CHAPTER 14 - ÉTRANGÈRE

In the shadows where you feel safe ..........lurking in the night amidst danger.

Knowing that someone or somebody watching over you.

Dehydrated by warmth and love.

Succumbs in her embrace.

Facing the danger with equal strong well.

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These couple of weeks have been smooth sailing for the young Architect; she couldn't feel any treats unlike in the past.

The young Ramos could still sense some eyes that watching her, but this time she feels safe and protected, nothing like she feels before at the time when she was being saved by a stranger in her bar parking lot.

Yes.....since that day a stranger saves her and takes good care of her.......everything falls to places.

She doesn't know why but she really feels normal.........the feeling of freedom as well.

"Hey, you are early today?" Interrupted by a man to her wandering thoughts.

"Dad!" Standing up at the same time and greeted her father, who is obviously happy to visit her daughter.

The good thing about it, the young Architect’s relation with her father is getting better as we speak.

And added to that, she’s not receiving any death threats or any foul messages.

She hugs the present Chief General and kisses him on his cheek.

A reciprocal hug was also given to her daughter and a kiss on the forehead.

Five days ago when she decided to communicate again with her parents and visits them in their house.

Her mother was overjoyed when she visited that day unannounced.

The unexpected visit to her family was the start of her making peace to her unknown understanding with her father, who was so innocent from it.

She explains to her parents the situation she's been hiding from them.

The whys and the how’s........it's not easy but she has to, as what the stranger advises her to do.

Yes, the person, who saves her...........always left a note on her doorstep, every time she arrives from her work.

Either to ask if she's okay, has she eaten yet, if she sleeps well, anything that the stranger can help her with, or even advice and a lot more.

So........in order for her to communicate with that said stranger, she also leaves that person a letter or a note in her doorsteps whenever she went to work........that's how they been exchanging conversation to each other, an old fashion way and she likes it.....away from modern entities.

Added to that.........who else will comfort her, none other than her family of course............she may consider her friends as her family, but it's really different when your blood bond comforted you.

It's not easy for the young Architect to tell it all to her parents, her mom even gives them time alone with her father to talk and consult him on her situation.

Even she was surprised that her father knows what she's been going through, she really underestimates her father's capability to understand a person's character and behavior, if that persons are into something or whatsoever.

She forgot that his father is the Philippines Chief General.

But then again, aside from her father's instinct, not to mention her father's training in the Military field and added to that..........his father overheard her talking to someone about her problem........so that sum it all up.

"Sorry dad, did I come at the wrong time." Asked the daughter to her father.

The general just smiles at her daughter, indicating that it's not a big deal at all.

"No of course not darling, it's just that we were not able to prepare your favorites." Expressed her dad happily.

She removes her hold from her dad and being guided to their living area.

"Let's have a seat dad...I need your advice on something if that's okay with you?" A little bit hesitant, the young bar owner directly asked her father.

She has nothing to lose if she seeks her father's opinion.......since all being laid out to her father, no secrets at all between them.

They are an open book to each other now, same as before.

"By the way dad, where is mom?" Noticing that, since she came in their house........ her eyes could not find her loving mother.

"Oh...your mom? Will...........she went to her office, there's just a little problem on the case she's handling but nothing to worry it's just a minor setback." Informing her daughter and assuring her that there is nothing to disquiet.

"Okay then." Her attention is now back to her father.

"So tell me what's bothering you, child?" Encouraging his daughter.

"Mmm.........I have been communicating to a stranger, will since that they I told you about........when I get drunk?" Hesitantly informed the young Architect, rubbing her both hands indicating that she's nervous.

"You mean the one that helps you that night and taking care of you as well?" Probed her father.

The young Ramos just nods with a flushed face........she feels a tingling sensation every time she thinks about that early morning happening on her drunkard state.

As the young Architect says, no secrets.

Now her father is kind of uneasy......because he definitely knows this stranger who his daughter is talking about.

He suddenly swallowed the invisible lump in his throat in no time, he is sweating profusely……..knowing there is an aircon in their area.

They just promised each other that no secrets between them and here he is forgetting that he's been watching her daughter unnoticed by the help of his God Daughter.

"Dad are you okay? You seem pale?" Her daughter noticed.

What will he do?

"Good morning!?" Attorney Ramos suddenly burst into their living room and was expecting her daughter to be there when she noticed the car of their only daughter parked outside the garage.

Suddenly, the head of the family was feeling relief when his wife suddenly appeared in their living room and now the attention of his daughter was focused on the family matriarch.

But then again how would he break this to his daughter...the secret that he's been holding on to.

"Mom!" Called out her mother with a big smile that greets her.

"Hi darling, I thought you are coming for lunch? Why so early my dear?" Asking surprise by her mom.

The general suddenly stood up from his seat.

"Why hon? Is there a problem with that?" He must stop their conversation now, he is not ready to reveal the truth yet, that he is spying and looking out on his daughter secretly.

He has to prepare a proper explanation for this, but not today and not sooner......he wants time.......more time.

"No of course not, it's just that..........I was not here to receive our daughter." Smiling to her husband while enfolding her only daughter.

"I thought you are in your office mom? Dad informed me earlier that you had an emergency?" Questioned the young Architect to her mother, who is now gazing at her mom lovingly, still not letting go of her embrace.............she misses her so much and especially being clingy to her mom like this.

"Yes I did have an emergency at the office; it was already taking care of that's why I'm here and surprise to see you so early..........why baby missed us?." Responded the Mrs. to her daughter with a question.

"Yes, I do mom so much so." Hugging her mother tighter.

Now the man of the house is a relief knowing their conversation earlier was on hold at least he could prepare some reasoning about the state of the matter.

"Hey you two, let's go in the dining hall the breakfast is ready."

Interrupted the General to the two women he loves dearly.

STRANGER (ÉTRANGÈRE)