The Call

She picked up her phone and checked that there are multiple messages from an unknown number. Antonella was agitated on her stand and the phone suddenly rang. She hesitated at first to answer the call but still its the only way to stop it from giving her such creeps. She heard a beautiful voice from the other line that seem familiar to her hearing.

"Hello Antonella" the voice said

The girl seemed frozen and took a minute to answer the anonymous person.

"Hello who is this?" Antonella asked while biting her fingernails as a habit when feeling anxious

"It's me Gail your being strange, what happen?"

The girl let out a heavy sigh of relief and spoke with an annoyed tone "How did you get my number? I don't remember giving it to you"

"Did you bump your head somewhere? Antonella we exchanged our numbers after the orientation" Gail explained

"Really?" the girl said while slapping it's head feeling embarrassed

"Yes I won't lie to you" Gail spoke while sipping a hot chocolate drink

"I apologize for my behavior Gail It's just that I am really not used to it having a friend calling me on phone since you are the first one to do so" she murmured still biting her nails

"No worries Antonella I am sorry too for not introducing my name first on the messages I am deeply sorry for scaring you" Gail replied with guilt on her voice

"It's ok Gail, so let's go to our topic why did you message me countless of times is there something wrong?" Antonella said with a worried tone

"Nope, I just want to ask you if we can go out I want to discuss something important to you Antonella"

Hearing how serious Gail spoke Antonella did not hesitate and agree to meet up.

"Let's meet tomorrow in Parallax I will be there by 10 am" Antonella replied softly

"That's great are you sure?"

"Yes Gail I am going to ask father to let me come with you I am certain that she will allow me to"

They both hang up their phones and Antonella went straight to her father's office. She was welcomed with a messy surroundings and saw her father being occupied with an important call. Tiofilo saw her daughter and signaled her to sit on the couch and wait.

Many minutes went by Tiofilo is finally done with his business and saw Antonella sleeping peacefully on the couch he tapped it's shoulder and the girl arose from her nap with her bed hair and eyes still close.

"Bambina I apologize for making you wait this long"

Antonella put her thumbs up and replied "It's ok Father I feel more recharged now because I slept"

Tiofilo murmured and asked her daughter "So my child what is it that you want to talk to me for?"

The girl sit up straight and looked directly to his father's eyes "Father I have met a new acquaintance in school her name was Gail, you know her since her parents and you are quite a business partners right?"

"What about it? Did she somewhat bullied you?" Tiofilo said with an annoyed tone

"Father, Gail is a friend do not worry to much she's a nice person"

"My child as we had already told you do not trust a person easily or it will caused more issues and downfall for you" Tiofilo spoke while crossing his arms which caused Antonella to take the topic more seriously.

Antonella hug her father and tried to convince him "Father please do not worry too much I am a grownup now your words and mom's will always be in my mind but now let me be I don't trust Gail a hundred percent but I know here in my mind she is a good person"

Tiofilo used his fingers to smooth her daughter's hair as he watched her develop into such a lovely lady. He recalled that when Antonella was a young child, she would constantly weep for tiny precise items and would always come to him to open things up. One day, Antonella came home from school covered in bruises and with a pretty torn-up uniform. Tiofilo can't bare how her daughter suffered and teach those bullies a lesson. However, Antonella swore that she will never enter that school ever again and locked herself in her room after that incident. Tiofilo tried his best to give Antonella all the love she deserves, Lyndon is also the same, the two men on their household. His children are much more important to him than any of his wealth.

"Antonella be careful if something went pretty rough again do not hesitate to tell us understood?"

"Of course father do not think too much"

Tiofilo went back on his seat but the girl still remained and looking anxiously.

"Is there anything else you want to talk about bambina?"

"Father uhm you see...

"Tell me I won't be mad what is it?" Tiofilo said while compassing it's hand

"Fine, Gail invited me to eat outside tomorrow"

"And you accept it?" the man asked staring at the girl

"Y-yes... I'm really sorry father" Antonella beg for his father's mercy

Tiofilo shook his head and said "Your overreacting Antonella I am not mad"

"Really father?" Antonella doing some cute gesture

"Yes why would I, I already know that this will happen"

"But how?"

Tiofilo chuckled to his seat and teased her daughter "That's a secret, but bambina let Mang Luis drive you tomorrow and contact your mother is that clear?"

"Yes father I solemnly promise that I will do the things you wish me for"

After the long talking Antonella went to their kitchen and make a delicious Milkshake. She messaged Gail and got reply instantly saying "That's a great news Antonella! See you tomorrow"

Antonella just let out a smile and sit on the dining hall and saw his brother Lyndon entering the hall with lots of books on it's hands.

"Hey Bro what's with the rush?"

"Oh you're here I didn't notice you" Lyndon said while panting

"Carrying those mountains of books I am sure you will not see me even I'm stealing food on the fridge"

"Silly Girl will you please make me a carrot juice?"

"Make it yourself" she said while showing her tongue

"You-

"Just kidding fine I will make you one in exchange give me those books they seem new"

"Indeed they are new I got them from mom's room"

"Really?!"

"Do you think I'm joking?" he said sarcastically

"I am asking nicely here Bro" Antonella faked her grin

"You see Aling Carmen and Mom are opening some packages on her room and there are still tons of books left there"

"Why did she order so many and did not tell me--

"Oh too bad I am the favorite child" he smirks

"LYNDON!"

"Just kidding it's for our library but if you want to take some books with you go and ask mother" he explained

"That's so great thanks for the information bro ciao!"

And with that Antonella rushed upstairs.

"What about my juice?"