319 Family Reunion, Tying Up a Loose End Before the Terror Ensues (1/2)
Day 48 – 1:02 PM – Military Residences, Bay City, Pasay City, Metro Manila
”Seriously, you don't have to cry like that. You look like a elementary school girl that got bullied by her classmates.”
Mark said with a bitter smile while he stood beside the door of the room.
Hearing that, Odelina pouted but she could not refute it either. She was currently sitting on the edge of her bed beside Mei who was hugging her while she wiped the traces of her tears with her reddish eyes.
It took more than fifteen minutes to appease Odelina while Mark and Mei told what really happened. Odelina felt displeased as she worried a lot for the circumstances that was actually under control and it was just everyone was left out and used as tool to start a heinous plan. She also realized why the senator was too early to use what happened to pressure the military. It was because he knew everything that happened from the start as the mastermind.
'At least, the young miss is not really in any trouble.'
Odelina thought as she tried to smile. She also looked towards the two others that her masters brought with them, a fairy and a little girl. Although she was surprised by the existence of the fairy, her distressed heart failed to show that emotion.
THUMP! THUMP!
The door was knocked while they were still in their conversation which made Odelina worried. Her masters said that they will hide themselves for a while and no one else should know they were here. However, Mark only put his index finger over his lips and slowly opened the door while standing behind it.
There, two little girls entered. The older one stood behind the younger and was pushing her to go into the door faster and closed the door.
Iola had Keeper's memories and ability allowing her to know that Mark had appeared because of the [PsyCrystal] on his arm. Knowing that Mark had already returned, she brought Abbygale who was also sad about Mei's abduction. Although she still had the calm expression she always had, her eyes were red from crying too much.
”Gale, look.”
Abbygale was looking down at the floor this whole time so Iola had to urge her to look forward. When Abbygale looked towards the bed where Odelina and Mei sat, her calm face turned into surprise and glee as she literally charged forward.
”MAMA!”
Mei immediately caught her. Luckily, the distance of the door and the bed was not far and Abbygale was not able to gather more momentum and speed or it could have hurt both of them. The little girl's face was immediately stained with tears of joy. Abbygale started rubbing her face on Mei's body like a cat while the latter tried to pacify the little girl with a gentle smile on her face.
On the other hand, Iola who was also an accomplice of the plan stood by the door and looked at the person she expected to be here.
”Your Maj- OW!”
Iola tried to bow down and greet Mark in the way that people of Eriellis greeted their king but she was not able to finish as her forehead was flicked without mercy.
”I already told you that you are not Keeper so you don't have to do that.”
Iola, who held her forehead with both hands and with teary eyes, looked up to Mark with a pout.
”Who am I?”
Mark lowered his body and asked face to face with Iola.
”Pa… Papa…”
Iola said with embarrassment. It was then that her head was caressed gently. Finally unable to hold back her feelings as a child, she hugged Mark and started to cry.
”Papa… Papa…”
Receiving the embrace, Mark smiled. Although he had Freed's memories and Iola had keeper's, they were still different people and the father and daughter should not become them. It was different from reincarnation. Although the memories were in their mind now, it was not their own at the same time.
Abbygale noticed her older sister hug someone behind and was surprised. She stared at Mark who also turned his head towards her. Abbygale looked at Mark trying to recollect her memories and her eyes grew wider. Mei slowly let the little girl go and allow her to go towards Mark with slow steps as things happening right now registered in her young mind.
”Papa?”
Abbygale spoke with uncertainty and a warm hand was placed unto her head.
”Took you long enough.” Mark said with a bitter expression. ”You little girls is the one who forced me to be your ”Papa” but you forget me?”
They only spent time together for a week at the start of the outbreak and were far apart for more than a month already. Mark could not blame the little girl. Iola was a bit different since her mind became more mature due to Keeper's memories but Abbygale was still a normal little girl in mind and heart.
Feeling the familiar warmth in those hands, tears started to fall even more from Abbygale's eyes as jumped in to join Iola in his embrace.
”Papa!”
The little girl cried and started rubbing her face on Mark's chest as if trying to mark him once more.
On the side, Amihan was teary eyed as she watched the two lonely children reunite with Mark and Mei. Miracle on the other hand seemed to have another thing on mind as she stared at Iola and Abbygale.
Miracle then walked towards Mark and jumped to cling on his neck.
”Father? Papa?”
The [Blood Child Princess] was confused.
”Papa?”
”Papa…?”
Iola and Abbygale noticed Miracle and stared with both askance and confusion.
The three then started to call unto Mark as he was not responding.
”Papa?”
Iola looked at his face trying to ask if something was wrong.
”Papa!”