Vivian POV
My ears twitched in shock at the revelation.
Max’s Mom was dead? How? When? That is not possible! Can it be the reason for the stiff relationship between him and Hannah? No! There’s no way! Max had clearly introduced Hannah to me as his Mom the day we had gotten married so how come?
“I_ I don’t understand please. What do you mean by Max’s mother is dead? What about Hannah?” I asked all at once, my voice etched with bewilderment.
” It’s complicated dear, really really complicated. I can’t start explaining it now, I won’t be able to finish it” He replied as he stood up.
“You’ll get to know everything one day, just be patient, there are somethings I can’t tell you at the moment” He added. “Common, let’s go. Max would probably be raging right now that is if he hasn’t gone mad coming after you” He said with sarcasm as he took me by the hands and we strode out. My head whooshed, still unable to comprehend everything Mr Norman had revealed to me since today.
First, it was a mysterious boss whom he took orders from and now, I’ve come to understand that Hannah wasn’t really Max’s mother. But what confused me the most was the fact that Max was initially close to Hannah, I could remember vividly how she stood as his mother on our wedding day, how they conversed and laughed heartily but now, they seemed to be at a tight corner with each other the very first day we came into the family mansion. Hannah now seemed to prefer Daniel over Max when the love Should be equal. All of that all made sense to me now and I felt like there was more secrets between them that wouldn’t be so pleasant to the ears; perhaps, it was better I am oblivious to them.
We arrived at the parking lot outside the company and got into the cars, within second, the car sped off on the way.
“Please drop me off at Maxmillian Hospital, I want to see my Mom” I said to Mr Norman to his driver and he nodded.
” Your Mom is fine now?” Mr Norman asked and I nodded but then it struck me; how does he know my Mom or if she was sick?
“Do you know. my mother?” I asked and he smiled.
” I know a lot of things Vivian, things that could literally leave you shocked for weeks” He answered and I frowned, somehow feeling the depth of his words but decided to ignore the feelings.
” Don’t worry, we’ll go together, I want to see your Mom anyways,” He grinned, his eyes suspiciously turning exciting. It felt utterly strange unusual for Mr Norman to be in a lit up mood but all the itching questions that smeared in my mind I kept in place, it wasn’t the right time to ask all of them but one thing was sure for me no matter how unbelievable it seems; Mr Norman knew my Mom who has been sick for three years.
_____
The car pulled to a stop in front of the hospital and we got out. I immediately rushed in towards the ward where she was placed.
Earlier, she had left I and Max alone in the ward to get some cool breeze and should be back by Now. Mr Norman trailed gently behind me although in a fast pace as well as not to leave him behind.
As soon as we got in, there my Mom laid gently, her eyes shut, her face innocent like someone who couldn’t even breath a word. Her hand was crossed over hard face as she curled herself up under the bedsheets.
A warm feeling embedded in my heart as I looked at her face, before it used to be swollen and pale but now, it bustled with energy and liveliness.
” She’s still beautiful just like you” Mr Norman said behind me and I whirled around to face him.
“What do you mean? You sound like you’ve known my Mom for a long time” I said with curiosity and hs nodded.
“You’re right, I know your Mom, she used to__”
“Vivian” My mom’s voice broke out, cutting in on Mr Norman’s words and I turned back to my Mom as I quickly rushed to her side.
“Are you alright Mom? How do you feel? Any pain?” I inquired and shr nodded.
“I’m alright Vivian” She answered, her gaze swimming past me across the room to Mr Norman. For a moment, I noticed the intensity of the awkwardness between them, just as if each was trying not to speak to the other
Just what was this thing between them? I was yet to find out.
“Do you know him Mom? He’s Max’s father, my father-in-law” I chipped in and my mother’s gaze shifted back towards me.
” Where have you been Vivian. Max was worried about you, he said you collapsed” She replied, avoiding my question completely. I wasn’t the type to be left hanging on an obvious truth.
“I’m here now Mom and I’m fine, something came up and I had to rush out” I said ” Now Mom, do you know Mr Norman?” I demanded again and this time around, her gaze shifted back to him, lingering for a few minutes.
“Yes, I know him but just casually” She replied and I nodded, not wanting to press further seeing her tense up already.
I pulled her up and hugged her ” I’ll be leaving now Mom, I’ll come back tommorow I promise, I’m utterly exhausted” I said as I caressed her back gently an she tightened the embrace.
“It’s okay Vivian, you’ve already been through a lot and you need rest,” She broke off the hug, took my face in her palms and smiled at me ” I love you”
“I love you too Mom.” I said, almost breaking down to tears.
I stood up to leave, casting one final glance at her before Mr Norman spoke out.
” You still invade my thoughts a lot Catherine”