OLIVIA
“Since no one wants to speak, I guess I would need to do that myself. I don’t have the time in the world to wait for you all to decide. Someone’s life is at stake here.” Doctor Escobar broke the silence. The suspense was starting to irritate him. Not just Escobar, I was also getting fed up with Kate’s mind games, and I was glad that Escobar came through for me when it mattered the most.
“Doctor, what’s the current situation of my husband? Is he going to get better soon?” I asked the doctor. As much I hated Cyril, I still want him alive. If he’s going to die, then I shouldn’t be responsible.
“Can we go talk about this in my office? It’s confidential, and I don’t want a 3rd party interference,” he demanded. Without being told, I knew he was talking about Kate.
“Why your office? Kate is more than an assistant to me. I consider her part of the family. You’re free to disclose any information in front of her,” I consented. Regardless of how Kate has been acting lately, I still defended her with everything that mattered to me. I needed to show her the two sides of me she hadn’t witnessed.
“I would just go and leave you two to talk,” Kate muttered. She bowed to pressure and wanted to walk away wearing the garment of Shame.
“Come back here Kate. You’re going to be part of this conversation and that’s final,” I called her back.
“Ma’am, please don’t do this. I don’t want to inconvenience you,” She begged to leave, and I still declined. I knew it wasn’t about the doctor. She was just ashamed that I still trusted her despite the disrespect shown towards me earlier.
“Since you insist, I would just obey your command. Who am I to disobey you?” She finally conceded.
“Doctor, please proceed,” I implored Escobar and signaled him to continue with his discussion.
“So we got good and bad news. Which do you prefer to hear?” He asked me. With the sad look on his face, It didn’t seem like there was good news.
“Just get on with it.
I don’t care what this is about. I just want to know If my husband would be fine,” I snarled.
“Yes, he would be fine. As we speak, he is awake.” He divulged.
“He’s awake now?
What am I waiting for? I should go see him immediately,” I demanded.
“Not so fast,” he stopped me. I couldn’t understand why he did that. He just disclosed that Cyril was awake.
“That was the good news I was referring to. Let’s head down to the bad news,” he said to me with the same body language. I was shocked to see him frown when he broke the good news to me.
“Before I proceed with the bad news, who is Rene? I must know her because your husband won’t stop chanting her name,” he narrated. At the mention of Rene, my blood pressure increased.
“Why does she have to do with this? This is my husband we are talking about. Why would he be calling her name?” I bemoaned. If there’s any name that ought to be on Cyril’s lips, it should be mine and no one else because I’m his wife.
“I hate to break this to you, but the truth is, your husband suffered severe brain damage that led to a temporary memory loss. Currently, the only person he remembers is Rene.” He explained without mincing words. Rene always has a way of torturing me, even in her absence.
A while ago, I wanted her to keep an eye on Cyril while I went on vacation. I had no idea that it was going to happen so fast.
“Are you saying he won’t recognize me?” I asked.
“I’m afraid not.
The only person he cares about right now is Rene. Until she’s here, your husband’s situation will get worse. Do you know this lady? What’s her relationship with him?”
“She’s his cousin.
We aren’t on talking terms. That’s why I don’t want her around,” I lied. I couldn’t bring myself to tell Escobar that Rene was his sidepiece. That would not only be a slap to my face, it would also reduce me to filth.
“I see.
Regardless of what happens, she must be here in the next 24 hours if you love your husband. If you excuse me, I wish to tend to other patients,” Doctor Escobar advised and walked away, leaving me to ponder on my thoughts alone.
“You heard what he said, right? What am I gonna do now? I’m doomed for eternity,” I lamented to Kate, hoping she would provide the best solution.
“Doomed? No, you’re not. You should be elated that your wish finally came to pass. Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted?” Kate smirked and went to sit down. I thought she was going to be different, and I was wrong. She complicated my situation.
“So this is all you are going to say? Are you going to pin this on me now? What in heaven’s name is wrong with you?” I blasted Kate. She was getting on my last nerves, making me go crazy. She pushed me to the wall, making me do nasty stuff. I had to move away from her and control my rage.
“Should we still book the flight to Singapore since your wish has now come to pass?” She mocked me.
I was devastated, gutted, and mad at Kate. I promised not to hit her anymore, yet she’s making it difficult for me to keep up with the promise.
“Olivia? How’s your husband doing? I do hope he’s getting better,” I heard someone calling my name while I paced around, seeking for solution to my problem.
I looked around and discovered it was Adrian. I immediately focused my gaze on Kate because I knew this was her doing.
“I guess I have got to go now,” Kate stood up and whispered in Adrian’s ears. She left before I got the opportunity to speak. She left me alone with the man who made me hit my husband.