“No, you’re a great father, Dad. I love you, too.”
Though feeling curious about the sudden sweetness, Allison couldn’t stop herself from getting emotional. It was like everything she had wanted for so long was already coming true. She might not be able to turn back the time, but she could create new memories with her father. It was not too late.
“So, be ready in the evening for your birthday party.”
“Party?” She felt so happy to hear that.
“Yes, my Princess. Buy a pretty dress for yourself, your birthday gift from your dad.”
“Thanks, Dad. I love you so much.” She hugged her dad, and they headed back to the mansion.
∞∞∞
Pacing back and forth in her father’s large office, Allison again took a quick glance at her wristwatch. All the visitors for her birthday party had taken their leave. It was already past midnight, and her father was not yet back.
According to Franklin, her father’s assistant, he went out with one of the government officials who attended her party because he wanted to show the visitor a quick tour of the Wakerlin. But she thought something was odd.
Marco Farkas never showed the estate to anyone. And nobody – not even the servants – was allowed to take a tour around it. Everyone in the mansion was only permitted up to the fenced lawns and backyard.
“Signorina,” Franklin mumbled. He looked tired just by watching her bothered expression. “I am sure the Signore Marco will be back. Maybe he had an urgent meeting.”
Allison shook her head before slamming her body against the empty couch. “Without telling you? You’re his personal assistant!” she yelled in exasperation.
“Uhh Signorina, we know that Signore can be a little impulsive,” the poor assistant tried to reason with his voice low and stunned.
“Mi dispiace Franklin,” she apologized in her mother tongue, “maybe I’m just overreacting. You can rest.”
“Thank you. Buona notte, Signorina.”
Allison walked back to her room and stripped her gown away from her body. Her father was a very unpredictable man. And she didn’t know why she was overreacting.
But one thing was for sure. Something was odd. And her father’s gestures that morning were weird. He was very strict, disciplined, and authoritative, and he had never expressed his emotions like that he did that morning. After cleaning herself, she jumped into her bed, hoping that her father was fine.
∞∞∞
Three nights and two days had passed, and there was no trace of Marco Farkas. Franklin was able to get in contact with the government official her father had gone out with the night of her birthday party. But they did not get any new information.
Allison knew it would be practical to call the cops or hire a private investigator to find her missing father. But she couldn’t get herself to sit and wait for news. And Allison was sure Marco Farkas wouldn’t like the publicity.
“We need to look for him,” she urged Franklin, who didn’t like her suggestion.
“I’m sorry, Signorina, but we can’t go.”
“If you’re not coming with me, then I am going alone.” She could feel her nostrils flaring with anger. How could he stay calm at a time like this?
Franklin was declining her idea of looking for her father in the woods of Wakerlin. It was the place where Marco had been last seen, and there was a strong possibility that if he wasn’t in there, they could at least find a lead of his whereabouts.
Allison was restless.
Calling some of the patrolling cops, she led the group to the woods. She didn’t have any idea where she was going, but at least she had company.
At the very least, there were five of them.
“Are you sure your father is here?” one of the cops in his mid-thirties inquired. He was eyeing her from head to toe with a crazy smile on his lips.
“I am looking for him. This is the last place he was seen before he went missing,” she answered in annoyance. She didn’t like the way the man was staring at her.
To her surprise, they reached the edge of the thick woods and saw an old-looking hanging bridge connecting to the other side. She looked for signage, but there wasn’t any.
