Chapter 32 Beautiful Blessing
JESSICA
I looked at Mom.
She shook her head, eating her meal.
"Go on, champ." Dad urged.
"We raced and I won," David said.
"Wow. Really?" Dad asked happily.
"Yes,"
"That's my boy. High five," Dad said, making me look at him.
A fulfilling smile is dancing on his face and his hand is up a bit waiting for David's. David gave him a high five, chuckling afterward.
"You did great, son."
"Thank you,"
"I will get you a brand new bicycle soon."
"Yay!" David squealed happily.
"You are my one and only smart kid."
"Leo!" Mom yelled.
"What?"
I put down my fork as my heart tightened more. I got on my feet, attracting Mom's attention.
"Jessica,"
"I will eat in my room, Mom. Excuse me" I said, picking up my meal and walking out of the table.
I headed for the stairs.
"That was a very terrible thing for you to say, Leo." I heard my mom say as I ran up the stairs.
Tears rolled down my face while I walked along the hallway. I walked into my room and closed the door before walking towards my reading desk.
I placed my meal on the table, void of appetite.
I let out a sigh, grabbing a tissue from my bookshelf and wiping my tears.
I looked at the ceiling, fanning my eyes as I let out a breath.
My techniques are no longer helping.
I ran my fingers through my hair and let out a sigh.
I picked up my fork and picked up a small portion of my chicken. I put it into my mouth, still void of appetite.
Mom made the food with love. I can't waste it.
Besides, it is a sin to waste food.
A lot of people out there don't have.
I picked up another portion of my meal and took it into my mouth as tears flowed down my face.
I closed my eyes, took in a breath, and out.
"I am special. I am blessed. I am.....I am...." I covered my face with my palms, sobbed silently as my heart bled.
A knock came on my door, making me put down my hands.
I wiped my face and ate another portion as the door opened.
"Honey," Mom's voice added more tears to my eyes.
I didn't look at her but moved my fork on my meal.
She walked closer to me, crouched down, and caressed my hair with her hand, making me look at her.
She is looking at me with emotion in her eyes.
A question was generated in my heart.
"I am so sorry, princess."
"Mom,"
"Yes, sweetie?" She held my hand.
I looked at her hand holding mine as the question lingered.
"Was I.....was I adopted?" I asked, looking at her.
She furrowed her brows.
"What?"
"Did.....did you and dad adopt me?"
"Why would you ask such a question?"
I lowered my gaze as more tears flowed.
"Look at me,"
I looked at her.
Her eyes are filled with seriousness.
"You are my daughter. I gave birth to you."
More tears approached my eyes again.
"I pushed you out of me on that very beautiful night, March 4th, 2004. You hear me?"
I let out a sob.
"You are my beautiful blessing."
My heart melted.
She wrapped me in a hug.
"You were the best blessing any mother could ask for. Don't you ever ask that again. Do you hear me?"
I sobbed continuously.
"Do you hear me, Jessica?"
"Yes, Mom."
She heaved a sigh, caressing my back.
"But.....why does dad hate me so much?"
She unwrapped me and looked at me.
I sniffled.
She wiped my face with her hand.
"He doesn't hate you. He is just....." She lowered her gaze and looked at me.
"He is just frustrated. You know he is broke and trying to get on his feet again."
"But he is not like that with David."
"David is the baby of the house, honey. He is still a kid. You are a grown woman now." She said.
"He is not like that with you either."
She scoffed. "Of course he is. Don't you notice how often he yells at me?"
I lowered my gaze.
She raised my chin with her fingers.
"Don't think about it too much. Your dad is getting old. Old people can be cranky." She said, making a face.
I let out a chuckle.
"There is that pretty smile."
I smiled again.
"My special princess. You know I love you right?"
"I love you too,"
"I know you do." She said, leaning closer, and kissed my temples.
She got on her feet and caressed my hair.
"Eat up and go to sleep. You have work tomorrow." She said, walking towards the door.
"Good night," I said.
"Good night, my love." She said, closing the door after walking out.
I looked at my meal, feeling my appetite returning.
I looked at the ceiling.
"Thank you, Lord, for my mother. She is the best. Thank you."
TWO DAYS LATER......
NIGHT HOURS......
I paid the taxi and he drove away as I turned to the familiar gate securing Uncle Xavier's house.
Dressed in my uniform and holding a customized bag of the hospital filled with medication, I was sent by the hospital to deliver uncle's medication to him.
Actually, it was Catherine's job but she passed it to me because she doesn't want to get beaten by uncle's jealous girlfriend.
I don't know about his girlfriend.
Catherine must have seen him with one for her to say that.
Ashley almost stopped her from passing her job to me but we all know Catherine.
And I don't want her troubles.
She is more than bossy.
Besides, I know Uncle and I should give it to him ourselves instead of Catherine.
