Chapter 2 THE ACCIDENT

Clarissa's P.O.V

Weeks had gone by, after my last conversation with Pàpá, and I still felt hurt after our conversation. Not just because of what happened, but because of the hurtful words I had said to him. Despite everything that transpired between us in the past and In the present, I still loved my Dad so much, and I was hurt that I hurt him, but I guess it is what it is.

Pàpá's calls and texts kept on buzzing my phone for a while, but I noticed he was kind of silent this week. Probably he was busy preparing for the wedding of his precious daughter Eloise, which was to take place in the next three days. Well, I really didn't care, and all I wanted was my peace and serenity.

The day began and I was busy with the Coffee factory, the Farm and the coffee shop at the same time, when suddenly my phone started to ring. I could not believe who was calling at that point. Claudia Jones, my dad's wife, Eloise's mother.

This must be very serious for Claudia to call me. I mean, this was her first call after I left East Delva for the past eight years.

After calling me a million times, I got tired and decided to pick her call.

"Hello Claudia, I'll love you to speak quickly. I've got a lot of..."

"You Dad was involved in an Accident and is currently unconscious, Clarissa" she interrupted.

"How?when? When did this happen? Why am I just finding out?" I asked in a shaky tone.

"If you were probably taking my calls prior before now, you would have known sooner" she replied in that tone she alway used whenever she wanted to prove I was an irresponsible child.

"Then you should have sent a text or something. How is he? Is he ok? I mean how is he doing," I asked in fear.

"Clarissa, I don't have time to beat around the bush. Your Dad is not fine. I just called to inform you about his situation, since you are still part of the family, and unfortunately his first child. So its now your concern. I can't force you to come see your father anyways" she said as she hung up the phone.

At this point, I didn't care about her hurtful words. I was already used to them. Instead, I was scared. Not just scared of losing my Dad, but also scared of going back to my past in East Delva. Even though me and Pàpà had some issues, he was the only parent figure I had right now aside Nanny Pearl, my nanny who took care of me while staying at the Alexander mansion.

Thinking about the past hurt, remembering everything I had been through while growing up, at this point made tears gather in my eyes, but I was very sure the pain was going to triple if anything happened to my Dad. After the hurtful things I said to him and the way I treated him, I had no option than to go back to East Delva and see him.

Now, it was past 1pm in the afternoon, and i had a lot of work to do, but right now, my Dad was my priority.

I called Jasmine and told her to quickly book me the next flight to East Delva. But unfortunately for me, the earliest flight to East Delva was leaving by 10pm tonight, meaning I was going to arrive at East Delva around 8am tomorrow morning.

At this point I couldn't think straight, I couldn't decipher what to do next, Despite the fact I still had time from now till 10pm to prepare before I took off, I felt uneasy and couldn't do anything or even think straight, having at the back of my mind that pàpà was between life and death.

Still in this dilemma, Justin's call came in. He was all I wanted at this point, he was my safe space and I needed him right now.

" Hey babe" he said with his deep voice which always gave me chills, but today was different, all I could think of was my Dad and East Delva.

"It's lunch time, should I come get you?"

"Justin, my dad was involved in an Accident and is currently unconscious" I said already breaking down in tears.

"Hey, hey, it's ok, everything is gonna be fine. Ok? Am coming over. Let's go to my place. I bet you'll feel better" he said gently.

At this point, that was the best option for me right now, since I was less productive at the office, I immediately handed over everything to Jasmine. Jasmine was not just my P.A, but she was equally my friend too, so I felt safe handing everything to her.

Within few minutes after my conversation with Justin, he was already here to pick me up and in no time we were at his apartment. I stayed at his while my driver rode home to get my things from Rita my house keeper. While I was on my way to Justin's, I instructed her to prepare my things.

It was some minutes to 10pm. Justin drove me to the airport. As we entered the airport building, I couldn't control how uneasy I was, and I guess Justin noticed. While waiting in the waiting area for announcements to be made, Justin held my hands to calm me down, because at this point I was seriously trembling.

"Hey baby, look at me, look at me love, all is gonna be fine. Trust me, your Dad is going to be fine" he said as he stared at me straight in the eye.

"Justin what if something worse happens to him, what if he doesn't make it, I swear, I won't forgive myself" I replied with a shaky cracky voice.

"Rissa, we've spoken about this, nothing, absolutely nothing is going to happen, plus what ever happened in the past wasn't your fault. Ok? And besides, you have me, I'll always be here for you love. Whatever happens in East Delva, am just one call away". Hearing Justin say all this made me relax a little. Honestly, Justin was the best thing that had happened to me since I was a kid, and I was never going to trade him for anything in the world.

Few minutes later, the airport attendants called and it was time to go, time to go face my fears and my past. No matter how far and long I ran, I could never run from my past. And with a hug and a very long deep kiss, I parted with Justin.