Liam’s thoughts were plunged into utmost confusion as he drove carelessly to the hospital, ignoring all red lights. His guardian angel was definitely on his side or he would have died countless times. He thought his only rival was Damien Russo, his business competitor and the one who hijacked his whole life plan, the Project Phoenix. How would he have reasoned that his cousin and then another woman would be working against him? Any slight misstep on his part could put his whole life in jeopardy.
“Welcome sir…” A young lady, dressed professionally with a receptionist tag greeted politely as she marveled at the gorgeous-looking man walking up to her.
Liam was stunned hearing the voice of the young lady, pondering on how he had gotten to that place in one piece. But losing composure was never fort. He had to sort things out without procrastinating. The dazed look on the receptionist’s face irritated him. He drummed his five fingers on the table to get her attention. He was used to people feasting their eyes on him but this time was different. He wasn’t taking it.
“Oh! I.. I’m sorry” the lady stuttered with a blush on her face as she tried to regain her professional self “Welcome to Xaviers General Hospital, sir.. how can I be of help?”
“I need…..”
“Liam..” a disheveled-looking lady called his name, interrupting his statement as she ran up to him.
“Isabelle.. why are you here?” Liam asked looking surprised before recalling that she had mentioned she was coming to join him. “I just got here, hold on,” he said as he patted her back before averting his gaze to the receptionist who was eyeing Isabelle suspiciously.
“She’s my fiancee” he declared with a threatening tone as he glared coldly at her.”we want to see a woman who goes by the name, Penelope”
“The lady retracted her gaze, realizing she had been caught red-handed “Oh! You mean the lady who was brought in due to an accident?” She asked with a voice laced with a hint of nervousness.” Are you family?”
“No, I’m her boss” Liam stated as he glanced at Isabelle who nodded in acknowledgement.” Can we see her?”
“Of course here.. um” she answered as she searched through the hospital records of patients on her computer.” The lady you’re looking for is in ward 204 on the fifth floor. Mind you she has visitors” she reminded them.
“I hope she’s alright” Isabelle mumbled incoherently, visibly shaken at the news of the incident. She had taken time to digest Liam’s words, but when she realized it, he had already left. She was heartbroken not for herself but for the victim’s family. Penelope was a chatterbox. She never hesitated to share all her adventures with her family to Isabelle. She was a nice soul. Her betrayal was still not believed by Isabelle who was sure that she had a tangible reason for it.
Liam placed a light kiss on her forehead which calmed her tensed nerves instantly “She’ll be fine as long as she’s not dead” he said in a soothing voice. “We’re here”
They both gazed at each other for what seemed like forever as they stood in front of Penelope’s ward. Like a tacit agreement that had taken place, they both threw a light knock on the door simultaneously.
The pulse of their heart raced rapidly as the door opened slowly. The face of a cute young girl was what they had encountered first.
“Hello…” The curry said with a bright smile on her face that could melt the heart of any stone-hearted soul.” are you in the wrong place?”
“Um… let me handle it” Isabelle whispered to the troubled Liam who felt strange talking to a child. She was afraid he would scare the poor girl away with his cold demeanor.
“Hey, beauty” Isabelle uttered with a softened voice as she bent down to speak face to face with the little girl.” We’re here to see Penelope, is she here?”
The smile on the little girl’s face widened at the kindness and warmth she felt from Isabelle” Oh! You’re in the rightward then, come in, let’s go see my mummy”
“Mummy”
Liam and Isabelle gasped in shock. They were kept in the dark about the existence of a child. Penelope never mentioned being married. They both believed she lived with her parents and siblings. It was another mystery. Walking into the room, they could see a young woman lying on the hospital bed unconscious.
“Um.. princess. What’s your name?” Isabella asked with a soft gaze.
“Oh! Where are my manners? My name is Sabrina” the girl answered politely and meekly while pouting apologetically.
“Nice to meet you Sabrina, mine is Isabelle” Isabelle replied as she chuckled heartedly, pondering on how a child could have such a beautiful soul. If only the conflicted world was an inch close to that.” Has your mama woken up?”
“Hmm…..” Little Sabrina sighed, her bright smile replaced by a sad expression.” No, the nice doctor said she would be asleep for a long time but would wake up very soon.. do you believe him?” She asked Isabelle with a teary eye like a rain-drenched cat seeking warm comfort.
Isabelle was smitten by her and subconsciously pulled her into a warm embrace” Of course yes, his job is to help people, why would he lie?… Your mama will be fine, I promise you”
Meanwhile, Liam couldn’t help but curse at the unfortunate incident. Penelope was in a coma, thereby preventing him from finding out who the strange woman was and what they had together.
“Um… Auntie Isa, who’s this cold man?” Sabrina curiously asked as she gazed deeply at Liam as if to decipher something in him. Isabelle and Liam were stunned.
“He’s a friend, Sabrina” Isabelle responded with a playful smirk on her face when she noticed the displeased expression on Liam’s face. She was in for a tough battle when they got home.
“Is it just you and your mum here?” Isabelle probed further.
“Nope. I came with my grandma. She went back home to make some food for us” Sabrina replied as a bright light lit up in her eyes” Do you want to see her?”
“Sure, I wouldn’t mind” Isabelle replied before glancing at Liam who was leaning on the wall distantly”You don’t mind, do you?”
“It’s fine, I need to go see the doctor. I’ll be back before you know it” He disclosed as he strolled lazily out of the ward. Right now, getting a test result for himself was more important. He couldn’t lose on both sides.
.