A Courted Affair (3 page)

Daniel gazed as Duke was going to school. Daniel found a new meaning of love when Duke was born, that he can confidently say that he loved him more than anything else. He didn’t send him to daycare no matter how Gwendoline begged, because Daniel and his siblings didn’t go to daycare. Deacon called as Daniel pulled off and was on his way to the office.

“Hello, Deacon”

“Do you know what time will Della be coming over to pick up the clothes?” asked Deacon.

“At 3 o’clock, when Duke gets out.”

“Have you told her?” asked Deacon.

“I will tell her about it later” said Duke.

“Fine. It will get worse if you won’t tell her at once” explained Deacon.

“Is this blackmail?” Daniel asked.

“I’m just telling you a fact” answered Deacon.

“Okay, I will discuss it with tonight.”

“Great,” said Deacon and then hang up.

Daniel’s phone rang again, and this time, it was someone from Oak Ridge Elementary school.

“Mr. Evans, we’d like to inform you that Duke Evans didn’t come to school today”, said the school secretary.

“What? That’s impossible. I personally took him there. I was there when he went there.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Evans but we believe that he was kidnapped.”

It has been over a month since Duke has been gone, and we are still searching, and it’s even worse since there are no suspects and Gwendoline has completely gone. This time, it’s only Della who keeps me sane, but with my secret with Deacon, she may be leaving me.

My mother gave me a plate of waffles, and bacon, and eggs. She convinced me that Duke is going to be okay. I pushed the plate as I wasn’t hungry at all. And I would feel guilty of the thought that Duke may not have been eating.

The phone rang which was answered by mom. She gave the receiver to me.  It was from the OPD missing persons division. “We have been informed and we believe that Gwendoline is involved in the kidnapping of your son.  We have replayed the security camera of Oak Ridge school and a black car was spotted at the back parking lot.  The license was under Gwendoline. I will call you again later.”

I wanted to hurt her but on second thoughts, I need to be here when Duke comes home. But Gwendoline should pay for this.

“What? She did?” Della yelled.

“It’s because of her that Duke isn’t here.”

“So what are we going to do?” Della asked

“I really don’t know. I just need him to come home. I’m afraid that she hurts him or didn’t feed him.”

“We are going to find, honey,” she said as she went away.

The phone rang.  It was curt on the other line. Daniel thought that he will be blackmailing him but Deacon said that it is about Duke.

“Gwendoline’s mom and dad are on this as well.  I heard them talking about it this morning.”

Daniel’s family arrived and they discussed as to what they need to do.

While they were discussing, a waiter showed up and gave Daniel a tray with a scrambled egg and a note. The note says:

Daniel, you don’t want your son looking like this, right?

Daniel got up. “She hasn’t seen shit yet!” Then, he walked out.

He has been too emotional since he received that note.  Gwendoline will do no harm to their son, but he is unsure about Caroline.

Daniel checked around, “are you looking for me?” I turned around and saw Caroline.

I went to the corner table where she was seated. “I just want my son back.”

“Calm down. If you want your son back, then you have to remarry Gwendoline. As simple as that. Or else, you are going to see how a scrambled love looks like.” Caroline threatened.

“Why don’t you let us live happily? Gwendoline is happy with Cal, and I am with Della. Can you just let it be?”

Caroline gazed at the window, and I looked at to where she does. There, in a black jeep, was Duke who was held by…Deacon.

I got up and head out of the door but before I could do it, the vehicle already went away.

“Caroline is playing us” I announced.

“How do you mean by that?” Della asked a bit startled.

Daniel explained that Deacon is involved. Della couldn’t believe it because Deacon was so nice.

“Daniel, can I we talk for a minute?” It was Deacon.

We walked to the corner table where Caroline and I spoke earlier.

“I just want to let you know that I’m on your side. I just need to convince her mom to trust me.”

“Alright. So, is there anything else?”

He handed me those papers that are known to be Caroline’s plans.

I returned to the table where my family was, looking through at the papers.

Then, I started to play back those times that I was with Duke. I am frightened as to what will happen next, as what is shown on the plan. “She’s going to kill him.”

I was so helpless. I think of myself as a failure.

“You are not, Daniel” Della comforted me. “Everything will be fine soon.”

