Chapter 4 A Dark Cloud

When they got to the airport, they had to rush to the counter to check-in. But as they were about to check in, they heard an announcement that their flight have been delayed due to technical issues. So they had to wait at the airport for a long time. Finally, after long hours of waiting, they heard the announcement about boarding their plane. They rushed like people who were being pursued after the announcement was made. After boarding the plane, they both slept off.

Hours into the journey, the pilot announced that the plane had developed a little technical issue, but promised a safe landing, this announcement woke them up, but they weren't sure of what they heard, so to confirm what the pilot said, Mr Thompson turned to his right to ask a man who was sitting beside him what the announcement was, the man repeated what the pilot said, then Mr Thompson smiled at the man and thanked him. He turned to his wife, smiled at her and took her left hand, kissed it and said to her "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I love you so much" Mrs Thompson replied "And I love you more, thank you for such a wonderful vacation" they kissed and held each other hands smiling. The pilot then announced that they have just an hour to the time of landing, after the announcement, they both dozed off and were later awakened by a very fearful force, it was as if the plane was going to crash, they held each other hands passionately as tears flowed down the eyes of Mrs Thompson. After a few seconds, the plane crash-landed, and all the passengers including the pilots died.

Michael and Vanessa were in the sitting room, watching wrestling, and suddenly, Vanessa's phone rang, it was a strange number. "Hello, am I speaking with Miss Vanessa Thompson?" Vanessa replied, "Yes, and who is on the phone please" The voice replied, "My name is Rita and am calling you from the Venice City airport, I am so sorry to tell you that the plane your parents boarded from Dubai to Venice crash landed, and so please you are to come to the airport right now, so we can go and identify your parents' body" Vanessa was dumbfounded for some few seconds, till Rita said, "Hello, Vanessa, Are you there?" Vanessa dropped the phone and screamed with tears rolling down her cheeks. Michael had to run to meet her, he picked up the phone and Rita repeated the same thing to him, tears gradually rolling down his cheeks as he held the phone in his ear. He told Rita that they will be on their way soon. Vanessa was already seated on the floor, and she kept screaming and crying. Michael walked up to her, raised her and hugged her passionately as they were both shedding tears. Michael then said to her "I need you to be strong, Vanessa!, listen to me, we have to go and identify their bodies, I need you to be strong now". Vanessa cleaned her tears and took the Lexus RX 350 car keys. Michael collected the car keys from her and said to her, "Don't worry, I will drive" She kept sobbing as he drove the car to the airport. When they got to the airport, Vanessa hurriedly open the door and ran to the counter without waiting for Michael. Michael rushed and followed her, he met her at the counter. He told the attendant at the counter about the call they received, and the attendant took them to Rita's office. Immediately, Rita saw Vanessa, she went to hug her and told her to be strong.

Rita then took them to the scene of the plane crash. Michael held Vanessa's left hand as they walked around checking the bodies of the victims of the crash. After hours of searching, they finally found the bodies of her father and mother, they were lying side by side, still holding hands.

When Vanessa saw them, she screamed and threw herself on the floor. Michael had to quickly raise her. The bodies were carried out of the scene, and Michael started planning for a befitting burial for his brother and his wife. When they got home, Vanessa refused to eat, she kept crying. Vera tried consoling her but, she ignored her and kept sobbing. Michael called Benjamin to move his things and stay with them in the mansion so that he can console Vanessa. Benjamin's presence in the mansion made some improvement in Vanessa. She stopped sobbing, but most times she will become moody. Benjamin kept comforting her and this made Michael and his girlfriend very happy that she was recovering. Michael contacted the manager, Mr Thomas and told him about the burial plans for his brother and his wife. He also contacted the Mayor of Venice City, and other friends of the couple. They all received the news with sadness. Mrs Vivian, the wife of the Mayor and a friend to Mrs Thompson cried and mourned her friend. The whole of Venice City went into a deep sadness. The Mayor declared a total shutdown of all activities in the City to mourn and honour Mr Thompson and his wife. Mr Thomas also declared a total shutdown of the company. People started visiting Vanessa for condolences, and this made her cry the more.

At night, Vanessa will go into her parent's bedroom to cry. Benjamin noticed this and will always follow her without her knowing. One night she entered the room to cry, she slumped, and He had to quickly run to her to carry her. The next morning, he had to rush her to the hospital because she was feeling very weak. When it was time for her to be discharged from the hospital, the doctor told Benjamin not to allow her to go into her parent's bedroom anymore if not she might join her parents. Benjamin became very scared because he didn't want to loose her.