Chapter 72: Chapter 72

Hiking?

Yes dad, it's been awhile, I know he is very busy and he is going to feel bad if I don't go with. Calvin pinned his lips together, he stared at her, his face is without expression, Barbara stared at him trying to read her father's thought, after giving him much thoughts.

Fine, you should go with him but you will have to go with security.

Father! Who goes hiking with security?

That is it and I am not turning back on my words.

Father, Jeff can protect me.

Barbara! Calvin called in frustration.

Dad, am I in some danger? She was force to asked, Calvin look at her and fake a smile.

Of cause not, you know I am always protective of you, is called father Instinct.

Noted dad, I go upstairs now, you should go to your wife, she might be missing you. Barbara said as she place peck on the cheek of Calvin, as she make her way upstairs, Hazel is watching the father and daughter, Calvin grabbed his phone and make his way to his study, he read that message again.

"Our daughter is all gown, I will soon come for her"

Oh no! She is mine and mine alone. he place a call to his private investigator. Hey, what's your findings? He speak as soon as the person at the other end asked

Sir! I am afraid, she might get a parole soon and is like she have so many people backing her up.

Dammit! Who could be behind it?

For now, I really don't know, it seems Barbara is her first target.

You should keep me posted, I need to know when the parole will take place. Calvin end the call, he is about to go out of the study when he saw a black box, his eyebrows furrowed, seeing that there is no name on it, he open, seeing the content, his hand tremble badly, causing it to fall to the floor, his knees weakening as he grab the headrest of the couch.

No oh! It can't be. He whisper as he run throw the hallway, making his way upstairs, he pushed the door of Barbara only to see his princess lying peacefully on the bed, she is already fast asleep without eating dinner.

Calvin gasped for air, as tears fall from his eyes watching his innocent girl, twenty-four years earlier, he was madly in love with Miss Camille Kyle, the two had met during their college days, they were madly in love with each other, yet their dreams were different, Calvin is a man that love honesty while miss Camille Kyle comes from a family were they could do anything to get what they want, Camille happened to get that traits from her family.

She wants to fly, get all the publicity in the world, she became a model, a very popular one, even though Calvin doesn't want her to pursue that profession, love made him agreed.

A year after their graduation, Calvin proposed to her but she turned him down saying she is not ready for marriage, she told Calvin that she will love to be his wife but she loves her career more, getting married will be a distraction while Calvin's father is pressuring him for marriage, he told her, he will let her carry on with her modelling but Camille refused then asked Calvin to marry someone else.

Hazel was the one, his father picked for him, been turned down by the woman, he love, he decided to marry Hazel according to his father's wish

Six months after his marriage with Hazel, he came in contact with Camille, not knowing that the innocent woman, he has fall in love with is now a monster, a drug addict; a criminal and also a murderer.

A little nightcap, he ended up in bed with her, Barbara is the fruit of that unfaithfulness, he had no idea that this woman was pregnant, talk more of having a child for him.

Two years later, on one cold evening, he was called to identify, a two year old girl, whose appearance was like a living corpses, saying that little girl's mother was arrested for the murder of her own mother because she was trying to protect the little girl, who Camille is giving drugs to, at that tender age.

Her body was cover with bruises when he brought her home, which sane mother will be so heartless to make such an innocent girl go through this pain. Calvin cared for his daughter and vow not to let anyone hurt her again not even Camille, her biological mother.

When he take custody of the child, he said he adopted her, for the young lady not to asked him about her biological mother and Camille on the other hand had vow to make his princess live miserable, Camille claim Barbara was the one that made her kill her mother and it's only right for her to pay.

For years, Calvin thought this madness has passed then, lately, he keeps get this constant call, message and gift, telling him that, Barbara will be taken away from him.

Still in his thoughts, Barbara open her eyes, seeing her father watching her as she sleep.

Dad! She rub her eyes with her fingers. Sorry, I slept off. She was thinking, Calvin is there to scold her for not coming to dinner.

It's fine, is like I am stressing you two much.

No! I love my job.

I have made arrangements that you will leave for Australia after your trip with Jeffrey. Barbara face darken, this same thing was what happened, when she clock sixteen, she was made to leave home to live with her grandfather. Come on dear, you make dad unhappy when you frown, I only want you to take another course, so you could run the business effectively

When will I return?

Come on dear, you haven't leave, yet you are thinking of your return?

Sorry dad, just let me know, when I am leaving. Barbara is not happy with it, maybe, she is in danger, her dad only want her to be save. She could see the man worried look, so she decided to complied with him, since he is letting her hang out with Jeff before she leaves. Go to bed dad or do you want to sleep here?

Silly girl! He smiled as he stand from the bed.

My goodnight hug. She open her hand, as Calvin enter her embrace and hugged her. I love you Dad.

If you keep telling me, I love you, I wonder what you will tell the young man that is driving your heart crazy.

Father, you are teasing me.

No, I am not, only stating the obvious. Barbara cover her face with the duvet, Calvin smiled, as he make his way out, at least, he could make Barbara go away till he is able to get solution to the entire mess.

Since the young lady comes into his life, his life as never be more lovely than ever. If keeping secret from her, will make him happy and keep his princess save then he will take the secret to his grave.