Chapter 18
Eve’s POV I yelled at the top of my voice; luckily I got their attention at once.
Good thing, Mark was an undergraduate medical student, so he gave him the first aid, in a few minutes Liam opened his eyes. Mark said he still wasn’t getting any better yet. So he put a phone to the family doctor. “Meanwhile Helen, cook something quickly for my brother to eat” Mark told Helen.
“I would do that right away” Even the almighty strong girl with a tough heart was panicking.. (Helen).
“I would join you Helen so that we could be fast about it” I told her then faced Mark; “Please do not leave Liam’s side” I advised him.
“Sure” He nodded.”By the way, the doctor will be here soon” I joined Helen in the kitchen… I knew she had a series of questions for me already, so I decided to tell her everything even before she would ask me.
“The thing is that I went to his room yesterday night to comfort him” I told her but she was so fast with what she was doing that she didn’t even answer me.
“He was still weeping and I couldn’t help it but to do something” I added.
“Did he let you in?” She asked me.
“Yeah”NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.
“He did?” She was surprised. “He really must have a second thought for his stepmom ” She remarked. “I… I’m so relieved that he is fine now.. if.. if wasn’t there for him… he might hurt himself” I told Helen.
“Oh! so did you sleep in his room last night?”
“Uhn, No” I blurted. “How then, did you know that he was ill and he fainted this morning?”
“I was there; I… I mean I went to his room this morning only to check up on him.. we spoke but in the next minute, he passed out” I explained to her.
“Well I believe you on this one because I’m aware of it, I heard when you knocked on his door this morning” She paused then continued. “Hmmn. I really hope he gets better”
“Yeah” “Almost done” Helen told me, so I set the tray then I arranged a glass of water and some orange juice in it.
“What did Mr. Maya say to you this morning? He was knocking so loudly that it interrupted my sleep” She asked me.
“Same here. He came to give me the marriage form, a proof that we are legally married” I told her.
“Oh My God Eve, are you gonna sign that?”
“I don’t know” I mumbled.
“What do you mean you don’t know? Are you ready to be a wife to an old man, a mother, and a legal stepmother to Mr. Maya’s son?” She questioned me. “Seriously Helen, you know I don’t want any of this to happen to me. If I decide not to sign it… he might put an end to every help is rendering at the moment and my Dad…” I paused; ” I haven’t spoken with him since I left home but Mr. Maya has assured me that he is being taken care of by a good doctor he assigned. I don’t know what to do Helen, Mr. Maya will see me as a pest trying to benefit from him if I don’t get that form signed….” I explained to her, feeling terrible and confused deep down. Just then, Robert bumped in.
“The doctor is around” He announced.
“We would talk about it later” Helen whispered into my ears and I tried to brighten up my mood.
She served the meal, collected the tray from me then she neatly arranged Liam’s meal.
“I’ll take the meal to Liam” Helen said and I followed her behind. “Jeez, I don’t ever wanna imagine falling sick because of a girl” We heard Robert saying to himself… as he went his way. * “It is just a slight fever, there’s nothing to worry about, he would get better after eating, taking these drugs, and having enough rest” The doctor instructed after taking a brief physical examination. We came closer and served the meal on a small table.
“Thank you Doctor. I thought we might have to rush him down to the hospital” Mark said.
“Oh no, it’s nothing serious. Liam will get better real soon” He ascertained.
“Alright” “I’ll be on my way now. Don’t hesitate to inform me if the illness persists, although I know that it won’t ” He said.. carried his briefcase, and walked out of Liam’s room. “You see, I told you I am okay” 1Liam weakly mumbled, he was still lying down on his bed.
“The doctor forgot to let you know the name of the fever you having, I know the name, should I tell you?” Mark teased him.
“Tell me, Doctor Mark” Liam forced a smile as he managed to speak. “TetraHeartBreakcyline” Mark said and we chuckled.
“Now come and eat” He beckoned him.
“Not now Mark. I don’t have the appetite” He mumbled and looked away.
“No, no, no” Mark moved closer to him and made him sit upright.
“Jeez, Mark” Liam complained. “How do you intend to get better when you won’t eat or take the drugs, you didn’t even eat last night Liam. If you insist that you have no appetite, it would continue that way” I just had to say it out.
