"Why is he here?" Carl mindlessly asked as he cautiously kept an eye on Desmund Vero. No matter how he tried to analyze the reasons why this person, Denny Vero's brother, Desmund, would be in this particular place right now, it was hard to come up with a wild guest. Trisha, on the other hand, called Trixie, as she had promised before, she would call the lady as often as she found time, and today as she was preparing to leave Denny's house to visit her mom, she was on the phone with Trixie."Hi, sweetie!" Trixie gleefully answered the call. Unlike Trisha, Trixie was leisurely having her morning exercise, her yoga. Her phone was on a loudspeaker as she stretched her muscles gracefully. "Good morning!" Trisha greeted with enthusiasm."You sound strange," Trixie uttered with a frown, followed by a chuckle. "Forgive me; I just thought I heard you happy but sad. I'm being paranoid. I think hahaha," Trixie explained hurriedly, still chuckling as she reproached herself for such nonsense."O
"What doctor?" asked one of the nurses. They were all together earlier, making rounds. They weren't done yet. Actually, they just ran this way when they got the call for an emergency."It was a new face. I didn't even get to see his name tag as everything happened too fast," Trisha answered with her head turning back and front. It was impossible, but she was hoping that man would walk by, and she could tell the doctors inside her mom's ward right now which doctor she was referring to. But instead of that man, Trixie arrived. The doctors hurriedly moved to do what they could. A Series of commands from the doctor could be heard, and the nurses would respond with speed. "What is going on?" she held Trisha's hands, asking gently although her face was wearing a panicked expression."I don't know…" Trisha replied weakly. Trisha and Trixie saw the doctors' and nurses' backs as they assisted the patient until they heard a long beep sound.Trisha felt a sudden cold from out of nowhere, cree
“The number you dialed is out of the service area. Please try again later.”This had been the only response Don Carlo has ever got since he tried calling Denny.“This is odd,” the Don murmured. “Where could he be now?” Don Carlo thought Denny would be in his office. But since he did not know his office phone number, the Don asked Scott to check on it as well and send it to him. Fortunately, it was easy for Scott to find the man he needed to be beside Trisha right at this very moment. “Good morning, how may I help you?” asked a female voice to Don Carlo as soon as his call was answered. “Is this Denny Vero’s office?” “Yes, sir. May I know who is calling?”“My name is Carlo, a friend of his and I am calling for an emergency. I need to speak with him,” the caller replied with urgency.“I’m sorry sir, but Doctor Vero has not arrived at his office until now,” the woman answered. “What? Where is he?” “My apologies, sir, but I wasn’t informed of his schedule today. He might just have b
Soon, the bed Trisha was lying on was being pushed out of the operating room. Trixie held Don Carlo tightly by his arm and asked Claudette to assist the nurses in moving Trisha to the ward for recovery. She wanted to ask the doctor what Trisha's conditions were."Okay, I'll take care of her," Claudette nodded hurriedly. "But I don't know how to tell her brother what happened to Elaine and his sister. He was here last night. He was with his mom the whole night until I came in the morning. He might still be asleep or already at work. I don't know how to break the news to him," Claudette cried without a sound.Trixie could not help sobbing softly again. But she sniffed and cleared her throat. "We'll think about it in a while. I will talk with the doctor first," Trixie's lips trembled as she spoke, suppressing the extreme sadness.The nurses started to move the patient while the couple stayed to ask the attending physician about the patient's conditions."She is in a very sensitive stage
While on the plane, Denny had no idea what was going on with his "Honey" back at home. He was relieved to think that he was able to talk to her in the morning, but he regretted not having the chance to call her before the plane took off. He was so preoccupied looking for his brother that he thought about calling her as soon as he got the chance. And he will have one when they land in France, and as he would need to book a ticket to return right away, Denny was thinking about making an international call at the airport. Before boarding the next flight back to the US. But despite the thought that he did not let her know he would not be going home tonight, which made him feel guilty that she would be alone at home, he was also restless for something he could not understand. He was no way to ask anyone back home as his flight was still halfway to arrival at their destination. Denny tried to think if there were any reason he was missing to remember or realize why he would feel so anxious
"Aleah…?" Everyone in the room turned their heads to the door."What's wrong? Why are you in there? Where is mom?" Silence answered Yohan's questions. Don Carlo and Trixie did not know what to say. Claudette had to leave before Trisha woke up. She was reluctant to go, but Trixie insisted. Claudette had been around the hospital for so long, and Trixie was also cautious about sharing sensitive information with anyone else along with Trisha."Yohan…" Trisha was too weak to sit up, but she still initiated. She failed, though.Trixie hurried to assist Trisha while Don Carlo walked to the young boy's side. "Please have a seat," Don Carlo gently pulled Yohan by his hand and guided him to sit beside the patient's bed.Yohan stared at the man, but he had heard from Trisha about Don Carlo and Angela Wade during their conversations, on the phone, and in-person, so he assumed this was the man his sister mentioned before. According to the description she said. He followed as Don Carlo guided b
