Chapter 16 - Finding Bill

“Mom, calm down. What about dad? Tell me!” Arabella had sudden goosebumps. Intense nervousness caught her senses.

“Arabella your dad was shot. He was now in the emergency room fighting for his life. I’m on my way there now.” Her mom was crying heavily on the other line.

She suddenly froze. She felt like a bucket of ice was being poured for her.

“What’s the name of the hospital mom? I will go there now.” Her tears suddenly rolled down uncontrollably.

“Sky Medical Care Hospital.” Her mom wept on the other line.

“I’m on my way now.” Her silent cried became tumultuous.

Farrah panicked when she heard Arabella’s loud weeping.

“What happened?” Farrah asked.

“My dad. He was in the hospital. He is in a critical condition.” She quickly told Farrah while sobbing.

“What?” Farrah quickly jumped out from the bed, got her coat, car key, and chased Arabella that already exited the room.

In a flash, they arrived at the hospital.

They quickly went to the emergency room.

Her mom was there already, waiting outside crying silently.

“Mom.” She hugged her mom while gently rubbing her back to ease her.

“Arabella, your dad was waiting for you last night. He didn’t want to eat dinner until you come. He looked for you everywhere. He went to Farrah’s house, hoping you live there, and walk away when no one was there. I don’t know where he went after. The next call I received is from a stranger informing me that your dad was shot and was here in a critical state.” Her mom explained while still sobbing.

Immense guilt quickly punched her down. If only she forgot her grudges towards him, he would have been okay.

If she only gave in to her father’s request, he would still be breathing fine now.

At this moment, she disheartened herself. She hated herself so much.

She’s blaming herself for being such an ungrateful daughter.

Farrah kept on rubbing her shoulder as she couldn’t stop sobbing in the corner.

“He was still critical, he lost lots of blood. He is in a coma now and we need to supervise him 24/7 because he can die anytime.” The doctor said with an exhausted look.

Arabella hugged her mom while they were crying heavily.

Arabella’s dad was then transferred to a private room.

Even if her dad was sleeping, Arabella saw the trace of how much he suffered in his face. She felt so much hatred for herself.

Arabella had to turn back home to accompany her mother and help to manage their own company.

Seconds turned into minutes and days into weeks. The police couldn’t find any evidence of the incident. It seemed that the person behind the intentional killing of his father was a big shot that he could clean the scene that easy.

Arabella didn’t hear anything from Bill anymore. It seemed that Bill already had forgotten her and settled his family matter. Maybe he was already married to another girl. She wouldn’t know.

With her family’s situation now, Arabella was preoccupied with giving justice to her father with the help of her best friend, Farrah.

“What about if we asked Bill Sky for help? Farrah suggested while trying to hack the CCTV around the place of the crime.

“No.” she quickly exclaimed.

“But we had been doing this for months now and yet we still can’t find any clues. There must be big money involved here that’s why even the police can’t give us a good report.” Farrah had a point.

How come police didn’t find any evidence that led to the suspect. Their investigation was left hanging since there is no supporting evidence.

“Come on. Arabella, you know as powerful as Bill Sky this matter is just nothing. Every person in capital Z knows him. No one will dare to reject his orders.” Farrah said, trying to convince her.

“Still no.” Arabella had strongly disagreed.

How could she do that? Bill made clear that he didn’t want to see her anymore. They are nothing but strangers now.

“But look, think of your father. He is still in a coma right now. We did everything but there’s nothing we can find. If you really want justice to your father, you must ask Bill Sky. He’s our best option right now.” Farrah was not planning to give up on convincing her.

Farrah was absolutely right. As powerful as he is, there is nothing he can’t do. She needed to swallow her pride in order to catch the real culprit.

She believed that she was the reason why his father was shot and badly lying on the bed, so she will do whatever it takes to give him justice.

“Okay. I’ll do it.” Her guilt kept on bugging her. She needs to do it for her father’s sake.

The next morning Arabella entered Sky Corporation once again.

She was feeling nervous and for some reason, she felt excited.

Maybe because she can see Bill Sky again, but also worried because he clearly said that they don’t have anything with each other. She didn’t know what will Bill reaction if he would see her face again.

When she reached the reception area, unfamiliar faces greeted her.

Another set of receptionists were there.

“Good Morning. May I help you, Ma’am?” One receptionist greeted her with a smile.

‘Damn! If only the blonde receptionist was here, she will not begin from the start again. The last time she was known as Bill Sky’s wife so it’s easy for her to enter but not this time.’

“Excuse me what happened to the other receptionists?” Arabella was curious.

“Oh. I see, ma’am. They were all fired 2 months ago. We are all new here.” The receptionist answered.

“Why?” Arabella was surprised.

“I’m sorry ma’am, but that’s not for me to disclose. All I can say is that it was decided by the highest management.” The receptionist replied.

