Chapter 32

Atheia started sleeping with Aaron everyday  and they got closer as Aaron started opening up to her.. He started getting jealous when athiea is paying more attention to his friends than him.. And won't let his friends carry her anymore .. Athiea also stick with Aaron whenever she saw him.. They went to airport to receive lucas and athy.. Athiea ran to athy as soon as she saw her.

"mommmy..." she shouted and ran towards her she hugged her tight and showered her with kisses.

" mommy missed you so much... My angel.." athy said crushing her with a hug

"hehe.. Atheia missed you too... Mommy.." she said giggling

"daddy..?" she looked around for lucas..

"He is checking out our bags.. He bought so much chocolates for you even though i said not to.." she said and her eyes sparkled hearing the word chocolate.

"haay.. Athiea likes chocy.." she said jumping in joy .

" yeah we know.. There he comes.." she said letting her down as she Saw lucas came back with thier luggages.. Athiea ran towards him and he lifted her in the air before crushing her in a tight hug.. Aaron and felix watched them with a smile.

" hii guys.." athy said as she walked towards them..

" did you enjoyed the trip...?" felix asked caressing his daughter's head and she hugged him smiling.

"yeah its so fun..." she said and smiled.

" Aaron.. How are you..?" she asked hugging her little brother in law.

"I am Fine.." he said smiling at her.

"I heard atheia is always with you.. You two become close huh.." she said giggling.

"yeah... Now a days athiea is always staying with him..." felix said with a pout and they giggled.

They went back home.. And everyone chatted happily hearing athy's stories about her trip during dinner.. Athiea told athy everything happened lying down on bed.. Lucas got jealous how athiea is talking so much about Aaron.. But he is happy inside that Aaron is slowly opening up to everyone now..

Then the day for the audition came.. And the boys got selected at thier first performance that's how talented they are .. Aaron wanted to stay in the dorm with his friends but give up when athiea cried to him no to go.. That's when everyone came to know Aaron joined the list of ' becomes a fool when it comes to athiea..' And athy giggled thinking about  how no one can say no to her.

The boys become popular right after thier debut performance and they become so busy.. Athiea will visit them from time to time.. And it's one of that time now and Atheia is roaming around the corridors since everyone is busy...she is too energetic to stay in a same  place more than ten minutes.. While she was running around she bumped into someone and fell down..

"are you okay kid..?"

she  heared a strict voice and looked up and both stared at  each other surprised cause both had the same eyes... The sapphire jewels reflected each other's..

Claude P. O. V.

'huh..this kid.. Her eyes... Is she her child..? I heard she was already pregnant when she got Married...this must be thier child.. Even without her jewel eyes I can say its her daughter.. Her face look so much like hers..

"are you hurt anywhere..?" I asked crouching down... She kept staring at me surprised..

" huh.. I.. I am okay.." she said standing up...

" be careful while walking.. And don't run.."

I said as I stood up to leave..i glanced down at her one last time.. Yeah.. I gave my company to that white dog after that brat jennete got pregnant.. I already planned on giving up so I didn't mind them.. I came here to finish up everything I handled and I am gonna rest in my vacation house in Venice... Is it my luck that I see you now... My grand daughter.. Haah.. Do I have the right to call you that..? After what I did for that child..

" hmm.. I will.. thank you grandpa.."

she said and smiled.. An unexplainable feeling spread throughout my body.. The same warmth I feel whenever I saw her mom... The one I  hated the most... Cause it reminds me of diana..

"do you know me...?" I asked.. And she kept staring at me silently.. What am I asking there is no way she..

"hmm.. I know you are mommy's father"

she said.. I froze from the shock.. I heard she don't call felix dad that's how huch she hated that word after what I did .. How come she know..?

"who told you..?"

" mommy told me..  You fought with mom and made her cry so you two are not talking  with each other.. Grandpa.. You are a bad guy. Why did you made mommy cry..? You should ask sorry to mommy ..."

She said pouting. I crouched down again and stared at her.

" sorry..? Will asking sorry change anything...? Like you said I am a bad guy.. So bad... "I said and she giggled.

What an adorable child you are..I. Know I don't have any  right to  but I feel jealous of felix..

"yeah.. You are bad but you should ask sorry.. Mommy is good girl.. So good...like angel.. She will say it's okay and you two can become friends.."

she said animatedly and smiled. Since she didn't know the full story she is saying this.. If only it was something that easy to solve..

" hmm.. I will ask sorry.. You should go back.. Don't roam around alone.. It's dangerous.. "

I said and she nodded her head with a smile and ran back.. I followed her slowly just to make sure she returned  back safely .. I saw her dad in distance searching for her.. She ran towards him and he carried her in his arms...

I can tell he is fool for his daughter.. I never saw that brat smile like this.. If I treated that child like this in the past may be I wouldn't have to  feel this much worse ..? And again I deserve this..

