Chapter 21: Lost in the clouds!

I entered the mansion, I could sense all eyes fixated on me and I wondered why. I asked Mustapha countlessly but he's reply was 'wait till we get there'.

I entered Dr Khaleefa's Chambers, he laid on the bed helplessly with the blanket halfway covered. I must admit I've never seen him on the bed. Its either he's at work or at the mansion settling businesses, I knew him to be a business tycoon not some regular rich man, he was healthy and wealthy. I was baffled to see him lay on his back. I ran to him, sitting beside him, he looked sick no two ways about it.

  "Dad, I'm here!" I whispered to him

He opened his eyes leaving a faint smile on his face

  "You came!" He shortly said

  "Yes, I would, anytime. Are you ok?" I held his hands my face

It felt cold, really cold to begin with.

  "...forgive me. I didn't check on you like I should. You were there for me when Jamal was taken. Forgive daddy!" He coldly said and smiled

  "Its ok, Dad! You've never stopped being a father to me" I added

  "I'd ask for just one thing....."

  "Anything!" I curiously

My mood slightly changed

  "Forgive him. He messed up real bad that I couldn't stand him look me in the eyes. I was mad at him when he came running to me asking that I talk to you, your mind was made up that I couldn't do nothing.......my money became useless, if only I could use it to reunite that bond y'all once shared then I'd use my entire wealth..." He coughed

  "...Dad, its all over now. I moved on and I think he has. We are all fine!" I tried to comfort him even if I knew it wasn't enough

  "....that's exactly what i despise. I want y'all together, Danielle. Jamal is foolish, he could barely do a thing for himself" 

I saw the disappointment and distress in his eyes.

  "Dad, what can I do for you?" I asked

  "Look for Jamal. I don't know where he's been hiding...Mustapha has searched numerously on a stretch but no....." Dr turned away then he continued "I wish I spent my time with him. I wish I could reverse time, I wish I could start all over again, I placed him in a situation where he couldn't work it out himself"

  "I'll look for him, just hold on for him--for me!" I requested

His eyes trembled, I knew it was time to go.

  "There's no much time left, promise me you'd find Jamal and to be there for me when he needs you regardless?" 

  "I promise you, Dr" I assured

  "Thank you! Here's the code to the papers, (he handed me a locket) when you find Jamal give it to him. If you don't, keep it to yourself. Thank you Danielle, thank you for coming" he coughed again

 He closed his eyes locked with a smile, I used my middle and index fingers to feel his pulse, unfortunately Dr Khaleefa had passed on. I walked out staggering as Mustapha ran to me and asked

  "Is he ok?" Mustapha was already disappointed.

  "I'm afraid he's gone, like gone" I sat on the chair I could find

Mustapha had covered Dr Khaleefa's entire body. He met me silently sobbing.         

  "I'm so sorry Danielle. Good thing you came not like Jamal who ignored his flesh and blood....." Mustapha blurted out of anger and pain

  "Mustapha? Now is not the right time to regret or pass blames, we should look for Jamal....we just lost his Dr Khaleefa" I turned away wiping off my tears.

We didn't let the news escalate, we moved his body to the morgue where it was safer. Not even his men knew about it except for his personal doctor and Mustapha's assistant, Malik! We had to tell his men that's Dr needed medical help in the ICU, as his doctor had recommended.

I couldn't help it sulking & wallowing in pain, Dr was a indeed a father to me. He has never looked at me with the eyes of a stranger, what else can I do than accepting this mischief. Now I had to oblige his quest unquestionably.

Carol invited me to dinner setting Hunter off for his flight. According to her family, it was culture to dine together before trips. His trip played a big role at work and the family entirely, there I realized it wasn't just about me but to us all.

  "My dear, you should wait here instead before his return so that you wouldn't be too lonely" she suggested

  "I think so too. Hunter would love it" Pete added in support

Hunter defended immediately

  "Oh no! She loves independence. Let her decide for herself, right honey?" He turned to me with a smile

  "Yes. But if Mr governor and his wife wants me to stay, i would...." I opted

  "That's what I suggested, Hunter!" Carol smiled too

  "No mom. She should go home instead, it's only 3 days no more no less" Hunter concluded

  "Yes I'd just go with Hunter." I finalized

  "I love the fact you both respect each other, it reminds me of old times with Carol. She played hard to get and her father wouldn't spare a minute without Carol off his sight. How crazy!" Pete reminded

We all laughed in unison, there was a lot to eat and drink as always, if you were invited to the McClure's you dare not cry about hunger or hospitality. 

