a great attorney and the whole world will hail for your success and today ,I hold this cheque in my hands as a form of success from your aim!

As a mother ,enjoying the fruit of her child's labour is one thing that makes her proud and today Eliza ,you have made proud of you !

Of course , I'd keep this solemnly because it's the best gift that a child can give you her mother ..!

Thanks alot ..!"Elisa said pulling Liza into her embrace .

"I remember those days when I was filled with so much dreams .

When you were imprisoned ,I had interest in studying criminal law so that I could get you out of jail.

After some time ,I saw a parent molest a child in an awful manner .Looking at the innocence in the child's eyes ,I felt pity for her and I decided to defend her but I failed because I was little and as thin as a broomstick ..hehe !"Liza giggled .

"Stop being sarcastic Liza !"Elisa added taking a seat by her side .

"Mum ! I mean it and ever since then , I chose a field in human rights and child abuse law !

It's that same child you raised with so many ambitions that has grown this smart ,fat and strong .All thanks to you mum ,I appreciate it with so much love right from the bottom of my heart !"Liza said .

"Well , I'm proud of you for that . Anyways ,are you sure you don't want to give yourself the chance to be loved again ?

Liza ,I know how much you love Clinton and I don't want you to lose him because , i know he's the only one who can truly make you happy . Think about it my dear and remember that I love you very much as well !"Elisa said pulling Liza into her embrace .

.. ..

"Who is hosting a party today ?"Ben asked .

"Ben ,it's a breakfast invitation for three families . I have done all this to arrange for peace between the Williams ,Keynolds and Brown family ! We all need to live peacefully in harmony !"Corazon said .

"Where is my baby girl ?"Ben asked pushing a berry into his mouth .

"She's upstairs with Elisa !"Corazon said simply .

" Alright ,I will go and have a word with her !"Ben said heading upstairs .

"My dear ..!"Ben called .

"Hey daddy , good morning ..!Liza gave him a hug .

"How do you do ?"He asked tugging her hair behind her ears .

"Dad , I'm alright !"She said simply .

"Your mum told me that Elisa was here ..!"

"Yes ,she was here earlier but she had to leave to prepare for the get-together .

Mum told me that ,she had called for a family gathering !"Liza said .

"Well ,if that's the case , I guess you are ready to leave for Acart ,is it ?"Ben asked .

"Yes dad .We have to leave at exactly nine o'clock AM. I don't want to be late and that's why mummy packed my clothes early!"Liza explained .

"You've grown all matured now ! When you won your first case ,I looked at you from afar and celebrated the joy of a proud father . Your name was all over and I loved the sound of it .

I even sent a pendant to be given to you with the inscription of "congrats "on it ..!"

"Are you talking about this ?"Liza took a pendant from her drawer and showed it to him .

"Yeah ! I'm surprised you still have it !"Ben said with a smile .

"When I received it at first sight ,I wondered who did the kind gesture of giving me such an expensive pendant like this one so I kept it assuming it as a well wish from a kind one !

Ever since then ,this pendant had always been with me and I consider it as a form of great fortune in my life!

I also know you and mummy sent me my birthday cake on every birthday celebration of mine .

Thank you dad and don't forget that I love you very much ...!"She said hugging him tightly .