‘The highest management that means it was Bill Sky who fired them. But why? Is it because of what she had done before? Is this how he wanted to get rid of her that much? Firing five receptionists? No. Maybe I’m just thinking too much.’ Her thoughts popped out. She became nervous out of a sudden.

“Oh. Sorry, I’m just curious anyway.” Arabella apologized. “I’m here for Bill Sky.” She quickly added.

“Do you have an appointment ma’am?” this was a company protocol. She already knew it.

“None. Could you just call Sharon, his secretary that I’m here and I wanted to talk to Mr. Bill Sky?” She was hoping that somehow Sharon will let her in.

“Oh… I’m sorry, ma’am. The CEO’s office strictly advised us to implement a no appointment – no entry policy most specifically to Mr. Bill Sky’s office.

“But I need to talk to your CEO. We knew each other before. Sharon and Debbie, they know, me too. Please call them to clarify or can you just let me in?” She needs to see Bill Sky. She would beg for this girl just to have an access to his office.

“I am truly sorry Ma’am, but our job is at stake here if we don’t implement the rulings strictly. Calling the CEO’s office is forbidden and was clearly imposed on us. Only those who have an appointment will be entertained. Please come back some other time, ma’am. If you already have an appointment. Thank you and have a good day.” The receptionist showed traces of pressure in her voice, but still trying to be professional.

“Okay then. Thanks.” Arabella felt hopeless. How could she just enter Bill Sky’s office easily before? She entered twice in his office and now it seemed that it’s impossible for her to see Bill Sky.

Now she felt the unreachable big gap between them. She realized how high Bill Sky’s status and she was just fortunate back then that she encountered him, met his parents, and even slept on his bed though it’s a chaotic one.

Arabella refused to give up just like that. There’s no way she will go back home empty-handed. She will do anything for her father after all she’s the one to blame for why his father was in a coma.

She waited at the café just across Sky Corporation, thinking that Bill will show up there in the entrance and exit of the building.

She had the whole day staying at the café but there is no appearance of Bill Sky.

Farrah arrived at the Café to convince her friend to go home and be back there some other time.

“Arabella let’s go home. It’s already late. The café will close in a little while.” Farrah said.

“Okay. I’m just so depressed. I tried contacting the number he used to call me, but the number’s not reachable.” Arabella said in a sad and hopeless voice.

“Oh… How about you call Gab?” Arabella said instinctively. Too late for her to realize her mistake.

“What about Gab? What does he have to do with Bill Sky?” Farrah asked confusedly.

“Hmm... There’s a thing I did not tell you.” Arabella hated herself for not thinking and saying the words impulsively. “Please promise me that you will not be mad.” Arabella tried to pacify the situation before Farrah gets hurt.

“Speak up. You are my best friend. I trust you.” Farrah said while calming herself.

“Gab is the cousin and best friend of Bill Sky.” Arabella was very hesitant to say the words to her for the reason that her friend might get hurt or hate her.

“What?” Farrah was surprised and her eyes widened in disbelief.

“Yes, Farrah. I’m very sorry my friend. I should have told you this earlier, but I don’t have the courage to cut your happiness and excitement with Gab. Please forgive me. I love you. I don’t want you to get hurt.” Arabella would not forgive herself if her friend would also walk out in her life because of her.

Farrah was stunned for a moment, but after hearing Arabella’s sincere explanation, she couldn’t stand to hate her because of Gab’s relationship with Bill Sky.

“It’s okay. It doesn’t matter now. Gab didn’t contact me after I came back. I think too much of him and me being together. I’m sorry Bella, I didn’t get the chance to get his number.” Farrah’s voice was a little helpless and sad.

It was true, Farrah didn’t get to ask Gab’s cell phone number because of her cloud 9 state that time. Gab also told her that he will keep in touch with her which is why she was still hoping that Gab would call her or at least message her up to this time. It was 2 months already and there’s no call, there’s no message, there’s no Gab.

“Oh. I’m sorry my friend. I shouldn’t have brought Gab in our discussion. I didn’t know how broken-hearted you are with him.” Arabella replied with sincerity in her heart.

“Well, I guess that’s really a one-night-stand thing. I shouldn’t have expected more. Don’t worry I tried to accept that slowly. The good thing is I tasted him!” Farrah let out a loud laugh. She became a bit cheerful now.

That is what Arabella’s like the most about Farrah, she’s not the type of some kind of Drama Queen.

They all laughed together and decided to go home.

It’s been two months since Arabella didn’t have any news with Bill Sky. She doesn’t have any idea where to find him. She didn’t even remember the location of their villa that day since she’s unfamiliar with the city. All she could remember is that it took them 1-hour drive to reach the villa.

She woke up with a phone call from Farrah the next morning.

“Hey. Did you hear the news?” Feeling startled, Farrah asked.

“What news? I’m still sleeping.” Obviously, she didn’t care about the news.

“Bill Sky is engaged and will be getting married soon..” Farrah exposed it with a surprising element in her tone.