Filled with Joy

~ Andrea ~

In his office, I watched as he took off his suit and sat on his chair. I stood like a robot still recounting the incident from earlier. 

“Will you keep standing like a log of tree?”

Did he have to say that? 

I sat down and the only thing that came to mind was to appreciate him. 

“Thank you for earlier Mr. King.”

“Don't think you are any special, I did it because I am no monster.”

I thought he was beginning to have a soft sport for me. Andrea.. How can you be so crazy? Have a soft spot for you? Are you kidding? 

“Tomorrow is the Ceo of the year awards, I will send clothes over to you.”

“I can take it from here to the house Mr. King.”

He doesn't have to send it to me at home as it will only raise more suspicions from his family. 

“I do as I want Andrea and about your house address, I know that don't worry. Just get dressed in one of the clothes and a chauffeur will come pick you.”

Does he know my address? That's surprising. I shouldn't think of myself, he might probably know the address of all the other workers. 

Immediately I left his office, I got a call from the doctor asking me to rush to the hospital. 

I felt my heartbeat as adrenaline rushed over my body. Rushing out, I got a call from Lisa as well and my fear intensified. 

“Lisa, is mom okay?”

I asked once I answered my phone. 

“Relax Andrea, she is fine. She is awake now.I called to inform you.”

“Oh goodness, I am coming over right away.”

I said as I hung up the call and couldn't stop myself from smiling. 

******

I rushed through the hospital corridors excited I will be seeing my mom. 

When I asked Lisa and Laurel to go to the hospital first, I had my doubts. 

What if something happened and I wasn't available? What scared me the most was when the doctor called and asked that I rush over. 

You can imagine how my heart skipped a beat thinking something had happened. If Lisa hadn't called to relay such good news, I would have probably run mad with wild thoughts. 

I rounded the corridor and spotted Lisa and Laurel sitting outside mom's room. Both girls jumped, rushing to meet me the moment they saw me. 

“She's awake!” Laurel exclaimed, her eyes shining with relief. 

“Oh my goodness!” I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I pulled my sisters into a hug. 

We entered our mother's room together after breaking the hug. She looked weak and pale, but very much alive. 

That was the most important thing. That she was okay and will get better soon. 

Her eyes fluttered open when she saw us, a smile broke across her face. She could barely keep her eyes fully opened. 

“My babies,” She said softly with her weak voice filled with love. 

“Mom, you scared us.” I approached her bed as I said this. Tears welling my eyes as I held her hand. 

Mom gave out a little love as her eyes darted to Lisa and Laurel. “ I'm so sorry babies.I didn't mean to scare you.”

Laurel could not take it anymore as she rushed to mom's side followed by Lisa. 

Laurel collapsed into the chair beside the bed and she sobbed in mom's hand. 

For a moment, the room was thick with emotions and the sound of their quiet weeping. 

The relief was evident on our faces as we let out all the tears they could. 

Eventually, mom spoke again in her weak voice. She asked the question I had feared the most. 

“Andrea baby,” she began, looking at me with concern. “ Where did you get the money for the surgery?”

Lisa and Laurel turned to look at me, their eyes telling me to say the truth. I couldn't do that, I can't tell them the whole truth. 

I stiffened at the question, my grip tightening on my mom's hand involuntarily. 

“ I--I got a loan mom.”I lied, forcing a smile. “ From my boss. I told him and he decided to help me out.”

“ A loan? You know I don't like the idea of us borrowing from people. How much did the surgery cost?”

If I tell her the cost, she will doubt me of getting such a huge amount of money without collateral. What should I do? 

But as always, before I could speak, some people beat me to it. 

“ 2.5 million, mom.” I turned my head sharply to face Lisa. I looked straight into her eyes until she turned away from us. 

“ 2.5million? Andrea! That's a huge amount of money. Are you sure your boss gave you that amount of money without taking anything?”

“ It's alright to be worried mom, but trust me, I have everything in control.”

Mom's expression softened, a look of concern can still be read on her face. 

“Andrea, I wouldn't want you to put yourself in trouble for our sake. I will make sure I get a job after I'm discharged so I can help you pay up this debt.”

“ You don't have to be, mom. it's a meager amount, and I will pay it back in no time.”

“You call that small? That's ridiculous.”

“Don't stress yourself mom, just leave everything to me. I will handle it, I promise. Focus on getting better for now. ”

Mom finally gave a light nod. I could still see doubt in her eyes, and my stomach twisted with guilt. 

I excused myself to get some food for us. I also needed to clear my mind after the whole interaction. 

As I made my way to the nearby restaurant, my mind continued to run wild. 

How much longer can I keep up with this charade? Some day, everything will come to light and I don't know how they are going to react. 

I can't keep thinking about all this now. There was a lot at stake.