Chapter 75 A Hospital Visit
Serena's POV
I leaned forward to check what he had seen. I looked around but nothing suspicious came to view.
But Nico still moved like a man that had seen a ghost.
He maneuvered the car around and weaved his way through cars that had stopped abruptly due to his spin.
“Nico, what's going on?” I asked as I had my heart in my mouth already.
He didn't respond, he just kept driving while keeping his focus on the road.
“Nico!” I yelled.
“What?!” He shot back as he finally slowed down to a comfortable speed.
“What happened?” I asked.
“I had reason to believe we were being followed,” he explained calmly.
“What?” I asked.
He took a deep breath and looked around. “Just know that I had reason to believe we were being followed and I did what was best to avoid any problem,” he responded in a manner that suggested he was frustrated.
I nodded my head even though I wasn't convinced, then I looked back out at the cars around us.
Everything looked normal, nothing out of place so far.
I sunk back into my chair, praying for all to be well with my mom wherever she was.
We arrived at the hospital not long afterwards and Nico slowly parked the car with his eyes everywhere.
“You know it's not safe. So please, keep things as brief as possible,” Nico explained.
“You won't be coming with us?” Valentina asked.
“No, she's cleared to be discharged. Just walk her out and into the car, shouldn't be too hard,” he replied, adding the last part with his eyes on me.
I nodded and stepped out with Valentina.
“I'm so excited for you to meet her,” I exclaimed as we stepped into the hospital.
“I'm excited to see who's got you excited,” Valentina replied while putting a hand over my shoulder.
I beamed as we got to the counter.
“Good day,” I greeted, leaning over the counter. “Came to see Mrs Marceti,” I practically whispered as I didn't want Valentina to hear.
“Sorry, what did you say?” The receptionist lady replied with a straight face.
“I came to see Mrs. Marceti,” I whispered again but a bit louder this time around.
“Young woman, if you can't speak up, then I'll advise you to stop wasting my—”
“Mind the way you speak to her,” Valentina cut her off abruptly.
I watched the receptionist lady go from being angry and bossy, to being nervous as she stared at something low behind me.
I turned but only to see Valentina with her hands curtly tucked over each other and long cloth she had over her shoulders now over her hands too.
I didn't have time to ask what had just happened cause the receptionist lady cut in with a strangely polite voice.
“Mrs. Marceti is in room 49. You are free to see her now, Mrs Russo,” she replied in my direction.
I was stunned by the sudden change in character.
I turned to Valentina for any explanation, but she just shrugged. I looked down at her hands and there was nothing there.
I looked up at the receptionist who now smiled at me and looked like a word from me could get her fired.
“Thank you,” I said to her even though I didn't feel it.
She nodded repeatedly like I had done her a favour.
Even as we walked a few feet away, I turned back and found her still in a nervous posture.
Whatever transpired between her and Valentina really left a mark.
“What happened back there?” I asked, looking towards Valentina.
She shrugged. “She must be new, haven't seen her the few times I've been here,” she replied.
“Okay?” I asked, not satisfied with the response.
“She must not have been conversant with the way things are done in this part of the world,” she added.
I thought for a second as I stared at the number on the door we just passed.
24\. We were getting closer.
And I guess that answers part of my worries.
“You sure you didn't do anything back there?” I asked, still feeling something had been done to change her manner.
“Nope, none that I know of. You know, it could have just been my face,” she replied weakly with a shrug of her shoulders.
I wasn't fully convinced by her reply, but before I could interject further, she spoke up again.
“So your mother, huh?” She asked with a smirk.
I rolled my eyes as a smile slipped onto my lips against my will. I guess she very well knew my family.
“Fine. You've caught me,” I signed dramatically. “Way to go receptionist lady,” I added with a laugh.
“I had a hunch, but couldn't prove it anyway,” Valentina replied with a cocky look on her face.
“Of course you did,” I teased as we passed by room 40.
“You are not exactly the best at hiding stuff, my dear,” Valentina replied with a playful nudge.
“Whatever,” I replied with a laugh. “I'll shock you pretty soon,” I added.
“I'm waiting,” she replied as we got to room 48.
By the time we took another step, we were right in front of room 49. The room my mom laid in.
I smiled and knocked as calmly as the nerves inside let me.
“Yes, come in,” I heard mom's voice from the other end and I nearly jumped in celebration.
I had feared something would happen to her, especially with Nico's antics earlier.
I pushed the door open and stepped in first.
“Mom,” I called out as I stepped through the door.
“Ohh, Serena, it's you,” she said with a relieved tone. “Thought it was those nurses coming to poke my leg again,” she added.
I laughed as I completed the short space till I was at her side.
I threw my arms around her neck and hugged her warmly.
“How are you feeling mom?” I asked as I pulled back from her.
“Never been better,” she replied, drawing a laugh from me. “No, for real. These people practically wanna kill me with food,” she added with a laugh of her own.
“I'm glad you enjoyed your time here. But it's time to go,” I replied, remembering Nico's words from earlier.
“I see you brought a visitor,” mom remarked, looking behind me at Valentina.
I smiled and turned to Valentina as she walked in. “Yes, mom. I would like you to meet Valentina, she's been like a mother to me since I moved in,” I explained.
Valentina laughed as she reached mom's bed side. “I won't say since she came in. We've had our differences, but she's a good girl,” she countered.
“Welcome,” mom replied. “And thank you, for being there for my daughter. I appreciate,” she added.
Valentina smiled and put her two hands on her chest. “We'll have more time for this later. For now? Let's go,” she added.
I nodded and helped mom to a sitting position before guiding her to her feet.
“I'm good, I can walk,” mom said to me.
I smiled but still followed her gently from behind as she made her way slowly towards the exit.
We strolled gently till we reached the receptionist again and I went over to have her cleared.
“Don't worry about that,” the receptionist lady countered as I got there. “We'll have everything sorted out, you can go with her,” she added.
I raised a brow at that, clearly she hadn't recovered yet.
I nodded slowly and went after the other two as Valentina helped mom out.
By the time we stepped out of the hospital and made a few steps towards the parking lot.
An ambulance pulled up just in front of us and the doors opened automatically.
“Change of plans, get in.”