CHAPTER 30
While the twin was engrossed in playing with his newly found toy, Laura was pondering. She was resting against the wall with her hand under her chin.
She could vividly remember that when she left the room earlier, there was no such toy there and she hadn’t brought any along.
“Are you sure you aren’t the one who pulled the toy along?” She asked, crouching beside the twin as she stroked his hair.
“I didn’t.” He replied. Pushing her hand off his head, he placed the toy in front of her saying, “Do you know Superman is very powerful? He is one of the biggest and strongest heroes in the whole of America.”
“I know.”
“What about batman?” He asked, suspending his play for a while.
“I do.”
“What about Captain America?” He asked. Laura, already tired of his questions that would span for the next few minutes, threw her head backwards and then let out a sigh.
“Mom, do you know Captain America?” He asked, pushing her shoulder.
“Yes, yes I do. Can we just stop this already? Mom is drained and she needs to rest.”
“One more…”
“So…”
“Hulk? Do you know him?” He asked. He didn’t even give her the chance to respond before saying. “He is very big, and green. He looks like an alien because of his skin color. Mom, is he an alien?”
“I have no idea.” Laura replied, throwing her hand over her head.
When he didn’t say anything after her response, she sighed in relief as she lowered herself on the couch, her gaze fixed on the sleeping twin.
On a closer look, she discovered that the cover which was on his stomach before she left was now on his chest.
Pulling herself up, she dashed towards the bed and then grabbed his head as he peered at his face.
“I hope no one hurted him.” She muttered, taking note of his facial appearance. She was still observing him when the door creaked open and a nurse stepped in.
Rushing to her side, Laura asked, “Did you see anyone walk in earlier?” She was anticipating her response as she leaned towards her.
“No, I didn’t.” She replied, staring at her with a weird expression. “Ma’am is everything alright?” She asked the one question that had been the top most on her mind.
“Yeah… but…” she broke off, rubbing her forehead. Turning towards the direction of the kids, she exhaled before returning her gaze to the nurse who was still staring at her, urging her to speak with her looks.
“Was any of your belongings stolen? Please let me know so I can alert the security team immediately.” The nurse said hurriedly.
“No one stole from me.”
“Then what exactly is the problem?” The nurse, who was apparently frustrated, asked with her voice going over the edge.
“That toy wasn’t here…”
“Toy?”
“Yes.” Shs affirmed and then resumed. “When I stepped out earlier, there wasn’t a single toy in this ward but on my return, I found that on the bedside table.”
Her tale, which sounded funny, made the nurse start laughing. She laughed for a while before she realized that Laura wasn’t smiling back at her rather she was fuming with anger.
“Pardon my manners.” She said, cleaning her throat. “Kids can be very funny, you know. Who knows if it’s one of them that brought the toy along?” She shrugged but Laura, fully convinced that that wasn’t the case, shook her head vehemently.
“They didn’t. In fact, this is the first time I’m seeing that model.”
“Well, I have no idea about this but if you insist, I will lead you to the wire room. The tech expert there wouldn’t mind showing you footage of this ward.” The nurse said.
Laura, determined to find out who it really was, wanted to step out of the room with her but when she heard the twin who had been sleeping calling her name, she rushed towards him.
Cupping his face in her palm, she asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” He nodded, looking around the room. When his eyes landed on his brother who was in a world of his own, he tried to get down but Laura was quick to hold him back.
“The doctor said you should stay in bed.” She said with a stern tone to make him stay still. It only worked for a few minutes before he resumed making attempts to join his brother.
“If you don’t stop now, I will ask the nurse to inject you.” Laura snapped, only then did he stay still though he was still watching.
“I came around to check how he was faring since you informed us you were leaving earlier. Now that you are here, I will take my leave.” The nurse said with a little smile after which she took her leave.
“Why did she smile?” Laura asked, staring at her closed door. “My instincts keep telling me she has an idea on who walked in but she is pretending not to know.” She muttered, darting her eyes around.
Suddenly the door flew open and Riley made her way in, her heels clinking against the tiles as she swayed her hips towards them.
“Why the look?” She asked, flopping beside her on the couch.
“Someone came here.” Laura replied, shaking off the nurse’s expression from her head.
“I don’t understand.”
“While I was away, someone other than a nurse or even a worker in this hospital, walked in here and placed that toy on the bed side table.” She said Riley was about to speak when she cut in, “Just accept it and don’t argue.”
“Fine. Then why are you worried?” Riley asked in turn, peering at her face. “The toy is pretty, you know.”
“Let’s not have a conversation about this, okay.”
“Sure.”
After a few minutes of silence, Riley propped herself and then said, “You remember I told you I was hitting on Damien.”
“I did and I told you to stay away from him.” Laura replied quickly.
“Seems he is hitting on me now.” She muttered as Laura glared at her.
“I told you to stay off him right?”
“But you didn’t state your reasons.” Riley replied, avoiding her gaze.
“He works with Christian and anybody working with someone like him is just like him. Stay away from Damien, please.” She drawled in her speech so it would sink into Riley.
“That reminds me.” Riley said, snapping her fingers. “On my way here, I saw Christian pulling out of the garage. Did he come see his children?” She asked.
“You really saw him?” Laura asked for confirmation.
“I did but he didn’t see me. Who knows if he was the one that came around.” She said, accompanying her words with a shrug.
“You have a point.” Laura said, nodding slowly.
******
After leaving the hospital, Christian decided to meet up with Rhys. At the moment, they were sitting in his office, sharing a drink.
“Aren’t you going to tell me what happened at the hospital?” Rhys asked, starting up the conversation.
“I told you already. It’s not important.”
“Of course it is. I haven’t told you once but the truth is, I’m very interested in knowing how you are treating your kids.” Christian, clearly not expecting his words, left his hand suspended in the air for a while.
“I’m being serious here.”
“I’m trying but Laura doesn’t want me to go near the kids.”
“Flimsy excuse.” Rhys scoffed and then proceeded to take a sip from his glass.
“You’re calling it a flimsy excuse because you aren’t the one in my place. Laura had built a barricade between me and the kids…”
“And you didn’t make a move. Let me advise you, the kids are growing, if you don’t bond with them now, the end result wouldn’t be pleasant.”
“But Laura…”
“She isn’t valid here. Bond with your children and stop making excuses.” He snapped. “Laura is the mother of the kids and you are the father, both of you are the parents and therefore have equal rights for the children.”
“You clearly don’t understand what is going on. Laura doesn’t want me to be around the kids. I have tried penetrating but she wouldn’t give me the chance.”
“Reason being you are not desperate enough. If you are, she has no choice but to give you a chance.” Rhys said with an air of finality and when Christian didn’t give a response, he decided to switch the topic.
“What do you think about Riley?” Rhys asked, swirling the content of his glass as he stared back at Christian.
“Riley? Who’s she?” He asked with a confused look as he tried to remember who Riley was.
“Laura’s manager”
“Oh, okay. I get her now. So what’s it?” He asked, taking a swing from his glass.
“What do you think about her?”
Christian didn’t reply, instead, he gave him a weird look as he wondered why he brought up Riley in the middle of their discussion.