Trisha and Yohan looked at the older man in the room. He sounded so gentle but hesitant. Trixie was also eagerly waiting for what her man was about to say. She tried to look into the man's eyes. She was hoping Don Carlo would look at her to give her a clue of what he was about to say. Don Carlo did look at her, but Trixie could not understand the message in the Don's eyes. And so she waited patiently."Your sister is like a daughter to us. Right, Angel? If it's okay with both of you. We would like to assist her. We would like to help her with everything she needs. And we support your dreams if you want to go to the army. To be just like your dad, we can look after Aleah for you," Don Carlo spoke slowly and clearly. "He's right. And we would love to. We can also help you investigate further what happened to your mom," Trixie added.Don Carlo took his Angel's advice to send someone to the airport to seize Desmund Vero. He quickly made a call to his contacts in the law enforcement. He a
The first thought that came to Don Carlo's mind was the house next to Denny's. Trixie thought the same. But he was also worried treasure might not like the idea since it was too near. The possibility of being found would be risky. There are thoughts that he was trying to consider, so he asked."Do you mean you don't want to see him ever again?"Trisha shook her head gently."It's not that I don't want to see him. Actually, I dare to dream. It is a foolish one because I would love for my children to know him as their father. But the fear of possible consequences of him knowing this truth scares me a lot. What if he doesn't want the kids and demands of me to abort them? He has every right because he didn't sign for this. And I don't think I would be able to deny him, but that would be against my heart. So, I don't want to see him. Or, to be precise, I don't want him to see me. But if I can, I would like to see him.""I think you love this man, Aleah," Yohan, who was silently observing,
“Honey…?” Denny called out carefully.Claudette was already about to enter the ward when she heard the man who introduced himself as Denny Vero called for Aleah so sweetly and concerned. She smiled. She just confirmed her thoughts that these two are romantically involved. She silently placed the food she bought and the change on a chair by the door before she lightly knocked and waved her hands to say she would be right back.Trisha bowed her head lower when she heard the knocking on the door. At the same time, Denny turned his head to look back and saw Mrs. Murphy pointing at the purchases she brought while she hurriedly exited the ward.Denny wasn’t able to say anything before the lady disappeared from his sight. He went to get the drinks and handed Trisha a cup of tea. There were two, so he supposed the other one was for him. He took a sip and just said anything. He urged Trisha to try hers, too.“Honey, the tea is good. You should have a sip while it’s still warm.”But Trisha place
Trisha turned her head away from Denny and faced her mom instead. Her tears started to cloud her eyes again. She bit her lips not to let her cries out of her mouth.She clearly understood what Denny had just said right now, but she could not respond right away. She was feeling torn between accepting or declining his offer of financial assistance. It wasn’t for herself alone. It was for her mom, most especially. He also mentioned being a philanthropist, which surely meant he was going to donate a considerable amount to get the procedure done with the best outcome. Yet, Trisha was still worried about what she might have to do to return such a huge favor from Denny Vero.When she was with Chloe earlier, and Denny was not by her side, Chloe spoke to Trisha with her honest and frank thoughts. Trisha realized that Denny did not know his parents already knew everything, the facts, not what they feared his sister, Denisse, might have told them. She was actually glad Denny accepted her suggesti
“She is so kind,” Denny moved closer and whispered to Trisha. “I like her a lot!”Then Denny moved back to look at the girl on her face with a silly smile.“But don’t let her know about that, okay?” Denny murmured again. “She might like me back. I am afraid of that happening.”The two shared suppressed laughter with their hands in their mouths, covering, as they both looked back in the direction of the door. They seemed to have the same fear that the person they mentioned was already back and heard what Denny just said.“I like her, too,” Trisha shrugged her shoulders as she giggled after making sure Claudette wasn’t back just yet. She played along with Denny’s joke not to let the lady Murphy know they liked her so much.“Kidding aside, she is awesome,” Denny cleared his throat before he made known to Trisha his honest opinion about the lady taking care of the patient.He also heard from the doctor and nurses he was able to speak with that Claudette is doing her duties more than a mere
