Denise paused and looked at her innocent face without responding, but she continued, “Are you still mad at me?”
“Eat your food first,” Denise responded and kept feeding her.
She took two more spoons and stopped.
“I am okay. Thank you,” she sobbed.
Unfortunately, Denise failed to respond to the situation. He was angry with the woman that he must save her life.
‘I have to concentrate on saving her life first. I can get angry later,’ he advised himself and smiled.
He scooped the food and then urged her, “Sweetheart, I don’t think you are okay. Just take more spoons and you will be okay.”
Olivia saw it as an opportunity to strike a bargain with her husband, and she quickly asked, “Answer me. Are you still mad at me?”
Denise smiled and asked her too, “Can I ever be mad at my beautiful Angel?”
(Peck)
She gave him a dampened smile and wiped the teardrops that trickled down her cheeks with the back of her hand. Denise was emotional at that point. He dropped the plate and the spoon on the center table and gave her a reassuring smile.
Then, he chided, “I know you love to cook for me, but it should not be to the detriment of your health. You know you cannot withstand stress for long.”
Those were not the words that she wanted to hear. So, she pressured on, hoping to get what she wanted.
“Hubby, are you still mad at me?” She asked nervously.
Denise noticed that he was responsible for the present stress she was going through. Then, he put down his guard and answered her question, “No. I am not. Are you all right?”
She smiled, put her legs down from the armrest, and curled up on his shoulder. She kissed him intensely. Denise placed his left hand on her waist and cooperated.
When she released him, she apologized again, “I am truly sorry, Hubby. Thank you for your understanding.”
He looked at her, gave her a peck, and requested, “Promise me you will be careful with our baby.”
“I promise. I will not disobey you again.”
He made her lie on his lap and continued, “If you joke with your health, you will bring trouble to yourself and the people around you. Did you get that?”
“I got it.”
(Peck)
“That is good. Meanwhile, thank you for the delicious meal.”
Olivia smiled and accepted his appreciation, “You are welcome. I am happy you love it.”
She got up from his lap and they ate silently until Denise broke the silence.
“How is your online school going?”
“It is progressing. I will use this month for publicity and I will take off the coming month.”
“That is good. Concentrate on that and ensure you have enough rest.”
“I have taken note, Hubby.”
“Good. Has Mom sent the details of your aunt’s wedding?”
“Not yet. I will remind her.”
“Please do.”
Tuesday Morning The Government Hospital
The depressed Lorene drove into the hospital looking pale as a result of a sleepless night. She could not figure out how she ended up with another man instead of the President of the Bailey International Conglomerates. Now, the right person to discuss her plight with was Evelyn. So, she parked her car at the staff car park and walked hurriedly to Evelyn’s office. To her consternation, her office was locked.
Then, she looked at her time and exclaimed, “Oh! She will be late to work today.”
She walked dejectedly to her office, sat down, and wondered over the events of the past week.
Suddenly, a thought flickered across her mind.
“How am I sure of the number that Mrs. Bailey gave to me? That fool must have given me another person’s number. I need to see her, now,” she concluded.
She got up angrily and took off to Nichole’s office.
Now, Zoey had recovered fully from her ill health. She was going through the files on the shelves, hoping to get the right file for her work for the day, when Lorene barged in. Before she could turn to see who walked in, she saw a hand coming over to her face for a slap.
“You idiot, you gave me the wrong person’s contact.”
Before Lorene’s hand could get to her face, she grabbed it, shook it vigorously, and left her. She staggered and slumped on the floor. She got up immediately and charged at her.
In self-defense, Zoey pushed her backward and she hit her head on the wall. At that moment, the janitor, who was coming to assist Zoey, walked in only to see Lorene on the floor and a blood stain on the wall.
She covered her mouth with her two hands and looked at the overwrought Zoey.
“Quick, get the stretcher,” she screamed.
“Okay Ma’am,” the janitor accepted and ran out of the office while Zoey dialed the emergency number. Within a few minutes, the janitor arrived with two staff members from the emergency unit with a wheeled stretcher. They lifted Lorene from the floor and placed her on the stretcher before they left without questions.
Now, some patients, who were already seated in the waiting room, and some staff members were gobsmacked.
Then, Zoey, who had incurred suffering for Nichole’s sake, took a deep breath and looked around the littered office while the janitor remained standing and wondered what must have happened.
“Gather the files and tidy up the place. I will be back,” she instructed the janitor before she walked out of the office and headed for the Superior’s office.
At the Barracks
Stephen woke up very upset for many reasons. He could not lay his finger on the claims of the beggars, the indigents, and the buskers. Neither could he explain how Nichole, who he abducted, turned out to be Oscar’s wife.
“How could the money meant for these people be in my hand? I believe it was a case of mistaken identity.”
Apart from that, Lorene’s silence was killing him. It was unlike her. He checked his phone for a response to his message, but he saw none.
He smiled and muttered, “She is angry with me. I will check her after the meeting at the barracks.”