The Bounty

Chapter 3

Chapter-Three:Secrets

I got up early the next morning,today was going to be a special day for my family.Catherine was turning eight years old,my little baby girl was growing up so fast.She was such a smart and loving kid and as her father,all i wanted for her was to live a good life and to always be happy,even though she was an asthmatic patient , she didn't let that stop her from living a happy life.

Gabriella was still asleep,so i decided to quickly drop by the toy store and get catherine a gift for her birthday since i was unable to get it yesterday, because the news of vandel's release caught me off guard.As soon as i stepped out of the house,i felt like someone was watching me but anytime i turned to see who it was,i didn't find anyone.Maybe i was just over thinking things or maybe my brain might be playing tricks on me.I entered the toy store and headed over to the counter to meet Mrs Elvy,she was an elderly woman who owned the toy Store.Ever since we moved into this neighbourhood, she has really helped us a lot.

"Good morning Mrs Elvy".I greeted as soon as i entered the store.

"Morning jay,you are quite early today".Mrs Elvy said.

"Yea,i just came to pick up the New collection of Barbie toys i ordered last week,am so sorry i couldn't come to get it yesterday as i said i would, i was really occupied,but i hope that am not too late".Jay said silently praying in his heart that the toys wasn't already sold Catherine loved toys alot and that particular one,she had begged her parents to buy for her month's ago.

"Relax Jay,the toys are still available,but why do you seem so eager to get this particular one".Mrs Elvy asked as she brought out the toys and began to package it.

"Well,its Cathy's birthday today and i really want to surprise her.I replied with happiness written all over my face.

"Awwwwn,that's really sweet of you Jay,you know you've raised such a wonderful daughter,you should be really proud of yourself".Mrs Elvy said handing the package over to me.

"Thank you Mrs Elvy".i replied as i brought out the money for the toy and handed it over to Mrs Elvy but she turned down the payment. "Dont bother paying,the bills on me,just take it as a little gift from me to Catherine,and I'll also drop by this evening to personally wish her well myself".Mrs Elvy said.

"Thank you so much for the gift,Cathy will be really happy to receive this from you".I said filled with a lot of gratitude.

"You're welcome,i will see you later".She replied before i left the store.

On my way back home from the toy store,i decided to drop by patty store to get the famous "Marbled tres leches cake".It was Cathy's favourite dessert.After making the payment i left the pastry store and headed back home.I stood across the street from my house,waiting for the road to clear up.

As soon as i was sure that there wasn't any movement on the road anymore,i immediately entered the road and started crossing when suddenly,a car came out of nowhere and began to speed directly towards me,but fortunately for me,i was able to quickly move out of the road before the car could hit me and the driver immediately sped off.

"Hey,are you crazy or what,do you wanna kill me".I shouted after the driver but i got no reply.I gave a heavy sigh and entered into my house. I met Gabriella had already started the decorations for the party.

"Good morning sweetheart".I said calling her attention as i dropped the gifts on the table.

"Morning my love".Gabriella said giving me a peck on my cheek.When i woke up this morning,you had already left the house,i was really worried you know,where exactly did you go to so early this morning".Gabriella asked as she began to take out the box containing the decorations from the shelves.

" I went out to get the gifts for Cathy,am sorry i made you worry so much,i promise it won't ever happen again."I replied trying to reassure her.

"Jay are you alright".Gabriella asked as she noticed the uneasiness in my voice.

"Yea.....yes am fine".i stammered trying to stop my voice from shaking.

"Jay Wilson,you had better start talking now is or else....".Gabriella threatened.

"I almost got into an accident on my way home".I finally opened up.

"Oh my goodness,are you hurt ".Gabriella asked,turning Jay around and checking his body if there was any form of Injuries or scars.

"Gabriella,am fine,you don't have worry so much,i wasn't hurt it anyway.Thankfully,i was able to avoid the car before it could hit me,am safe now,please don't worry".I said trying to calm Gabriella down.

"How could i possibly not worry Jay,you're my husband and you almost died,how exactly do you expect me to be Okay after hearing such bad news".Gabriella protested with tears in her eyes.

"Its alright Gabriella,am so sorry for making you worry,and i promise that from now on,i will be more careful".I said using my handkerchief to wipe off the tears from her eyes and giving her a reassuring hug.

"Anyway,how's the preparation coming along".I asked trying to change the topic.

"Well,am almost done with the decorations for the house,my sister claudeth will be the one to handle the food,drinks and pastries that will be used for the party while i get Catherine ready before the guests arrived".Gabriella said as her mood began to lighten up again.

"That's wonderful,it seems you already have everything under control if you need help with anything,just let me know and I'll be there to get the job done".I said offering my help.

"Alright dear".Gabriella replied.Just then,the door bell rang.

"Its still quite early,who could it be."I asked as it was still too early to be expecting any guest.

"Am not sure about it either".She went over to the door and opened it revealing her sister,claudeth.

"Good morning sister".claudeth said giving Gabriella a hug.

"its good to see you sister,its been awhile since you dropped by, I've really missed you".Gabriella Said as she began to remove the materials from the box.

