LET'S GO, MUMMA BEAR!

GABRIEL

Nora was the one who broke the thick silence as everyone else was at a loss for words after what just happened.

She started slowly, "I was busy in the kitchen, and Adam was playing in the living room with Bria. She - um- she is not feeling well for the last couple of days and couldn't get any sleep last night. I suggested her to take some rest and go to her room. But she refused, saying she will keep Adam company as I was busy with chores and lie down on the sofa for a few minutes.

When I came to call Adam for snacks, he was not there. Bria was scared, but she looked throughout the house and garden for Adam. When your men were busy coming up with theories of Adam's kidnapping by the rivals, she was the one who thought about checking the pool. When we followed her to the pool, we- we saw Adam in the water." A sob escaped Nora's mouth, but she continued anyway.

"Without wasting any time, she jumped straight into the freezing water and saved Adam. Your men wanted to wait for your order, but all of you were busy in a meeting. She was the one who refused to wait and was rushed to the hospital after performing CPR, which only she knew how to do.

She did everything possible to bring Adam safely here. She even fought with the doctors when they hesitated to treat Adam because of his father's name. And no... she was definitely not taking any revenge!"

Nora's words hit me like bricks thrown into my face. I regretted the way I treated the butterfly without knowing what exactly happened.

My baby, my son could have died if it was not for her! And I blamed her, accused her of trying to kill Adam.

What have I done?!

I looked up when the door in front of me opened, and a doctor came out.

"Where is Miss. Bria?"

I got up from the seat and approached him. "She is not here right now. How is Adam? I am his father." I tried to sound as civilized as I could in that situation instead of pointing a gun at his head.

I saw the recognition flash through the doctor's eyes, and he paled in an instant.

That's what we are. That's what I am. People fear us and respect us because we hold that power over them.

'But that power was useless when they refused to treat your son because of who you are!'

"H-hello, sir!"The doctor stuttered. "Your son is out of danger now. But I must say that you are lucky! If he was not brought here at the right time, God only knows what would have happened. You should thank Miss Bria.

If she didn't do all those primary treatments, then Adam couldn't have gotten enough time till we treated him. His condition is stable now, but we will keep him under watch for the next twenty-four hours."

The doctor was talking more, but my mind didn't register anything other than Adam was safe!

I slumped down again in the chair and held my head in my hands in relief.

"Gabriel."

My head snapped up at that familiar powerful voice.

"K-King. Adam-"

"He is a brave boy, Gabriel! He is stronger than you. He will be alright in no time."

King was a man of few words and never spoke unless necessary. But hearing his words consoled me for some reason! And I was grateful for that!

King was the last man one could think of for a heart-to-heart conversation. But in that state, I couldn't hold myself and blurted out.

"I- I shouldn't have said those things to Bria. Should I go and apologise to her?"

He didn't answer for a minute "That's your call to take. I believe that you know the right thing to do." And then he walked away from there.

*

*

*

BRIA

I sat in the cafeteria of the hospital, shivering due to the cold. I could feel the curious gazes of the passerby, but I paid no attention to them as I sat staring at the table in front of me.

"Hey, butterfly." I tensed, hearing Gabriel's voice.

I was not in the mood to continue our fight from before. All I needed was-

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the warmth that covered me in it. I looked up to see Gabriel covering me in a shawl. My soul sighed in bliss!

All of my anger melted away once the strong smell of coffee hit my nostrils. Gabriel passed a cup of steaming hot coffee, and without a second thought, I grabbed it, relishing in its hotness.

God bless him!

"You ok?" he asked with a soft voice that was very unfamiliar to my ears.

I only nodded my head and brought the cup of coffee to my lips. Its bitterness calmed my nerves considerably.

"Adam is out of danger now. The doctor said he was brought here on time and the primary treatment gave him extra time until they treated him." He informed me after a minute.

I remained silent while chanting prayers in my head, thanking God for saving my ray of sunshine in this gloomy new world.

"I know that you know about Jessica." He said quietly, making me almost spit my coffee.

I finally turned to him wide-eyed.

"I-I am sorry! I didn't mean to dug up in your personal life. But I was curious that's all. And please don't be mad at Nora. I persuaded her to tell me. She is not at fault here." Wow... six sentences in one breath!

I guess, the thought of death does that to people.

"Don't worry. I will not harm Nora or you, if that's what you are thinking. I would have been mad before, but now... I guess it was good in a way that you got to know about it."

That man was taking me by surprise again and again today!

What had gotten into him?

The tension faded around us as we sat in comfortable silence. I concentrated on my coffee because every time I open my mouth, I tend to set people off. And I didn't want to do that with Gabriel at that moment.

"We met in this party six years ago. First couple of meetings were coincidences."

His words caught my attention, and for a few seconds, I stared at him blankly, trying to figure out what he was talking about, but then it hit me. He was talking about Jessica.

"We had some common acquaintances. We talked a couple of times and got to know each other. She was a sweet girl, always smiling, caring and full of light, and her beauty was the bonus! We started spending more time together and I don't know how and when I fell hard for her.

I was scared that she would reject me because of who I am, but one day, I dared to propose to her. That was the best thing I have ever done in my life, butterfly! We got married after a year. We had a normal love story, normal dreams and normal hopes except she was a princess and I was a monster. But she never cared about it!"

I couldn't help but feel my eyes stung. I kept telling myself that it was because of the cold and the chlorinated water from the pool, but my heart and mind both knew the truth.

"Her last words were requesting me to take care of our baby. She made me promise her that I would take care of Adam, no matter what. I was clueless as to why she was making me promise something that I was ready to do willingly.

After she died... I was destroyed and couldn't accept the truth. I was barely able to get hold of the news when the doctor put Adam in my arms. I was angry at myself... I was angry at God... I was angry at Jessica, but I took it all on the poor baby. Every time I looked at him, he reminded me of her.

With Jessica, I lost my sanity. I became the heartless monster that people call me!

I stayed away from Adam all these years because I was blaming myself and him for Jessica's death. But today, when I got that call about Adam, I realised for the first time that I care about him.... more than anything!

I was mad at you because I am a coward, butterfly! I was running from my responsibilities as it was an easier way. I felt jealous when Adam wanted to spend time with you. I never liked it when he smiled at you and because of you. I hated when he said you are the best."

"why?" I was shocked by his revelation.

Gabriel, just like his boss and Camera, lacked in the department of showing or feeling anything. To be honest, I never tried to look at things from his point of view.

I never considered his perspective mainly because he was one of my kidnappers who had hurt me and my family. But that didn't mean that he was not a human. Adam was proof that there was some humanity left in him, whether he accepts it or not.

"I wanted all those things, all that happiness for myself." He broke through his trance and looked at me.

"You can have all of it, you know!" I whispered.

"I want to try, butterfly. I want to work hard. I know that whatever I do, I can't return all those years back but I also know that it's not late. I want to live my life with my son... with him... for him! I promise I will try my best!"

A smile spread on my face "I am sure that you will be the best father Gabriel! Just remember one thing that journey from shitty father to the best father will not be easy but it will be worth it. Loving is always worth it!"

Loving is always worth it, I believe so!

We spoke after that for a long time, and for the first time, I saw a different person in Gabriel Wilson. He was a father, a charmer, a good friend and an emotional man!

I wished he would remain that way forever, but then my eyes caught the scar on his face, and reality hit.

Perhaps I was just keeping the wrong hopes!

"Come, let's go. Everyone is waiting for us."

"Yeah, let's go, Mumma bear!"

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