Chapter 129 BOOK 2: CHAPTER 19

Chapter 129 BOOK 2: CHAPTER 19
—Nathaniel—
Disbelief flooded me as the doors closed after her. A bitter taste rolled down my throat. Breathing became hard.
I could almost hear Damian laughing at me. Had someone told me this would happen, I would have sworn they were imagining it.
I buttoned my shirt just as my phone vibrated.
A call from the head of my security.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Sir, we've found the information on Ms. Nwosu's grandmother.”
I sat straighter. “I'm listening.”
“She suffered a stroke which left her unconscious for days. She's recovered a great deal.”
“Why is she still in the hospital?” I asked.
“Amira is unable to pay the bills.”
Silence followed.
She was in debts and didn't bother to tell me? So much for trusting me.
I raked my fingers through my hair. “How much are we looking at?”
“About half a million.”
“Half a million dollars?”
“No, sir. I meant naira, and not dollars.”
I rose from my chair and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Something wasn't adding up.
Personally, I'd given her five hundred thousand dollars back at the States. Had she already spent everything in less than two months?
On what?
I sighed. “Thank you. I'll get back to you.”
“Yes, sir.”
I ended the call and drew a deep breath. It was time I fixed every mess I'd created, every single one of them.

.    .     .     .    .   
—Amira—
Joy rushed through me as I left his office. At last, I was standing up for myself and the thought of that warmed my heart.
I stepped into the elevator and clicked on the button, enjoying every second of the ride.
Ding! The elevator slid open and I strode out, only to bump into Joyce in the hallway.
“Amira,” she called.
“Joyce. What's up?”
“It's break time. I was going to grab something in the canteen. Would you care to join me?”
I was supposed to eat in the executive dining room, but I could use some company.
“Sure!” I nodded.
Joyce grabbed my hand and we headed away.
At the canteen, we each picked up a glass of fruit juice at the counter and took the table beside the window.
“Very well,” she murmured. “How's he?”
I swallowed hard as I realized whom she was asking after. My boss, Nathaniel.
“He's fine,” I muttered.
Joyce leaned closer toward the table. “I still have my fingers crossed that things works out for you.”
I blushed. “Joyce.”
But deep down I wished for that—except Nathaniel wouldn't stop messing with my feelings.
“I'm serious,” she said and tilted her chin across the room. I followed her gaze. Grace and some senior staff were laughing and chattering. “She claims she's close to Mr. Rivera.”
My throat dried.
Of course that'd be the news circulating after he danced with her then accepted her gift the other day.
I swallowed hard and forced a smile.
“That's not my business, Joyce. I'm just here to work get paid and go home, nothing more. I don't care about what's going on between Grace and Mr. Rivera.”
Easier said.
Why does my heart hurt?
Pictures of them close together, sharing a kiss, and getting intimate flooded my head. My eyes pricked with tears.
I lifted my glass to my lips and gulped away my sorrow. Just as I lowered the glass again on the table, my phone rang.
Mama.
“Excuse me,” I said to Joyce and hurried to the bathroom, then answered. “Hello, Mama.”
“Amira–” Her voice was shaky.
“Are you okay, Mama?”
“It's the hospital, they're threatening to discontinue my treatment if we don't make payment before the end of today.”
My heart sank.
“What?”
“I'm fine, my daughter. I just thought to inform you...don't let that bother you.”
My pulse thundered. The last time I spoke with Dr. Hassan, he talked about the hospital bill exceeding half a million naira.
Where on earth do I get such amount of money?
“Be calm, Mama. I'll take care of it before the day runs out.”
“Where are you going to get the money?”
Honestly, I didn't know. But I would try my best searching.
“I'll figure it out, Mama, I promise,” I said and ended the call.
With a deep breath, I walked back to Joyce in the hall.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Something urgent just came up,” I mumbled as I slumped into my chair. “I need to sort my grandma's bills.”
“How much are we looking at?”
My eyes lit up. How could I have forgotten the Joyce made some money few days ago at her party?
“Half a million for a start,” I stuttered.
Joyce blinked. “I-I don't have that much. My family’s been carrying debt for years. I finally cleared it. Could you manage two hundred thousand?”
“Two hundred?” I blurted. “Of course, I'll happily take that.”
We shared a smile.
“Call your account number,” she said, picking up her phone.
“2307225409.”
Joyce tapped away on her phone, only to groan.
“What's it?”
“When last did you use it?” she asked. “Your bank account is frozen.”
My heart shattered.
The last time I used that account was years ago, when I cleared it down to the last dime to finance Sammy’s trip abroad.
I’d been too broke ever since. I hadn’t even stepped into a banking hall.
“O-okay,” I blinked. “I'll head over to the hospital now, get their a account details and forward it to you.”
Joyce patted my hand on the table. “I got you.”
I forced a smile and headed back to the executive floor. Nathaniel was seated behind his desk. I strode in.
“Sir?”
He looked up from his computer and his gaze darkened instantly. “Yes.”
“Please.” I swallowed hard. “I would like to sign out for today.”
“Is there any problem?”
“Yes. No—no.” I couldn’t afford to tell him, not when he was so good at toying with my feelings. “There’s something urgent I’d like to take care of,” I mumbled.
He glanced away, a frown crossing his features as though he was recalling something.
“You can go.”
Relief washed through me. I turned and traced my way to my desk. Switching off my computer, I grabbed my bag and headed out.
My heart pounded throughout the ride to the hospital. As soon as my chauffeur pulled over, I slid out of the car and hurried in.
I stepped into Mama's room and slowed. She stood beside the bed while two nurses packed her luggage.
My breath hitched.
Had I come late? Were they moving her out already?
“Amira—” Mama called as our eyes met.
“Mama,” I panted. “What's happening? I came as fast as I could.”
A smile curved Mama's lips. “Not to worry, Amira. It has been sorted out.”
“What has been sorted out?”
“The bills, my daughter. Dr. Hassan said a foreign profile cleared every single dime. Not only that, they paid to have me upgraded to a VIP room.”
My brows creased. “What?”
“I'll be well taken care of this time.” Mama blinked back tears. “You should go talk with the doctor.”
Heart pounding, I stumbled out of the room and made my way to Dr. Hassan’s office. What foreign profile had cleared my grandma’s bills?
At the door, I knocked softly.
“Please, come in.”
I walked into the room and shut the door behind me. Dr. Hassan sat behind his desk, a smile curving his lips.
“Ms. Nwosu,” he stood and shook my hand. The reverence in his eyes was unmistakable.
Had the payment from the foreign account brought so much recognition? Wait. I'd forgotten Mama was now a VIP patient.
“Good evening, Dr. Hassan.”
He gestured at a visitor chair. “Please sit.”
I sat and crossed my legs. “I heard a foreign profile cleared our bills.”
“Yes,” he rushed. “They've offered to assume full sponsorship of the hospital for a minimum of five years!”
I gasped, thrice. “This profile... could I know whom they are?”
“Of course.” He tapped on his computer and met my gaze again. “Nathaniel Rivera.”
The air left my lungs.
I remembered telling him in his office, though not outright. Somehow, he knew. And now this?
Dazed, I stepped out of the doctor's office, just as my phone buzzed with a text.
Nathaniel.
‘Get ready. We’re going on a business trip tomorrow.’
A trip.
With the man whose presence alone could ignite a wildfire inside me.
Why was I looking forward to it already?