He locked Emily’s hands in his and walked out of the ward.
As they walked through the passage, Emily took a peek through the glass windows of the ward opposite Joel’s.
She looked down at the frail body of the lady lying on the hospital bed. Taking her gaze away from the lady, she shifted it over to the man on the chair who had obvious eye bags below his lids. He looked weary and tired but in between those looks was a look of determination. Determination to stay wide awake until the lady on the bad gets better.
That man, Emily knew. Michael Manchester.
She furrowed her eyes as Joel led her down the passage towards the back exit.
‘Who is the lady…’ she thought.
She shrugged off the thought as she stepped in the car, Joel holding the door open.
She was going back to the villa.
*****
As soon as the couple arrived at the villa, everyone was happy that they were back. They all felt their absence. The maids, guards, gatekeepers, and the chef waited anxiously for their arrival.
None of them knew why the brothers, Danielle and Emily didn’t come back home that night, after the party, but they were sure something was wrong.
As the duo walked into the lounge, they were welcomed with the sight of Little Pumpkin sobbing silently on one of the couches.
Emily’s heart broke on sighting her darling.
After the party two nights ago, Michael’s chauffeur had driven Little Pumpkin home.
He had asked after his dad, his uncle and also his pretty noona but the head of maids had simply replied him with a “they will be back soon.”
He felt dejected, abandoned, and sad. Refused to sleep and rejected his meals. He was now almost burning up with fever.
“My darling…” Emily called softly as she walked towards him.
At the sound of Emily’s voice, Little Pumpkin shut his mouth abruptly and snapped his neck upward.
Sighting her, he got off the chair and scampered towards Emily.
He wrapped his hands around her waist and hugged her like his life depended on it.
Little Pumpkin sobbed like the kid he was. “Why did you all leave me? Wae?”
Emily fought back her tears as she returned his hug, “I’m sorry darling.”
Joel let out a small smile as he watched the duo. He was sure Little Pumpkin would be excited to see his mother again.
He felt pity for the little boy.
Summoning up all of her strength, Emily carried Little Pumpkin and headed to the dinning table. She noticed he looked lean and had picked he had not been eating.
The maids served the trio dinner, filling the table with side dishes and main dishes.
“You need to eat so that you can gain strength to beat up your uncle Joel, okay?” Emily said teasingly as she fed Little Pumpkin.
Joel arched up one of his brows, “Mbo?”
“Why me? Wae?” He asked, pouting.
Little Pumpkin giggled happily as he gulped down the food his noona fed him.
As soon as they were done with dinner, Emily led Little Pumpkin to his room. She took a shower for him, wore him his pajamas and put him to sleep.
She then kissed him goodnight, switched off the light and walked as silently as she could out of his room.
“Yah… you shouldn’t only take care of other people, you should take care of yourself too.”
Joel cautioned lovingly as soon as he saw Emily.
He had waited by Little Pumpkin’s door till Emily stepped out.
Emily smiled. “Yes sir.”
Joel twitched his lips as they climbed up the stairs.
“I’m fine.” Emily assured him.
He nodded his head and held open the door to Emily’s room.
She grinned as she walked through the doorway. “Kamsahamnida!”
Joel smiled and closed the door behind him after he had also walked into Emily’s room.
She smiled at the sight of her purse. She knew the almighty CEO had seen to it that her belongings got to the villa.
She walked towards her bed and took her phone from her purse. She had missed calls. Two from her manager, one from her personal assistant, three from her mum, and one from her knight in shining armor, Vincent. She sighed and dialed her mum’s number.
“Annyeon, omma.” She spoke into the mouthpiece of her phone as soon as her mum had picked the call.
“Emily… Why haven’t you been picking your calls?” Her mother asked, sounding pretty much concerned.
“Omma. Mianae, mianae, omma..” Emily pleaded.
“It’s okay my daughter. But we need to talk.” Mrs Chen replied.
“Ahh, arasso omma. I’ll come over to the house.” Emily assured.
