Chapter 18

A week has passed but I still haven't heard anything from Zoren. I think my phone number is saved in his cellphone. But he still hasn't contacted me.

"What's wrong with you? Are you forgetting that you're just his personal maid? You said right, he's a fuckboy. Well, maybe he was enjoying Boracay and he forgot that he told you that he wanted you," Cathy's long litany.

I frowned. There was something in my chest that could not accept what she said.

"You know what... I really don't understand if you are in favor of Zoren for me or not. Well, just last week you almost filled my head with positive reasons just to give Zoren a chance and now it's a negative thing!"

He sighed. "Well, it's you who's confusing me. I don't know what you really feel for him. You act like you want him but it's the opposite of what you say. Gosh! You're just in denial, girl."

"I'm not in denial!"

I turned my back on Cathy and faced the entrance of the hotel. There are many people coming and going to the hotel. And I don't know why I was hoping to see Zoren there. Maybe I don't miss him. Maybe I'm just not comfortable working in his suite without him. I need his orders, right?

I am his personal maid, right? Isn't that like a personal assistant? Well, why didn't he take me to Boracay?

I was startled when I heard the ringing of my cell phone that I was holding. I immediately looked at it and I would be lying to myself if I said I didn't expect it to be Zoren.

"Zoren?" Cathy asked excitedly as she tried to peek at my cell phone.

I smiled and shook my head.

"A-aunt?" I called Aunt Matilda from the other line.

"Melissa, I need you here."

I straightened up.

"P-po? W-why? W-what happened to mom?"

I feel my heart pounding immediately. I do not understand. I was suddenly nervous.

I turned to Cathy and her eyes were also asking what happened to mom.

"Just please be here asap, Mel."

I couldn't help but stare at my cell phone after my aunt turned off the cellphone.

"Hey! You're dumbfounded. Did something happen to your mom?"

I looked at Cathy. I wet my lips while staring at her.

"I need to go to the hospital."

"Right now?"

I nodded.

"But what about him?"

"What?"

She sniffed my back where the entrance of the hotel was. I saw Zoren who just got out of his car. The valet immediately greeted him. He threw the car key here and entered the hotel smiling. Our eyes immediately met.

Why did he come home now? How can I leave now?

I gasped and stood up straight.

"Mel!" he called me when we were only about three meters away from each other.

I slowly walked towards him.

He stretched his arms for me.

I'm sorry to disappoint you, Zoren, but I won't hug you. Especially since almost everyone here is looking at us now.

"I missed you, Mel."

"I'm sorry but I have to go. Don't worry and I'll be right back," I said and bowed slightly then I passed him and ran out of the hotel.

"Wait, Mel!" I even heard him call me. But instead of turning around, I went straight to the taxi.

Aunt Matilda's voice made me feel different. I force myself not to overthink but I am very nervous. I feel that something bad happened that I hope that should not have happened.

"Mel!" Aunt greeted me.

I was just about to enter the hospital when she greeted me outside. If it's not an emergency, she will just wait for me in mom's room.

"Auntie, what happened?"

"Mel..."

I stared at my aunt. Her eyes were tenebrous as she looked at me.

I bit my bottom lip. Even though she stopped talking, I didn't want to hear what she had to say. I'm afraid. I am very scared.

"Y-your mom..."

I shook my head.

Please...

"I-is mom waiting for me?"

Something stuck in my throat. I'm having trouble breathing. The feeling is heavy.

Aunt Matilda asked me too.

"Y-your mom is gone, Melissa."

My mouth dropped. I stared at auntie, trying to find her joking eyes and smiles but I couldn't see them.

I laughed like crazy even though my tears were falling one after another.

"Y-your jokes are ugly today, a-aunt. I-I can't keep up."

"I'm sorry, Mel. I hope I didn't agree to let her have the surgery. I hope I didn't send her under pressure. Forgive me, Mel."

I completely closed my eyes and fell to my knees on the floor. I'm weak and I just want to pass from where I'm standing. I want to escape. I want to forget these moments because I can't accept this. I felt like my heart was being hammered over and over again until it stopped beating. Until my whole body is affected and I lose strength.

"W-where is she?"

Auntie stared at me for a long time before she was able to answer me.

"She's still in the room. She'll be taken to the morgue in a few moments to prepare the death certificate."

This is not what I want to hear. This is not what I want to fix.

They are leaving for another country to receive treatment there. We will fix her and not the burial. Why did this happen?

I stood up but my legs immediately went numb. Fortunately, someone caught me so I didn't fall completely to the floor.

I looked at the big hands that were holding my shoulders. I looked up and was immediately greeted by Zoren's frown, tense jaw and serious eyes.