Natalia smiled again at Leonardo before pulling away. “Elva!” She squealed and hugged her.
“I guess that’s a sign you’re getting discharged?” She chuckled from the tight hug.
“Un-hun! Can’t wait to go back to school.” She smiled. Arian choked.
Who’s gonna be his roomie during the day??
Tommy spent his day in kindergarten and he was NEVER gonna let his mother stay with him, irking his brain on how much he’s in love!
If that was his only option, the young master would readily go into coma!
Butler Lee was also out of the solution. Arian concluded. He’d rather sleep in a graveyard instead!
“Who’s up for pizza?!” Damon announced walking into the ward with four steaming boxes of pizza and two packs of soda.
Christ!
He was wearing their uniform too? Wasn’t it time for them to leave yet?? Arian continuously frowned in displeasure.
“Definitely me!” Jeffrey walked in next. “I already ordered some buckets of wings and sodas though.”
“Guys?” Arian mouthed but no one paid him attention.
My poor baby.
“What’s up, freaks!” Nicky merrily sang out, sashaying into the room.
“Hey, Nick!” They called back.
“Guess the good news?” She squeaked dreamily, twirling around like a princess.
“Okay?” Ricky cocked a brow with a blank face, taking the words out of their mouths.
“We don’t know. Kill us.” Elva smiled.
“So y’all know I auditioned for a random spot in the drama club’s upcoming play? Well, they’re having the play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ this session and I got a role!” She squeaked again.
“Aww, that’s great! I’ll still be your number one fan if you decide to go big.” Natalia beamed and Nicky gave a mock bow.
The rest said encouraging stuffs.
“So what spot are you taking?” Selena returned from the bed and picked up a slice of pizza.
“Wait for it…. drum role please.” She dramatized and they waited, chuckling.
The drama club at B. H. A was one of the toughest clubs in the whole school. The drama master was a famous instructor on an international level! Auditioning as a member was probably much easier getting a role than an outsider. The D. M knew his students and their talents. If one got even a minor role, then luck must’ve shone at one!
“JULIET!” She squealed excitedly.
The next thing that followed was Jeffrey Campbell spitting out his drink.
Like real bad!
Everyone stopped cheering and turned to see him on his knees, holding his throat and hysterically gasping for air.
“Shit! Jeff, you alright?” Damon bulged his eyes.
“Of course he’s not! Get him some water.” Nicky panicked and crouched beside him, helping him loosen his tie.
“Do not overcrowd him! He needs air.” Natalia hastily added.
“Should we get a doctor?” Elva worriedly asked.
“Here’s some water.” Leonardo passed a bottle of water. Nicky quickly grabbed it and forced a little down Jeffrey’s throat.
Jeffrey felt better but his throat started to hurt. His sweaty fringes stuck to his forehead and his face was completely red.
He tried to control his breath.
“Shouldn’t we call a doctor?” Arian asked skeptically.
“No! No, I’m fine. Thanks.” His voice was dry and a bit broken.
“Man, you scared shit outta me!” Damon breathed out and laid back on the couch, fanning himself.
“I know Arian would’ve loved it. But two dudes getting admitted ain’t funny.” Ricky stated.
“You got the first part right.” Arian casually shrugged. Nicky shot him a dirty glare, still kneeling beside Jeffrey.
She made Jeffrey face her and he gave her a small smile, seeing the frightened look in her eyes before sitting back on the couch.
Nicky unconsciously scooted closer, still holding him like he was gonna fall again.
Jeffrey took the water bottle from her and drank some more. In a reflex action, she pushed his hair from getting into his eyes seeing that it was disturbing.
“Jeez! It’s just a cough. Not a fever, Juliet.” Selena wickedly teased, earning a chuckle from the rest.
Nicky flushed and instantly removed her hands while Jeffrey almost scowled at the smirking brunette.
“And who’s your Romeo?” Ricky questioned, automatically turning into dad.
Nicky rolled her eyes.
“No one knows yet. The spot is a tight one with many aspirants. That’s what the DM said.”
Jeffrey inwardly felt a gush of relief flood through him. For some reason, the image of Nicky rehearsing the kissing scene repeatedly with some random dude didn’t sit well in his head.
The young heir shuddered at the thought.
Then suddenly, a light bulb clicked.
“It’s creepy when you have that devilish look on.” Damon countered making others look his way.
Jeffrey innocently sighed as Butler Lee came in.
“Some delivery are waiting outside on order of Miss Nicky and Master Jeffrey?” The old butler tersely reported.
Nicky beamed and nodded. He curtly bowed before leaving.
