Vlora fidgeted restlessly, tears and sighs alternating on her smooth face. She was uncomfortable, so Noelle, along with Amanda and Vian, quickly approached.
“Vlo.”
“Vlora.”
Amanda held Vlora. She gently woke her daughter-in-law, and soon Vlora’s eyes opened bright and alert.
“Reas.”
Amanda reassured Vlora. “Vlora.”
Vlora turned her head. She saw all of them there, but she noticed that Andreas was not there.
“Mama, where’s Reas?”
Vian approached and helped Vlora to stand up. Then he went to prepare a glass of water.
“Andreas went home for a moment, but he’ll be back soon.”
Vian handed Vlora the drink. Only then did she notice how dry her throat was. It did not take her long to finish the glass.
“You just rest, Vlo,” Noelle said with a reassuring expression. “I will wake you when Andreas arrives.”
Confused, Vlora shook her head. Her eyes blinked like a confused person. “No. I will wait for Andreas.”
They all took a deep breath. The three of them understood that Andreas was indeed the one Vlora needed most.
So, they could only be understanding. They accompanied Vlora and tried to comfort her.
“Would you like something to eat, sis? Maybe some fruit?”
Vlora declined Vian’s offer with a slight shake of her head. “No.”
Vlora said nothing more. She was silent, as were the others. It seemed that no one but Andreas could calm her down.
“Why is Andreas taking so long?”
“Calm down, Vlo. Andreas will be back soon.”
Vlora turned and looked at Noelle, who was answering her question. “It’s been a while, grandma. Where did Andreas go?”
“Andreas just went home. He will be back soon.”
Unfortunately, this answer was not enough for Vlora. She kept looking at the clock on the wall and at the door. She was really restless until she finally called Frans.
Frans approached. Vlora spoke.
“Contact Andreas. Tell him to come immediately.”
Frans nodded. He called Andreas, but…
“He’s not answering, ma’am.”
Vlora’s eyeballs moved wildly. Her heart was beating fast with a disturbing rhythm. Panic reflected on her face, and she moved away from the treatment bed with the intention of going downstairs.
“Vlora,” Amanda stopped her. She stopped Vlora from leaving the treatment bed. “Where are you going? You need to rest, dear.”
Vlora shook her head repeatedly with unfocused eyes. “Frans, take me to Andreas.”
“Vlora, calm down. Andreas will be here soon. You just have to wait a little longer.”
Noelle helped Amanda. They both tried to restrain Vlora, to calm her down.
But it was futile. Vlora was determined to go down. She looked at Frans with fear in her eyes, coupled with an unyielding determination.
“I said take me to find Andreas!”
Vlora screamed. She was hysterical and could not be comforted.
*
“I’ll go, Na.”
Nadine’s eyes widened. She looked at Jonas, disheveled and seemingly confused. Jonas had not only confused her with his unexpected appearance early in the morning, but also with his words.
“What do you mean, Jon?”
Jonas’ hand rose and cupped Nadine’s cheek. Instead of answering, he kissed her deeply. After the kiss ended, he lowered his eyes. He looked at Nadine’s belly as he stroked it.
“I will be back soon. In the meantime, I hope you take care of yourself.”
Nadine was shocked. “Jon, you can’t leave me now. We have to get married. I am carrying your child.”
The bitter truth almost weakened Jonas’ heart, but he had no other choice. He had to leave as quickly as possible. He had to distance himself so that Nadine would not be dragged into the mess he had created.
“I’ll be back, Na. I really love you.”
However, no expression of love could comfort a pregnant woman when she learned that the man was leaving them, including Nadine. She shook her head repeatedly. The horrible image made her afraid; she couldn’t possibly go through the pregnancy without the status of marriage. She did not want to let Jonas go.
“Please, Jon. Don’t go.”
Nadine tried to hold Jonas, but Jonas’ determination showed painfully on his face. He grimaced and let go of Nadine’s hand.
“Forgive me, Na. Forgive me.”
Nadine was hysterical. Jonas had really left, but she did not want everything to be like that. She followed Jonas.
Jonas opened the door to the apartment. He walked out and was about to close the door when he saw something.
There was a man who had just gotten off the elevator. He seemed to be walking with unsteady steps. His eyes were blank, his face expressionless. The aura around him sent a deadly chill.
“Andreas.”
Andreas’ piercing eyes stared at Jonas. He did not blink, as if taking aim. His corneas reddened with sadness and anger.
Jonas became aware of the situation when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and panickedly said to Nadine.
“Go inside now, Na. Please, go inside.”
Nadine wanted to object. She wanted to speak, but what came out of her mouth was a scream. She saw Jonas’ body being violently jerked, and immediately a fist hit Jonas in the face.
Her eyes widened. Her hand went up to cover her mouth. Shock shook Nadine as she witnessed the violence with her own eyes.
Jonas groaned in pain. He was overwhelmed by a barrage of blows that Andreas kept delivering.
“You bastard, Jonas!”
Jonas raised his hand. He blocked the blow aimed at his jaw, but Andreas quickly changed his attack. Andreas’ leg rose and his sole landed on Jonas’ stomach.
Not stopping there, Andreas took the opportunity to raise his elbow, then elbowed Jonas in the back with all his might.
Jonas fell to the ground and tried to get up. He grabbed Andreas’s leg and pushed him in any direction.
Andreas stumbled. Jonas used the opportunity to get up quickly. He rubbed his stomach to ease the pain, then laughed.
“What is wrong with you, Reas? Why did you come and immediately go crazy? Did I do something?”
*