When I was Kidnapped

"I was held kidnap when I was a baby" She breathed "And so to avoid it from happening again, he needed to choose between me and the company"

The revelation brought back the silence that once settled in. Although Darryl longed to prompt the girl for more information, he sensed that she wouldn't be more receptive to anymore questions.

"I'm sorry that it happened to you," Darryl said earnestly.

"You don't have to be. It's not like I remember anything at all. I don't even know the details about it" The girl continued "But Huzey overheard this conversation between my grandfather and Senior Hans. They said, in order to keep me safe from those who wanted to take me then no one should know about me…"

"…. Also, there is one weird rule in our house—I should not take a picture of myself and whenever I asked my grandfather why, his answer is always the same— so that no one will know how I look like. According to him since he is a good doctor, a lot of bad people were after his skills and he is afraid that they will use me so they can force him to what they wanted from him. So, it is better of that no one knew what my face look like"

"...I thought it was just a bluff to scare away a child, I was such a curious cat as you said" She smiled at the thought of her last statement as Darryl steadied his gaze unto her telling the her that boy was all ears to her story " but it made sense to me after all. Also, when the boys and I get a little obsessed with finding out the reason behind my abduction we found something pointing to the same fact… that I was held kidnap when I was a baby because I am worthy of millions."

"That's the cost of being an elite Xhemin," Darryl interrupted, but Xhemin continued as if there hadn't been an interruption and her expression became deep and sentimental over her next words.

"and my abduction cost my mother's life…" She smiled at him bitterly now and tears were glistening in her ink eyes.

"Don't cry milady" Darryl groaned wearily at the sight of her face. "It's not your fault" He reached over and stroked one long finger down to the side of her face.

"It is my fault!" She echoed off with crackling voice, ready to burst into sobs "They said my mother died giving birth to me, but I figured out she died the moment I was held kidnapped. That's why I cannot blame my grandfather if he wanted to hide me away instead…and raise me as a normal child. Far away from the cares, chaos and danger of being the heir of Feather HealthCare Corp"

Seeing the girl burst into tears, Darryl tucked his feet beneath him and rummage through the picnic basket that was settled on the blanket. He looked for more paper napkin to wipe off the girl's tears. A minute after, he held the girl close to him and caressed her hair. He was comforting her as she was sobbing over her own words.

Darryl run his own memory over all the things the girl had said. He didn't think that things were this complicated for her but there were also many loopholes in her story. Previous weeks ago, when he got curious about her grandad, he had him investigated and that's how he found out he was the famous Dr. Miles.

He had his subordinates give him all the information about the famous doctor and right there he knew the doctor sired only one child—Dr. Melvin Dugmoch and so it was easy to assume Dr. Melvin is Xhemin's father. However, that Dr. Melvin died already even before Xhemin was born. In fact, Dr. Melvin died already few years prior to Xhemin's birth, and that fact alone renders Xhemin's filiation to Dr. Melvin impossible. A dead man cannot sire a child, that's impossible.

However, Xhemin story seemed to tell him that she was the legitimate heir to Feather HealthCare Corporation and that she never doubted her filiation with the doctor. Didn't she know when Dr. Melvin died before she was born? Did nobody tell her that she can't be Dr. Melvin's child?

She might be a daughter of Dr. Miles illegitimate child or could she be an adopted? Didn't she know this fact?

Also, why would the kidnappers waste time on Feather HealthCare's heir? There were so many better heirs where they can get more millions than the latter's heir. Everyone in the elite community knew Feather HealthCare profits were all dried up because of its charity works so a kidnapping syndicate won't really get much ransom from Feather HealthCare's heir.

But from Xhemin's story, it seemed that there is something special about being a Feather HealthCare's heir apart from getting money from it. He didn't know what's behind all these secrets and loopholes, but everything points only to one fact—Xhemin's identity is very controversial and Dr. Miles was very keen in keeping her hidden. What's with his woman?

"I'm sorry I made your shirt wet" She whispered, still wrapped in his arms.

"It's okay" Darryl smiled as he pulled back his thoughts back to the woman crying over his shoulder. "Thank you for telling me, I really appreciate it" He added as tucked her loosened hair to the back of her ears.

"The Lagdameo heir has a very good reputation in this country" She answered confidently, trying to compose herself up although her voice was still cracking because of her previous crying "You can't ruin such reputation by telling off the secrets I entrusted to you. Besides, rumors said the Lagdameo heir is trustworthy"

"Whew! I couldn't believe milady just blackmailed me" He hissed and planted a kiss on the girl's head "smart girl"

The couple stayed on that position for a couple of minutes, enjoying the company of the nature enclosing them. Xhemin observed dreamily as she enjoyed the sun filtering through the leaves of the giant oak tree that they were picnicking in beneath. Soon she fell asleep.