  "Danielle? I noticed the relationship between you and my friend, Khaleefa, there's this bond I can't seem to explain, what exactly is it? Don't get me wrong, he  speaks highly of you, in essence" Pete stirred

  "Dad, this dinner is not some campaign interview" Hunter got defensive again

  "I can handle, its nothing!" I told Hunter almost whispering

I turned to the governor himself to answer his question

  "Dr Khaleefa is a father to me even though not biologically. His son, Jamal, was a good friend of mine, we studied together and visited his father together on several occasions, so the bond between Doctor and I grew fonder." I tried to explain

  "That's true. He's a very good man and the most strategic business tycoon I've ever known.....few days ago, i tried to reach him but it was all abortive...." He added agan

  "He's probably busy and I'm pretty sure his assistant hasn't passed your message unto him yet....." I lied

  "Oh Mustapha! He's too forgetful. I'd really like to see him" Pete insisted

 "I'll get the message across to Khaleefa" I assured

  "Yes, that's alright. And his son?" He fired again

  "Oh Jamal? He's out of town for business" I lied again

He laughed

  "Just like his father, always about work" he concluded

We ate atlast with no more questions or interrogations. 

Hunter and I were at his apartment where I decided a movie night out & sleepover. 

I rested my head on his chest while we saw the movie.

  "I'd miss you a lot, Danielle!" He said coldly

  "Me too! Can you postpone this...."I teased.

  "Holy molly! Babe we talked about this, jeez!"

  "I know, just teasing you" I turned to the movie

Hunter placed a ring before then I turned in fright

  "What's this? Hunter?" My eyes widened

  "Let's get married, marry me Danni. There's no better way to do this, I thought of dinner, beach, vacation, on the plane, at my parent's, at your job....I couldn't find the right place to do this except here, being ourselves. No make overs or puma outfits or tuxedos. (He sighed)

Please Danielle, marry me" he blurted

I was overwhelmed and dumbfounded at once. My mind flashed back to Jamal's proposal, I reasoned it was time to let go and to give myself a chance to be loved and to be free. Hunter has been nothing but sweet let alone his mother, Carol, who was too good to be true to me. I smashed all these thoughts in a snap

  "Yes Hunter, i will!"

  "Thank you Danni" he screamed lifting up like a 5 year old.

I couldn't escape his resistance, his kisses and Sensation. We were overwhelmed at the moment, all we wanted was to be together and want each other even more. The sensation grew intensed and uncontrollable, before a snap on a finger, our clothes were buried to the ground and our skin to its own exposure. Hunter made my night a memory to hold onto.

  "Morning wife!" He placed a soft kiss on my forehead

  "Morning Hunter! You should get ready for your flight" I smiled

  "Yeah! Not until I make you breakfast....or would you prefer me as breakfast?" He teased licking his lips

  "Yes....I'd eat you...rah!" I teased back

He placed me on the counter placing kisses all over me, i couldn't resist his touch nor his soft kisses.

I helped him looked good in his aviation uniform, he couldn't stop reminding me of how much he loved me and adored me. He promised our wedding as soon as he returns, at my own pace, no rush. The last minute we hugged, I couldn't stop the tears that rolled down my cheek countlessly. 

  "Hunter?" I called with tears welling up

  "Yes babe!" He cupped my face gently to look at his

   "I need you back, in 3 days! Promise you'd return to me, Hunter!"

  "I swear on my life I would! I don't want those negative thoughts of yours clouding you. Can you promise that?" He looked serious this time

  "Cross my heart...I love you, hunter!"

  "You know I love you more than you think Danielle!" He assured

 He swiftly kissed me then hugged me tightly then turned to leave. I watched Hunter drive off in his brand new Rolls Royce he was gifted with by his father from his last successful trip where he obtained a promotion.

Within minutes, Hunter called my phone

  "Yes babe!" I answered like I waited for his call

  "We're about to take off, so wish me luck!" He requested

  "Its all yours, break a leg a'ight."

  "Sweet. My surprise is on the way though, I promise to get you more when I return, trust me!" He added

  "Sweep me off my feet! Ok Hunter, call me soon ok?" 

  "Sure babe, love you!" He hung up

Few minutes more, his door bell rang, it was a delivery man

  "Is this Hunter McClure's?" He politely asked

  "Yes. It is." 

