CHAPTER 45 THE FLASH
RECAP
The trailer was very close now. The kid stood in the middle of the road, just staring at both vehicles in shock. Lizzy, Desmond and Gisella cried in fear, screaming for a miracle.
" Oh, my God....oh my God..... Oh no... "
The car approached head on with speed.
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Suddenly, a shadow flashed in front of their car and it veered off the road. The trailer passed with great speed without stopping and Gisella's car immediately came to a halt some meters away along the road. It was a quite street with bushes along the road. It's hardly you find people walking along the street.
Gisella, Desmond and Lizzy sat in the car, panting breathless with shock spread over their faces.
" What was that?" Gisella stammered which brought Lizzy sweat soaked gaze on her.
" What was what, Gisel ? Didn't you see what happened?– We nearly had an accident." She cried.
" No, Aunty, i was not talking about that." She swallowed a lump of salvia. "I was referring to that flash–Didn't you see it? And the kid, where is she?" Gisel swiftly gazed out of the window in search of the kid. "She was....."
" Just cut it, Gisel– Don't start this now. We were at the verge of death just now and all you can do after miraculously escaping, is to act wired? Goodness!" Lizzy lamented.
" It's okay, Aunty....Let's just thank God everyone is safe." Answered Desmond as kept staring at Gisel who kept looking around, nervously.
" Are you alright, Gisel?"
" Huh? yeah...yeah, I'm alright, Desmond.... ", she answered, gazing at the right side of the car, bemused and confused.
" Where did she go? Or I was just seeing things." She mumbled with a furrowed. "No, I remember clearly, seeing a kid in the middle of the road even Desmond and Lizzy did as well but where did she suddenly disappear to?" Gisel wondered.
Just then, she saw her father standing under a huge tree a distance away from their car, staring at her with a smile. It was actually Antonio's ghost which flashed in front of their car earlier on.
Gisella stared at him with squinted eyes, not sure of what she was seeing. She swiftly rubbed her eyes and took another glance to be sure.
" Daddy....?Oh my God, daddy", she whispered, surprised.
Ever since her father died, she never saw his spirit before till today which was the reason why she was surprised.
" Gisel?, Gisel–Gisel!" Desmond called but she was so immersed that she didn't hear his call.
" Gisella!" He shouted, tapping her shoulder. She jolted, tensed.
" Gosh, Desmond, You startled me." She exclaimed turning to his direction only to find their gazes on her shock written all over their faces.
" What ? – what is it? why are you staring at me like that....huh?" She queried.
" Um, nothing– Can we go now? Remember we've got a meeting to attend" Desmond replied.
" Oh, yeah, let's go" She responded as she steered the car back on the road.
She slowly drove past Antonio's ghost as he waved her, smiling. Gisella thanked him with her eyes and sped off. Antonio kept staring at their back till he suddenly disappeared.
THE ANTONIO'S MANSION
" Gosh, not again !!!!" Natasha's voice echoed through the whole house. Agnes rushed in from the garden with Lola, worried and frightened.
" What was that? Why did she scream like that? Is everything alright with her?" She mumbled in a single breath and as if on an impulse, stuttered. " No, I don't think so, let me go and find out– Mrs. Natasha?, Mrs. Natasha!" She called, dashing off to Nat's room.
NATASHA'S ROOM
She stood in the middle of the room, thumping everything angrily to the floor.
" What is it with her?– Why can't I get her out of my way?" She screamed, her eyes beaming with wrath. " I don't have much time left and I can't leave without taking her along else I'll be tormented–Ah.... !!" She screamed as she threw a jar towards the door.
Just then, Agnes opened the door, rushing in worriedly. She instinctively dabbed, swerving the approaching jar. It smashed into wall and spread on the floor and on her.
" Ma'am!–Ouch, what the hell is going on here? " She cried, glancing through the messed room.
" What are you doing here? " Shouted Natasha, furiously glaring at her.
" Uhm...Umm....I heard.....I "
" Just get out of here, now !!!! " She howled with red eyes and a strong wind blew through the room, making the items in the room, float in the air.
Agnes screamed and sped out of the room.
***********
Finally, Gisella, Agnes and Lizzy arrived at the company. The board of directors gave them a warm welcome and the meeting begun.
Gisella presented the contract to them and explained everything. The directors were pleased with the presentation and finalised the contract.
" Thank you so much for your cooperation and support so far after my father death. I'll like to finally announce that from henceforth, Mrs. Natasha seize to be a member of this company. I , Miss. Gisella Antonio, take the role as the general manager of this company after Mrs. Natasha." She announced with pride. The whole hall was silent for awhile with mixed reaction.
" Welcome, Ma'am–" Mr. George, Antonio's personal secretary, broke the silence.
" You're welcome, Miss Gisella" The whole staff chorused with applauds.
" Thank you" She responded with a smile.
The meeting soon came to an end. Everyone returned back to their duties with others, muttering and gossiping. Gisella strolled out of the hall with Mr. George in a conversation. Just then, she saw Lizzy and Desmond at the entrance waiting for her.
" Thank you, Mr. George for your support. I'll take my leave now, excuse me."
" It's a pleasure." He shaked her hand and returned to his duty. Gisella rushed towards, Lizzy and Desmond and hugged them, elated.
" Congratulations, honey." Lizzy exclaimed.
" Thanks, Aunty." She answered, breaking away from the hug.
" Congratulations, Gisel– You really did well in there." Desmond complimented as she turned towards her. "You were so bold and brave over there"
" Thanks, Desmond, I couldn't have done all these without the support of you guys. It really means a lot to me." She stuttered but then, those smiles on her face suddenly diminished, replaced by a sullen gaze. "I wish my dad was here to see how strong and brave I've grown to be." She added with tears in her eyes.
Desmond immediately hugged her, consolingly.
" It's alright dear– Don't forget you still have us, we're always here to support, okay?– Come one dry your eyes."
She nodded and gently rested her head over his shoulder. Just then, she saw her father, standing behind him, smiling.
" I'm proud of you, honey. Keep fighting." He muttered.
She nodded with a broad smile, crying. He waved and disappeared.