*Nora*
The hospital was suddenly quiet now that Alejandro was gone. Williams was seated by the corner without a word. I ran my hand through my hair. When I fell in the hall and pretended to have lost consciousness, this was not the plan.
I didn’t think I’d have Williams watch me through the night instead of Alejandro. It was all going well; when Williams called Lucas and he came, I knew he would call his father. He is a good son. He wanted Alejandro to stay the night with me, and I thought it would be possible.
I thought Alejandro would stay, but he had to run off with an excuse, and I could do nothing about it.
I rested my head on the pillow, hoping to doze off, but I couldn’t.
I was already wearing this uncomfortable gown and had yet to wash my makeup off my face. It was no use staying here if Alejandro would not show up.
Feeling frustrated, I sat, leaning my back against the bed frame. Williams stood immediately and walked towards me, a worried expression plastered on his face.
“How are you feeling? Are you hurt? Should I call the doctor?” He asked all at once, and this irritated me. I almost screamed at him, but I kept my cool.
If I wanted to win Alejandro, I had to win his friend. I know Williams was his only friend, and he trusted him. If he could put in good words for me, then I’ll be with Alejandro in no time.
“I’m fine. No need to call the doctor. I want to sit for some time.” I said, and he nodded before going back to take his seat.
We were silent.
“How have you been?” He finally broke the silence. I knew he wasn’t asking about my health right now. I shifted uncomfortably in the bed.
I would rather we kept quiet and not talk to each other. But I had to reply. “I have been fine.” My reply was short, and I hoped we would keep it that way, but Williams seemed to have other plans as he spoke again, “It was so difficult to find you. Where did you go? Where have you been?” He asked
“You tried to find me?” I asked.
“Well, yes.” He answered reluctantly. My heart beamed in hope. Did Alejandro try to find me? Did he try to keep up with my life after our divorce?
Maybe I am trying too hard. If he had been trying to find me, then it means he still has feelings for me. I knew it, he loved me too much to just stop at once and let me go.
He is probably trying to play hard to get now and is using his secretary to spite me. How did I not think of this? I cleared my throat and tried to sound nonchalant as I asked, “Did Alejandro tell you to find me?”
“No, I did that on my own.” He answers. The light of hope which had lit up in my heart died at that moment. Why would Williams try to find me? Whatever the reason it was, I am not interested.
“So where did you hide? Why couldn’t I find you?” He was relentless in his quest for an answer.
“I have been around.” I gave a vague answer. I don’t owe him an explanation for where I was or anything.
“You were gone for long and didn’t even come back for all those years, not even once. Didn’t you miss our son? Have you ever thought of him?” He asked.
I gritted my teeth and replied, “Our son?” Since when did Lucas become his son?
“You know Lucas is like a son to me. So I call him my son, too.” He quickly explained. His hands traced the back of his phone; he avoided eye contact as he spoke.
“I don’t care if you see Lucas as your son or not. Don’t ever call him your son again. He is no one but Alejandro’s flesh and blood; do not forget that.” I warned sternly, feeling the anger in my stomach boil as the words “our son” echoed in my ears.
“I’m sorry if my words offended you. I will not call him that again.” He said.
I know Williams places a father figure for Lucas sometimes. Though I wasn’t here, I had my ways to get some information, especially on Lucas and Williams.
The room went back to being silent again.
The silence was deafening as Williams looked everywhere but me.
“How is your health? Is it that serious that you had to be admitted?” He asked, and at that moment, I felt he could see right through me.
“Do you think I’d be here if it wasn’t serious?” I asked. Inhaled sharply and didn’t hear his reply.
I kicked myself internally. Williams should be on my side. I had to be kinder to him. “I have been having the symptoms before I came back. Falling unconscious and being admitted to the hospital are two things I have become familiar with over time.” I said
“I see. You’ll be fine.” He said, and I nodded. “I’m glad you are back.” He said.
Before I could respond, his phone rang, and he stepped out.
He seemed to have doubts about my being here in the hospital, and I had no plans to change his thoughts. It was his head, and he could think whatever he wanted; at the end of the day, he would have to listen to what the doctor said.
While he was gone, I brought out my phone, which I had kept behind me. I was hell-tired of staying here, and it turned out that there was no need to stay.
I hoped Williams’s call would last for a while. Tired of alternating between sitting and lying down, I stood and placed my foot on the ground. I walked to the window and looked out from it, my phone in one hand.
People bristle around in their hospital gowns.
Sigh.
What an odd sight. If there was one thing I hate, it would be hospitals. Yet here I am, in a gown, and I have been here twice, all for one man. I ran my hand over my hair.
