The room was tensed with eerie silence as four people sat opposite each other. Aaron and George had just arrived when Ellen was doing her chores as usual. She entered the house when the car pulled over, so Elena let them in after exchanging pleasantries. "Welcome gentlemen. Our elders say we know already but we still ask, what brings you here?" Elena spoke to clear the silent atmosphere. "We would have served you water as per tradition, but you are not worthy of such kindness." Ellen's voice was heard with dagger eyes pointing at Aaron. "Ellen watch your tongue!" Elena reprimanded. "It's alright Elena, she is just venting her anger." Aaron defended. "We are here this morning because I want to apologize to you both about my past actions. I thought my reasons were good and excusable ones, but it turns out it was wrong and selfish of me to leave you the way I did. I want to explain …" Aaron begun but was interrupted by a sudden burst of laughter. "Hahaha. Wow sir, wow. You went back to your family like the prodigal son when you had nothing, and things were difficult for you, and now like a prodigal husband and father, you are back to claim the other family you abandoned for luxury. Suppose we forgive, and go with you, are you going to leave us the moment mommy roars like a lion, and cuts your luxury short once again? How much of a fool, do you really think my mom is, huh?" Ellen said with unhidden sarcasm, and viciousness. "ELEANORA AMA WILSON! What has gotten into you? Is this how I raised you? Do you want to embarrass me before your father?" Elena retorted with rage. "He is not my FATHER!" Ellen rebutted with similar rage, and dashed outside when her mother tried to hit her. Elena was shocked beyond words to see this side of her daughter. Aaron had to hold her back before she hurt their daughter. "Elena don't. She is only angry, and I understand. I wasn't there for her when I was supposed to, and I wasn't a father to her. Just don't do something you will regret." Aaron pleaded with pain in his voice and eyes. For a split second, Elena felt sorry for putting him through all this and teared up. Aaron had hurt them, but he is sorry now, right? He has come back like he promised after all. Elena couldn't hold back her tears as she thought of it. "Let me go and talk to her. Can I take her out for some time? George, please take care of Elena, and explain things to her for me." Aaron instructed, and left when Elena nodded her permission. Ellen was sitting at the other side of the house crying, and thinking about why she asked to see her father, only to lash out on him this way. She was too rude to him; forgetting he is not just an elder, but her own father. She's longed for a father for years, and now that she has one, she is not able to forgive, and give him a chance to make up with her, and her mom. "Hi. Here take this." Aaron found his daughter crying, and drew near her, offering her his handkerchief. "Since today is a holiday, can I take you out? Your mom has already given me her permission." He asked, after she wiped her tears. Ellen stared down for some time in thought before finally nodding. Relief washed over Aaron, like soothing music to a wounded soul, and led her to his car.
***
The car pulled in front of a huge tower at the heart of the city opposite the mall. Ellen knew this tower, as she saw it whenever she passed by. It was the Wilson Tower. She wondered what they were doing at the front gate of the building she admired so much, and dreamed of going in one day. The tower was in sectors of companies, and health facilities. It had two sides each, with the latter at the right side and a large wall encircled both buildings. They went to the first building, and the ground floor held one of the best hospitals in the country through to the second floor. Both buildings had five floors each, apart from the ground floor. Ellen was awe-struck by the magnificent hospital she was in. Everyone passing by greeted Aaron and addressed him as Doctor Wilson. The environment was clean and had a peaceful ambiance. People were coming in, and out of the elevator, and staircase depending on the department, or facility they were coming from, or going to. Aaron led Ellen to a different elevator which looked like it was a private one. The beautiful nurses there wondered who the girl with Dr. Wilson was, because one would barely see him with a woman, let alone a girl. As they entered his private elevator, news begun to spread, as to who this girl was, and why she was going into the restricted elevator, with their boss. Ellen was also confused, as to what they were doing here, but tried to act normal. "This is my empire, Ellen. I believe you know this tower, or have heard of it. See it has my surname, Wilson tower. I brought you here because I want to explain certain things to you, and also give you a private tour around our empire, which by the way, is also yours. Don't look so surprised dear, you are my only child, and sole heir to my empire. I learnt you are a science student. Do you have any interest in the health, or engineering industry?" Aaron begun a conversation, and Ellen was too shocked with all he just said to reply. 