Chapter 9 Christmas Day

All the streets of London were painted with so many colors of Christmas, every household had planted their trees outside with so many lights and different kinds of gift boxes, children were playing with each other, throwing snow balls at one another.

I vividly remember seeing the biggest Christmas tree surrounded by a lot of individuals, happily singing the Christmas song.

My soft lips couldn't help but invite themselves to the song everyone was singing, it ended every last of the song's lyrics with 'we wish you a Merry Christmas and happy new year.'

With my full focus not lost, I was so eager to see my father as I drove along the highway at full speed, the side mirror of the half-painted car wasn't there to check who was behind me. Mr Diego is a gangster that might have escaped a gun shot through the mirror.

Her heart was far from the mansion, the feelings were mutual, the happiness came from the depths of her pure heart, after having endured the suffering for months. She finally had the opportunity to see her father.

She arrived at the entrance of a small iron-made gate of her father's rented apartment after two hours' drive from the mansion. She quickly removed the car key from the steering to off the car engine, while she catches her breath.

"Thank goodness I am here now," Maria said.

As she hurriedly locked the door of the car, then she put the key in her right pocket and walked towards the gate to gently open it, she had planned to surprise him.

She entered into the free spacious compound, and she was shocked, not seeing any Christmas tree or any sign that could paint the proper image of Christmas Eve.

"Why is every corner of this building so dirty and empty? Not even a Christmas tree, poor father, he must have been so lonely all this while." Maria said.

This place was full of merriment 4 years ago. My Uncle Charles and Uncle Smith traveled all the way from Hallmond to celebrate Christmas with me and my father. They have been there for him ever since my mother passed away.

Uncle Charles had two beautiful kids, Winston and Julia. He's a 35-year-old with a tall and huge physique. As the junior brother to my father, he respected him so much, even though he's blessed with a group of gangs that protects him anytime he needs them.

Uncle Smith is blessed with just one kid, Camara. He's a 33-year-old short man with anger that boils in him every second. He owned a mechanic's workshop at the age of 20 years, when their father passed away and left rhe workshop in his care because he was the only one among them that was interested in the business.

They made the whole house full of happiness, they made sure we never felt loneliness.

She stopped reminiscing about the moments she had with her family and focused on the door she was about to open. She gently and quietly tipped her toes towards the door, preparing to surprise her father in bed.

She stretched her hand to the front and held the door handle gently, then she made a count-down from 1 to 3, then she opened it widely and audibly shouted.

"Ta-da."

The bedroom was empty, she could only see different newspapers on the floor. She called him again.

"Dad, where are you? It's me Maria, I am home now." Maria cried out loud.

She'd lost hope when she sat on the bed and thought about how she had driven for 2 hours just to sit and warm an empty bed. She was so sad that she collapsed her body on the bed.

After a few seconds, Mr George jumped out of the cupboard with a golf stick to hit whoever was on his bed, but unexpectedly he saw his daughter and quickly dropped the stick.

"Maria, oh my God!" he exclaimed.

She jumped up from the bed and hugged him so tight, the bedroom was filled with a lot of emotional tears gushing out from theirs like rain, they couldn't let go of each other, like if they did, they might end up lost again.

"Oh my goodness, Dad, I have missed you." Maria said.

He stepped back a bit, trying to lose their hug gradually, he locked his hand in hers and kept. He. He. He looked at her face from the top to her legs.

"I'm so sorry for everything, I'm sorry for my lack of abilities, I've tried everything possible to cancel the contract but Mr Patrick and his evil son are always a step before me."

At this moment, they allowed the air through their nostrils, they calmed down and sat on the bedside by side, she kept looking closely at her father, she never let her gaze slip away from him for more than 30 minutes of sitting with him.

"I tried calling you, but it was off. I know that bad man must have told his son to get your phone from him." Mr George said angrily.

She acknowledged the fact that her husband had done what he said. She quickly stood up and went to the kitchen. She opened the fridge and saw a small chocolate cake. She took it out and placed it on the table.

She reached for a bottle of vanilla cream that was kept beside the water sink, she designed the top of the cake with it and put a candle on it.

"Dad, let's celebrate Christmas. I have limited time." Maria said.

He was curious about what she meant in the limited time. He had thought that his boss and his family had allowed her to come as promised. He wanted to ask, but she distracted him with wish making.

"Dad, please make a wish." Maria said while she kept her strong heart at the time.

She had to visit the location where Mr Diego's family was living before going back to the mansion.