Within seconds, a delivery guy wheeled in the largest tube of Delux ice cream and sprinkles coupled with two family size buckets of chicken wings and two packs of soda.
Nicky signed on Jeffrey’s behalf and the delivery boy left after he did a transfer.
“What are we celebrating?” Arian déArgent shifted eagerly on his hospital bed.
“Actually…. you’re not included.” Natalia stated deadpan. “Your veggies will soon be here.”
They silently giggled.
“We, except you A, are celebrating my appointment as Juliet.” Nicky announced and they cheered again.
“Are you shitting me?” Arian bulged his eyes.
But sadly, no one paid attention.
“This is not fair!” He complained but they ignored him again.
“We’ll get your stuffs later, right?” Elva asked Natalia, conspicuously munching on a wing.
“Un-hun.” Natalia deliciously moaned after stuffing her mouth with ice cream.
“You can’t tempt me with that, so don’t bother!” He yanked.
“Damn! Are these getting better or what?” Damon mumbled, chewing a spicy wing.
“Go to hell!” The young French was indignant.
“But we’re still taking these along.” Ricky pointed and they laughed.
Arian hurled his pillow at them and looked away angrily, folding his arms. His lips twitched. Why didn’t he inform security to chase away anyone with their descriptions earlier??
He looked so cute with a pout!
“Nothing changes no matter how cute you pout.” Selena said and they nodded.
“I need to sleep. Go away, all of you!” He ordered.
“Without a pillow?…. Nice try. Plus we’re not holding your eyes.” The usually sympathetic Jeffrey noted and Arian gasped.
The chuckles that followed annoyed him so much that he wore his ear pods and laid on his pillow less bed quietly.
Much better!…
****
The young French was more than grateful when the group left because night came.
Natalia had been discharged so he was stuck alone…. or she’d have ended up driving him crazy with her wits and smile.
Arian tried to play a video game but ended up tossing it away some minutes.
Nothing could replace her.
If someone had told him a month ago that he’ld lose interest in video games because of a female??
He scoffed because he couldn’t imagine where they’ld be by now. He was getting too attached to her that it was becoming an uncontrollable obsession.
He needed to leave!
“What’s my pumpkin thinking about?” Mom smiled, giving him a kiss on his head.
“When did you come in?” Arian jerked up in shock and looked around.
“Long enough.” She simply replied and arranged his duvet.
“I’m older now. Stop calling me a pumpkin.” He frowned, trying not to whine. Mom Rose giggled.
“Exactly why I can’t stop.” She gently pushed his head back on the pillow.
“Mom, when will I be discharged?” Arian asked as she arranged the already neat duvet.
She sat beside him and softly touched the bandage around his head which had a big cut underneath.
“In two weeks or so. Your dad and I want you to be fully well before…”
“What?!” He yelled. “That’s impossible!”
“It’s not. And you’re staying here.” His mother finalized.
“Mom, I can’t! What about school? My life?? Nata…” He abruptly paused and looked away.
“Do you still wanna deny it?” Mom Rose smiled at him. But Arian chose to ignore her.
How could he be so stupid?!
*Yeah, how could you?!* His head disapprovingly snapped.
“I’ll be right here if you wanna talk about it.” She pouted and kissed him before leaving.
Arian remained in the silent ward, presiding over a conflicted debate between his head and heart. A helpless frown of confusion marred his face but after a while, it was abruptly replaced with a determined one.
The door creaked opened and the doctor came in for his hourly checkup.
“I’m gonna keep it simple. How long do I need to remain in this damned place?” Arian’s normally frosty voice turned a shade colder.
The doctor was taken back.
“Uh.. uhm… A couple more weeks. There’s still…”
“I don’t care how you do it… limit it to a week.” The young heir ordered.
The doctor’s expert hands on the drip shook slightly.
“Uhm… T… there’s a c.. couple more tests and checkups to be completed and also an X-ray scan too. I don’t thi…” He faltered when the young heir’s face turned grim.
“You can leave since you’re not keen on cooperating. I’ll just have a talk with your execu….”
“Fine, I’ll do it!” The young doctor screeched the moment Arian’s phone began dialing.
He slowly pressed the cancel button as the hospital’s president picked. And the doctor practically flew out of the room!
The President of the hospital was respectful to the Argent family because his position as the executive officer was officiated by Sir Argent.
Long story short, the mega healthcare facility was a part of the Argent’s conglomerate.
Arian might seem unthoughtful, but the only person he was keeping his thoughts for was long gone from the hospital…
And the young French needed to catch up!…
Chapter 42