Chapter 24 - It Must Be Him!

Allie cried hard when he saw the check. She was torn in between her humiliation and longing to be with him again. Perhaps, she was wrong in hurting him. Perhaps, she should have listened to him. She knew that whatever money Ajie had was not because he came from a wealthy family, though they owned hectares of lands, but from the property his parents had sold for his education. And now he's sacrificing his educational fund for his daughter. It was for the future she knew very well that his parents dreamed for him. But how did he know about Chloe?

Anne, who was silently watching her, wondered what's wrong in her statement which made her cry. She wanted to ask but she was so lost in her deep thoughts. She must had forgotten that she was still there.

"Lyz, is it about the check? "

Allie smiled through her tears when she remembered she had left her out.

"It's because of that Adrian you said. He's actually Ajie, Chloe's father, Adrian James. "

Anne stared at her in surprise. Of course, she knew about him but she did not expect that Allie was still hurting.

"So, it is not true after all that he doesn't care about you anymore while it is also not true that you are already over with him? " Anne concluded as she held her gaze at her.

"I'm not crying because I miss him or that I want him back. I'm just being reminded of my humiliation. "

Half of what she said was the truth. She must stand firm on what was right. A year is too long a time to hold yourself from getting in touch with someone your heart cares so much about. There's no such thing as busy, it's a just a matter of prioritization. So, it only meant that he did not love her enough just as he claimed before. Giving everything he had for his education would not gauge him up as a responsible father. It was only money. Generosity? Compassion, perhaps yes. Yet, it was not something that she wanted.

Three days after that, the doctor came in with a great news.

"Baby Chloe has completed her antibiotic regimen already so may go home today. After one month, if you are financially ready, we will do the second surgery. " The pediatric surgeon gave her a triumphant look and a big smile.

"It's really overwhelming to see a dying baby being healed miraculously. She will always reminds us that there is God. "

Soon after the surgeon left, someone knocked at the door. Still smiling due to her happiness that finally they were going home, she came forward to open the door. To her suppressed excitement, Andrew was there with another bouquet of flowers, in pink and green combination of fillers. On the small card attached at the stalk, a note said, " Welcome Back Home, Baby

Chloe. "

"How did you know? " Allie gaped in surprise as she read the note.

Andrew smiled as he looked at her tenderly. "It's a secret. " Then he laughed out loud.

Later on, he handed her a white envelope. "That's from the proceeds of the concert . "

Allie's face instantly turned red as tears instantly gathered at the corner of her eyes.

"Thank you, again. "

Andrew reached out a hand and squeezed her shoulder.

"You have thanked me many times already. "

Allie suddenly remembered the check from Ajie. How could she thank him when she had long deleted his number and even blocked him? And she would never dare to make a way to reach out to him again!

"Allie, I still have charity concerts qeueing up. "

Allie felt overwhelmed that she blurted out rather foolishly.

"Someday, Andrew, I would be able to pay you. " She said tearfully again.

"I' never ask for any return. It's for Baby Chloe. "

Allie then proceeded to packing up their things and in settling up their bill. Then, a nurse came over to instruct them on how to do the ileostomy care. Andrew went closer, also, and listened intently.

"Ma'am, see to it that the fluid from this opening in her lower abdomen does not leak up into the surrounding skin. Or, else her skin would be scraped. "

Allie nodded nervously despite the fact that she had already set her mind in learning it.

"Don't worry, Allie. I'll help you with it. "

Anne smirked secretly as she listened to them. She marveled at the speed of Andrew's emotional attachment to her close friend. Yet, this thought made her happy. At least, she wouldn't have to worry about her anymore.

As all the things were safely tucked in the trunk of Andrew's car, Allie came out of the room with Chloe in her arms. She passed by the nurses' station and thanked them all. They were also overwhelmed with happiness that their miracle baby was finally going home.

As Allie climbed up to the car while Andrew was holding the door for them, a taxi pulled to a stop behind them. Beside the driver was Ajie whose eyes widened in mixed emotion...

He wanted to go out and stop them but cowardice overtook him. He remembered everything that Allie ranted and knew that she was right. That was certainly not the way to win her back, if ever she was still free and uncommited. He laughed at the thought of how determined he was when he swore a year ago.

"If you will not be able to wait, I will take you from whoever may own you. "

___

Meanwhile, all the broadcasting networks were buzzing at the sudden disappearance of the owner of the world's top luxurious yacht - building company. During an interview, his body guards admitted that it was not the first time their boss sneaked away from them. He could always outwit them and make unpredictable escapades. He always insisted that he didn't need body guards but her only daughter strictly insisted on it.

His disappearance didn't worry them at first since he would always make random flights over other countries.

But it had been five days and still he was not back. His only daughter, Dr. Jane Lopez, decided to announce it to the media while they were also doing their search.

While at the doctor's lounge, Dr. Perez was watching intently on the news. How weak was their security to get tricked easily by just an old man? What kind of training did these men had? How credible were they in their designation? That was so absurd! But when the face of the man was closely focused, he suddenly sprang up to his feet!

"It must be him! "