  "And you are Danielle...." He added

  "Right!" I snapped in excitement

  "This is for you!"

He took in 10 boxes of different brands.

  "Thanks man! Let me get you something, not to be rude...." I opted turning to leave

  "Nah Ma'am! He paid me a lot already. Thanks!" 

The delivery man drove off In his Delivery van.

I couldn't explain all the gifts, from clothes, shoes, lotions, perfumes, iced bracelets and necklaces, chocolates.....it was breath taking. Then I remembered I was at Hunter's not my apartment. I tidied up and repackaged my gifts driving home.

Its been 5 hours since I spoke to Hunter. I believed he needed time to wrap up the summit abs pleasantries. Unlike Hunter, he'd have called or face timed me to narrate in details how it went. I didn't bother anyways I tried all I could get through to him then I sent a voicemail

        'I guess you're to busy for me. Could

         you call back or at least text back?

         XOXO

I ended. I stared at the mirror looking at my reflection, I was glowing yet my mind was clouding. I sighted 'JaDi' the chain Jamal got customized for me from a distance. I held up staring at it like I saw it for the first time  in my life. I felt this tingle on my skin, I remembered Dr Khaleefa's words, finding Jamal. I groaned in distress expressing my exhaustion.

My phone rang then I briskly walked to the bed to pick up, it was Mustapha.

  "Hi Mustapha? Sorry I didn't get back to you, I've been busy....." I began explaining

  "I understand Danni! I think we have a clue just where he might be at. The pressure on me from work is high...." He explained

  "....ok so, where do you think?" I was curious

  "Miami!" He kept it short

  "Miami? That's insane! Why Miami? You got any tracker or Maybe you guessed?" I doubted

  "My hunch. I'd go in search from tomorrow, I hope i might just find him." 

  "We would! Thanks..."

  "Its nothing...bye!" He hung up

I doubted Mustapha guessing Miami but something must have happened on the process.

I thought of Tommie instead, there was no way Tommie would lie about Jamal's whereabouts. I dialed him immediately, after trying twice he finally answered

  "Hi. Its Danielle" I introduced

  "Yes Danielle, I didn't know it was you. How are you?"

  "Doing great! Uhmmm are you busy somehow, can I buy you coffee or maybe I come over---your pick." I suggested

  "Err! Coffee will do, 5pm?" He added

  "Perfect then, I'll text you after now. Thanks"

  "Cool....I'll be waiting!" He hung up quickly 

I sighed heavily cupping my face in my palms then my mind dropped like an egg from the table.

  "Jeez! Do I have to get that scared for nothing" I said to myself

I couldn't think of possible ways to find Jamal except talking to Tommie wishing he'd say something. I stood in silence I couldn't hear a thing, i could only hear Hunter promising his return, it got unbearable for me that I had to scream out so loud holding onto my head with both hands then i felt someone hug me from behind, I heard whispers from a feminine voice

  "Its ok, Danni!"

  "Let me be!!! Let go off me....don't touch me...." I kept screaming like I was some psycho

I turned around to see who was behind then i found Lola. I retreated immediately

  "What the hell are you doing in my house?" I frowned like I wanted to render a slap on her face, she was about 3 inches far

  "I---i found the door open, that's all. I didn't mean to hurt you, I think you need to see a doctor...." She opted

Lola looked distressed and worried at once

  "....do not talk to me about no doctor! You deserve more doctors.....Get out Lola or are you here to kill me as well?" I smirked

  "Not at all....I'd leave immediately. I just thought I could apologize again, I'm truly sorry, I mean it Danni I really do!" Tears rolled down her face

  "Those tears ain't nothing, just go away....everyone....all of you should go away. Leave me in peace...." I yelled so hard

  "I won't leave you like this, Danni! You are hurting yourself....what's wrong?" Lola insisted

  "Go away!" 

I took a vase to throw at her then I fell to the ground drenched in weakness, slowly my eyes closed.

I opened my eyes while I laying on a hospital bed, I really wondered what on earth was I doing here. I turned to my right finding Lola wiping off her tears. I wondered if she faked it or she was really worried about me.

  "Lola!" I called almost a whisper

She turned to me and hopped to hug me regardless

  "Danielle. I thought I lost you. I'm glad you're alive..." She ran out I guess to call the doctor

Was I really at the verge of dying? I could remember screaming harder than I should.

She came in with a doctor then he placed a stethoscope on my chest and took it off immediately.