Turning away from the window, I opened my messenger app, and my hands danced around the keyboard. I sent a message to the doctor.
“I am tired and would love to be discharged. Come in when Williams comes back.”
I had paid him so he would let me go when I wanted.
Hearing footsteps, which I guess were from Williams, I rushed back to the bed and sat. The door soon opened, and just as I guessed, he opened the room and stepped inside.
“I’m sorry that it took so long.” He apologized as he took his seat.
“It’s fine,” I said. He could take all the time in the world for all I cared.
Silence.
He kept checking his phone and typing, his brows occasionally furrowing. “Do you have other engagements?” He lifted his head and met my gaze, “uhhh?” He didn’t hear me.
“Are you busy?” I rephrase the question. “No. Why?” He held his phone and didn’t look down when it beeped. “Nothing, it’s just that you seem busy,” I said, moving my eyes to his phone. He followed my gaze and smiled.
“Oh! No, I’m not busy. I just had a quick message to send.” He said. Without checking the message, he placed the phone inside his pocket.
“Is there anything you would want to eat?” He asked. I must say he is a very devoted friend. He wants to take care of his friend’s ex-wife just because he was asked. I envy him. If I were in his shoes, I’d have long left.
“I’m fine; I’m not hungry.” I was hungry for something different: Alejandro’s presence.
“Okay.” He said.
I placed one hand over the other and looked at him from beneath my lashes. He was not staring at me, but instead, he was gazing out of the window.
He suddenly turned to stare at me; I tried to look away. I wanted to ask about Alejandro and ask for his help in getting Alejandro back, but I don’t know how to do it. I knew I had to use whatever I could to make sure he was on my side.
“You have something to say?” He asked.
“Yes… no… I mean, yes.” I inhaled sharply, “I do.” A look of concern flashed through his eyes, and my lips pulled to the side slightly, a small sinister smile threatening to break, but I held it in.
“What do you want to say? I’m all ears, ” he said, leaning out of his chair.
“Well, I…” I closed my eyes and opened it; I wanted to make it seem like it was hard to say; I had to gain his sympathy. He had to pity me to help me.
“Where is Alejandro right now? Does he truly have a business to take care of by this time of the night?” I asked.
“You will have to ask him yourself.” His reply was blunt and straight. I nodded in understanding, blaming myself for thinking he would give me such crucial information.
But I wasn’t going to give up. If he can’t tell me about Alejandro, he can tell me about that bitch of a secretary that he always kept around him.
“You have something else to say?” He asked me. “How did you know?” I asked back.
“It’s on your face.” He paused, then continued, “You can ask. If it’s something I can answer, of course, I’ll give you an answer.” He says.
I nodded in understanding and cleared my throat before asking, “When did he get a new secretary?”
“Alejandro?” He asked.
Who else would I be asking about?
“Yes,” I replied meekly. “Didn’t know you kept a tab on his secretaries.” He said in a suspicious voice. I tucked some loose strands of hair behind my ears.
“Not really. I’m just curious about this one. Where did she come from? Alejandro seemed close to her,” I said.
“What do you want to know about her?” He asked.
Everything. But I decided to go one step at a time.
“Does Alejandro like her?” I asked. He had said it, but I still have my doubts. She wasn’t the type of woman he liked, and she looked young. Also, she looked like a peasant.
“He seems serious about her.” That was all he said.
Anger boiled within me. Not jealousy, but anger. You can only be jealous of someone you love.
I was vexed that such a girl could have the attention of Alejandro. Why her and not me? I’m I
“You want Alejandro?” He asked.
“You ask something so obvious,” I said, not bothering to hide the anger shimmering in my eyes.
“But you don’t love him.” He said, and I raised my head to stare at him, “who said.” I asked.
“Come on, Nora. I know.”
I didn’t like where the conversation was going, “I am not having this conversation with you.” Now, I wanted the doctor to come in as fast as he could. He should be here already; what was holding him back?
“Remember your promise, Nora.” He said, his eyes suddenly became red. “You promised me that you would never…” He said, his voice a bit over the top.
“And you also promised not to ever bring that up,” I said, interrupting him.
“Well, I would not have…” he stopped. His breath was heavy, “fine.” He said and apologized.
“But it’s impossible.” He then said after a moment of silence. I knew what he meant, but I wasn’t going to accept that.
“What is impossible?” I asked, feigning ignorance.
“Getting back into Alejandro’s life,” he said.
I let out a low laugh and crossed my hands, “Oh yes, it is. It will be possible.” I paused and looked directly into his eyes, “because you will be helping me.”