Leilani was rolling from one place to the other on the king-size bed, giggling with pure joy while replaying the memory of Nelson’s lips on hers. She couldn’t deny the intense desire for more of that kiss, yearning for it to linger longer. Her craving for Nelson’s sinful touch consumed her entirely.
She was fully aware of her infatuation with him, her grin widening as she jumped out of bed and reached for her phone. To her dismay, it was not where she had thought she left it. She remembered bringing it to the kitchen this morning while helping out with chores.
Hastily, she dashed out of her bedroom and made her way towards the stairs. However, she slipped on something oily that made her lose her balance. “Ahhh!” she screamed as she desperately tried to grab onto the handrails, but it was too late. She tumbled down the stairs and blacked out upon impact.
Meanwhile, Nelson sat in his office, still smiling at his assistant as he stared at him in confusion. “Yes, Herbert. I’ve been in love before and it was all natural. No one taught me how to love a woman,” Nelson began, his smile fading as he drifted into deep contemplation.
“And now, I realize that my reluctance to open up my heart again is driven by the fear of getting hurt. I don’t want to be betrayed by the woman I love,” he confided with a heavy heart.
Herbert let out a soft sigh, nodding in understanding as he sat up straighter. “I understand your concerns, Mr. Carter. But you must know that love cannot be taught. It comes naturally, and it’s impossible to fight against it no matter how hard you try,” Herbert imparted wisely.
“And secondly, Mr. Carter. Do you believe someone like her would betray your affections?” inquired Herbert, causing Nelson to abruptly straighten up and clear his throat.
“And who has informed you of my alleged love for Lani?” Nelson questioned shyly, snatching up his tablet as if avoiding Herbert’s gaze.
“You, sir,” Herbert responded promptly.
“What do you mean? I never mentioned Lani’s name here,” Nelson retorted, his tone sharp, causing Herbert to chuckle.
“You have now mentioned her name twice, sir. Furthermore, if you do not hold feelings for Miss Hernandez, who else has managed to penetrate your cold heart?” inquired Herbert curiously, only to receive a frosty glare from Nelson.
“Did you just refer to my heart as cold?” Nelson glared at Herbert, a chill in his tone as if he wanted to freeze him in place.
“Oops,” Herbert muttered softly in fear, cowering in his seat. “That was a slip of the tongue. Forgive me, sir,” he apologized, shaking in fear.
Just as Nelson was about to respond, his phone began to ring, and his mood immediately brightened upon seeing the name flash across the screen.
“Already missing me?” he teased as he answered the call.
“Leilani is in the hospital, Nelson. We-” Susan’s panicked voice caused Nelson to spring up from his seat.
“What?!” He exclaimed, already rushing out the door. “What happened, Mom? Why is she in the hospital? Our hospital? I am on my way,” he announced, his voice full of urgency.
As he spoke into the phone, he was already out of the door, leaving his assistant to chase after him.
“Let me drive, Mr. Carter. You seem to be in a hurry,” Herbert said, trying to catch up to him in the parking lot, but Nelson had already taken the driver’s seat.
Herbert quickly slid into the passenger’s seat, hastily buckling his seatbelt as the car sped out of the lot.
“Oh my goodness!” Herbert exclaimed, startled by the sudden movement, his fear only increasing upon seeing the intense anger and determination on Nelson’s face.
In a matter of minutes, they reached the hospital. Nelson was the first to exit the vehicle, neglecting to turn off the engine as he practically sprinted into the hospital.
With his familiarity amongst the staff, it did not take long for him to be directed to Leilani’s room.
“Leilani!” he exclaimed as soon as he entered, his eyes landing on her form lying on the bed. One of her legs was wrapped in a gauze bandage, reaching down to her toes, and her eyes were closed shut.
“She’s safe now. The danger has passed,” Susan spoke with a weary sigh, and it was then that Nelson noticed his mother’s presence in the room.
“Then why is she not waking up?” Nelson inquired, his forehead creased in worry as he observed Leilani’s sleeping face.
“She was given a sedative. The doctor believed it was necessary to ease her pain,” Susan explained as she sat down on the bed next to Leilani.
Nelson let out a heavy sigh, Herbert entering the room at the same time.
He lifted his head and questioned, “Now would you kindly inform me of what happened, Mom?”
“I was in the yard, conversing with the gardeners when I heard a commotion from the house. It was Leilani’s voice, so I hurried inside and found her lying there, motionless,”
“Thank goodness the cook was still present. She was the one who noticed some cooking oil spilled on the stairs, which clearly caused the accident,” Susan recounted.
“Cooking oil?” Nelson repeated, perplexed.
Susan affirmed.
“But how is that even possible, Mom? Who would go to the extent of pouring oil on the stairs, and for what reason?” Nelson did not direct the question towards anyone in particular.
“Can you believe that Ariel did not come down to check on the noise?” Susan added.
Nelson scoffed in disbelief, his fingers running through his hair.
“Does that make her the suspect?” Herbert spoke up.
“If she’s not the culprit, then who else could have deliberately spilled oil on the floor? She’s evil, Herbert. Do not underestimate her,” Susan expressed, her features contorted in fury.
And with that, Nelson abruptly stood up and stormed out of the room in a fit of anger.