C1 His little secret

PROLOGUE

Antonia Daniels was the only child of Sir Daniels Jeremy, the chief adviser to the president of the country. Sir Daniels was one of the richest men in the country of Minefair. The fifty-four year old man was highly respected and honoured by all.

The man had lost his beloved wife to death when Antonia was just eleven years old. He refused to remarry because he couldn't bear the fact that another woman would raise his dear daughter. He believed that no one could be a better mother and wife than his late wife so the parenting of his only daughter fell on his shoulders alone. He showered her with so much love that people marveled at the beautiful and cordial relationship that existed between Sir Daniels and his daughter.

Antonia grew up to be a very beautiful young lady. She completely took after the exquisite features of her mother. It was almost impossible for one to pass by her without taking a second look at her.

News about the beautiful Antonia Daniels was all over the country. At the young age of twenty four, she started her own fashion brand and a charity home. With the influence of her father, she became highly successful and she had all that she needed.

Life seemed to be perfect for Antonia until the conflicting appearances of Fred Winfield and Dylan Macintosh in her life which led to a series of entangled fates twenty five years later.

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CHAPTER ONE

(His little secret)

Twenty-five years ago

Antonia and her father had just finished their dinner and were in the living room, relaxing. The living room spelt out comfort and gave a sense of warmth. The expensive furniture was soft and inviting. The big room was painted in muted and earthy colours, with warm tones of beige and maroon.

The soft lights in the living room created an atmosphere of satisfaction and peace. The interior decorations in the living room were made with gold. The living room screamed wealth. It was obvious that it was a rich man's house.

"Dad, I have something to tell you." Antonia said in a low tone, looking upset. She was ready to talk her heart out to her father.

Antonia noticed that her father's eyes were glued on the television. He was watching the 10pm nation news. He was so engrossed that he didn't hear his daughter talk.

Antonia sighed and softly tapped her father on his hand to gain his attention.

Sir Daniels took his eyes off the TV to his daughter. Sir Daniels was a tall and huge man with aqua marine eyes. Despite his age, he looked young like a man in his early thirties. His sharp, cat-like eyes looked intimidating but enchanting.

He moved closer to her and patted her hair gently then slowly felt her body temperature. He heaved a sigh of relief when he realized that her temperature was fine.

"What is it my princess? Are you ill?" Sir Daniels asked with concern, looking curiously at her face and ready to hear what she had to say.

"I am fine." She replied with aloofness.

She shifted uncomfortably in the chair and tried to express her feelings.

"The thing is..." She started. "Dad, I am not comfortable with the idea of going out with escorts. I can't even visit my friends without being followed. All I want is a normal life like every other person out there. I really don't understand the reason why I am being guarded. I need my privacy dad." She finally voiced out, folding her arms across her chest.

Sir Daniels smiled and patted Antonia's hair again. He had always been fond of his daughter and all that mattered to him was her happiness. Thoughtfully, he took the remote control which was on the armrest and turned down the volume of the television.

"Is that all?" He asked Antonia who was still folding her arms with a slight frown on her face.

There was no reply from Tonia.

Sir Daniels smiled again and nodded in understanding.

"Come on my darling, I'm only doing this for your own sake." He tried to explain and tried to hold her hand but she was quick enough to let it out of his grip.

Antonia turned to look at her father with a frown.

"How is this for my own sake dad? How is infringing on my privacy for my sake? This has been happening since when I was a kid. I can't go anywhere without being followed. I am now twenty four years old dad. I'm an adult. I deserve my own space. I don't like being followed. I don't want to be followed and you know it." She said, visibly angry.

Sir Daniels continued to smile as he watched his daughter vent his anger on him. That was one of the rarest days of which he had seen in daughter in an angry mood. He had always expected that day to come and had prepared himself well for it.

Sir Daniels drank a little from a glass of whiskey which was placed on a small stool in his front. He did this slowly for some minutes before he gently placed the already empty glass cup on the stool.

"My princess." he started, pacifying his daughter. "Of course I understand you. I am your father and I understand you more than anyone does. I know you are a private person and I don't wish to infringe on your privacy or make you uncomfortable in anyway. We lost your mum twelve years ago and her departure made a big hole in our hearts." He said, his voice had begun to break. His wife's death was still a very sensitive topic to him.

Antonia's countenance immediately changed to a guilt-striken one. She had always avoided discussing her mother with him because of the emotional pain he went through when reminded of his wife. The last thing she would ever do was to make her father sad or downcast.

She placed a soothing hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to talk about it dad. I know this is a sensitive topic to you. Let's just forget about this whole issue dad. I am sorry for troubling you." She said in a low tone and made to stand up from the sofa.

