Chapter 5

I was sneezing every two seconds. "Ma'am, are you okay?" Sam asked repeatedly.

"I'm fine. I just caught a little cold. " He urged me severally to take medicine, but I declined. I'm definitely not a fan of drugs. I was literally freezing on the inside. I felt really cold.

"Ma'am, please, when would you be ready?" Sam asked.

"Ready for what?" I asked, confused.

"Ma'am, Mr Vin Marshal is launching Vin Rush tonight, and you were invited." I listened attentively then asked.

"What were you saying again?"

"Ma'am, are you okay? are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?" Sam asked, definitely concerned.

"Sam, I am fine, really," I said tiredly. He repeated all he said, and I was surprised I had forgotten about it. "By what time is it?"

"Ma'am, it's by seven pm."

"Okay, arrange everything and come get me when it's time."

"Yes, ma," he replied but still stood.

"Am I missing something here?" I asked.

"Yes Ma'am"

"What is it?"

"Ma'am, you wouldn't want to be sneezing every two seconds at the party. Why don't you focus on getting better first before the party begins?" I could see the concern in his eyes, but he has known me for so long, I don't like going to the hospital, and he wouldn't make me.

"Sam, I said you shouldn't burder about me, I will be fi...(sneezes)" I sneezed again even before completing the sentence. I felt embarrassed.

"Ma'am, you really have to go to the hospital."

"Why do you care so much, Sam? I said I will not. You won't force me to, " I said almost angrily. I knew he was only caring, and it was selfish of me to get angry, but I didn't want to go to the hospital, and I had my reasons.

"I know you're scared," He started.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked him confused.

"You have been scared to step into the hospital ever since your dad died."

"Tha...tha...that's not true," I said, stuttering.

"Am I really lying?. I understand how difficult it is."

"No, you don't." I started feeling angry boil up in me. It was as if I had been waiting for this moment, the moment i could unleash my feelings, cry out what has always been in my mind. And to me, this was the moment. "I was promised that the hospital was the right place, and the hospital would make sure they helped him. What did they do? Proclaimed him dead even before he died? Drew blood out of his veins before he breathed his last? And I'm not saying one bag, two whole bags. And we still paid for medications he never for once used. Is that the same hospital you are talking about? The same hospital that would tell me I am having some kind of virus just to watch me die? I vowed never to step my leg into a hospital again, and I won't, even you Sam, won'tmake me! " I screamed and cried as I spoke angrily. I wish he understood how I felt, but he didn't.

"I understand you, but you should know the hospital didn't do it." he paused for some seconds and then continued.

"What?" I asked almost immediately.

"And you don't have to go to the hospital, I could bring the hospital to you."

"No, no, no, you said something...what do you mean by the hospital didn't do it?" I asked, really confused.

"You see... Alina, it might be difficult to understand this. I might be just your assistant, but I have vowed to protect you. I told your father before he died that I would fight for you to the last drop of my blood. And I must. Alina, maybe it's time for you to know, but I wouldn't tell you now. "

"What are you talking about? and why do you suddenly sound strange?"

"I'll tell you but not now,"

"No, tell me now. I want to know about everything. What did my father say to you? What are you hiding from me. Spill it out now, " I commanded angrily. I was tired of the suspense already. it was killing me. I wanted to know the big secret. I wanted to know what really happened to my father. I just want to know.

"Your dad didn't die a natural death. He was killed," I took some seconds as if trying to interpret a different language.

"No, you're lying to me. He died of cancer. I was there. I...I...I...saw the paper, the diagnosis. I saw it. It stated he had cancer. I still have it, I...I still have it." I said rather confused. You could hear the stutter in my words, filled with doubts. But what if I knew before now? what if I was only trying to convince myself that it wasn't true? What if I had known all this while but have been trying to lie to myself? what if I just didn't want to hear the truth? what if I had to lie to myself to believe my dad was loved by all, but he didn't have haters and people who envied him? What if I was just too scared to admit the truth? what if I knew????

"No, Alina. You know I am right. "

"Nooooo, nooo, you are wrong. You're not right. You're lying, " I screamed as I cried bitterly.

"Alina, you know I am right. Has there ever been a case of cancer in your family? Do you have any members of your family with a history of cancer? No, no one. You don't have cancer, neither do you know of anyone. I don't have cancer , nor do I know of anyone. Nobody in our family has cancer. Why do you think your father had it?"

"Wait...wait...wait, did you say our family?" I was more confused than ever.

"Alina, there's a lot you don't know about. A lot, and I am supposed to protect you from them. And it was a mistake. I promise, it was an honest mistake. I didn't mean to. I was just saying it the way your father said it."

I was relieved, but somehow not. Why would he make such a mistake? "So if it wasn't cancer, what happened to him?"

"He was poisoned."

"What? by who? I asked in shock. I knew he was killed but not poisoned.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean by you don't know? My dad was a very kind man who would have wanted to hurt him? I don't remember him having a rival. Who must have poisoned him?" I was so confused. It was so much to take in. I was so surprised to even get angry for not being told till now. It's been six years.

"Alina, I promised your father I'd find out who did? and make sure I deal with him. And I also promised your father I'd protect you. So, Alina, you are my priority, so please stay healthy, if not for me, at least for your dad. I would be mad if I failed my promise to him. I know it's too much to take in, but you have to be strong to find the culprit. Okay?" he spoke to me as if I was his baby sister, and if it was then, i would have eaten him alive by now, but those words were exactly what I wanted to hear. I nodded obediently, and he pat my back gently.

"Go to your room Ma'am, I'll send for a doctor. Don't be scared, a trustworthy one, " he said reassuringly before turning to leave.

I sat still, still in shock. What was happening? This was the reason I never wanted to hear the truth, I knew it will break me. Dad, what do I do at this point????