He turned and walked ahead she looked at me leaning her head on  her dad's shoulder and smiled.. She waved bye to me and faded from my sight.

Ask sorry..? I know I don't deserve to do that. But yeah I should atleast once.. I want to see her one last time.. I Took my phone out and called the number I saved long ago but never dared to call..

"hello..?" I heard her voice the same as her mother's..

" can you able to meet me..? Only once.."

I asked and there was no reply.. She must have recognized my voice..

Haah.. What am I dreaming about.? I was about to end the call but she talked..

"wh.. Where..?"

I told her my current address and time and she ended the call after hearing everything.

Will she really come..? I wondered as I went back.. - - -

"felix..." athy rushed to his room..

" yeah.. What is it dear ..?" he asked with a smile..

"you still talk with him right...?"

"who..?" felix asked confused then it hits him..

"claude..?" he asked and she nodded a yes..

'yeah.. Felix once told me he still talk with him  from time ot time.. Although he is mad at him for doing that to me... He can't cut off ties  completely with his foster brother..' athy thought and sighed

"ye.. Yeah.. But why all of a sudden...?" felix asked confused.

" he.. How is he right now..?" athy asked in a serious tone..

" athy dear.. I think it's better for you not to know about him..." felix said in worried tone.

" just tell me felix.. I have to hear it.. "she said with a determined look..felix sighed

" he transferred the company to that jerk ijekiel as jennete is pregnant with his child.. "

" what..? jennete is pregnant..? " athy asked surprised.

'last time I saw those two was six months ago  at the  welcome party  felix thrown  for lucas when he took over him as the managing director  .. That whitey guy went pale after knowing I am married and lucas was my husband.. He made some scene saying  he felt betrayed  but we thought he was being  funny like how can he assume everything  on his own and blame  me for them..? So  we  ignored him.. So he decided to oppose lucas by taking over that company huh..? '

While she was deep in her thoughts felix talked again making her come out of her daze.

" yeah Lucas also know this but he didn't told you  anything.. You know.. how he always wants to keep you and athiea in shadow safe and happy.. "fekix shrugged..

" OK whatever.. What about him.? "

she asked back to the topic.. Felix hesitated a while and talked after a frustrating minutes of  silence .

" he.. He is going to Venice.. To spend the rest of his days.. There.. " he said in a sad tone. Athy was shocked at the same time confused.

" wh.. What do you mean rest of his days..? "she asked and felix took a deep. Breathe

" haah.. Claude have decompensated  cirrhosis and it's in end stage now . He  already refused for liver transplant no matter how much I insisted and  have only two years left to live. "felix said his  voice trailed down Into a deep sorrowful tone .

" wh.. What..? "athy asked shocked..

" no one knows about this except me.. He  was moving to Venice to spend his last days there.. "he said and saw athy was appalled

" why are you suddenly asking about him.? " felix asked worried.

" so that's why he wants to meet me...? " she mumbled..

" huh.. So he wants to meet you.. I see.. Are you going..? " felix asked.

" yeah I should..."

she said and went out of the room.. Felix's words echoed  in her ears as she walked towards her room.. She got ready and drove to her destination..that's claude's current place.

As soon as she entered she saw the familiar faces of the house servants they are still the same.. The ones her mom appointed..

" hello athy madam.. are you doing well..? ... Master is upstairs.."

that security guard uncle who helped her retrieve lucas's file that time greeted her with a big smile.

She talked with all the servants.. They are so happy to see how she looks  and act so much like her mom.. And how kind she is like her.. She walked upstairs and saw claude sitting on the chair looking out  of the window zoned out..

He turned back at her.. Her eyes wide in  shock.. Anyone who saw him can instantly say he is dying.. That's how worse he looked.. She walked  towards him and he told her to sit down.. She Sat across him in the tea table and the servant  came  and served lippe tea along with desserts.. She glanced at them and everything was her favourite.. She looked up at him and he was staring at her with happiness in his eyes..

" thank you for coming.." he slowly started talking.. Even his voice came out  weak from his  chapped  lips  and she felt a pang in her heart..

'I thought I fully hated him.. Look at me now.. Feeling sad for him...' she thought staring at him not saying anything back..

" I know I don't deserve to do this.. But.. I wanted to apologise.."

he said getting up and suddenly kneeled down... Athy got panicked and got up from her seat.. She walked towards him...

"what are you doing.. Get up...?" she told him anxiously.

" Athanasia.. I am truly sorry for everything I did to you... I know I don't deserve to be forgiven  but I want to Apologise for every thing I did .. I am truly sorry.."

he said bowing  down.. She didn't know  what to do  and grabbed his arm and pulled him up... He slowly got up and she helped him sit back..

" Yeah..I don't know If I can forgive you or not but thanks for apologising .. at least now I feel like  I didn't do anything wrong...if I have to tell you the truth.. More than being mad at you.. I am hurt.. So hurt that I didn't want to live anymore.. Didn't want to make new relationships cause  I am afraid I will get hurt again.. If only I didn't born..mom would have lived.. Mom and dad would have been  Happier.. May be That's why dad did that..  I  thought about that every night.. "

she said tears dripping down. Claude's eyes are the same as he looked up at her.