She can be mean sometimes.
Actually, she is mean all the time. I can't remember the last time she was not mean.
She is always mean.
I walked into the luxurious compound and headed towards the building.
The place reminds me of the last time I came which was his birthday party.
And I happened to have seen....
Okay, none of that anymore.
I pressed the doorbell and not long later, the door opened, revealing the familiar middle-aged maid I recalled as Renata.
"Good evening," I greeted.
"Yes, good evening nurse,"
I smiled. "I don't know if you recognize me but I am Jessica. Uncle Xavier's best friend's daughter."
"Yeah, I do remember you. You helped me with my keys at the party."
I nodded, smiling as I recalled that night she dropped her keys during the chaos she and the catering team were busy.
I had to take David to pee the first time before he decided to go again the last time.
"Come in, dear," she said, moving aside and I walked into the house.
I fed my eyes with the aesthetics of the place as she closed the door.
The place is beautiful.
More beautiful than Uncle Brad's.
I hope someday my dad will go back to having such luxury.
Or I will buy a place like this for him someday.
"So, Jessica, why are you here?" Renata caught my attention.
"Oh, I am here to give Uncle Xavier his medication. He left the hospital without the doctor's approval so I was sent to give this to him." I said, gesturing at the little bag in my hand.
"Oh okay. The boss is not around now. But you can wait for him if it...."
I shook my head, cutting her off.
"I uh....I have to go back to the hospital to continue my shift. I have a few minutes left."
"Okay. Just take it to his room and place them exactly how he is supposed to take them."
I nodded.
"I would have taken it from you but I also know you have to show him the exact doses. If you tell me I will forget the next second."
I chuckled. So did she.
"I am almost sixty, sweetie." She said, chuckling again.
"Alright. I will take them upstairs."
"Okay. It is the last room on the right," she said, gesturing at the broad stairs.
I nodded, heading for the stairs as she walked back to whatever she was doing.
My eyes feasted on the aesthetics of the house as I climbed the stairs. I got to the hallway and I admired the beautiful portraits and flower vases placed on both sides of the wide hallway.
I got to the room and grabbed the doorknob. The door opened and I walked into the room and closed the door behind me as my eyes roamed the spacious room.
It is painted black and white, with long black curtains, a chandelier, a king-sized bed, three couches, tiled floors, and a huge portrait of Uncle dressed in a black tuxedo and standing with his two hands in his pockets.
I walked towards one of the nightstands and I saw a tiny portrait of him, my dad, and uncle Brad taken when they were younger.
I couldn't help but smile.
I saw another. It was a new one.
It is a picture from my uncle's birthday.
They all look nice.
I caressed the portrait a bit.
Beautiful bond they have.
Sighing, I moved to the other nightstand and sat on the bed as I took out the medicines.
I read the prescription on the paper as I took out my pen from my breast pocket. I wrote some numbers on the packs of the medicine.
One dose twice a day.
Pain killers and.......
Not long later, I was done. I arranged the medicine on the nightstand and was about to stand when the door opened with a loud thud, making me jump as I turned around.
Uncle Xavier walked into the room sluggishly dressed in a black.
His tie and shirt are looking messed up.
So does his hair.
I furrowed my brows.
He stood still, moving weirdly like he would fall at any minute.
Is he drunk?
What happened?
He slammed the door shut, making me flinch.
"U....uncle?"
His dull eyes moved to me.
I moved back a bit, fiddling with my fingers.
A smirk formed on his lips.
"Why, hello," he said, taking sluggish steps towards me.
My heart picked up as he approached.
"I...." Hiccup. "I didn't know I had a girl waiting for me in my room."
"It....it is me, Jessi....."
"Oh, Jason. Weird," he made a face as he got closer.
"My....." hiccups. "My best friend wannabe is Jason too. But isn't that a masculine name though?" He asked and next....
In a flash.....
He grabbed me closer to him by my waist, forcing a gasp to escape my lips as my entire body stiffened.
He chuckled, brushing my face with his alcohol breath.
"Un....uncle...."
"Fuck," he muttered, holding me closer.
He lost his balance and my heart almost went out of my chest but he stood still, tightening his hands around me.
I placed my hand on his shoulders, feeling suffocated but at the same time surprisingly warm in his possessive hold.
How much did he drink?
"Let.....let go,"
"My name is Xavier, beautiful,"
I froze, staring at him as my heart picked up.
He smirked, staring at me with his dull eyes.
I have never seen them so dark and dull before.
It is disturbing. This position is disturbing.
"Let go.... please," I begged, trying to pull his arm off me.
"Relax, baby."
Oh God.
He is so strong.
"Damn. Those curves," he said and I felt him moving his hands on my hips and my.....
God, no. This is.....
This is not right.
"Let go, pl....."
He crashed his lips on mine.
The Earth stopped!