Chap. 1: GUARDIAN

SEID's POV

"Why you didn't tell me?", I asked Sophia while holding her hand.

She's lying in bed, paled and skinny.

"L-long time no see, S-Seid.", she said in low hoarse voice and force smile.

I can feel the pain from her, gone the cheerful Sophia I knew. Her eyes are dull and tired, her hair are almost gone, her lips are dry and pale and she barelt can lift her hand.

"What happened Sophia? What happened for damn f*cking ten years?! Where is Eli?"

Her eyes start to become teary, "I'm sorry... we d-didn't tell you anything because we don't want to bother you and your family. We received already too much from all of you, we can't let us to bother you everytime."

She stop for a while and smile at me, "We're doing good at first... after Eli resigned from the hotel... he started to manage his own restaurant... it's just a small business but we're happy to manage it."

"And after a few years our business start to boom. We even able to open another branch... everything is fine until he met this g-guy."

"Guy?"

"His schoolmate from college, he encouraged Eli to invest in this business. I told him to think about it a lot of times but you know him...he gave his trust to his friend 100%. He start to invest with that guy, there's no problem in the beginning but last year... he start to demand a big amount as investment which Eli gave thinking he's a trustworthy friend and business partner. B-but after he received the money, he just disappeared. And worst, we found out that he also took a huge amount of money from the money under their business name, as a business partner... the responsibility of paying the debt went to Eli. And we found out that I have a cancer."

"Eli decided to sell one of the restaurant since he can't make a loan from bank due to his current debt. We used the money for my treatment... he became busy from taking care of me, our daughter and our remaining business. He told me to keep everything from you and your family, I believe on him I know he can do it, you know Eli he never stop until he reach his goal. B-but he died before reaching his goal, he got stabbed by one of the employee he fired because he can't afford to pay them due to our situation."

I was shocked from what I heard, Eli was dead?

"A-are you k-kidding me? why you didn't told us sooner?!"

"I want to Seid, I really want to tell you. I know how important Eli for you but I was in the hospital, my relatives took over our business, since I can't manage it properly. Then I-last month my doctor told me that I only have three months or else... left. The first thing enter my mind is my daughter, Sophie. She's too young, I can't just left her behind..."

"Don't say that! You'll live more, Sophia. I won't let you die... no...not you too. I will do everything to prolong your life, to save you. Please don't say that...I lost Eli already."

Sophia carefully brushed the tears fall down on my cheeks, "Seid... I decided to look for you... to personally ask you...please take care of my daugther when I die--"

"I will take care both of you. So don't say anything about death. Think about your daughter what she'll feel once she lost her mother too."

"Thank you...but I know my body. I almost reach my limit, that's why I want to spend my remaining days with my daughter happily. And now I knew you are there for her, I can leave her without regret because I how she's in a good hands."

"I'm sorry Sophia...if only I didn't cut my communication with you and Eli...if only I didn't declined his invitation to have a vacation with you all... I'm sorry... I told you I'll be happy for both of you... but when you left I felt a relief, I thought it's a chance for me to forget you..."

"It's not your fault. Eli knew that you're hurting inside. That's why he accepted the offer work abroad. He was happy and contented to have a talk with you even for a short time. He knew how busy you are especially when you start to work in SGC. He's maybe disappointed whenever you decline his invitation, but he understand you and think that one day you'll come to us willingly. He's always wish for your happiness."

I felt a fang of pain in my heart. For the past years I am so drown in work and how to forget my unrequited love for Sophia. I even cut my time of communication with Eli. If only those time I talked to him, I asked his situation, if only I accept his invitation maybe he won't hesitate to tell me his problem. Maybe I can help him and he won't die.

"Seid, where is Sophie?"

"I let her take a rest in the mansion. Don't worry I have trustworthy person to take care of her for the meantime."

"Thank you."

"I was so surprised when I saw her outside my house while crying. At first, I thought she was you but when she asked for my help and told me that you're in hospital I just realize how many years have been past. She's so young when I last saw her, I even forgot that she's your carbon copy especially now she's almost like your teenager self before."

"Yeah, but she took her stubborness and hobbies to her Dad. Oh, even her affection towards you is the same with Eli."

"She knew about me?"

"Of course, there's no day that Eli forgot to talk about you to Sophie. And she even asked us that she wants to meet you in person, one of the reason why Eli keep invitating you to have a vacation with us."

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

"You look so tired, Sophia. I think I better go now so you can take a rest. I'll be back tomorrow, okay? And I don't want to hear you talk about death anymore. I'll look a better hospital for you."

I hired a private nurse for Sophia and settled all her bills in the hospital then process a request for transfer.

"Will, I need a full report of what really happened to Eli. I need every detail even the smallest one."

"Yes, Young Master. And how about Sir Eli's daughter?"

"She'll stay with me for the meantime. I want you to look also a school for her. It's still early of school year for sure she can catch up with the lesson."

"Okay."

At the mansion:

I saw Sophie sleeping on the couch.

"Young Master, I told her to sleep on her room but she insist to wait for you. She said, she need to give you something.", the head of maid said.

I sighed, "I understand. I'll take care of her, you can take a rest now."

"Okay, Young Master. Good night."

As I look at Sophie, I can't deny how she looks like her mother when she was young. But she got her brown wavy hair from her father, Eli.

Just remembering about Eli makes me feel guilty for everything happening now to his beloved family. If only I can do something for them.

"M-Mister...?"

I didn't noticed that Sophie's alwready awake. She's looking at me with a sleepy eyes and her eyes are light brown same with her hair.

"Sorry, did I disturb your sleep?"

"...hmm...nope. Ah, how's Mom?"

"She's fine. And I'll transfer her to other hospital after all the process for request to transfer."

"Thank you, Mister..."

"You can call me Uncle Seid.", I said while ruffling her hair, "I just notice now you got your eyes from Eli... it's really beautiful just like you."

"...t-thank you...", she said with a blush.

"You really look like Sofia."

"..."

"By the way, you need something to gave to me?"

"...ow... n-nothing m-much... I just thought I need to pay you for helping us... Mister."

"Silly. Your parents are precious friends of mine. I am happy to help you. It's already late, you better sleep in your room. Tomorrow, I'll ask my secretary to bring you for shopping, buy everything you need while staying here okay?"

Sophie just nod.

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