MANNYJosie thought her friend had gone insane. Didn't Andrew make it clear he wanted nothing to do with her? How else could he say it? She watched Manny put on the dress that she had picked out yesterday and put on a lot of makeup to cover eye bags. Her friend was in denial, she had no idea what to do that could make her snap out of it.“How do I look?” Manny asked as she adjusted her clothes. She looked better than she had looked in days, she couldn't say ‘no don't go’. If this would help her get over everything once and for all, then she had to be supportive.“You look great.” Josie complimented, as she mirrored her friend's smile.After they both had breakfast, Manny went to see Andrew. She was going to ask about Liam and most importantly, to talk to him about what his son had said.“Mommy did it.”What did that mean exactly? What did Kate do?She got to the gate and they let her in instantly, it was good to know that she wasn't fully restricted from the Cooper's Mansion. Manny
ANDREW Josie paced through the corridor as the doctors were busy with Manny in the ward. She called Tristan on the way to the hospital but he never answered. Now she was alone with Manny without an idea of what had happened to her.She remembered there was one more person she could call, so she picked up Manny's phone and luckily her passcode remained the same over the years. She searched for that one number that could help her and dialed it.The phone rang as she kept her fingers crossed, her hands sweating as she pressed the phone to her ear and hoped to get a response.“Manny, I can't talk right…”“Manny's in the hospital.” Josie exclaimed before he could finish his sentence.“What?” “She's in the hospital. She complained—”“Text me the address of the, I'm on my way.” He interrupted and quickly left work in a frenzy.Andrew drove like a madman to the hospital, the ringing in his ear couldn't stop.He shouldn't have left her alone, he should have stayed with her. He gripped the st
MANNY Andrew ordered his men to search every corner of the hospital for Avery, if she came here she and Kate were probably working together. Andrew's men searched but found no one, she was gone. When they told Andrew this, he didn't give up the search, he told them to be on high alert. He then left to be with Manny who was fully awake Andrew now, he silently prayed that she wouldn't pass out again. “How are you feeling?” Andrew asked as he helped her adjust on the bed. He handled her gently, afraid she was going to break if he wasn't careful with her. “I'm fine, no need to worry.” But he wouldn't let go. “I want to. Allow me to worry over you, let me take care of you now that I'm here.” His words melted her heart, she gave in and allowed him to baby her. Their quiet time was interrupted by a very loud shriek, that made Manny close her ears. “Oh Manny, you are alive.” Josie said dramatically and ran Manny as she tried not to make her uncomfortable with her hug. “W
**SOMEWHERE IN AUSTRALIA The sound of her heels resonated through the half-empty bar. The dimmed lights concealed her face, preventing her from being recognized. It wasn't good for her to be in the public eye, that was why she chose this particular bar, a place where no one comes to.She stopped and looked around, her eyes searched for the person she was to meet and the lights weren't being of help to her.Her eyes finally landed on the grey-headed man, his composure made him stand out.She walked over to him with a smile on her face. Today, she was getting what she had always wanted, an investment.“Drinking alone?” She took her seat beside him and hollered at the barman to give her a drink.“You are early.” The man acknowledged her presence as he took the last of the cup’s contents. He would rather be anywhere but there“I can't keep you waiting now can I?”She would try her best to use all her charm and make sure he gave in. She wasn't leaving empty-handed.“So what is it that yo
MANNY Manny stared at her mother, she didn't blink a wink. She was too confused, her mother was the last person she expected to see. If not for the look of surprise on both Andrews's and Josie's faces, she would have thought that one of them had contacted and told her about her condition. “Hello dear.” Her mother had a sincere smile on her face, one that Manny hadn't seen in a long time but that didn't mean she’d accept her with open arms. She was skeptical. Anything her mother did was always for her benefit. “Mother, what are you doing here.” Manny failed to mask her surprise as it protected through her voice. “What sort of question is that? I came to see, of course, I heard about your little accident.” Kari snared the last three words. She had to maintain composure to look motherly. She smiled and sauntered towards Manny who jerked back unconsciously. Eyes were glued on Kari like she was a foreign thing that had just fallen from the sky right before their eyes. “K
ANDREW “I think you've been here long enough." Andrew dashed into the room, tired of staying outside. “You should leave." Kari looked at Andrew in contempt. He was like his father, placing his claim on something he didn't even merit. She pulled a lot of strings for everything to go well. “I was just leaving.” Kari said and placed the basket of food by Manny's side. She wasn't going to leave her daughter to have the horrible hospital food. “Make sure you take your drugs dear, if you want to leave here on time.” she cautioned, said goodbye to the other three and left. Her mother's words may have sounded normal to everyone, but only she knew the meaning behind it. “Are you okay? I heard a loud sound earlier, did she hit you? “No, she didn't, I'm fine.” Manny laughed it off as she tried to hide her face with her hair. She hoped her mother's palm hadn't left a mark on her sensitive skin. “Is it just me or did she get scarier?” Josie entered, her mouth and hands filled wi
**THE NEXT DAYAndrew sat in his office the next day, staring into space. His mind was occupied with so many things and he couldn't tell anyone.He didn't think his father would understand Jason? He couldn't trust him either, he was acting suspicious. And who knows, he might be working with Kate.The only person he could talk to was Tristan and he didn't trust him enough to keep his mouth shut but what was the harm in trying? So he called him.“Yes?” Tristan's tired voice echoed in Andrew’s office.“How fast can you get to my office?” Tristan sensed the urgency in his voice, “I will be right there.” The call ended.He dropped his phone and leaned back in his chair to think some more. The way Kate confessed, it was like she wanted him to know, she wasn't scared of him or what he could do. So saving Manny at all costs was his priority.A thought crossed his mind, he slowly stood up from the chair and sat on the table. ‘Did she try to kill Liam too?’ It didn't make sense to him, Liam
MANNY Manny spent three weeks in the hospital and she was getting tired of the place. She complained and nagged Andrew to allow her to be discharged but he was adamant, he insisted that she stay for a month to know if everything, including the baby, was alright. Manny kept whining. Unable to listen to any more complaints, Andrew agreed but only on the condition that she would get treatment at home. Two days after that, Manny was back home with Josie safe and sound. Andrew had people clean it up before their arrival. He helped Manny get to her room while Josie and Tristan remained with each other downstairs. “Do you want me to sleep over?” Andrew asked as he helped her gently to the chair. “No, no, that will not be necessary. You have to go to work.” Manny dissuaded Andrew from his stupid idea. It would be too weird having him at the house, she doubted Josie would be comfortable with that. “I should stay, then I can watch over you.” Andrew said as his hand went to his l