"Sit!" She heard her father say.

"Dad" She muttered.

"It's fine Tonia. Sit down" Sir Daniels persuaded her, tapping the sofa.

Sir Daniels paused for a minute before speaking up. "Tonia, what was the cause of the death of your mother?" he asked his daughter who looked at him in bewilderment.

"It is obvious dad, it was cancer. Everyone knows that." She told him, gazing curiously at him as she wondered about what he was up to.

She heard his voice again."That was what I made you to believe. It wasn't cancer."

"What!" She exclaimed in shock, wondering if her father was playing some sort of mind game with her.

Sir Daniels sighed and smiled bitterly before he spoke up. "Twelve years ago, I was vying for the post of the governor of city H, our hometown. There were four other contestants too but I was the strongest candidate and I had more influence on the citizens.

Throughout the weeks of campaigning and contesting , my wife and I received a lot of death threats and there were attempts to ruin my image but I remained unruffled and at the end of the election, I emerged as the governor of city H. My opponents received the news of my winning with great displeasure and heavy criticism but what could they do? I had already won.

Two months after I was declared the governor of city H, your mum and I flew you out of the country to stay with my mum for a while to ensure your protection. Things continued to go smoothly until one day..." His voice shook as he paused. He felt reluctant to continue with the story. There was a flick of sadness in his eyes.

"Come on dad." Tonia urged her father, holding his hands with comfort.

He paused again as if he was contemplating on whether or not he should continue with his narration. The curious look in his daughter's eyes made him willing to continue.

"It was your mother's birthday and she went in the company of two of her maids to get souvenirs for the guests who would be attending her birthday party. On her way going, she was attacked by some assassins. Two bullets were shot straight into her chest and she died on the spot.

It was quite surprising that the two maids were left untouched which made it obvious that the killers were after your mother. It was the two maids who alerted the police. On hearing the news of my wife's death, I almost ran mad. Life became meaningless for me. I dropped the governorship post and I allowed my deputy to take over because I wasn't in my right state of mind to govern the state.

My mum and I decided to not tell you the exact truth about the death of your mother. We knew that you will be too petrified to hear about the circumstances surrounding her death. You were too young and this might affect your mental health. We told you she died of cancer.

We knew it would hurt you but it was much more better than you knowing the fact that your mother was murdered in cold blood. I only let you to return to city H a year later when the whole buzz about your mother's death had died down." He finally explained and felt a heavy load off his shoulders.

By the time he was through, Tonia broke into sad sobs. It pained her to know that her mother was murdered. She had spent such a short time with her mother but she had definitely loved her and was so fond her till her demise.

Tonia was heartbroken. "But why?" She cried. "Why would anyone hurt her?"

Sir Daniels, whose eyes were wet with tears too as he consoled his daughter. He felt his heart rent to pieces as his daughter cried in his arms. When her sobs had quietened a little, she asked. "Were the assassins caught?" She wanted to know.

Sir Daniels continued with his story.

"Of course they were. After two weeks of thorough investigation by the police, it turned out that two out of the four governorship contestants were the ones who connived and sent assassins to murder your mum. They knew she was the most important person to me and they decided to toy with my mental health knowing that I won't be able to continue with my duty if she is out of the way.

The men and the assassins sent were arrested and sentenced to death by hanging. Justice was served my dear. Your mother's death wasn't in vain. I felt so guilty towards the death of my wife. If only I knew, I would have protected her. If I had known, I would have asked asked the best security men in the world to protect her. She was without escorts at the time of her death. She was just like the way you are now. She didn't like the paparazzi and didn't like to be escorted.

Now that I am back again in the political world, I will do everything that I can to protect you. You know your grandma died three years ago. You're all I am left with. Your protection and welfare is my responsibility. I won't let a single ant touch you. I don't want to make the same mistake that I made twelve years ago.

So my darling, try to understand me. I only want you to be safe. All I want is your safety. The political and business worlds are dangerous. They are beyond the comprehension of a layman. Anything can happen at anytime and that was the reason why I delayed your admission process to the university for a year in order for you to learn Martial arts.

You had always wanted to study at Candies University, I couldn't allow you because I had to make you be within my reach. I am so sorry for not telling you the truth before now." He apologized and dabbed his weepy face with an handkerchief.

"No Dad" Tonia shook her head as her father tightened his embrace on her.

"There is no need for you to be sorry. I understand your pain. I'm only grateful to you for standing strong during these past years and loving me with all you have." She said as tears flowed freely from her eyes. It was such a sad night for the Daniels' family.