'Ding', the elevator door opened to the first floor, which seemed less populated, compared to the ground floor. "What's this place?" Ellen spoke for the first time, since they left the house, ignoring his question. "This is the first floor. The building has five floors with a different sector on each floor. This tower consists of health and engineering facilities. The engineering facility is from the third to the fifth floor. Your mom once worked in that sector, you know? Anyway, the other tower consists of the business sector, and medical school. The school is a private institution I added a few years ago, to grant scholarship to brilliant, but needy children even though not everyone in there is poor. The professors there are highly trained specialists, like me, and so the education there is qualitative, just like abroad. However, we do exchange programs, and yearly retreats where our students get to go abroad for some time, and come back." Aaron explained with bliss as Ellen was impressed, and kept asking questions. He was extremely joyful she was warming up to him gradually. They entered a well -furnished office, which had Dr. Wilson written on the door, and another engraved-on wood on the table. Ellen marveled at the decorations, and saw an old photo frame of her mom. She looked even more beautiful, and happy than now, with her dad smiling at her. The picture gave off a happy couple, and Ellen smiled involuntarily. Aaron saw her smile, and was sad, and happy at the same time. He wished he could make that smile last forever. "Ahem", Aaron cleared his throat to get her attention. "Ellen about what I wanted to tell you…", Aaron commenced for her smile to drop but was interrupted by the sudden burst of his door. "Doc-Dr. Wilson, emer-emergency in-in the OR…", A panting nurse reported, trying to catch her breath. "What!? Ellen excuse me, but I have to go", Aaron said and rushed out. "Oh, thank God he is here. We've been trying to get hold of him for some time now. I'm sorry, who are you?" The nurse spoke fluently after catching her breath and asked, eyeing her darkly. "She's Ellen, my charge for the day." A male voice boomed from the doorway in answer to the nurse's question. "Oh Dr. Clarke. I didn't know you'd be coming to work today." The nurse said flirtatiously, while batting her eyelids and he laughed. "Actually, I just got here. You can go now." He said and opened the door for her with a smile. "Hi, I'm Dr. Christian Clarke. Nice to meet you." Chris introduced, extending his hand for a shake. "Eleanora Wilson. Nice to meet you too, Dr. Clarke. That nurse seemed to be into you, or was it just me?" Ellen replied, shaking his hand. "Hahaha. Don't pay attention to her. Some of the nurses here are flirts. Please call me Christian or Chris for short. Come with me, Dr. Wilson asked me to take care of you personally." Chris said and Ellen smiled. "Why would he ask you to take care of me? Is today not a holiday? How come you are working?" Ellen asked in astonishment. "Yes, today is a holiday, but doctors don't get much time off. I came to check on a patient. And also, Dr. Wilson trusts me, that's why he asked me to take care of you. Dr. Wilson is currently performing an urgent surgery. Do you know he is a renowned cardio-surgeon in the country? One of the few actually. Dr. Wilson has achieved a lot and won many awards within these few years, and he is only thirty-seven (37) years of age. He is not only a doctor but has undergone training to become a successful businessman within a short period. His family's legacy was only the country's best engineering sector, and they owned a business organization for tech programs, but he chose medicine, and added this magnificent hospital, and medical school to his family's empire. He is also a counsellor, and a great role model." Christian spoke with admiration as they walked through the halls of the floor. Ellen got to know that floor was the specialists' floor. She had to admit she had heard of a Dr. Wilson before, during a medical program she attended in school, for career day. Who would have thought he was her supposedly dead father. The OR was on that floor, because specialized doctors worked on that floor. They passed by the pediatrician's office, and Ellen wanted to meet the doctor, but because today was a holiday, few doctors were around, especially on that floor. "I see you are interested in that profession. Do you want to be a pediatrician one day?" Chris asked with amusement. "Actually, I want to be a cardio- surgeon, but maybe I will add up or change it along the way." Ellen replied coyly. "Wow that is wonderful. Maybe you can work here one day. I want to be like Dr. Wilson. I may be young, but I am on to a good start. A cardio-surgeon, and a neurologist." Christian spoke with pride. "Really? That's cool. All the best, but you seem to admire Dr. Wilson a lot. Do you even know him well enough, and who he is? He isn't perfect Chris." Ellen observed, and spoke with bitterness. Christian smiled, and was glad Ellen called him Chris. "Actually, I do know him, Ellen. I know a lot about him if not everything. Come let's sit, and talk." Chris replied, and pulled a chair for her when they reached the cafeteria. He ordered for two bottles of coke, and Nutri–snax biscuits which made Ellen smile. "Don't worry, I eat junk food too. It is just too early for that, so let's go nutrition for now. Next time, we will order junk food when we meet." Chris said, and smiled. "What do you know about Dr. Wilson? Are you two close? I remember you said he trusts you, why is that? From how you were speaking, you seem to be hiding something you are sure of, what is it? If there is something you want to tell me, just tell me." Ellen threw series of questions to him, coming back to business. "Okay slow down my lady. One at a time, I will tell you everything okay. First eat up, this is going to be a long talk." Christian replied and urged her to eat. He looked at her with admiration in