" no.. You did nothing wrong.. I was so drunk and fully lost my mind that I did that terrible thing to you.. Whenever you talk to me, smile at me you reminded me of diana that's why I wanted to be away from you.. That's why I hurt you so that you will go away.. I always know it's not your fault but I can't help resenting you.. But when I realised how much of a terrible thing it was.. It's already too late.. You never did anything wrong.. "

he said as tears dripped down from his eyes.. It's the same for athy..

She never imagined her cold father would cry in front of her.. She never thought he will ask her for forgiveness on his kneels..

They cried like that for a while letting out all thier piled up yearnings.. Guilt.. Sadness..everything to wash out of them  along with tears..

" I am really happy that you came to see me.. Thank you.." he said with a sad smile on his face. she just nodded her head.

" I know I don't deserve to say this. But I am happy for you athanasia.. I am so happy that you are living happily with your husband and daughter.. Nothing is your fault I was the one who did everything.. So please let go of this thoughts and live your life to the fullest."

he said and smiled..she can felt his sincerity in his words, love and happiness in his eyes.

' I never thought a day will come when I saw you cry and smile at the same time on top of that.. for me..' she thought and smiled at him.

" hmm.. Thank you.." she said and smiled..

" you can get going... You must be busy.."

he said as he stood up.. She felt a pang again in her heart looking at how week he got to the level he can't even get up properly.. he smiled at her as she get on her car.

" he didn't tell me about his condition  till  the end huh.. " she thought as she drove away..

That night she was standing in the balcony staring at the night sky.. She felt lucas walking towards her and turned back...

" are you okay.?" he asked caressing her face.

" do I look not  okay..? "she asked

" hmm.. Is something bothering you..? "he asked worried.

" hmm.. I met him today.. "she said and smiled.. A sad smile which lucas always hates

" who..? Claude..? "he asked irritated..

" hmm.. He called me and asked to meet me.. He..

Athy told him everything happened.. From his illness to His apology .. Lucas whose  face is pissed off  at first softened after hearing everything..

"it's.. True he deserve it but.. It's.." lucas hesitated and athy giggled.

"he look pitiful..?" she completed the sentence and he gave a' yeah it is' smile.

" what do you think I should do..?" she asked him and he smiled at her.

"it's not necessary for you to forgive him.. But.. I know you will.." he said and smiled at her.

"huh.." she looked at him surprised.

"sia..I  know You already decided to forgive him but you are confused  whether it's right the thing to do  or not .. Aren't you..? And it's completely alright.. It's your choice.. You are the one got hurt.. you are the one received  his  apology.. And you are the one  forgiving him.. I doubt if it was me I would do that.. But I know you will.. That's how you are.. Soft and kind... So kind that you will do that.. And from what you said I don't think it's wrong.. It seems he really feels guilty.. Atleast he is human enough to feel guilty..and he is already suffering like he got his punishment for hurting you... So.. It's okay sia, do whatever you want.. It's totally OK to forgive him, If that's what you want. "

he said and she hugged him tight.. He hugged her back and patted her back. He can feel his shirt getting wet from her tears..

" lucas.. "she said sniffing ..

" hmm.. " he hummed caressing her face.

" I.. I am gonna forgive him... " she said and smiled with tears in her eyes.

" hmm.. I know... "he said and smiled giving a peck on her forehead.

" what about you..? " she asked and he giggled.

" what about me...? Yeah I am still mad at him... But if the person who got hurt herself had already forgiven .. What more  can I do..? "he shrugged  and they both giggled.

" what are you going to do next..? "he asked

" hmm.. I am gonna meet him again tomorrow.. "she said and smiled.

" hmm.. Then take atheia with you.. "he said and smiled.

" huh..? " she looked at him confused.

" I saw him talking with her this morning.. He waited until she she walked to me and stared at us from distant . "lucas said and athy smiled at him.

" hmm.. And you...? "she asked tilting her head.

" I have lots of work.. You know how burdensome it was for me after I have to reveal my face to the public.. It's all because felix told me take over the company.. I don't have enough time.. "he said and she stared at him with a doubtful face.

" sia.. It's just.. I kinda feel uncomfortable meeting him..he was your real dad.. Who in the world will be fond of  meeting his    father in law..? He isn't like felix.. Since he is more like me.. It's really uncomfortable.. It's like being with Aaron..." he said and sighed. Athy giggled.

" yeah.. If you and Aaron are alone.. Both of you can  stay silent  Even for a whole day.. Haah.. Why every men in my family is like this..? Atleast  felix and cabel are better.. "she said and giggled.

" hey I am better than your dad and Aaron.. You know.. "lucas said

" yeah.. I agree "she said and they giggled.