I yelled and got up, “Are you serious? Duke will get killed in less than 48 hours! Should I have known that these things would happen, I shouldn’t have done anything.”

Della was now showing a sense of guilty.

“I…I’m sorry, I have no regrets loving you.” He assured her but Della was still unsure.

“You just won’t understand how it feels to have a child and you are on the verge of losing him.” I continued.

“Let me share you something, Daniel. I haven’t told anyone about this. I was 17 then when I got pregnant.” She was already in tears.

“I had to force deliver the baby. She only lived for 2 days, and I was so helpless then. I felt that I was a failure because I couldn’t take care of her.” She continued.

She’d said that she doesn’t want me to see him as she sees herself, that’s why she didn’t tell me about this. Della released a deep breath, and assured me that we are going to find a way to get Duke back.

Later on that Daniele day

Della Point of View

We were seated at the dining room with Caroline and Gwendoline. Caroline would let him remarry her daughter tomorrow morning.

“Alright, then. I will.” Daniel agreed.

Caroline looks delighted but Gwendoline was displeased.

I did not expect this to happen. I would have to leave for Daniel to be remarried. I excused myself to get my things as I got up and went to the bedroom.

“I didn’t want any of this to happen.” Gwendoline said, with a hurt expression printed on her face. “I love Cal and we are now engaged. We were even looking for houses to move in to.”

Gwendoline added that Cal got upset with the situation.

“I’m very sorry about this Della, to your family and to Daniel.” Gwendoline apologized, in a soft voice.

“So why don’t you just let us know where Duke is?”

“He is currently in Toledo.” Gwendoline said and went out beside me.

“Oh my God!” she whispered.

Then, I saw my love with blood.

“Hello, 911. This is Della Dotson. My boyfriend was shot and is unconscious now.”

“Okay, we have someone sent out to your address.”

I hung up the phone and asked Gwendoline if Daniel is still breathing. Gwendoline nodded.

“I’m so sorry, Daniel. Wake up, wake up” Gwendoline pleaded.

A few minutes earlier:

“
“Oh my God!” she whispered.

Then, I saw my love with blood.

“She was able to hear you,” Daniel told me.

I ran to him and knelt

“I am so sorry, Daniel. I am responsible for all of these,” said Gwendoline.

“Please save Duke before she gets him.” Daniel said.

“I will. I promise, Daniel” Gwendoline assured her while Daniel went unconscious.

I let Gwendoline sit down, which she did. I went ahead and rang 911.

At the moment:

I couldn’t see it so clearly. Everything was blurry. The medical group led him out.

“Della, I’m very sorry,” said Gwendoline. I held up my hand to stop her.

“You destroyed our lives, and with your simple sorry, you think everything will be fixed up. Enough, Gwendoline. Start taking responsibility for your actions. No mother would ever permit her anybody to take her son, put him in danger.”

“I’m so sorry.”

I kept walking into the hospital lobby while I praying.

Deidra called me, and I sat beside her. Then, I wept until the doctor came to talk to me.

“Daniel has fully recovered. He only fainted due to dehydration.”

When I was in his room, Duke appeared!

Daniel’s Point of View:

Father gave me the box that I asked for. With the thought of it, my hands go shaking.

When I learned that I was already okay, I immediately made a plan since I want to give Della the happiness that she deserves. I proposed to her to be my wife. She said “yes” and kissed me.

I got up and grabbed her, with a desire to hold her forever.

Dad, mommy gave you this.” Duke said and handed me a letter from Gwendoline. I read it loudly.

“My dear Daniel, I am very sorry for everything. As what I have promised, Duke is safe, and you have him. Della, I am very sorry that I was never responsible for my actions. I am moving to New York with Cal. I want to be a better Lucy, not Gwendoline, since Gwendoline seems to have grudge. I want everyone to like me, and to be a better version of myself. I have realized that I love Duke, but I am sorry that I wasn’t able to let him feel that way. Daniel, I just want to let you know that you are the best thing that my mom and dad did for me. Maybe you don’t know that I love you and you will be special in my heart. Cal will be helping me get through, though.  I want to be totally fine, and I wish the Daniele for both you and Della and the whole family.