5

I opened my phone and read the message again, there's only one way to find out and I need to know, I need to free the guilt that's building up inside me. I sigh as I stare at the screen and decided to text the unknown number.

To: Unknown Number

Meet me at the Stop and Dine.

After I tap the send button. I sighed after sending it, I look at the place that I was gonna submit my biodata to work. I need to work we can't just lean on the money that our father left us. I push the glass window open and smiled at the cashier before walking near the counter. 

"Hi! Good morning, I would like to ask if where would I submit this," I said as I take the resume out in the folder I am carrying. The cashier smiled back and reach her hand out. "I'll take this to the manager, you're in timing because we are in need of one more waitress right now," She said when she received the resume, I smiled and nodded as I scan the place it's like the little cafe but simpler. 

"Great, thanks!" I said and walk out of the cafe, I sighed. I heard my phone beeped and I immediately look at my cellphone and saw the unknown number on the lock screen, I opened the message and saw his reply, I swallowed hard as I read his message saying he's there now. I walk after reading his reply, I put the phone back in my jeans pocket and sighed heavily, convincing myself that everything will be okay.

I look around, as I stop outside the cafe I close my eyes-- breath in and out before stepping inside the cafe. I walk near the cashier and ask for his name. "Table for Mister Acosta, please," I said, almost whispering. The cashier smiled and nodded before motioning her hand to the waitress and tell them the instruction. "Mr. Acosta, Shelly please," She said, the waitress nodded, the cashier looks at me. 

"Follow her Miss," she said, I nodded as I held my folder tightly- I silently observed the place it's a little fancy compared to where I was applying I can hear the indistinct voices, chatter, and giggles of the customers and the sound of the clanking of kitchen's things as the chef and other staff are doing their thing. "This way, Miss," She said, I only nodded and followed her.

We walk at the stair, leading us to the second floor when we reach the second floor I can only see men dressed in black suits, observing the area standing near the stairs, looking serious and dangerous, the other 2 are in front of the windows of the cafe looking outside and a man sitting in the middle of the cafe-- sipping in his cup of coffee, looking comfortably while tapping his left fingers on the table, the waitress stopped at the center and motioned her hand to the man sitting at the chair on the center table, I bowed a little and smile at her, she then turn away and walk to the stair. 

My brows furrowed as I look at him, I walk near to his table and stood there as I look at him trying to remember where do I have seen his face after a few seconds of recalling and rummaging memories in my mind I finally remembered he's the man I saw back when I was working. 

"Sit," He said, motioning the chair in front of him. I slowly pulled the chair away from the table and sat there. Balancing the silence- all I can hear is the honking of the cars, the chatter of people below us, and the unknown noise from nowhere, I swallowed hard as I played with my fingers, trying to calm myself.

"Who are you?" after a long defeating silence, I spoke up to ask him. He looks at me with his mysterious and distant stare-- his deep set of blue eyes bore into mine, we are staring at each other for seconds before he answered my question. "I am Anthon Acosta Conard," He answered. 

Conard? "Your father killed my father," He said calmly, my eyes widen as I look at him. "You're lying," I whispered, gritting my teeth as I bowed my head a little thinking of his words-- his accusations. My father would never do that! 

"I am not," He said as if it was not affecting him, I sighed heavily and saw a folder in front of me above the table, my brows furrowed. "What's that?" I ask him, he nodded his head and pointed his finger on the table tapping it. "Open it," He shrugs and sips again on his coffee. I reach for the folder and open it, I saw pictures and a report. My brows furrowed as I read what was written inside, I gasp for air as my tears slowly fall down my face. 

"No, this is not true," I whispered repeatedly as I stare at the pictures, I raise my gaze to him and saw him looking at me. "Why would I lie? my father is dead because of your father," He said, clenching his teeth as his hands leaned on the table, he stood up leaning closer to me. 

"And now-- I have a proposition to make," He said, looking down on me, I raise my head looking up to him because of him towering over me, I gulped as I stare at him waiting for his words. "I would like you to bear me a child-- an heir that will inherit what I own," He said as if it was a simple thing, my eyes widen, and push the chair away with my feet before standing up. "I will pay you the money," I said bravely, he stood up straight and sigh he then get the phone out of his pocket and tap his screen before putting it on his ear, smirking at me.

"Now," he just said and ended the call before looking at me straight in the eyes as his lips tugged upwards in an arrogant smirk. "I'll give you five days to decide, it's your choice and one thing," He said before walking away, he stops for a second and said those words that made me freeze, clouding my eyes with tears.

"I have your sister, so make your decisions fast," He said and left me alone there, unable to move. I heard my phone ring and I answered it. "Melanie, she's-- she's been taken away by some men," She said crying over the phone, I gasp for air and turn to follow the man but they're nowhere to be found, my hands are trembling as I look at my phone again and dialed his number but it didn't answer, I comb my hair my fingers and hurriedly call the taxi coming towards my direction and told the driver our address, I bite my lips nervously praying for my sister, if anything and something happens to her I am sure I will not be able to forgive myself.