The tension in the principal's office was strong as Mr. Gabriel listened to Mirabel's account of the incident. But what really caught his attention was when Mirabel referred to Mr. Francis as "Dad." Mr. Gabriel's eyes widened in surprise, but his concern for Angel's situation took precedence.
"How will you handle this issue?" Mr. Gabriel asked, his voice firm as he turned to Mr. Francis. "I won't let my daughter be treated this way."
Mr. Francis's expression turned serious. "I need to hear from Vicky, Angel, and Isabel before concluding. If necessary, Isabel's parents will be called in."
After hearing Vicky and Angel's corroborating accounts, Mr. Francis called Isabel into the office. Mr. Gabriel was asked to wait in the waiting room, his curiosity piqued.
As Isabel sat down, Mr. Francis's face tightened with concern. "Can you explain what happened between you and Angel recently?"
Isabel's response was nonchalant. "Well, firstly, who's Angel... Wait, do you mean Shabby?" She smirked. "She bumped into me and ruined my designer bag on the first day of school and didn't ask for compensation. But she's always disrespectful."
Mr. Francis's expression turned skeptical. "Okay, I see... How about the bruises on her face? Can you explain how that happened?"
Isabel's tone remained casual. "Well, I...I mistakenly hit her with my bag while walking, and I told her it was a mistake. Her friends kept shouting at me, so I just walked away."
Mr. Francis's eyes narrowed. "And why do you keep calling Angel 'shabby'?"
Isabel chuckled. "Hmmm, that's my nickname for her. It kinda suits her."
Mr. Francis's face reflected his disgust. "You can go now, Isabel."
When Mr. Gabriel was called back into the office, he sat down, looking at Mr. Francis with curiosity. "Mr. James, I think this issue requires more than just one parent's involvement. Isabel's parents will be called in by Monday, and you'll need to be here too."
Mr. Gabriel nodded, his face etched with worry. "Thank you, Mr. Francis. I'll make sure to be here."
As Mr. Gabriel left the office, he couldn't help but wonder what other surprises lay ahead.
. . .
The silence in the car was noticeable as they rode home. Mr. Gabriel's mind was racing with thoughts of how to address the situation, but Angel broke the silence.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I should have told you about all this. I just didn't want you to worry. Don't be angry," Angel said, looking at her dad with concern.
Mr. Gabriel's gaze remained fixed on the road, but his tone was gentle. "Sweetheart, I'm not angry. I'm just worried. But that's my responsibility as a dad – to worry about you. You should always tell me about things like this, no matter how small. I thought we were close and told each other everything."
Angel's eyes dropped, and she looked apologetic. "Dad, I was told that Isabel becomes more cruel if she's reported. I didn't want that."
Mr. Gabriel's expression turned resolute. "That won't happen with you. This is the reason why I was previously against you studying so hard for the scholarship here."
Angel's face lit up with determination. "Dad, I just want the best education and a better chance at success. You know all the advantages Ridgewood Academy offers."
Mr. Gabriel's eyes softened, and he nodded. "I know, sweetheart. But I also know that those rich kids often bully the weak, and I know you're too kind to fight back."
He paused, his voice taking on a determined tone. "But don't worry, sweetheart. I'll make sure I resolve this issue. Isabel will get the right punishment, and she'll certainly stop bullying you. I want you to have a very happy childhood."
. . .
Saturday morning, at City Restaurant, Christina who is dressed stylishly and looking radiant, asked Mr. Gabriel, "Baby, you said you'd talk about it later yesterday. Is now a good time?"
Mr. Gabriel looked up from his phone, his attention focused on her. "I'm sorry, love. What were you asking about? I wasn't paying attention. I was in a really bad mood last night."
Christina's eyes locked onto his. "Well, it's about Angel. You've never told me about her mom, and I think I should know about it."
Mr. Gabriel's expression turned somber. "I really don't like talking about it, and I've not told anyone about it for 11 years now. But I guess you're right. You're supposed to know about it."
He took a deep breath before beginning his story. "Listen to this story, and I'll tell you how it's related to the question at the end of it."
Christina nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Mr. Gabriel's voice was laced with sentimental longing as he recounted the story of how he came to adopt Angel. "When I was in my last year of university, 12 years ago, I received a call from the hospital about my cousin brother, David James, who had been in a serious accident with his wife and 3-year-old daughter. David was the last family I had left on Earth, so I rushed to the hospital, only to find out that David's wife had already passed.
David and his daughter were both critically injured, but the little girl was not as critical as her father. After months of fighting for his life, David eventually succumbed to his injuries, leaving me with no immediate family.
Before David's passing, his wife's family took his daughter away, and I was left with no information about her whereabouts. It wasn't until weeks of search that i finally tracked her down, only to discover that she was seriously ill in the hospital."
Christina's eyes widened in shock as Mr. Gabriel continued his story,
"Without hesitation, I took custody of the little girl and paid off her medical expenses. When she recovered, I took legal action and adopted her as my daughter, we celebrated my graduation and her fourth birthday together. Now that little girl grow up to be my Angel, the biggest joy in my life."
As Mr. Gabriel finished his story, Christina looked at him with newfound understanding and sympathy. "I knew you only had Angel, but this story is still touching," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "So, Angel isn't your biological daughter, and you treat her so well."
Mr. Gabriel's thoughts drifted to his daughter and the encounter in school. "It's getting late. Let's get going. Angel must be tired of being alone," he said, standing up to leave.