Black Swan's

Lies and Truth (Thirty Eight)

        “Darling, why is your body temperature getting higher like this? Ck, don't make mommy worry nak.”

            Eden muttered softly as he continued to stare concerned at Ciara's pale face. This morning the little girl woke up with a trembling body holding back the cold, and a face as pale as a corpse that looked alarming. Had twice Eden drink the medicine for Ciara, morning and afternoon so that the body temperature of her little girl immediately stable. Unfortunately, Ciara's condition is getting worse and worse. Plus since then the little girl refused to eat or drink, making Eden even more frustrated to see the situation.

            “Halo, Jensen can you help me? My daughter has a fever, her body temperature hasn't dropped since this morning.”

            “You where is Eden?”

            Eden let out a small sigh and decided to tell Jensen the address of her apartment. There was no other choice but to tell Jensen where her apartment address was so that the man could immediately deal with Ciara.

            “I will send you your apartment address after this. But, do you think my daughter should be hospitalized?” ask Eden worriedly. Since then his eyes did not escape the slightest from the pale face of Ciara who was currently sleeping peacefully. Sometimes Ciara seemed to furrow her eyebrows like she was having a nightmare, and sometimes the little girl was also seen delirious while calling her father. Oh God, Eden really can't bear to see her daughter like that.

            “I will check it before deciding to take her to hospital.”

            “Alright Jensen, thank you very much for your help.”

            After contacting Jensen, Eden seemed to weigh in to contact Aciel or

no. gabe. Part of his small heart said he needed to contact Aciel, because the man was his father. But some of his other heart did not want that, and only let Aciel not get too close to his daughter. Sometimes the feeling of misgivings, that Aciel will take Ciara when the man knows the truth makes Eden afraid. He was afraid that the man would separate him from Ciara, then just throw it away without mercy like before.

            “Mommy.... daddy..”.

            Eden's daydreams instantly froze as Ciara's weak voice was calling out to her softly. The little girl must have been in desperate need of the whereabouts of her parents beside her until she was delirious like that in her sleep. And Eden was only able to smile bitterly while muttering an apology many times to Ciara

because he couldn't bring the boy's father to see how his daughter was doing.

            “I'm sorry mommy son, mommy can't bring your daddy here. He'll be suspicious of mommy and keep us stuck here forever. Get well soon, mommy loves you Ciara.” whispered a raucous Eden beside Ciara.

-00-

            That hour felt so slow for Eden. It had been thirty minutes that Jensen had entered Ciara's ward and told Eden to wait for her outside while she examined her little daughter. In the end Ciara did have to be taken to the hospital because of dehydration and lack of nutritional intake that causes his blood pressure is very low. Plus Ciara's silence today is really stressful Eden. He doesn't know what's wrong with him until Ciara can end up lying helpless in the hospital. He seemed to have treated Ciara well. He had given his little girl a healthy meal that he had always cooked with the best ingredients. In addition, he also never absent provide Ciara high nutritious milk that can increase nutritional intake. Then how can Jensen diagnose her little daughter is malnourished? It's really something that's very silly for Eden, but it's also worrying.

            “How is Ciara's condition? Did something bad happen to her?” eden asked excitedly when Jensen had just stepped out of Ciara's ward, followed by a nurse who seemed to be writing some important things on the medical records sheet.

            “Eden relax, I'll explain.”

            Jensen drove Eden's body back to sit in a long chair in front of her daughter's nursery, then he also took his place beside Eden with calm movements that looked calming.

            “Your daughter has dengue fever Eden. The disease is currently epidemic in the state of Nevada, but you don't panic. I will try my hardest to help recover his condition.”

            “Ba how can? We have only been here one week.” Eden said in disbelief. Plus he rarely saw mosquitoes flying in his apartment, how could the disease attack his daughter?

            “There are several factors that can cause dengue fever, maybe you are not aware of one of them. Even though you and Ciara have only been living in Las Vegas for a week, but you're not just sitting in an apartment? So any factor can indeed affect.”

            Eden then remembered the night that he and Ciara had come home very late after a day spent in the mansion of Aciel. Actually he did not want to linger in the man's mansion. But Aciel infuriatingly leaves her and Ciara at her house, as she returns to the office to finish her job. So he and Ciara were forced to go home late at night, about eleven o'clock, because they had to wait for Aciel to return from the office.

            “Oh I'm sorry Jensen, I was too panicked with Ciara.”

            “No problem, a mother is natural if panic and worry on her sick daughter. Can I know who his father is? Sorry if it bothers you, but I've never heard of your wedding news so far.”

            Eden suddenly felt confused to answer Jensen's question. During this time he was always in a dilemma, between having to tell Ciara's biological father or stepfather after he married Zyan. It was all too complicated for him. And this is one of the reasons why he refused to return to Las Vegas. This country is full

with memories of his past, black and white. The more people who know about his past, the more they will want to know about his personal life.

