Chapter 9

Right after I returned to the suite, Zoren was already awake. He is also in formal attire as if he is the owner of a big company.

"I have a lot of meetings today so you don't need to prepare lunch for the two of us. I'll be home by five or six. Make sure we can have dinner by seven. I like Japanese dishes so that's what you prepare."

I nod while listening to his instructions.

"And by the way, you need to go grocery shopping because our stocks are running low. The list of what to buy is stuck on the fridge."

He let out a breath after he adjusted his neck tie.

"And?" I asked when he finished his neck tie.

He shook his head, "That's all."

I nodded. "Okay. Let's have breakfast," I smiled.

Even though he didn't respond, I turned my back on him and went to the table. I also felt his immediate obedience to me.

After breakfast he immediately left. I went to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready for grocery shopping.

I feel that he really lives here and is not just a guest of this presidential suite. I was at the front desk last time but I'm not sure how many days, weeks or months he's been here.

With so many things to worry about in life, will I still remember things that have to do with other people? Of course not!

"Where are you going, madam?"

I stopped walking and then jokingly harassed Cathy who was at the front desk. Instead of going straight out, I went to the front desk where he was and went down to the counter.

"How are you here?" I asked..

"It's fine..." Cathy approached me. "It's just not used to being with someone else," he added in a whisper.

"Hi, Melissa!" greeted Erica who had just arrived from somewhere. Probably from the locker room.

I hesitate to smile at her. We're not close. The last time that we encountered, it was also a bad one.

"Hello! Uhh..." I turned to Cathy again. "I won't be long. I'm going to visit mom and then I'll go grocery shopping."

"Grocery? For whom? For your boss?"

I nodded. "Yes. He likes it when the fridge and food cabinet are always stocked."

"O-okay."

"Alright, Cath. I'll go first." Cathy and I gave each other a nod before I finally left.

As I told Cathy, I did go to the hospital to visit mom.

My mom's condition is getting worse. She almost lives here in the hospital because her condition is getting worse with each passing day. She has stage 4 brain cancer. In one day, I need several thousand just to cover her needs for drugs and chemotherapy.

That's why even though I didn't want to be Zoren's personal maid, I agreed. I really need money. And I feel that his arrival is a blessing in disguise.

I went straight into mom's room. I saw Aunt Matilda immediately stand up when she saw me. I smiled at her and waved to her as soon as I got close.

"Auntie..."

"Melissa, I think you're losing weight, hija? I think your job at the hotel is making you tired."

"Not at all. How is mom?"

I sat in the chair next to mom's bed where Aunt Matilda was sitting earlier.

"She just fell asleep..." She let out a long puff of air. "I talked to the doctor earlier. Her recovery is slow, Mel. Instead of getting better, she's getting worse. We know where this is going, don't we?"

I stared at mom. I gently caressed his hairless head due to chemotherapy. I bit my lower lip. From the first day that I found out that my mother had cancer until now, I have not cried once. I don't even know why I just bite my lips and my tears won't fall. Despite that, the tightness in my chest could not be avoided.

"Auntie, maybe she'll get better in another country. Isn't the technology more advanced in other countries? Isn't there a better chance of her getting better there?"

I looked at Aunt Matilda who was now clearly shocked by my words.

"Maybe you can take her with you?"

I wet my lips and then I stood up and immediately held my aunt's hand. She is not related to us. She was just a neighbor of ours who became mom's best friend.

"Auntie, I've been promoted. My salary is higher-"

"Melissa, money is not a problem for me. I told you before that I will cover all the expenses for your mother's treatment, right? It's just that, I hope you don't expect too much. Don't keep denying what's happening. You already see what's happening but you can't hardly accept it,," she said, cutting me off.

I avoided looking at her. I bit my lip hard again.

"Alright. I'll take her with me to the US... You too."

I immediately looked back at her. "I'm not needed anymore. I have a job. And I don't want to be a burden on you anymore. But don't worry because I'll send money."

"But, Melissa-"

"Auntie please..." I begged. She stared at me for a few moments before gently closing her eyes and sighing. That was her answer. Yes, that's it.

I smiled. I reached for her hand and then I held it tightly.

"Thank you. Thank you very much."

"Mel, I treat you like my child. So it hurts me to see you like that."

"I'm fine, aunt. Don't worry about me."

I gave her a sweet smile. The smile that I know will bring comfort to her. She only showed me a sad smile and I know she is still having second thoughts about leaving me here in the Philippines.

I grew up that my only companion was my mother. My father was a drunkard and a womanizer, so he and my mother divorced when I was young, so my mother was the only person with me until I grew up. It's also hard for me to be separated from mom, but if that's the only way I can be with her for a long time, I'm ready to endure. I'll put up with a few months or years of us not being around each other as long as she gets better. She needs to heal.