POV: Victoria
When I went back to his room, he was still asleep. So I decided to take Mom's portion to the hospital and then get back here before he woke up. I want to make sure he eats from my chicken soup, it will help him heal faster.
"Where have you been, Vee, what did you say to Kyle?
He's been upset with me all night and I know you are the last person he spoke to before he stormed out of here last night. I've been calling your phone all night, even this morning. I stopped by the house and you weren't even there. What did you say to my boyfriend?" Claire demanded.
"Hes not your boyfriend Claire, I told you that already. Kyle is not good for you, he's a bad influence on you. I only warned him not to get you in trouble, I'm only looking out for you." I told her, earning a scoff.
"Oh, so because you are screwing a billionaire, you have suddenly become a dating expert?" she scoffed in my face.
"Watch it, Claire!
You are just being rude and stubborn!" I told her firmly.
"Oh, really?" She retorted angrily.
"Well, here's a polite request, Victoria. Stay the hell away from my relationship. Kyle and I are in love and there is nothing you can do about it!" she declared in anger and walked away.
"Don't go after her, leave alone for now. She needs time to process this and get over herself." Mom mumbled from the hospital bed. It was then that I realized that she was awake and she had heard our exchange just now.
"Sorry Mom, we didn't mean to wake you up. Here, I brought food," I told her with a bright smile. She responded with a weak smile of her own and I got her tabled ready to serve her in bed. I asked, chatting with her as I set the soap and rice in front of her. I raided her bed to put her in a sitting position, ready to be fed. She responded positively, telling me how she could tell that she was getting better and stronger.
"So who is this billionaire you're screwing?" she asked me, using my kid sister's words.
"Mom?!" I scolded gently, a blush appearing on my cheeks.
"Oh, come on, Victoria. You're not a child anymore and I know that. I'm your mother and I know these things. So tell me, is he someone I know, have I met him before?
Why hasn't he come to see me, that's so rude!" she scolded playfully, her eyes tearing up in excitement. She is obviously happy to find out that I'm saying someone. What will I do when the truth comes out, how do I face her then?
"He's someone extraordinary, mom. I promise to bring him to you when we get home." I told her. I kept my head down, trying to hide my tears away. How could I do this to Mom, what if that rude, annoying man refuses to see her?
"What if he treats my family the same way he treats me, what am I going to do?" I thought within me. I hid my fears in my heart and put on a smiling face as I fed her, chatting excitedly with her. She slept off after her meal and I had the chance to go back and check on Ralph to be sure that he was okay too.
As I stepped out of the room, just as I was about to shut the door. My eyes darted to Mom's fragile figure on the bed and it breaks my heart to know that I'm keeping such a huge secret from her and everyone else. She would be hurt and devastated when she found out the truth. To think that she did not blame herself or even think that I was dating a billionaire because of her illness.
She accepted him with a joyful heart. And yet I'm going to break her heart. I could not bring myself to walk away, I leaned on the door, crying softly. She will suffer a heart attack and die because of me. How could I do this to a woman who has gone through so much for my sister and I, how could I have been so stupid to sign a contract with the devil himself?
"Vee?
Are you crying?
I'm so sorry Vee, I didn't mean to say those mean words to you, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings?" Claire hugged me from behind, sobbing along with me. I turned to face her and I pulled her into my arms for a tight hug, kissing her forehead like I always do.
"I only want the best for you, Claire. I would do anything for you and mom. You know that right?" I asked her. She nodded vehemently, telling me she would never speak to me that way again. I smiled at her, holding her shoulder and looking into her eyes. I wanted to bring up Kyle's matter again, but I decided to let it rest. At the end of the day, she would do what's best for her. So why stress it?
"Take care of mom, Claire. There is an urgent matter I need to attend to. I'll be back at noon." I told her. Thank God it's summer break, she doesn't have to be in school right now. I watched her go into the hospital room before I walked to the exit and boarded a cab to Raphael's house.
Once inside, I asked the housekeeper who is a bit polite about him and she told me he's awake already. I smiled and let out a relieved breath, I'm glad he is up on his feet again. I turned in excitement to head to his room, but I stopped in my tracks when I spotted him heading down the stairs with that rude cook who hates me for no reason at all.
"You're awake, Ralph. I'm so glad you are on your feet. I was so worried about you, I even…"
"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked me. He sounded so mean and rude, I wonder why I thought he needed someone like me around him.
"You passed out, Raphael…"
"It's Mr Hawkins to you!
As long as we are not in the public, it's Mr Hawkins. Why are you here?" he asked again, acting like the mean jerk that he is.
"You passed out, and I called Carl. I just came back to make sure you are okay. I made a special soup that would speed up your healing process. I wanted to make sure you take some of it, I wanted to be sure that you get well quickly." I explained to him. Hearing myself explain to a sick man why I came to take care of him is just so stupid and annoying. I can't believe I'd actually fancied myself in love with this bastard.
"I don't know how you people from the slums treat yourselves when you are sick. But if you must know, I have a qualified chef that I trust to make my meals. She worked hard to earn my trust, and now she makes all my meals. You have a long way to go in earning my trust, why don't you work on that first before acting the part of a good girlfriend.
I heard you took some food to your sick mother, I suggest you go in there and take the rest of it before I feed it to my dogs." He ordered me sternly. His cook set a delicious meal in front of him as he scolded me in her presence. She gave me a pretentious look, enjoying the moment. I scoffed at her attitude, she's such a bitch. But she is not the real reason for my anger so I will have to overlook her attitude, for now.
"Fine!
Have it your way as always. I should never have come here!" I snapped at him.
"Just get your soup and leave!" he dismissed me like a nobody, not minding his domestic staff who witnessed his rudeness. I hissed at his attitude and moved towards the door. Then I recalled my condition and my Mom's illness, and I turned around and walked back to his kitchen to get my soup.
I'm not wasting my good soup because of his attitude!
No, I won't do it!
I won't let his attitude get to me.