Chapter 19 Leaving

Chapter 19 Leaving

…

Violet's heart raced, her knees going weak again.

Her heart raced and she hastened her steps as they returned to the Villa.

Clyde!

Hopefully, he wouldn't follow them!

Asher walked beside her, holding Mimi in his arms.

He was unaware of the air of anxiety surrounding Violet.

Chatting with Mimi heartily, he didn't notice her anxiousness.

“So tell me how you got saved,” He said to Mimi.

Mimi's eyes lit up. She spread her arms wide, speaking nonstop. “Daddy reached out from the helicopter and picked me up. The windy sand was chasing me and I was running, and then Daddy came like a hero!”

“Wow! You're brave!” Asher chuckled.

“Not as brave as Daddy, Uncle Ash.” Mimi shook her head.

Then she went on. “It was difficult to breathe, but Daddy told me to relax… Then I fell asleep, Uncle Ash. When I woke up, I was in a big hospital!”

“Really?”

“Yes! Daddy didn't leave my side. Then the Doctor came and gave me this tube as a present. He said I should inhale it whenever my asthma starts.”

Asher paused. 

His brows furrowed with worry at Mimi's last words.

The same reaction Violet had when she first heard the news.

Only that, Violet's reaction had been bigger.

Asher shook his head as if disregarding what he just heard.

He must be in denial, and he tried to confirm again. “Do you have asthma, Mimi?”

The oblivious girl nodded. “The Doctor said so, Uncle Ash. By the way, what's an asthma?”

Asher sighed heavily.

A look of realization flashed in his eyes.

He didn't answer Mimi's question but patted her hair gently. “Must be genetics. You got it from your Mum-”

“Huh?” Mimi blinked. 

Then the girl's face brightened like the moon. 

She didn't know the enormity of the matter and she jumped in happiness. “Yay! Mummy has it! Does Daddy have asthma too, Uncle Ash?”

“Definitely not.” Asher laughed. 

Mimi's smile faded. 

Asher's words didn't settle with her and she pouted. “I'm speaking about my real Daddy who saved me, Uncle Ash.”

“You're so funny.” Asher laughed again, flicking her playfully on the forehead. “Next time you get into trouble, I'll save you so you can call me Daddy too.”

But Mimi's gloom returned.

She gave Asher an offended look, groaning. “You won't understand. He's my real Daddy!”

Then she turned to Violet. “Mummy, can we go back to Daddy?”

Violet snapped out of her trance.

While listening to her baby's conversation with Asher, her mind was also occupied with those dreadful thoughts.

More than anything, she prayed that Clyde wouldn't follow them.

She hoped Mimi and Asher couldn't hear her rapid heartbeat at the moment.

Disregarding Mimi's question, she took her from Asher's arms, and asked, “Let’s get out of here.”

“Huh!” Asher gave her a confused look.

Clearing her throat, Violet's eyes momentarily darted to that inn, her apprehension increasing. “I- I mean, let's leave this Island tonight.”

Clyde hadn't followed her yet.

Violet didn't know if she should be more relieved or anxious.

No doubt, that man recognized her.

Otherwise, why would he call out her name?

Violet Harris.

Only Clyde knew her with that surname.

“Tonight? Why?” Asher asked.

Violet didn't know if this was the right time to tell him.

But she couldn't stall.

She had to get out of this place as soon as possible. 

“We- We can go straight to the helicopter- you know how to fly it.”

But Asher's confusion only increased.

His frown deepened and he addressed her seriously. “Why're you acting strange, Vi?”

Was Violet acting strange?

Was she giving herself out?

Well, she didn't care!

She just wanted to leave this place as soon as possible!

“Please, Ash. No questions. Let's just get out of here.”

Asher shook his head. “Don’t let Mimi's disappearance traumatize you. Everything will be alright.”

If only Violet was merely disturbed by Mimi's disappearance.

That matter had, in fact, slipped her mind already.

Nothing was going to be alright.

Everything would be messed up.

Clyde could find them any moment soon. 

She didn't want to meet him.

Violet didn't want to see that man again.

“Mummy…” Mimi tapped her gently. “Can we go back with Daddy-”

“No!” Violet responded instinctively, startled by her own response.

Mimi and Asher looked shocked as well.

Oh, goodness!

Scolding herself inside, Violet was about to explain,

Then his voice stopped her. 

The deep voice of the man she dreaded to hear.

“You're not leaving without me, Baby.”