            “Aciel Lutherford's. Ciara's father is Aciel if that's what you want to know. But I am married to Zyan, and at this time Zyan has died from an accident three years ago.” said Eden finally in one breath. The anxiety had been choking him for years, and now he would try to be honest in front of Jensen. At least Jensen had nothing to do with Aciel or anything to do with the man.

            “I'm both for your loss Eden. So the rumor was true?” jensen asked as if she was looking back into the past.

            “Rumors? What rumors?”

            “Rumors you have a relationship with Aciel, your own foster father.”

            Eden's heart suddenly hurt. Like there are invisible hands squeezing it strong, until he feels tight. In the past she may have been too indifferent to her image that has always been considered a wild woman. But now, he felt that image was very bad and could affect Ciara's future. However he did not want Ciara to be adversely affected by what he had done in the past. And if he can, he would love to repeat his life in the past so that he has a better future. Honey, he could never get a second chance to correct his mistake. Precisely what he did often led him to the brink of unbound problems.

            “Since the beginning I was in a relationship with that man. You know, love blinds everything. I who had been very innocent, managed to be influenced by the man until I finally really loved him. But it turns out he was just playing me. Eee. more precisely he does not want to commit to me. And like the other women out there, I always crave a happy whole family. The divorce of my parents, and the death of my father made me not want to repeat my parents' failure. Unfortunately, I fell in love with the wrong guy. Men who arrive at any time will give me nothing but pain and disappointment.”

            Jensen reflexes gave a slow caress on Eden's shoulders to strengthen the woman. It felt so sad to hear such a sad story of Eden. All this time he knew Eden was a haughty woman who always broke the heart of every man who approached her. Even he had been a victim of the arrogant attitude of Eden in the past. And it is undeniable that Eden is an attractive woman who is very desirable by the men out there. Only a foolish man like Aciel would waste a woman as attractive as Eden.

            “Sorry, I didn't mean to share my problems with you. I've been pretty stressed lately with my life. As a mother I always wanted the best for Ciara's future. But I always fail to do so. I can't give a perfect family to Ciara, nor can I keep Ciara well.”

            Eden had involuntarily sobbed before Jensen while covering her face with her tiny palm. That inevitably made Jensen feel sorry for the poor woman. His sense of regret for having been played by Eden just disappeared after hearing all Eden's confessions about his complicated past. As a friend he was only able to pray for the best for Eden so that he immediately found his happiness and was free from all the suffering that had always surrounded his steps.

-00-

            “Honey, please open your mouth. You should eat.” sigh Eden frustrated while trying

forcing Ciara to eat once more. He was really tired and confused by Ciara's pain. And now Ciara actually makes him more tired with his attitude that does not want to eat. Though he has brought Ciara's favorite food, a packet of fried chicken krispi with a cheese sauce that is very tempting. Ciara almost never refused her favorite food all this time. Even though his stomach had been full though, he had never rejected it as he was today.

            “Mommy my throat hurts, my bones also hurt.” whine Ciara with a limp body. His face was still pale, just like it was this morning. And now it looks worse because a while ago Ciara had a nosebleed.

            “Then now you drink your milk.”

            Finally Eden gave up and chose to make Ciara milk. At least although not willing to eat the food, Ciara can still get a little nutritional intake from her milk.

            “You should spend it.”

            Eden was again made angered by Ciara who only sipped a little milk, after which he again lay down and closed his eyes peacefully.

            “Yes God, you're making mommy worried son. Quickly heal. Mommy loves you.” muttered Eden slowly while peeping Ciara's wide forehead softly. Ciara's body temperature is still high even though Jensen has given heat-lowering drugs. And the last time Jensen checked, the number of Ciara platelets appeared to have decreased significantly. It was only around a hundred and five thousand, and it was very far from the normal limit.

            “Do you want anything? Why do you suddenly have a fever like this?”

            “Daddy..

            Eden again let out a heavy sigh when she heard the delirious voice of Ciara who only called out to her father. Though all this time Ciara never knew Zyan at all. The little girl only found out through a photo of Zyan attached to her living room. As for the father figure himself, Ciara had never felt it because at that time she was still very small. Seeing Ciara who only called her father every night to make Eden confused. What kind of father did Ciara always dream of? Is it Zyan or Aciel.

Tok tok tok tok

            Eden looked up at the door and immediately smiled as she found Jensen standing at the door, ready to enter the treatment room.

            “Hai, am I bothering you?”

            Eden immediately pulled out one of the wooden chairs that were lying next to him, then allowed Jensen to sit next to him.

            “How is Ciara's condition?”