Helen stepped on my toes, I looked at her and she whispered; “Watch what you say”
Ohh… I returned my glance at Liam, who was looking at me.
“Sorry” I mumbled. “Helen bring the meal closer to me” Liam ordered.
Helen obeyed instantly.
“You know you are supposed to sit and eat in the dining room” Mark complained and Liam gave him a stern look.
“Okay Okay, do whatever you like” Mark surrendered knowing fully well that his brother might refuse to eat anymore if he complains again. Liam picked up his cutleries and began to eat slowly…
“I’m already eating. Why are you all still standing there and staring at me” Liam grumbled after shoving two spoons of the meal into his mouth.
“Okay ” Mark said, walking towards the door..” Make sure he finishes his food and takes his drug ” He didn’t mention either my name or Helen’s.
“Really Mark? Am I a toddler? I’m older than you, you must have forgotten” Liam said to him.
“Whatever” Mark ignored him and left. Helen and I chuckled again.. as we stood there watching him eat sluggishly but at least; he was getting better unlike this morning.
“I need to prepare breakfast for everyone” Helen told me.
“Okay go ahead. I’ll stay with him and make sure he takes his drug after eating” I said then she left the room and closed the door behind her. Liam drank some water and when I thought he would continue eating but he dropped the cutlery.
“You barely touched the food” I said.
“I really don’t have the appetite, secretly trash it out and lie to them that I ate it all” Liam said; practically trying to lie down on his bed again.
“No Liam. You have to finish this food or at least half of it” I said.
“Really?” He didn’t lie down then. “Yes, really” I carried a chair and sat in front of him while his meal was on the small table (In between us)
I picked up the cutlery and filled it up with the meal.
“Open your mouth” I said and he did, then I shoved it into his mouth which he chewed gently.
“I can’t believe everyone is forcing me like I am one little child. Just wait till I get better, it’s gonna be a payback time” He said, I giggled and shoved another full spoon into his mouth. “I thought you said you were already better” I reminded him.
“Uhnuhnn” He said… I smiled as I continued feeding him.
“I can see that you are a caring stepmother; you would be more caring when you have your own children” He said. It’s that supposed to be a tease… He should get it by now that I’m not comfortable with him calling me his stepmom. “Since you are now enjoying the meal Liam, you can continue eating yourself” I gave him the cutlery.. and he grinned.
“Thank you Eve”
“Yeah, you are welcome. I forced out that appetite of yours ”
He giggled then said; “No, not that. I meant Thank you for everything”
“Oh, my pleasure. I really didn’t do anything though ” I told him nervously.
“No, you did. You see I kept my promise last night; I didn’t shed a tear after you left” He said and I gave him an i-dont-believe-you-look.
I mean how then did he fall sick if he really didn’t shed any tears after I told him not to. “But I am serious, I urged myself not to cry. Do you wanna know why? Because you made mention of this statement that Clara was the one who broke my heart and she, therefore, do not deserve any of my tears” He said.
“Well then, good for you” I said.
“And… I… I am already trying to forget her, I didn’t even think of her at all today” He said and I gave a brief laugh.
“Geez, she’s the one I’m talking about just now” He muttered to himself then he covered his face and sniffed deeply. “No, I’m not gonna cry, no more thinking about her” He soliloquized; forcing a smile to cover up his real emotions. “Your drugs” I picked them up and gave them to him.
To my greatest surprise, he wasted no time taking the drugs.
“Okay Good. Now have some rest” I said as I cleared the table in front of him and made my way to the door.
“Uhm… Eve” I called me back.
“Yes?” I turned… He was covering his face again with both palms.
“Are you crying again?” I asked then he took those hands-off, he wasn’t crying.
“What is it? Do you want me to get you something?” I asked him.
“No, no” He said, biting his lips.”I… I uhm I don’t know how to say this to you because I usually don’t do this” He said. “What’s that?” I asked curiously.
“Errm… Thank.. y..” I interrupted him.
“Don’t tell me Thank you again. You really don’t have to… I only rendered the littlest care I could…” He interrupted me. “I’m sorry” Liam said.
“Uhn?” I looked at him awkwardly.
“Eve I am very sorry for how I have treated you” He said, avoiding to look at my face. Have you ever seen an arrogant person apologize before?
This is unusual and unexpected and it’s making me really nervous. ******
*****