NO RESPONSE

It was supposed to be a kept secret between her and that jerk Elias, did he speak out to them, if he didn't then how did they both find out about it?

Linda's head started to hurt, no….no….no….Esmeralda can't find out about this, nor her dad either. It will be the end of her, "Yes, I did but that was before they were both set to get married."

"Hmmm, I see… if that's the truth then you will have no worries at all if I go and inform your sister now Linda," Vanessa said to Linda full of confidence. She is aware the girl will have no other choice but to beg her not to.

"You will do nothing of such!" Linda retaliates.

"Then you will have to stay out of my business… if you don't want me to speak… what did you think? Hun, that I will allow my precious son to marry a whore like you? Hmm, tell me, Linda?"

Linda glared at the mother and son, "Now I know why you both are alone without a family of your own…"

"You!" greets her tooth, this girl is so bold. No one has ever insulted her like this before in her life.

"How dare you speak to my mother like that?" Petro lashes out at Linda.

Petro was about to slap Linda when his mother hurriedly stopped him, "Not so, just let her be…. We are in the Fernandez manor, don't fall into her trap."

"Get out Linda!"

"Now!"

Linda laughs full of sarcasm, "Oh… not dear Linda anymore aunty?"

"I hope we both have a clear understand of each other… you speak and I do too."

Linda utters no word and instead turns to leave the room, she knows she is not the best but that doesn't mean she will allow the two of them to trample over her, "And as for you Petro, am glad I didn't fall deeply for you."

Petro smirks, he smiles wide enough for her to see his true colors.

Linda is about to close the door when halts, "Aunt, you know years ago you were right… you were never the best person and that's why he left."

Ha ha ha ha ha

Her laughter could be heard all over as she shuts the door.

***

"Dad, how are you doing?" Esmeralda asked and sits beside her father.

Robert gazes at his daughter, he told her he was fine earlier at the dining table, but it seems she doesn't believe him, "Am fine design, just a little tired."

"You guys made me eat so much that my stomach is about to explode!"

Esmeralda raised her brows, Linda and she made sure he eats a lot tonight but that was for his own good. And now he is accusing them of wanting to break his stomach, "But your stomach looks fine to me… it doesn't show it's about to explode."

Robert made a sad face, "That's because it's internal!"

Esmeralda laughs, the expression he made was so cute, how adorable her father is despite being middle age, "Alright we are sorry… but only because you look cute right now."

"Am so old and you are talking about cuteness."

Esmeralda disagrees, "Dad, you are not old…. Come on you are just 52 years old! So don't think that"

"Does that means am allowed to get married again?" Robert teased his daughter.

Esmeralda said, "Of course, you are as long as you are happy!" despite knowing he is just joking.

There was silence after what Esmeralda said, no one amongst them said a word after that.

Esmeralda didn't hear her father say a word again, she smiles, of course, she knew he was just joking.

"Come here!" Robert gestured for Esmeralda with open arms.

Esmeralda ran to her father's arms. "My daddy…"

"My child!" Robert whispered in her ears too.

They both stayed in each other's embrace, feeling the heartbeat of one another. Without any worries at all…

Robert's heartbeat starts slowing down, Esmeralda who thought her father is just drifting to sleep didn't mind what was happening. Until she called him out without receiving any response. Esmeralda's heart also began to sink, she starts to worry. She just wants her father to adjust his sleeping position but he is not responding to her.

Esmeralda's worry increased, her father is usually not a deep sleeper.

"Dad!" she calls out again.

"Dad, wake up!" Esmeralda shouts but to her avail, she received no response.

"Dad, are you hearing me?"

Dad, wake up!" Esmeralda begins shaking Robert.

"Dad!"

"Dad…"

Esmeralda quickly ran out, something is not right. What is going on here? Her father is not responding to her at all… this is not right; she must get help right away. She has to call everyone right now!