“Good. Take care of yourself okay? My poor baby.” Mrs Chen said, sniffing.
“Alright mum.” Emily replied, nodding her head like her mum could see her and fighting back the tears that had welled up in her eyes.
She missed her mother a lot. And her brother too.
Joel puckered his lips and walked towards his wife. He captured her in his arms, gently patting her on her back.
He felt pity for her, she had really gone through a lot as a woman.
Carrying her in his arms, he placed her on the bed and stared into her eyes. He loved her, he was sure. Using his thumbs, he wiped her tears and smooched her forehead.
Henceforth, he wouldn’t let anything harm her. Not even a fly. He would definitely make sure of that.
****
Joel tucked Emily in after he was sure she was already asleep and kissed her goodnight.
Silently, he excused himself from the room and headed to his room. He stood before the mirror, staring at himself. Indeed, he looked like a piece of trash.
Joel smiled and turned around. He took his clothes off and tossed them into the basket, heading straight for the bathroom. He took his time to scrub dirt off his body.
After the CEO was done taking his bath, he wore his robe strode out of the bathroom.
He stood elegantly before the mirror and smiled.
He smirked, “not bad.”
He headed towards his bed and stopped mid track when he heard sounds that seemed more like groans.
He listened attentively and soon, he heard a scream.
Joel didn’t think twice before rushing out of his room to Emily’s.
He turned on the lights and saw Emily covered in sweats, sobbing like a child and squeezing the duvet in her hands as her whole body shivered. Joel sat on a side of the bed and placed Emily’s head on his shoulder, stroking her hair.
“He… he.. he wwwa-un-ted to raaaee-pe meee” Emily lips quivered.
As soon as he heard the words, Joel squeezed his eyes shut.
Now, Emily was having a nightmare about the incident…
Slowly, Joel opened his eyes. “It’s okay, you are safe now.”
Emily cried as the incident came playing in her head.
After a while of cradling, soothing and petting, Joel helped Emily get in bed and also got in beside her.
Using a clean cloth, he dabbed gently on her face and neck. He watched silently as Emily fell asleep.
He decided to stay by her side throughout the night in case there was another nightmare.
****
But thankfully, there was no other nightmare. Emily had slept peacefully throughout the night till the following morning.
“Annyeon!” Her husband waving his hand at her was the first thing Emily saw when she woke up the next morning.
Joel had made sure he was awake throughout the night, watching over his wife. And as soon as it was morning, he had slipped out of the room to take his bath.
When he was done, he had slipped back into Emily’s room and and watched her till she stirred awake.
Emily smiled at him and yawned.
“The doctor will be here very soon. You have to brush your teeth and come down for breakfast before he gets here.” Joel said, carring Emily down from the bed.
Emily grinned as she watched Joel drop her on the floor. “Aarasso.”
“I’ll be waiting.” Joel smiled and headed downstairs.
Emily didn’t waste time in brushing her teeth and taking her bath. Immediately she was dressed up, she headed down the stairs to the dinning where Joel and Little Pumpkin were already waiting for her to join them.
“Noona!” Little Pumpkin screamed at the sight of Emily.
“Yah!” Joel yelled at Little Pumpkin as he felt the boy’s scream almost damaged his eardrums.
Emily grinned and ruffled Little Pumpkin’s hair delightfully.
“Hope you slept well huh?…” She asked, taking her sit.
“Nde!” Little Pumpkin replied.
He was looking much more better than the previous day.
Emily grinned. “Good boy”
Joel furrowed his brows as something flashed through his eyes.
“Little Pumpkin why aren’t you dressed for school?” He asked, twitching his mouth.
“….” Little Pumpkin went dumb.
“I heard you didn’t go to school yesterday too.” Joel said, sneering at the little boy.
“Yah… you’re skipping school now. Unbelievable! Wait until your mum and dad finds out.” Joel added.
“Mom?” Emily and Little Pumpkin chorused.
“Uhn.” Joel nodded his head.
“You know that your mum travelled right? She’s back.” Joel said, smiling.