Chapter Three

Albert put down the phone on his study table after confirming that the driver was back. He sighed as he reviewed the information he had gotten in his mind. Cedric had decided to start walking home since the driver was late and got ambushed on the way, if not that the driver had arrived on time he would have been seriously injured. The thought of his grandson injured made his heart ache.

Pouring himself the red wine that sat on the stool, he picked up the glass and took a sip. This was just the beginning of his ruthlessness, did they think the Ramirez family was one to pick on easily. He knew this was not the only person that had hurt Cedric but it won't be bad using this one as a warning.

                          X.X.X

Alvin had gotten to the hospital but the receptionist in front of him was trying to flirt with him, seems like she didn't know who he was and definitely was new to the hospital.

"What's your name Sir and who do you want to see?" she asked seductively.

"I'm Mr Ramirez,my wife and daughter were admitted here a couple of hours ago so I'm obviously here to see them". He replied not hiding the disgust in his voice.

" Oh my gosh....it's you Alvin Ramirez. They are in the VIP room" she stuttered and tried to adjust herself.

"Can I get an autograph sir?"

But he was already heading to the VIP room, any second standing in front of that lady would only incure his wrath; some ladies were shameless after all. Even after stating clearly that he was here for his wife and daughter, she was still trying to try her luck. On getting to the room,he found Stacy sitting in the corridor.

"Al, you're finally here. I -"

Alvin shot her up as he planted a kiss on her lips giving her no space to breath. Just a gaze and he could see she hadn't changed a bit, her shape was still perfect as usual but her face had lost a little of its colour.

"Al, there are cameras around here" she mumbled as he bit on her lips.

"Who cares about that? Let the whole world see how much I love my wife".

It wasn't until she tapped his shoulder that he pulled back.

"I just left for one week and your cheeks are not as rosey as they used to be. I'm sorry I stayed too long".

"It's alright honey, at least you are here now. I couldn't pick you up because of Sara".

"What's wrong with her? She was perfect before I left, is it a flu?"

"No dear. She had a seizure....it was so sudden that I didn't know what to do. I was in a state of panic, so shocked....we almost lost her". Her words trailed off as she broke down in tears.

"It's okay, I'm here now" he whispered as he allowed her to vent her panic on his shoulder.

His chest tightened at the thought of coming home to see Sara dead. He could imagine the panic attack Stacy must have had due to that and it only made him feel more guilty that he wasn't around.

"Have the doctors said anything?" he asked after she had regained her composure.

"They won't let me in yet, they are trying to examine and run some tests on her". "I just hope she's alright" her voice croaked.

"Calm down Stacy, nothing would happen to our gem. She's going to grow and become beautiful like you"

   After saying this, the atmosphere became more lively as Alvin related his experience to his wife. As the nurses passed them, they couldn't help but smile and admire the couple, everyone simply wished to be like them.

"Grandfather called me today" Stacy quickly added and watched his expression change.

"What did he say?"

"Cedric got into a fight in school and was ambushed after that. He didn't sustain injuries though". Holding Alvin's hand, she lifted his chin so he could gaze into her eyes.

"I know you've always wanted Cedric to keep a low profile, but our son has been bullied for some years now. Why don't you bring him down here after all we have good schools around"

"You know why I can't bring him back honey. I don't want our child to be used as bait for me. Moreover, I want to keep him of the limelight so he can have a normal life"

"Normal life by being bullied, don't you think you sound ridiculous now?" she asked raising her voice.

Moving away from him, she walked to the window and crossed her arms across her chest. She knew the reason why he had kept her son so far away but now he has been ambushed, wasn't it enough reason for him to bring him back. She had beared with him since, worse still she was missing her son. They hardly saw each other apart from holidays or times they visited his grandparents. Alvin stood up and moved behind her, holding her on the waist.

"I'm sorry Stacy....I know you miss him...." he paused, "I miss the rascal too"

"I'm sorry for raising my voice too, I understand your decision, I just miss my baby boy" she rested on his chest and let out a small sigh.

"Tomorrow is his birthday you know right" she pouts her cheeks looking at him sideways.

"Yeah I know, I can't forget that kid's birthday" he whispered back.

"He knows you are back from your trip, so now you are less busy, why don't you pay him a visit?"

Alvin raised his chin up and nodded his head in the affirmative. It wasn't a bad ideas afterall.

"You can go home and take a shower, I'll meet up with you later" she faced the door and sat down. "I need to know how Sara is faring"

"Are you sure you don't need company?"

Shaking her head, he pecked her forehead and went downstairs. As he got to the door, he sighted Fred, Stacy's brother coming in.

"Hello Al; it's been awhile I saw you. How was your trip?"

"It was okay, thank you" he stopped and turned his gaze to the receptionist who was still stealing glances at him.

"Who's that lady?" Fred followed his gaze and looked at Jade who pretended to be serious with the laptop in front of her.

"That's Jade, she's the new receptionist here" he replied with a chuckle. "Does our Alvin find her attractive?"

"Attractive?" he looked behind him and let out a throaty laughter.

"Even in her next life, she can never compare to my Stacy. I believe she won't be bad for you Freddie". He jogged out but stopped in his track; he had to make sure Jade heard him and as predicted, her face was flushed red and she bent her head in embarrassment.

"Help me keep Stacy company and give me feedback in case anything goes wrong". Fred gave him a thumbs up before disappearing out of sight.

"How's Sara?" Carl asked as he drove out of the park.

"I hope she will be okay, Stacy is with her and they are running a couple of tests on her to see what's wrong" he replied cleaning his forehead with the handkerchief he had retrieved from his pocket.

"Tomorrow is Cedric's day. I hope you have plans of seeing him"

"Of course I do.... but I need to rest a bit. It's about a five hours drive from here to where they live and I'm pretty exhausted"

They soon got home after a few hours drive, immediately he showered, he fell asleep. The day was a tiring one for him.