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Murphy!” Trisha’s voice was shaky as she looked up from the other side of the bed, embracing her mom cautiously.Trisha felt emotional. She was glad even to only hear that her mom would regain her consciousness. She’s been in the hospital bed for almost seven months now. She might have seen the person driving the car when she was hit, but as she was still in a coma, they could not ask her. Trisha and her brother Yohan are still hoping to find the justice they deserve. The police seemed to have no more lead to continue the investigation, and since the Silver siblings did not have anyone influential to ask for assistance, they would have to rely on whatever they heard from their mom’s recollections.It would be tough to hold on to such possibilities, but they believe their mom is fighting within her to survive her situation. And one victory may lead to another if she could point out who caused her so much pain and stole so much of her time to stay healthy and pro
Soon they arrived at the ward where the name Elaine Silver was written on the chart by the foot end of the patient’s bed. A woman was reading a book seated next to the patient. She was reading the book aloud like a mother reading a bedtime story to a kid. She was too focused on her book as she read with enthusiasm and emotion according to the content of the story that she did not notice the two, Trisha and Denny, walking next to the patient’s bed.Denny and Trisha looked at each other with amused smiles on their faces. Denny gave Trisha a sign not to make a sound using his finger placed above his mouth. Trisha nodded her head as she agreed not to make a sound. She was beyond glad and satisfied that the lady Murphy was indeed attending to her mom’s welfare with so much dedication and sincerity. She was also happy that the man beside her seemed to have the same thoughts about letting the lady reading a book continue until she realized their presence. And so she continued to read:“A fath
Trisha smiled happily. Denny saw her serene smile in his peripheral vision, and he felt good. His idea was turning out to be successful. That was what he was hoping for, to make his “honey” smile, not the polite one that her face had seemed to be painted with the whole day, but the pure natural smile she would usually wear on her face when she is genuinely happy.Soon they arrived at the hospital. Trisha was worried he would be late with his appointment.“Honey, I can walk my way into the hospital. You don’t have to send me in,” Trisha cautiously suggested. “You might be late.”Denny chuckled.“It’s okay. You wait for me by the entrance. I will be right back after I park the car.”Trisha had no choice but to do as he ordered. She consoled herself that he should know what he was doing. He wouldn’t insist if he did not have enough time, right?“Okay, I will stand by the entrance door. You can call me if there are any changes,” Trisha raised her purse with her phone and wallet inside it.
Denny paused for a while. He could not say it was personal, but it wasn’t business either. But he did not want to explain further, so he just made his answer short, although a bit ambiguous.“A little of both?” Denny chuckled, helping Trisha to stand from her seat beside him.Chloe was not convinced. Or maybe even if she was, the mother still wanted to spend a little more time with her dear son, so she expressed her disagreement.“I can only let you go early today if you promise to visit us next Sunday again,” she bargained.Denny’s eyes widened in disbelief.“Mom, I cannot promise you that, but I will try,” the son scratched his non-itchy backhead as he replied.“Then you will have to stay until dinner today. What do you say about that, Aleah?” Chloe turned to the girl beside Denny.“I… am…” the service girl stuttered. She did not know what to say, but knowing her answer was awaited, she had to say something. “I’m very sorry, Mrs. Vero, but I do not decide things with…” Trisha could n
“Do you mean to marry this girl?” Franco Vero asked. His tone was still calm, not making his honest reactions known to his dearest son.“As of the moment, and if that is all for me to decide, I might say yes,” Denny chuckled at his sudden realization.The father was baffled by the son’s answer.“What do you mean?”“I don’t think the feeling is mutual just yet,” Denny let his weary mind off him.He felt good that his kind dad asked. He had been holding these thoughts within him. He could not freely speak about it with Don Carlo and Angela as he did not want to worry them for Trisha. But with his dad, he felt the assurance that his old man would understand where he was coming from. Denny let his heartfelt emotions flow.“I can feel this girl is purely doing business with me, and she never flirts nor misleads me to think she fancies me like a woman fancies a man. She is obedient in everything I ask and tells her to do because she is too cautious about losing her job. She has these invisib
As Aleah requested and without fear for Denny to grant them, they got dressed up with the doting Denny assisting his heart's wife; since they weren't legally married yet, in every step of getting her nicely yet comfortably clothed. "We should shop for new sizes of your underwear, honey," Denny gently suggested. "I am worried you might feel discomfort with the ones you used to wear and in your closet right now," he explained eagerly. He knew that pregnant women could be very sensitive, so he tried his best to clear any misinterpretations of his words. Angela excitedly bought Aleah different designs of pregnant dresses and others obviously needed by an expecting woman, but as she had not had the experience to reach pregnancy into a stage where her belly would swell up, Angela did not realize to include underwear in her shopping list. I have been meaning to do so, but as I was not allowed to go out without company aside from the nurse, I was just waiting when we could visit the shoppi