            “Still as before. His body temperature is very hot, and he had a nosebleed.” explained Eden. Jensen then checked Ciara's body temperature for a while and checked the movement of Ciara's pupils that looked weak.

            “The extremely high temperature of his body made his veins rupture and nosebleed. Ed, I think Ciara's condition is quite critical. What if we move Ciara to the ICU. I hope you don't panic or think about it, because by being transferred to the ICU room the medical team can monitor Ciara's condition more optimally. And I'm afraid Ciara will have a seizure if I keep her here without the medical team's supervision. How?”

            “Do anything for Ciara. Please save Ciara.”

            Eden ended up still crying even though Jensen had asked him to calm down. As a mother, she felt really sick when she saw her daughter lying helplessly like this. She felt completely useless as a mother and could only give pain to Ciara.

            “Ssshh.... rest easy, Ciara will be fine.”

            Jensen hugged Eden tightly and tried to calm Eden from her sobs as several nurses began to move the unconscious Ciara into the ICU room.

            “Why is his condition getting worse? Though he just drank his milk.” isak Eden sad. He could no longer think clearly at this time and just leaned everything on Jensen. At least he needs someone to stand by him to make him stronger.

            “His condition has been unstable since he got into the hospital, so anything can happen to him. His platelets were also back down, only around eighty thousand at the moment. If by tomorrow morning the platelet count does not increase, we must have a blood transfusion for Ciara.”

            “What Ciara will be okay? He won't leave me, will he? I'm afraid of losing Jen.” sobs Eden in Jensen's arms.

            “Calm down, Ciara will definitely get well soon. He will definitely come back laughing for you and for everyone who loves him.”

-00-

            The clock was three o'clock, and the sound of an ancient clock soaring in the living room was loud enough to fit into Aciel's study. But the man was not at all disturbed by the noise and just stared at the dozens of emails that he had just opened this time. He forgot, or rather he forgot the emails just like that when he saw the name of the sender of the email which is none other than Zyan. And only this time he actually opened the entire email after he accidentally opened one of them until he was curious about all the emails he had never touched so far.

Hi, I'm Zyan.

            It was the content of the first email that Aciel received. After that Zyan again sent another message whose contents were much longer than the first message.

            Congratulations, you have now become a father to a very beautiful daughter. Name's Ciara. He looks a lot like you when you open your eyes.

            Then the next message, there is not a single picture in it. The message contained only long enough words from Zyan which was very surprising to Aciel.

            Earlier I wanted to apologize to you because I had been involved in Eden's devious game. I know I was wrong, but I love him so much. I couldn't see Eden being saddened by her thoughts of revenge, so I had to do this. But believe me that I was also deceived by Eden, at first. She told me she was carrying a fetus from another man, not yours. But after Ciara was born, everything became clearer. The baby is yours, not Anthony's, as he's been saying all along. Eden just wants to make you feel the loss and pain he felt all along. And you must be confused as to why I told you about this. But I really don't know. I was just suddenly moved to do so because I felt guilty about you. Hey, I know Eden loves you very much, and maybe you do too. So I was a little bit hoping you'd take Eden from me. Hahaha.. Am I not stupid? It's hard for me to get Eden to be dragged into his game like this. But I don't care! I love Eden, and I want Eden to be happy. So if giving up Eden for you is the only way to make her happy, then I will. Take Eden! Take your daughter now, you son of a bitch!

            Aciel read the message with a flat face and unreadable emotions. Since then he just kept quiet while opening one by one the contents of Zyan's message which turned out to be quite a lot. But the man stopped sending her messages for two weeks. I don't know, maybe the guy was upset with him because he never came to take Eden from him. He never even read those messages all this time.

            Look at your adorable daughter. This is the twentieth morning after she came out of the womb of Eden. Ciara has round eyes like Eden, but her eyes look like yours, wistful. You guys are a really unique blend. Don't you want to greet your daughter in person and carry her? He misses his father very much. Her biological father always made her mother cry, but also made her mother feel love for the first time.

            Lately the condition of Eden is not too good. He was sick from being too tired to take care of Ciara. As a young mother, she was very diligent and dexterous. He never asked anyone for help to take care of Ciara or do household chores. I'm really lucky to have a wife like Eden. Honey, his heart is not for me. You should regret having wasted such a beautiful woman as well as Eden. You've even ruined his tenderness until now he's shrouded in a deep mist of vengeance. Lucky now he has Ciara, so he can forget his grudges a little and just focus on taking care of your adorable little daughter. Come to our house, I'm still waiting for you to take Eden from me.

        For this time Aciel felt his heart being squeezed strongly by invisible hands

eye. It was painful to see her daughter born in such a bad condition in the midst of the conflict that had occurred between her and Eden. In the past, he always promised himself to give the safest place for his son. But reality is not as beautiful as hope. He even immediately gave up with just a piece of paper that looked real to him. He really did not think to prove the truth, and just obey all Eden's desire to marry Zyan. At that time he was too shocked by the reality that slapped him so he could not think clearly for the life of his descendants. He regretted.

