Chapter 220 - The Islet Mystery 36

Ryan arrived back to the yacht before daybreak. He entered through his private door as discreetly as he left. Everyone had already entered into their rooms the moment he slipped out of the yacht hours ago. He planned everything, including alternatives, even if Richard did not consent to the plan. His dad had eyes and ears in the surroundings, disguising themselves as tourists or work applicants, but they disappeared during nighttime for fear of being caught. Also because, in this secluded place, no one would do their activities during night time because of the dangers lurking all around.

However, the flying of his chopper last night would not alert his father's men since he made it a habit to scan the whole place at random times at night using the aircraft to look for possible intruders. They invested much for the care of the Chara channels, and they couldn't allow any intruders to destroy the fruit of their labor.

While laying himself down on his bed, his thoughts were on Shiela. She must still be in the air at this moment. She may be far away by now, but at least, it would only be temporary. What's more important was her safety and his undivided attention in settling his issues against his father. He drifted into sleep with his thoughts still on her until a frantic knocking on his door woke him up a few hours after.

"Ryan! Ryan!" 

Ryan sprang up to his feet when the banging of his door got louder. He opened the door and saw the frightened face of Mr. Lopez, followed by his hysterical wife and the two ladies trailing behind him.

"What's happening?" he asked, his eyes still felt sandy due to lack of sleep.

"Allie and Ajie disappeared!"

"What do you mean?"

"Last night, while the two were still talking to Andrew and his team, we excused ourselves and went to bed ahead of them. Only to realize this morning that they have not returned."

Ryan smiled, and his calm demeanor settled their hearts a little. "Don't worry, uncle, auntie. Perhaps, Andrew invited them to the hotel they were staying in. I'll call them right now.."

Mr. Lopez shook his head in protest. "I have already done that, but their numbers were out of reach."

Ryan tried to call them himself, but both their numbers were indeed out of service. He talked to Andrew through the hotel's receptionist, but the latter confirmed that the two didn't go with them. Andrew swore that the last thing he remembered was that the couple stayed by the shore until they all disappeared from their sight.

"I'll have my men look for them," Ryan tried to comfort them but Mrs. Lopez was already wailing. Cherry and Jane didn't say a word but they couldn't stay put in place, peeping at all the windows now and then.

"I'll go with your men!" Mr. Dioko suddenly butted in after being quiet the whole time. His grimaced face and his faraway looks bothered Jane that she quickly intervened.

"No, uncle. Just stay here. You might not be feeling well out there."

"Jane, they are my children we are talking about, and I cannot possibly stay here waiting. I'll also have my men come over," Mr. Dioko's tried to project a soft voice, but its hoarseness still betrayed what he was truly feeling inside.

"Uncle, they are both our family, too, but we have to entrust them to the most capable people to do the search."

Mr. Lopez moved his eyes fast from his wife to each of them as he listened to their conversation. He wanted so badly to butt in and volunteer to go as well, but his wife's panicked status held him back.

"We will go together," Mrs. Lopez cried out, startling all of them, including Ryan. "We enjoyed here together, so we must also die here together." 

Seeing her broke into a bitter cry again, Jane and Cherry were no longer able to hold back their anxiety. They also cried with her, and Ryan stood pinned on the corner where he stood, his heart melting over the affection they displayed. He had not seen these worries and thoughtfulness in his family. They didn't even care for his feelings, of what he wanted for himself, of his own preferences. Their will must be done, regardless of his opinion. Hearing their stories a few days ago, and watching them now, these people didn't deserve his father's revenge through him.

___________

Shiela was still an hour earlier before her departure. Her head was already aching with so much thinking. She had been independent all her life, but going to a place beyond her plans made her weary. Her heartaches and the strain of her stress lately took a toll on her that all she wanted at the moment was an emotional release. She remembered her father, and so she looked for a corner where she could have complete privacy.

"Have you decided to confess already?" was his father's first statement as soon as he answered the phone. "I'm your father, Shiela, but I am so humiliated that you don't see me as a person you can trust and share your burden with."

The pain and humiliation in his voice bored into her heart, searing it like a double-edged knife that she cried hard in regret. "Pa, I didn't mean it that way. I was just too ashamed."

"Then tell me now."

Shiela realized that of all the people in this world, there was only one person who would not betray her. He was scared to death when she got sick, and his constant travels that started after she got discharged were most likely the payment of her hospital bill and recovery expenses.

"Alright, Pa, I'm now going to tell you the truth. His name is Ryan Neil Yu, a classmate in college. I know it would be hard to believe, but Ryan is not the bad person here. It is his parents..."

An hour was not too long, but it was enough to lift a heavy load inside her heart. At long last, she could breathe freely now, no longer feeling guilty of hiding a critical truth anymore. She made it sure that if ever Ryan's path and her father would come across, he wouldn't hate him.