THE BILLIONAIRE’S PERFECT MATE

Carla had been frequently the hospital for her eyes, hoping a miracle would happen. Although the doctor had already informed them that she had to undergo an operation which would cost about $15, 000 to $20, 000 but Kevin couldn’t raise the money. They hoped that a miracle would happen without her undergoing the surgery and so, they kept on visiting the hospital for check up.

On one of such visits which granny had tagged along, the doctor dropped a bomb shell. The doctor had checked Carla’s eyes and after he was done, he had called both granny and Kevin to his office, making Carla stay with one of the nurses outside his office.

“I am sorry to have taken out of your precious time but there is something I need to discuss with you”, the doctor said, facing granny and Kevin.

“There is no problem but hope everything is fine, doctor?”, granny asked, feeling anxious.

“I am scared to say that Carla might never regain her sight again”, the doctor said, with granny’s mouth wide agape.

“What? What do you mean by that, doctor? Thought you said she would regain her sight once she undergoes the surgery, so why this again?”, Kevin asked, getting confused.

“Yes, I said that but that was two months ago. You have been delaying the surgery for two months now. I am scared she might lose her sight forever if the surgery is not carried out on her this week”, the doctor declared with sympathy.

“This week? How do you expect us to get such a huge amount of money within a week? Is there no other thing we can do? Like is there a medicine you can prescribe for her to use for the main time?”, Kevin asked, thinking of a way out.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“I am scared there isn’t. The best thing for her to do right now is to undergo the surgery. If you do not mind, I will like to attend to the next patient”, the doctor said, motioning for them to leave. The guilt granny was feeling towards Kevin and Carla, which had begun to fade away since they started living with her, came back fresh, rushing to her like a gust of wind. She was in her own world, with different thoughts running through her mind.

“Granny, let’s leave now”, Kevin, who had noticed how blank granny was said, stretching out his hand to support her in standing. She managed to stand up and with Kevin holding her, they left the doctor’s office. On getting to where Carla was sitting, granny broke down in tears upon seeing her. She couldn’t bear to look her in the eyes as she felt her life was about to get ruined just because of her son’s mistake. Kevin too was sad but he couldn’t show it as he wanted to comfort granny and also didn’t want to let Carla know what was going on.

While on their way home, neither Kevin nor granny said anything. The three were sitting at the back of the taxi with Carla sitting in between granny and Kevin. Granny was looking out of the window, lost in thoughts with her face pale. She looked weak and confused with guilt eating her up. Kevin on the other hand, was also looking out of the window with his mind blank. Fear was evident in his eyes as he was unsure of what would be Carla’s fate.

“How would he be able to raise $20, 000 in few days?”, he kept on thinking over and over again. The silence of them both; especially that of granny, which to Carla felt odd, arouse her suspicion.

“Is everything alright? What did the doctor say?”, Carla asked, out of the blue, gaining Kevin’s attention.

“Everything is fine. The doctor said you are improving day by day and that it’s just a matter of time before you regain your sight”, Kevin lied.

“Really?”, Carla who seemed really happy to hear the news asked, beaming with joy.

“Yes, that’s true”, Kevin said, forcing a smile on his face. Although Carla couldn’t see it, he still felt like doing so just to kill her suspicion.

“Wow, that’s a good news. Isn’t it granny? I will finally be able to see your beautiful face”, Carla said, holding granny’s hand and resting her head on her shoulder, with joy in her heart. On seeing this, granny couldn’t help but broke into tears. She cried silently so her cries wouldn’t attract Carla’s attention but she was unable to prevent that.

“Granny, can you hear me? Are you crying?”, Carla asked, upon seeing granny was silent and she heard her sobbing silently. She gently raised her head from granny’s shoulder and placed her hand on her face which was met with her tears.

“Granny, why are you crying?”, Carla asked, confused, upon confirming that she was actually crying.

“Yes, it is a good news. I am actually crying because you would be able to see soon. I just couldn’t control my emotions. I am so happy right now”, granny lied, faking a smile.

“Are you sure, granny?”, Carla asked, sounding not convinced.

“Yes, I am sure. Come here, baby. I cannot wait to see you open your eyes”, granny said, pulling Carla in for a hug while still silently sobbing. Carla on the other hand, hugged her, smiling, having fallen for her lies. Kevin watched the scene in front of him and couldn’t help but to get emotional too. Tears streamed down his face but he quickly cleaned it off so as not to catch granny’s attention.

On getting home that day, granny went straight to her room, locking herself up while laying on the floor, crying herself to sleep. Kevin, who had noticed granny’s mood, stayed with Carla outside of the room, keeping her company. Shortly afterwards, Carla slept off while resting her on Kevin’s laps. They remained in the position for quite a while and as Kevin looked at his innocent sister sleeping peacefully on his laps, he broke into uncontrollable tears.

Granny who had cried to her satisfaction, decided to finally step out of her room and upon doing that, she had seen Kevin crying, with Carla sleeping peacefully on his laps. Guilt once again began to eat her up as she knew her family was behind their dismay. She couldn’t bring herself to walk up to them and slowly, she turned around and headed back to the room.

Soon afterwards, night came and the siblings were still outside just that this time around, Carla had woken up and they were discussing. Kevin who had a lot going through his mind had forgotten that it was time to pick Ellie up from the convenience store. Ellie, who had no idea as to what had happened earlier that day, waited for Kevin to come but he was nowhere to be seen. She called his phone but he wasn’t picking. She called granny too but she didn’t pick too. After waiting tirelessly and with him not returning his calls and not seeing him either, Ellie decided to head home all by herself.

As she headed home, walking along the valley, she had thought about what could have happened to Kevin as it was unlike him not have come pick her up. Just as she was thinking about this, something happened. An event that took away her happiness