69 CHAPTER 69: HER LEAST ENEMY

"What happened to my father?" Aisha sadly asked uncle Archie. she was organizing some files when her cell phone rang. "Please send me your address. I will be there as soon as I sort out some documents here in the office." After hearing her Dad's condition from uncle Archie, Aisha fixed all the documents she has to review for the day. Maybe she could just do it tomorrow or why not asked Lisa and Caleb for their help instead. Hmm, that would be perfect!

Aisha proposed a project to extend the White Lotus production in the North State area. She grew up there so she knew that the White Lotus didn't saturated the North State yet. it was the project that Ethan asked her to fix but got delayed because of Angel. That woman! Aisha scoffed. Guess she needs to visit that woman as well. She needs to straighten her problem with that woman cause first of all, she is her least enemy.

Aisha has a lot of things in mind right now. she needs to iron out some problems before moving to the greater ones. However, she never thought that Demetrius, her foster father would become one of her concern. Her Uncle Archie called her to let her know that Rio had been eccentric since the masquerade party but he left out the information about the woman he claimed he saw that night.

"I need to leave you guys today. I'm sorry that I burdened you with some of my works todday. I just need to go somewhere today." Aisha implored the two outside her office. They nodded to let her know it is okay but Aisha didn't notice the awkwardness building up between her two office mates. Her mind was filled with a lot of conflicts for the past weeks giving her a tough time to see through her friends.

"Let me know if you need some clarification, okay?" she continued.

"Ehm, okay." Lisa assured her.

Aisha headed to the elevator then she punched the number going to the basement. As soon as she reaches where her car was parked, she changed into her sneakers. As soon as she felt comfortable, she started the engine and drove off to the address that uncle Archie provided. It's not definitely a hotel or a condo. It was a subdivision, she's sure of that. It was what the internet said. Did Rio manage to buy a house and lot in the Central State? She didn't know, she's about to find out.

Unknown to her, someone was following her secretly.

She reached the Subdivision but the security is very tight. She has to give out an I.D. but the guards need to verify the names if they are included on the list of people who are allowed to enter the area. she handed her I.D but the guards told her that she doesn't have any permission from anyone to enter.

"I have an audience with Demetrius Mikasa." She pursed her lips in annoyance.

"I'm sorry miss but your name is not included on the list." The guard repeated.

"But I'm his daughter!" she's vexed. After a while, she guiltily realized that the I.D she provided was that of Stacy. Rio nor uncle Archie didn't know about Stacy. But how could she hand her I.D as Aisha? they will become suspicious for sure.

She picked her phone and dialed uncle Archie's number immediately. After some minutes, the guards let her in. they apologized.

"Where's dad?" she asked Archie when she got of the car. She was able to enter the mansion. It looks like the Williams residence but with difference in width and height. These mansion is definitely expensive.

"He is in his room. I'm sorry to call you all of a sudden but I am worried because he hasn't gone out since the day after the masquerade party." Archie explained.

"Thank you Uncle." She tapped Archie's shoulder, "Thank you for calling me." She genuinely said then she started the stairs up going go her father's room. She tried to knock as soon as she reaches the door but didn't hear any response.

"Dad?" She knocked again. She's not getting any response so she took the master key to her uncle. She opened the door slowly. It's too dark inside so she turned on the light. She tried to search for her father's location. No one is on the bed. She walked to the shower room but found no one. Where could he possibly be? Did he? No! he won't think of jumping out from the window, because he will definitely die! She's about to get out when she heard some clatters. She gazed towards the noise. There! She can see a head! Was he sitting on the floor beside the bed all this time? and he didn't even bother to speak to her? Just how deep is his depression?

She walked near him, "Dad?" he was holding a small picture frame. She tried to see who but it was an old portrait of a young beautiful woman. who could that person be? Was she his wife? Daughter? Just who the hell is she to steal her father's vigor?

"She's beautiful." She uttered as she sat beside him. Rio smiled.

"Yes! she is definitely!" he wretchedly answered. Aisha could see tenderness on his eyes while he stares at the picture, but she can also sense some guilt, pain and love? Love? Isn't he over her yet?

"Who is she?" she was trying to get him speak.

"She was once my life." Pain is heard on his tone, "She was dead fifteen years ago, but how come I saw her that night?" he continued.

"At the masquerade party?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure it was her? maybe it was just a lookalike coincidence?" she's trying to get to him.

"No. I'm sure it was her." he is firmed.

"And what if it's her?" Rio paused when he heard her. yeah, right. What if it was her? what's in it for him? Maybe he was just happy to know that she's alive. Or Maybe, just Maybe, he wants to see her again? But why? didn't that woman left him for good? But they were once a lover!

Demetrius wants to know what happened to her fifteen years ago. And he wants to know badly why is she with that murderer!

"What will you do if it was her? do you still hope to be with her?" She asked but Rio didn't answer. he doesn't even know why.

"Dad, let go! it's been how many years now!" she continued. When Aisha didn't hear any words from him, she stood up and headed to the door. She feels like yelling at Rio. But she was just an adoptive, stubborn child. She can't possibly dictate that old man.

She glanced at him again before she totally got out of the room. why does she feel like a loser? Isn't she enough for Rio? Does he still need that woman? why is she getting angry at that woman who left her father and replaced him for some other guy? she was annoyed. Rio doesn't deserve that woman. not at all! She decided to find that woman and make sure they won't cross paths someday. Cross finger!

"How did it go?" Archie asked Aisha when he saw her walking down the stairs. She is in deep thought.

"Uncle, do you really think that woman is alive?" she was in deep thought.

"I don't know what to believe in dear. But if he said that he saw her then probably he might be right.He won't be acting like this if it was just an imagination." Archie explained. Aisha curled her fist into a ball. She hates seeing Rio that way. She just simply hates it. She firmly believed that Rio was a good man --- No! he is a great man. That should be the right word.

"Uncle, what was that woman's name?" she spoke with seriousness.

"Cherry Ann. Cherry Ann Lee."

"I'll come again some other day uncle. I just need to finish my work." Aisha walked out the house. Archie is not dumb at all. He knew exactly what she meant by that. He trained her and watch her grew up so he knew her very well. He is positive that Aisha will find for that woman no matter what.

Aisha drove back to the office. She decided go back. She might use her office to search the internet for that woman's information. On her way to the parking lot, she spotted a familiar face. Angel! Her nose seemed to breath some lava in her anger. Damn that woman! Aisha parked her car opposite Angel's car then she got off. She met her seductive eyes. Angel Scoffed.

"I don't know what's wrong with your brain woman. but I think you need a psychiatric help." Aisha intended to insult her.

"And I can see that you're still alive." Angel smirked sarcastically. She's about to pass through her but Aisha held her arm tightly.

"Hey! You better get your ass out in this building if you don't want things to get ugly. Cause I'm telling you, you don't have a place in here anymore!" she glared at the woman wobbling in pain.