his eyes as she ate. He begun to speak after clearing his throat… "Ahem, so as I was saying, I know a lot about him. If not everything. For example, I know he lost his family 13 years ago, and that you Ellen, are his daughter…" Chris had to pause his revelation, as Ellen begun to cough when he revealed her relationship with Aaron. "Here, have some water. I am sorry to drop such a bombshell on you, but there is a lot you do not know, and need to know Ellen. Dr. Wilson might not have done the right thing when he left, but he had reasons for doing so. It was the only way he could give you, and your mom a better life. He left to continue his studies, and get his properties back, but for that, he had to sacrifice you two, to marry the minister's daughter, as per the condition of his mother. When they went to Germany, he focused mostly on completing his courses in medicine and business, while finding ways, and means to come back to you two. He made his dad sign over his inheritance to him after he was done, and divorced his wife after finding out that their son wasn't his, but her lover's. Any man would be heartbroken, but he was happy because he wanted a legitimate excuse to get rid of that woman, and come back for you. He just returned, and has been looking for you two since his stay in abroad, and he has finally found you. I remember he used to come down to teach us, and search for his family years ago. It was so sad seeing him leave with the disappointment of a futile search for you. I have never seen him as happy as he is now, after finding his family, though he's still sad you two won't give him a chance." Chris narrated, after Ellen's cough came down. Ellen could not believe all she just heard from him. "He really loves you both Ellen, and I can say that for a fact because I've known him my whole life, and the only time, he was truly happy was when he shared the news, that he has found you, finally. He texted me to come here, and keep you company, since he can't leave you with just anyone after my checking up on the patient, and I got specific instructions to make you comfortable." Chris continued while Ellen pondered over all she was hearing. "Did he instruct you to tell me all this as well? What would you do in my stead, Chris?" Ellen finally spoke, but with a question, and teary eyes. "No, he didn't. I just felt you had to know, and maybe cut him some slack. I think you will admire him like I do, if you allow yourself to get to know him. That's why I'm taking the bold initiative to advocate for him. He is really not bad Ellen, and you'd know that if only you would give him a chance… I admit I can't relate to how you are feeling, but I know you need, and deserve your father's love. Because he is a great man, who made some mistakes, with the intention of giving his family a good life on his return. I learnt he promised your mom in a letter that he would come back for you two, and he has. Just give him a chance to set things right." Chris answered and was still talking when 'ringgg' he got a call. He extended his handkerchief to her before picking up the call. "Hello uncle…we are at the cafeteria…okay we're coming…bye. We must go. I didn't even realize time was far spent. I apologize for making you cry Ellen. That was not the kind of impression I wanted to make, but I just had to defend Uncle Wilson. Please forgive me" Chris said after, and "Can I go to the washroom? Please show me the way" Ellen said instead. "Of course, this way please." Chris replied, and led the way. Ellen and Christian walked side by side, as they came out of the automatic sliding doors to the parking lot. Aaron had spent two hours in surgery, and Chris used that time to appeal to Ellen's heart, and emotions concerning her father with his narration. They went to meet Aaron at the car pack with a man, holding what looked like a phone box. "This better be good and worth all that money, else…" they heard Aaron say as they approached them. The man bid farewell after assuring it is a good one and Aaron faced them, only to see his daughter's eyes puffy, though she washed her face at the washroom, and had a smile on as Chris told funny jokes to enlighten her mood. "What did you do to my daughter, Christian?! I left her in your care, because I thought you would take care of her, and you bring her back with swollen eyes?!..." Aaron roared, and Ellen was taken aback at how defensive he was. She was happy within, because she never had a father to be overprotective of her. "Uncle Wilson wait. You are overreacting. I didn't even touch her, I swear. Can I ever hurt a beautiful girl? That too, your daughter? I just went down the memory lane with her. I am sorry if I overstepped my boundary, but I could not resist doing something to ease your misery, uncle." Chris tried to defend himself, as he broke into a cold sweat. Though they are close, he knew more than anyone how his anger can be, and this was his daughter in question. Ellen couldn't help, but smile with what she was witnessing. Seeing her smile for a moment made Aaron really happy to know she was pleased with him protecting her. "Did he hurt you, Ellen?" He asked, and she replied "No, he was actually very kind, and advocative" in answer to him. "Great. You are off the hook. Thank you for taking care of her for me, but I have to take her back home now. Take care of things around here, and call me if anything comes up." Aaron said with a smile, and opened the car door for Ellen. She waved a bye to Chris, and he smiled, waving back. Aaron took his seat behind the wheel, and zoomed off to Nima.