As Onita fell to the ground,Neil pushed aside his a.s.sociates to catch her.But the distance between them was too great.The receptionist was the second to react and quickly ran with Neil to help her up.Handing the baby Alicia,who had now started wailing at the top of her voice,to the receptionist,Neil Long got down and picking up the unconscious woman ran towards the waiting room couch.Laying her slowly,he barked orders to call for the doctor from the medical room immediately.The receptionist who was trying to sooth Alicia was at a loss as well as she seemed to have no experience.She was struggling to handle the baby.Going to her,Neil plucked the baby out of her arms and started to console the little baby efficiently.Likea magician,he brought out a chocolate out of thin air thus distracting the kid.Alicia just looked at the chocolate but made no move to take it.Seeing that she had atleast stopped crying,neil started to rea.s.sure her that her mother had just fallen asleep and would be up soon.Just then Alicia's stomach rumbled indiacting her hunger.The entire scene in front had frozen the people in shock.n.o.body could have though that Neil Long could handle a crying baby with such grace,experience and ease.They wondered if they had entered some parallel universe.

Looking at the receptionist who was standing still,Neil said,"Take Alicia to my cabin and order for her the company lunch.Help her eat what she likes.Then looking at the little girl in his arms,Neil said,"Cupcake,you must go up with aunty and I will bring your Mama as soon as she wakes up.But you must eat your lunch well."

Hearing of food,the little girl's eyes lit up and she nodded her head vigorously.The receptionist came forward and took Alicia into her arms and walked out of the room just as the doctor entered.

It was only then Neil realized that all activity in the area had come to a stop as everybody stood in their places to watch.Receiving a glare from him,all the people in the reception scurried away to finish their lunches away from drama.

The doctor checked Onita's vitals and breathing and finally said,"She has fainted due to hunger and stress.Adding in the fact that she is malnourished,if she has skipped any meals or been doing heavy physical work then this was bound to happen.I am going to inject her so that she can recover,but we also need her to be given an I.V drip to replenish the lost energy.I will need to go and bring the drip or we can alternately take her to the hospital.

Neil looked at the girl in front of him and said,"Bring the equipment to my office.I'll take her upstairs."With that Neil picked her up again and moved towards the elevators.

Upstairs in the office,Neil took Onita to the small bedroom adjoining his s.p.a.cious office.As he entered,he saw the little girl being fed some mashed potatoes and congee by the receptionist.

Waiting for the doctor to arrive,Neil sat next to Onitaas he held her hand.The physical difference between Onita from the past and the present was remarked.He had only met the girl once in pa.s.sing and would not have remembered her much if it had not been for Al.When Onita went missing three months into their semester,Al had raised a hue and cry trying to find her.They had tried to find her information from her parents as well but both had clammed their mouths shut and claimed that their daughter was dead to them.He did not understand what could have happened.

Onita and Qi Cheng had jus started dating then.He remembered that Qi Cheng had also been dejected that his girlfriend would just go up and disappear.What Neil could not understand was how come a girl who had gone missing 20 months ago suddenly turn up with a kid that was atleast two years old.Things certainly did not add up.The rich pampered girl of Country A suddenly living in country C in such dire straits spelt trouble with a capital T.Neil thought that it was a good thing that Alicia was still in Country A or she would have worried as well.

Neil looked at the little cupcake who was sitting outside.Though Onita had not cared for her well being it was plainly visible that she had taken good care of her daughter..

Just then the doctor entered followed by the little girl.She looked at Neil with big eyes and asked,"Mama till tleeping?That dad unka hurt her!"

Neil nodded his head and bringing the girl onto his lap said,"Yes cupcake.She is still sleeping.She was tired.Now,since we are friends will you tell me which bad uncle hurt her?"

Little Alicia nodded her head and said,"Am not tuptake!my tame is Ali..alicia..That dad unca tied to take me and mama fou fou.."Unable to finish the big word Alicia hit Neil's shoulder to show him what her mama had done to hit the bad uncle.

He knew that Onita was in trouble.Her appearance here today could not have been a co incidence.She must be desperate to have come here to ask for Alicia's help.He looked at the receptionist standing at the door and motioned her to wait.Once the doctor had finished injecting the needle and the drip had started,he packed his stuff and took his leave.Neil placed little Alicia on the bed on the other side and said,"Little cupcake,you must rest too with mama.Then she will feel better.So lie down close to her.OK?"

Outside,he looked at the receptionist and asked,"The lady was waiting for someone in out company's waiting room.How long has she been waiting and why was she not told that the person she is looking for is not here presently!"Though his voice was soft,the tone was something that could make a person s.h.i.+ver.

Almost trembling,the receptionist answered,"But Sir,the lady was looking for you.."

These words caused Neil to freeze in shock and he looked at the receptionist questioningly,"Are you sure she was looking for me?"

The receptionist nodded mutely at this.

The next moment the walls in the cabin shook as Neil roared,"Then why was I not informed?"