Isabella
It was Wednesday, two days after Tristan’s birthday. We got ready at the same time, and by that, I meant we took a shower together and had a quickie, a hot one.
We went downstairs for breakfast, and after that, we got into the car, while he drive drove us to the office. The office has become quite busy and I’ve barely had my me time or even do my journal anymore.
“Your schedule is pretty packed today,” I said to him and he just nodded in response. I peeped through his phone to find out he was responding to emails.
“Would you be having lunch with me today?” I asked him
“Of course muffin,” I doubt he even heard I just laughed.
“You’re having lunch with an important client, Mr., and she’s not muffin,” I eyes him, and he dropped his phone and turned to stare at me.
“Oh right,” he sighed when we recalled.
“I’m sorry,” he kissed my palms while I chuckled.
“It’s okay boss, I fully understand you’re busy,” I smiled at him and rubbed my nose on his while he kissed me briefly.
“I have things to do today, so we’ll chat at home,” I said to him.
“Things? I’m unaware. Brief me,” He said and turned off his phone giving me full attention.
“Oh God this man,” I smiled noticing how he dropped everything he was doing to listen to me.
“But I couldn’t tell him my plan, I wanted to go for another check-up, and then meet up with an old friend,” I sighed.
“We are here,” His driver said and I was grateful we arrived at the right time.
He opened the door for us, and we got out of the car. Tristan held my hands and walked with me to the office. There weren’t so many whispers as before and I guess people were beginning to accept that this was their new reality.
“I’ll see you soon,” Tristan said and kissed my cheeks, while I waved at him as he walked into his office, while I walked to my cubicle.
I got deeply into work, setting up the meeting room, and then updating new files for Tristan. We were busy, like really busy and I was doing my best to support him as much as I could. I looked at my phone and I was left with an hour before lunchtime.
So I sent fruit salad I had made from home with a cute note for Tristan, before leaving the office. I hailed a cab and got a free minutes later, we were in the hospital. I went straight to Doctor Eddie’s office and we talked about how we could move on after the surgery. He talked about chemotherapy and everything I needed to do.
“You have a big chance to live a long life,” He stated and I smiled at him.
“I do want to live, and I hope everything goes well,” I said to him, as he walked me out of the hospital, I looked around the place crowded with people but I felt uneasy, my sixth sense kinda made me feel like I was being watched but I kicked that idea away.
“I’m cheering you on, in and out of surgery,” he said to me and lifted his hand in the air.
“Thank you so much doctor Eddie’s. Most importantly thank you for putting up with me,” I said emotionally, it was like my feelings were all over the place.
“It’s all good now. I’m glad it was worth it, here we are talking about your surgery,” he said and we both laughed when my phone beeped.
“Excuse me,” I said and pulled my phone. My bag. I pressed the power button, and it was a message from Ava. I smiled and tapped on it, but when I saw the content my face dissolved.
“You have to tell Tristan, or else I’ll be forced to do it on your behalf,” I sighed.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. I get she’s my friend, but talking to Tristan on something that personal, was unacceptable, even if she thinks she was helping me or doing a favor for me,” I sighed and turned around to see Doctor Eddie, speaking with someone before I left the hospital.
I got into a cab and immediately made a phone call to the friend, stating I was on my way.
“Yes, I’ll meet you at the cafe close to my workplace,” I said over the phone.
“Okay then,” I responded after their response.
“I’ll see you soon too,” I said and ended the call.
It wasn’t a long ride, a few minutes later I was at the cafe and there he was sitting at the table close to the window waiting for me.
“Hey,” I smiled brightly when I walked to him.
“Isabella,” He smiled at me and pulled out a seat, while I sat down smiling at him.
“You look lovely Micah,” I said with a smile on my face and he chuckled.
“I should be saying that, ’cause damn you ate glowing,” he said to me, and I blushed at his words.
“How have you been? How’s work?” I threw the usual question at him and he responded smiling.
“How’s he? Are you guys still together?” He asked not with sadness, he just asked.
“Yes, we are in a good place now,” I told him and he smiled.
“I guess that explains the glow,” He said.
“I’m happy that you’re happy,” He added and I felt joyous hearing that considering how things ended between us.
“Do you want to order anything, it’s on me,” I told him.
“Maybe next time,” he responded nicely.
“So, why did you want to see me? You said it was an emergency,” He stated and I sighed.
“Yeah, I really need your help with something,” I started.
“You see I have cancer and I’m having surgery soon, I need you to help me sign up some papers and probably be there for me in case things don’t go great or not,” I rushed my words, without giving him any space to assimilate what I said.
The truth was I would have said this slower, but considering how people reacted when they received bad news, I wanted to skip that part. I don’t want the pity, I was going to get treated, and hopefully, I’ll be fine.
“Hold on, what?” He looked stunned.
“Yeah, so would you please help me?” I asked him like I hadn’t just said the most heartbreaking thing to him.
“Jesus Isabella,” He was unhappy.
“You can’t just suddenly dump that you’re dying on me without giving me time to process that information,” He rose on his feet, brushing his hands through his hair.
“I’m not dying, it’s just cancer,” I said.
“A terminal illness seems like dying to me,” He groaned staring at me in sadness and pity.
There it was, that look I hated. I didn’t want to see it.
“Does he know? Your family?” He quickly sat down and held my hands asking in concern, but I pulled away instantly.
“No, and don’t you dare tell him anything,” I pointed at him with a glare on my face, while he scoffed immediately.
“Look, my friends are aware and they are going to tell Tristan and wouldn’t be able to keep it to themselves. But you, I believe you would not,” I stated confidently.
“God Isabella, why are you protecting him from this? Are you scared it will break him? Why?” Years fell from Micah’s eyes and I felt sad. He was right it would break Tristan, and I didn’t want that.
“I also love you, I also have feelings for you, why don’t you protect me too? Don’t you think I’ll be broken by this?” He poured out and I sniffed in.
“Micah,” I tried to reach for his hands, but he immediately stood on his feet, resting his head on the wall as he cried.
“Don’t leave me with this burden, don’t break me too, I don’t know if I can be strong for you,” He sniffed in.
“Yes you can,” I stood on my feet, walked up to him, and pulled him for a hug.
“It’s going to be okay,” I patted his back.
“It’s going to be fine,” I told him and rubbed his back, as his body started to slowly relax.
I am the one who is supposed to be told that, but here I am giving my comfort to the person who was supposed to comfort me instead…