OLIVIA
I felt my complete self again the moment we arrived at the hospital to finalize the agreement.
I considered my mission accomplished, even though Cyril hadn’t regained his lost memory. The only issue I had was convincing Rene to do this with me. Since that has been settled, it equally means the majority of my worries are over.
“Wait! Don’t go yet,”
Rene halted us the moment we were about to go inside the hospital.
I wasn’t sure why she had to do that. Stopping our movement scared me. I had a bad feeling that Rene was about to start another heated moment that may be more difficult than the previous one.
“Why did you stop us? We are just a few steps ahead from entering inside to visit Cyril?” I protested.
I turned out to be the only one who could question Rene’s action while Kate and Adrian both stood there with their lips sealed.
“What would be my reward for doing this? We need to reach an agreement on that.” Rene made the audacious demand that swept me off my feet.
“Reward?
What reward are you talking about?”
I pretended not to know what she meant.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Olivia. You need to stop playing mind games with me.
I didn’t agree to be a caregiver for nothing. Of course, I deserved to be compensated for my time. If it was easy to neglect your activities to spend your entire day with Cyril, why did you contact me for this?” She tossed a provocative question.
“Fine! I completely understand now. I wouldn’t want to start another argument with you,” I surrendered quickly.
“Before we proceed, does the compensation involve me giving up money? I want to know,” I kept dragging the words because I wanted Rene to hit the nail on the head and state her real intentions.
“Most definitely. Do you know why? I completely deserved it. You’re smart and I like that. It shows we could be great partners,” she blushed.
“Partners?
What is she even talking about?” I said to myself.
“I’m going to pay you twenty thousand until Cyril fully recovers. How about that?” I proposed. That was the moment I needed to consult Adrian’s advice until I figured out it would ruin our plans. We already made Rene believe that wasn’t part of us.
“That’s a poor offer for a tedious job like this. I’m sure you can, or better. This isn’t someone you just wake up and engage in. You need to be more clinical. I am not a staunch advocate for people who lie for a living. Now you’re turning me into one.
If you were a medical practitioner, you would spend more, and you know that,” Rene declined just when I thought I had everything under control.
“I thought you loved him? His recovery should be your priority.
Why are you taking advantage of his situation?” I wailed.
Regardless of how ugly the situation was, it gives me joy that Adrian was here to witness everything, including the toxicity and greediness from Rene. I can’t wait for Adrian to tell Cyril about it once he’s back on his feet again.
I would have done that myself, but unfortunately, Cyril would never believe me. He will have every reason to believe that I plotted against Rene to make him hate her. That’s how worse my marriage has become.
“Are you still thinking about it? If you’re not ready to accept my demand, I suggest you let me go. I didn’t come here to be kept in suspense,” Rene berated me.
“Accepted! Fifty thousand dollars.
Can we go now?” I finally accepted. I had no idea when such a fee emerged from my lips. It becomes worse that I can’t reverse my decision, not after listening to Rene’s threat to leave if I fail to meet her demand.
“Fifty what?”
Kate’s voice echoed as she reacted to my agreement.
“This is so ridiculous.” She continued to rant. Seeing her acting that way was partially worrisome to me. She was on the verge of ruining what I’ve worked so hard to achieve.
“Can you please excuse me? I need to have a word with my assistant,” I dragged Kate to an isolated corner a few miles away from Rene.
“Ouch! You almost ripped my skin off. Why did you have to drag me that way?” She cried.
“Dragged you?
I haven’t started it.
What are you trying to do? Sabotage my mission?” I queried.
I tried not to raise my voice to avoid causing a scene.
“Fifty thousand dollars is too much. She’s just taking advantage of you. What if she escapes after paying her?” Kate pointed. She seemed to have made a very valid point.
“I’ve always known that you’re smart but on this one, you missed it,” I praised Kate and quickly took the glory from her almost immediately.
“Who says I’m paying her in full? As for the money, I would ensure that Cyril pays me back every damn penny once his memory is restored,” I revealed. It was a deep secret that no one was aware of.
I only asked Kate to stop her from asking too many questions that may force Rene to pull out of the deal.
“So, how’s the payment going to be?” That was the first question Rene asked immediately we went back to her.
“Twenty thousand dollars as the upfront fee. Balance comes after your job Is done!” I told her.
Kate stayed mute after discovering my hidden motives.
“After you,” she made a gesture, asking me to walk down Cyril’s ward.
Luckily for us, we encountered Doctor Escobar the very moment he stepped outside his office.
He didn’t see us immediately, so I called him and also waved to get his attention.
“Doctor, this is the Rene that my husband won’t stop talking about. You suggested that she’s brought here. Woo, here she is,”. I did the introduction before exchanging pleasantries with him.
“You’re the Rene they told me about?” Escobar was surprised after seeing Rene. The way they shared a telling look made me wonder if they’d met each other before.