CHAPTER 007

His father's voice dropped to a whisper, his face twisted in anguish. "It's about your brother, Kelly...., Maradona...he was responsible for his death."

Kendrick's eyes nearly popped out of his head, his jaw slackening in disbelief.

"What? No...that can't be!"

His father's face crumpled, his body shaking. "I'm so sorry, Kendrick. I should have protected him. I should have done everything to keep him safe, but Grandfather never allowed me."

" How Dad, I don't get the whole thing... You mean, Kelly was killed by uncle Maradona?" Kendrick replied coldly, his lips parted.

The air was heavy with tension, the weight of the words pressing down on him. Kendrick's mind reeled, trying to process the bombshells his father had just dropped. He felt like his whole world had been turned upside down.

As his father's motions subsided, Kendrick's anger ignited.

"That uncle of mine...I'll make him pay for what he's done!"

His father's face, still etched with pain, held a warning. "Kendrick, be careful. Kelly Maradona is not a man to be trifled with. You see, my son. Right now I'm weakened and your younger sisters look forward to you…"

Kendrick's jaw clenched.

"Where can I find mum? He asked again.

Mr. Peterson's voice trembled as he revealed the truth to his son. "Kendrick, your mother...she's at St. Columbus Medical Center."

Kendrick's face contorted in a mix of shock and urgency. Without a word, he swiftly turned towards his room, his eyes blazing with determination.

"I'll be back, Father," he called out, his voice firm and resolute.

As he burst into his room, his face was set in a fierce expression, his jaw clenched and eyes flashing with worry. He grabbed his car keys and wallet with a swift move.

His father's voice echoed down the hallway, "Kendrick, wait!

Kendrick paused instantly, his reddened eyes turned to his father.

Be careful, son!" His father reckoned.

But Kendrick was already bittered, his teeth clenched, his footsteps pounding down the stairs like a drumbeat.

**********

In two hours, Kendrick burst into the hospital, his pyjamas a testament to his haste, his urgency palpable in every frantic step as he breathed heavily.

The reception desk loomed before him, in the sterile, antiseptic atmosphere. A kind-faced nurse greeted him with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling.

"Can I help you, sir?" she asked, her voice a gentle balm to Kendrick's frazzled nerves.

"I'm here to see my mother, Mrs. Fiona by name," Kendrick replied, his voice firm but laced with worry, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Can you please tell me which room she's in?"

The nurse, Sophia nodded, her eyes clouding with concern.

"Let me check, sir." She checked the system.. Ah, yes... Mrs. Fiona is under the care of Dr. Alexander. He's the doctor in charge of her treatment... Check the next office."

"Alexander?" Kendrick asked curiously. The name sounded familiar, he shrugged his shoulders.

Sophia nodded, her expression unreadable. "Well, Dr. Alexander is a renowned specialist in his field. I'm sure he's taking good care of your mother."

Kendrick's scepticism was evident, his eyes narrowing in distrust.

"It can't be him, anyways." He whispered to himself.

Then turned to Sophia and nodded politely, his jaw clenched in anticipation.

"Thank you, Sophia. Can you please direct me to Dr. Alexander?"

Sophia pointed down the corridor, her arm outstretched like a guide.

"His office is just down the hall, sir. You can't miss it."

Kendrick marched down the corridor, his heart pounding in his chest, his mind racing with anticipation for his mother's well-being.

The air seemed to thicken, the fluorescent lights humming above him like an ominous warning. He stopped outside Dr. Alexander's office, his hand trembling as he reached for the door handle. Took a deep breath, and pushed open the door.

Kendrick walked into Dr. Alexander's office, expecting to meet a compassionate and professional doctor. But as he approached the desk, his eyes locked onto a familiar face, and his jaw dropped in shock, his mind reeling with disbelief.

"Dr. Alexander?" he repeated, his voice laced with incredulity. The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken tension.

His expression turned curious, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Oh, it's you?" Kendrick asked as he closed the door behind him.

"Wow, look who I have here?" Alexander replied as he raised his face, his eyes fixed on Kendrick.

Kendrick's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger.

"I didn't know you were a doctor."

Alexander looked up again from his desk, a smirk spreading across his face like a cancer.

"Well, well, well. What a pleasant surprise. How do I help you, boy?" He asked sharply.

"It's an emergency, Dr. I need to see my mum." Kendrick replied with a low tone.

"Your mum?. He asked, How come? I was told you're just an orphan, so how come you're walking in here to say that? Alexander scowled.

"That's her room," Another voice replied. It was a polite nurse pushing out a patient glued to a wheelchair.

Kendrick's eyes fixed on his mother's room. But before he could reach the door, Dr. Alexander intercepted him, a smirk spreading across his face.

"That's the Peterson's and there's no way you could say that she's your mother." He ranted.

"And what has that to do with you, Alex? Kendrick replied coldly.

"Ah, Are you now with the Peteron's? ... Oh, The Peterson's maid has arrived," Alexander sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.

Kendrick's eyes narrowed, his annoyance simmering.

"I'm here to see my mother, Dr. Alexander. Not to be insulted by you."

Alexander chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I see, you think you're here to see your mother? Ha! You're just a maid, Kendrick. A mere servant. And you expect to be treated with respect?"

The nurses snickered, their laughter echoing through the hospital corridor. Kendrick's face burned with humiliation, but he remained calm, his eyes fixed on Alexander.

"I demand to see my mother," Kendrick said firmly, his voice low and steady, despite the anger and humiliation burning within him.

"Then go in, you can fool everyone but not me, young boy" Alexander said, shrugging his shoulders.

Immediately, he pushed in, his eyes narrowed, his gaze flashing with anger as he looked at his mother's condition. The room not befitting for a woman of her class and standard, He turned swiftly.

"Alexander, what are you doing?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. "Why haven't you moved my mother to the VIP section for proper treatment?"