 

        Today she smiled very sweetly. He is three months old now. Doesn't time pass very quickly, and you don't seem to want to take it. What kind of father are you? Or maybe you never read my message? Whatever! I don't give a shit. I'll still send you pictures of your daughter's growth so you'll want to take them away from me.

            I did not have to go to Eden. Every night he sobs. No, actually since he married me, he used to cry in the middle of the night. But he never confessed to me and just acted like everything was fine. And today he kissed me. For the first time he kissed my lips on his own initiative while I was playing with Ciara in the back garden. I think his mood is happy right now, because this is the fifteenth of October. You must know what's on the fifteenth. Hmm. I'm actually very envious of you. How can you still win Eden's heart, even if you've hurt her so much?

        “I also don't know.”

Suddenly Aciel exclaimed softly while observing the face of her daughter who was extremely adorable. There was a speck of regret in his heart that he could not express with words. The rest he felt no need to regret it, because it was too late for a regret.

        Today Ciara is studying on her stomach. You should see how happy Eden is when her daughter gets on her stomach for the first time, even Eden until his tears when he saw Ciara began to be active and respond more to every word he said. Not infrequently I saw Eden seem to complain to Ciara, like the baby understood what she was talking about. But I always let it be that way, because I think it can ease her sadness at harboring feelings that are too great for you. As much as Eden's anger at you or her resentment goes out, but it can never defeat her love for you.

Stupid woman!

It was my name for Eden because she loved you so much. And for you, you're the most self-informed jerk. I'm tired of waiting for you to come. You should know, now our household life is not okay. I can't give you luxury

to Eden like you always gave him. Every month I always look for a new job with a higher salary so that I can give Eden the facilities that are commensurate with you. But I'm a fool! I couldn't get a good job in the company, and everyday I had to hold back the embarrassment of being

Eden has always given a little of his savings over the years to our lives.

            Until the ten messages he read from Zyan, he still could not believe if he ended up having a very sweet child like Ciara. It's like a miracle that came true. When Eden left to bring all his dreams to become a father, he no longer had the passion to continue his dreams of having a family. He felt he had failed, and he did not want to repeat the same mistake. He then continued reading another message from Zyan. Although now his eyes were sore and tired, but he really wanted to read everything so that no one was missed.

            Today Ciara learned to sit alone. Behold, she was very sweet as she sat alone with her laugh that never disappeared from her face. Eden was even very anxious with her chubby cheeks and complained many times to me if she wanted to bite him. Hows it? Little Ciara is full of charisma like her father, right? Hahhh.. when are you going to take your son Aciel! I'm tired of writing messages like this. I look like a lonely woman who keeps expecting messages from a busy man like you. Ah yeah... Ciara a few days ago also hurt, her front teeth will grow, and she does not stop whining all night. Fortunately Eden was a patient mother, for two days she really did not sleep and only accompanied Ciara who intermittently whined while sleeping. I salute her, she's a wonderful mother.

            Just so you know, I never exaggerated my story. Everything I've written here is reality, and based on my experience. Let's just say I'm a crazy guy who's obsessed with Eden, but that's the truth. Just one thing I was very fond of him, he always hid many things from the people around him. I'm sure, even today he still hides a lot of things from me. It is like not wanting to burden others, and just wanting to carry it yourself. If one day you will take Eden from me, remember to always force him to share the difficulties because he will never share them if he is not really forced. Yahh...so I think, may you immediately give a reply to dozens of my messages.

        “Typical of Brexton descent, the man also never wanted to share if he had problems. Except when he almost died that night. She blatantly asked me to take care of her daughter until my life became like this.”

        Aciel spoke to himself in the empty air, as if Zyan was sitting in front of him and listening

all babbling. Funny indeed. A perfect man as Aciel turned out to also have another side that became his weakness. The other side that makes him will never be the perfect man for good.

Brakkkk

            “Aciel..”.

            Aciel looked up his head in surprise as he looked at the strange Eden who was currently standing in front of his study door with hunting breath and a wet body that was still dripping dots water from the head to the end of the jeans he uses. Aciel then glanced at her wall clock, checking that the woman was not mistaken to come at four in the morning like this.

            “What are you doing in my house so early? You are wet.” said Aciel while walking towards Eden. As his steps drew closer, he began to notice the teardrops that were also coming down to wet his face, fusing with the water droplets coming from the rainwater. And when her body was right in front of Eden, the woman hit him, hugged him tightly, and, and crying so on his sturdy shoulders with the name of Ciara who continues to buzz in his ears with noise.

            “Ciara's... Ciara needs your blood.”