When danger falls

Gwen's pov

It has been three days since those thugs came. I was scared when he threatened but he won't try anything, he can't. If he could he would have hurt me the instant he came in.

But Polly was shaken, she had told me to give them the money next time they come. She said I wouldn't want to mess with them. We haven't even made a hundred this month and he wants five hundred.

“You should go see your father, I would see through the orders. Jimmy and Grace who continue in the kitchen” Polly said, she placed her hand on my shoulder. “I will deal with the customers, you know the discount thing is working. We already sold out most of our breads” she giggled.

“Yeah” I replied, Cristóbal slipped into my mind again. His annoying stance and smirk. “Polly, The thugs that came on Tuesday, how do you know them?”.

Polly stiffed, “they are no thugs Gwen, they are dangerous, especially Cristóbal” her voice dropped low from her normal volume.

“They are dangerous, they are dangerous. That is what you and my dad keep saying” I grumbled.

“That is because they are, stop worrying yourself about it. Just give them their money when they come. Please Myra” she said, “Now go see your father”.

“Okay” I sluggishly walked away, I climbed the stairs that lead to my house. On my way upstairs was a picture of my mother and father's wedding, hanging on the wall. I never knew why my mother left us, my dad won't talk about it. He always claimed my mom loved us when it was obvious she doesn't, She left thirteen years ago without a word.

No matter how I begged that night, she didn't stay.

I turned away from the picture to walk away. I picked up my jacket and the key to my father's truck and stormed down the stairs.

Driving through the streets of San Marlow is somewhat relaxing especially when driving through the old town district, cobblestone streets, old houses and where I live.

Twenty minutes later, I arrived at Ridgeview medical center. It was between the Old town district and Riverside district.

The Riverside district is like a small city in San Marlow, Penthouses, clubs, luxurious hotels, casinos, you will find it there in Riverside whatever is in the city. I parked the truck, grabbed the basket of food that Polly gave to me on my way out.

I walked into the hospital and navigated my way to my father's ward. I bumped into Dr Matthew Kesley. He is a young doctor, handsome, nice and well spoken and might have a crush on him.

“Miss Hopkins” He smiled at me when I returned.

“Hello Doc”

“Hello, you came to see your father, he is asleep” Dr Matthew said. “I was just coming out from his ward”.

“Oh, okay. Thanks for looking after him” I dipped my hand inside the basket and took out two bagels.

I handed it over to him, but he shook his head smiling. He takes it from me because he knew I wouldn't take no for an answer.

“Thank you, Miss Hopkins”

“You welcome” I smiled, “so how is my father’s health?”

“He is doing great but he still has to stay here for a while” he replied. “So have you registered for the NCLEX-RN exam?”

“No I don't have enough time to” I responded. Dr Matthew is aware that I just graduated from University with a nursing degree. My father had bragged to him,told him a lot about me to Dr Matthew and I don't mind it.

At least he is better than someone.

“I was really hoping you would take it this year and join us here at Ridgeview,” he said.

I nodded, “I should go see my dad now”.

“Yes go on, see you later Miss Hopkins”

“See you too Doc”

I walked into my father’s ward and true to Dr Matthew's words. He was fast asleep. I closed the door softly and tiptoe into the room.

Just as I sat down in the chair placed in his ward. His eyes opened. “Gwen” He called, his voice was weak.

“Hey Dad” I smiled, I pulled the closer to his bed and hug him

“How are you doing?” he asked and put his free arm around me before kissing my head.

“Am good” I replied as we pulled apart.

“You came here on Wednesday” he winced out a cough. “You get some rest dear”

“I only came because of those thugs” I frowned, “And you insisted on me giving them the money and I won't” I added.

“Myra, there are some things you just have to leave the way they are. You can't change them” he said, trying to sit up.

“And not everything is the way you sees it” he spoke again before I could reply to him.

“I just think it's too much… the bakery is near bankruptcy and…” I sighed.

“You worry too much” my dad reached for my hands, he tapped them softly.

“I had to, the bakery is your dream and you love it the most” I told him.

He shaked his head, “No, you are my dream and I love you the most”.

His words brought a smile to my face, “I love you too dad”.

He smiled.

“So I was thinking of getting a loan,” I told him. As I take out the basket content.

He frowned, “No loan, Gwen, And I have tried. The bank won't give”.

“But I can still try, Dad” I said softly.he smiled, nodding slowly like already accepted the idea.

“Okay”.

After spending the entire evening with my father, I decided to leave. By the time I arrived at my house. It was already dark and silent. The only light are the street lights and some light from some houses and shops that haven't closed up.

The bakery was already locked up, so I decided to use the backdoor. I walked up to the door and fetched my keys from my pocket when I heard something tumble against the dumpster, then a groan of agony followed.

My heart skipped a bit, I picked a metal rod that was placed beside the door and tiptoe towards where the sound came from.

As I moved closer, and saw a man lying on the floor, I quickly ran to the person lying on the ground.

Only to take a look at the man’s face and it is Cristóbal Márquez.