"i've missed you too,but you know that i don't like staying in a place where i don't feel safe".claudeth replied referring to Jay's past criminal record.

"Claudeth,that's enough,you don't have to constantly remind Jay about his past Mistakes every single time you come here".Catherina said trying to defend me as i just stood there quietly without saying a word.

"But isn't it true Gabriella,ever since you got married to this man without our parents consent,you've become So distant from us all,you barely call or even drop by to check up on us and it's all because of this criminal you call Your husband,today is Catherine's birthday,their grand daughter and even still,they refuse to step their foot into this house,it isn't fair to them either".Claudeth stated angrily.But before Gabriella could say anything in my defense,i knew I have to say something before things get out of hand.

"Gabriella,its fine,i will just go and check on Catherine".I said leaving the room to prevent any further arguments.

As i got to the door step of Catherine bedroom,i gave a little knock at the door before i entered into the room,she was seated on her bed playing with her toys.

"Happy birthday my lovely princess".I said giving Catherine a peck on both of her cheek before handing the gifts over to Catherine as she unwrapped the gifts."Oh my goodness,daddy you got me my favorite toy and the famous Des leches cake,thank you so much dad,you've made me sooo happy today".Catherine said as she gave me a big hug.

"Anything for you my princess,you know daddy loves you so much even more than you can imagine" I said hugging her .

"i know that daddy and i love you so much too,and that's why i can't wait to grow up so that i can take good care of you and mommy,we will always be together forever".Catherine said with a big smile on her face.

"That's for certain,we will always be together no matter what happens.Anyways,its your birthday today so why aren't you getting ready yet".I asked.

"Well,mommy was supposed to get my clothes and also braid my hair for me,but she's not here right now".Catherine replied looking a little bit disappointed.

"Well your mom is a little busy right now,but hey i can braid your hair for you instead if you want".I offered trying to brighten her mood.

"Are you sure about that daddy".Catherine asked.

"Of course,i mean after years of watching your mother braid your hair,i think am ready to do it too".I replied confidently.

"Well alright then".Catherine replied as she sat in front of her mirror.That was actually the first time i had ever braided a hair in my life,and i won't lie,it was really difficult it took hours before i could finally get the style right.When Gabriella was done with the decorations,she came up to get

Catherine ready for the party cause guests had already started arriving,she was really surprised at the braid i had done for Catherine,she added a few finishing touches to the hair and got Catherine dressed for the party.

The party started,and Catherine was really having a lot of fun,she received a lot of gifts and well wishes from friends,family and loved one's.The highlight of the party was when Catherine was asked to cut the cake and the guests began to sing her a happy birthday song,she got really emotional and she began to cry.It was one of her most memorable birthdays.After the party the guest had already left the house,Catherine began to unwrap her gifts,she was really happy at the so many gifts she had received.After a while,she left the room and came back again holding a painting in her hands.She handed it over to us,it was a painting of our family.

"Mommy, Daddy i just want to say thank you for always being there for me,taking care of me all this years and showering me with so much love,i am proud and really lucky to be your daughter and if i had another life time,I'd still choose you to be my parents.I love you both so much".Catherine said she held both of our hands on her palms and put them on each other and gave us both a tight bear hug".

"We love you too".Gabriella and i chorused.Just then,the door bell rang.I stood up to answer the door,but when i opened there was no one there,there was only a small package on the floor.I took it inside and closed the door.The package had the name Catherine written as the recipient .I gave the package to Catherine thinking it was just another birthday gift.She unwrapped the package,but what was inside was a toy gun and a short letter in it boldly written

"I'll be seeing you soon".

by

Uncle V.

As soon as i saw the letter,i nearly had an heart attack,it was Vandel,he finally found me,right there and then,i knew i had to take my family as far as i possibly could.

"Catherina dear,go to your room,I'll meet you in a short while".Jay said as Catherine stood up from the couch and went over to her room.

"Gabriella,go pack our things,were leaving right now". i said trying to get my family out of the house as soon as i possible could.

"Jay,what's going on,why are we moving so suddenly and by this time,it's already late,what exactly is going on".Gabriella asked as she looked at me with shock and confusion.

"Look,this isn't the time for arguments,we have to leave right now". I said still trying to get her to start packing our belongings.

"Is this really how you want this to go down, ,fine then,if you don't tell me why you want us to leave so suddenly,then neither Catherine nor i will go anywhere with you".Gabriella stated firmly. I gave out a big sigh and finally decided to tell her the truth.

"Vandel has returned back to El Paso".I said,finally revealing the truth.

"Wait,what..... you mean the same Vandel as in your ex boss and the same one you sent to prison years ago".Gabriella asked already panicking.

"Yes and apparently he already found us so we have to leave immediately before he gets here so,are you going to help me or not".I asked her as i began to start packing some of our belongings into the car.

"Alright then".Gabriella finally agreed,and that's how we packed our belongings and left the house.Fortunately for me,i had a hidden house at the outskirt of El Paso,it was a very long drive and before we arrived,it was already morning.

{Thanks for reading this chapter.}