That night, Cathy was admitted again to the hospital. She was crying nonstop, the humiliation was so great. How could Clarence be so unkind? Why would he dare to humiliate her in front of the guests?She stayed in the hospital for three nights and two days. They thought she was slowly recovering. She acted the part well. They didn"t know that she was just playing along so that she"ll be sent home.
Morning came, she heard Beauty would be having the grand opening of her restaurant tomorrow. She was preparing her alibi to get out of the hospital and go home. She won"t allow Clarence to have his way always. Her mind was now full of schemes, her heart was now filled with hatred. She wanted a payback.
"Paul, I want to go home now. Please, I want to recuperate at home. I mean in my own room in my family"s hotel. Not here. I"ll get sick here all the more."
Seeing her smiles and coaxing, Paul acceded in the end. On their way out, they met Doctor John.
"Hi, Cathy, are you feeling well now? asked John.
"Not totally well but nothing to worry about. I"ll even attend Beauty"s opening day." She left John that vague reply.
John was puzzled. "What"s that got to do with the opening day?"
"Dr. John Rivera, please go to the ER, right now." A PA system sounded. He put those thoughts behind and rushed to the Emergency Room.
. . . . .
It was already early morning when John finished his last operation. His cell phone rang. A reminder note was opened. "Beauty"s Restaurant Opening Day"
"Oh, I almost forgot. Today Beauty"s restaurant will have its official opening."
Suddenly, he remembered Cathy"s vague remarks and panicked. "This is not good. She might do another foolish thing."
. . . . .
He pushed the gas of his car and was driving fast. He was fully anxious. He tapped a flat monitor in front of him. A light came out and a blue screen was projected with numbers on it. He touched the number 3 and a name "Beauty" was shown. He touched a call b.u.t.ton and ringing sounds can be heard in the car.
"Beauty, please pick it up. Pick it up." Still, only a ringing tone was heard.
He was really worried. "Beauty, why are you not answering your phone."
. . . . .
At this moment, Paul was also uneasy when he found out that Cathy left in a haste from the hotel. She used the Ferrari, his gift for her 18th birthday. He went to the front desk and was about to ask when he heard something dreadful.
"h.e.l.lo."
"I"m John Marinelli. Remember me at the front desk of the hotel you usually stay in Cebu? I"m that person and I was transferred here in Manila. I just want you to know that Miss Beauty is in great danger. You…"
Paul grabbed the phone right away cutting the call.
"What did you say? Who"s in danger?"
"Sir Paul, you better hurry, save Miss Cathy from committing a crime."
"What do you mean?"
"She took a gun from one of the guards here and left hurriedly."
"Why didn"t you stop her?"
"She couldn"t be stopped. When the guard tried to s.n.a.t.c.h it back, she threatened the guard and almost pulled the trigger and left. I think she is getting crazy."
"Where is she heading? Do you know?"
"Miss Cathy mentioned earlier that Miss Beauty, Mr. Clarence Peres" girlfriend will open her restaurant today. She hated them very much. She could be heading there." Paul left before the guy finished speaking.
. . . . .
Clyde arrived first at the restaurant"s parking lot.
"Paul, did you send your men here earlier?" Clyde asked his bodyguard.
"I did but I think they"re still on their way."
As they parked the car, Paul Palangka"s car arrived next to them. He didn"t turn his head to greet Clyde. He instantly left the car right away without even locking it. All of them ran straight to the restaurant"s main door. Minutes after, John"s car raced and stopped next with the others. He followed the rest to where they"re heading.
. . . . .
Before the rest arrived on the scene. Clarence kicked the swing door and pulled a chair and hurled it to Cathy"s direction. The target moved to avoid the flying chair. He used the distraction to run hastily to her. He twisted the hand holding the gun. She shrieked in pain as she was forced to kneel on the floor with her hand twisted away from her body. He took the gun from her.
. . . . .
Clyde and bodyguard came in the scene first then followed by Paul Palangka. They saw Cathy kneeling with her hand twisted by Clarence.
"Let go, let go of me. That hurts. Why didn"t you choose me? You"re extremely heartless. You didn"t even give me face. You"re heartless, HEARTLESS."
She cried miserably trying to wriggle herself out his hold while the rest stayed silent. The more she tried to more pain she sensed.
"Please let go of her. I"ll take her with me and this time we"ll leave for good." Paul, her father begged Clarence.
"How can you promise that easily? Stil, I think jail is best for her," said Clarence who grew weary of her craziness.
"NOOO, please, hear me out." Paul intervened and tried to stand between Clarence and the one kneeling. How could he allow his own daughter to be put in jail?
"Go ahead, send me to jail. I don"t care anymore. n.o.bODY LOVES AND CARES FOR ME," yelled Cathy.
His heart was pierced deep with pain to hear his daughter said those words. He knelt in front of her. Tears fell from his eyes as he spoke, "Cathy, I"m still here, your father. I"d rather go to jail for you. Please don"t say n.o.body cares for you."
Everyone was surprised to hear such news but no one dared to ask why.
She looked at the middle-aged man crying. Cathy saw his genuine love and concern for her and she sobbed and said, "Sorry, Pa." For the first time, Cathy acknowledged and called him father. This was also the first she felt the care and love of a father who was willing to sacrifice his life for her.
She thought, how could fate be so unkind to them that she missed knowing him for all these years? This father even though was late to know her as his child, showered her all the love he could give while living together. She was really happy with him. Why didn"t she value it and dared to get an impossible dream?
Clarence released her and pushed her to Paul. He may be harsh but this was to keep her from getting any chance to do something worst.
Paul carried her up. She cuddled in his embrace like a child being carried by his father after being sc.r.a.ped on the knee. Cathy didn"t look back. Before they left, Paul said to Clarence, "Thank you."