005

005

Lavender.

A tune pierced through the air, clearing the tense atmosphere.

My neck snapped to where the sound was coming from to look at my phone screen on the armrest.

JULIANNA.

She was my personal assistant at work and my emotional and mental support system most times.

“Sorry, I have to take this," I said to the twins before grabbing my phone and swiping up the green icon.

“Hey," I said, bringing the phone to my ear.

“Hey," Julianna responded and I could hear what sounded like fear and tension lurking in her voice.

“W-what's wrong? Is everything alright?" I asked, worry etched on my face as my lips slightly curved downwards.

“Come quick! I'll send you the location!" She demanded.

"What happened? Is it urgent? Where are you? What's going on?" I showered her with questions and with each word, my tongue rolled faster to blurt out the next.

She didn't respond.

“Julie, what's going on?!" I shouted.

“Your Mom," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“What happened to Mom?" I asked, rising to my feet.

The twins watched me, their eyebrows furrowed.

“She was attacked on her way home by some men and she was stabbed.” She explained, her voice shaking.

Tears welled up in my eyes immediately as I sought for the words to say but found none.

My grasp tightened on my phone as a pang delivered to my heart.

“Hello? Are you there?" She asked.

I couldn't speak, I was still trying to hold my tears back.

“Hello? Laven-".

“I'm here," Defeated, I finally let out the tears as I turned away from the twins and faced the other end of the living room, staring at the aquarium.

“Are you okay? Your voice….it…”,

"Where are you now?” I asked.

"At a hospital. I'll send you the location now. Drive safe, okay?”.

I ended the call without responding.

With a shaky breath and running nose, I scrolled through my phone for my chauffeur's inbox. Though today was his day off, I didn't care!

“What's going on?" One of the twins asked from behind me. His voice was laced with a very thin worry but I spotted it. I need not to be told he was Hayden and not the toxic butthurt Jayden.

I wiped my tears with the back of my wrist before turning to him.

“Mom was stabbed and she's at the hospital," I stammered, my lips quivering.

Saying the words made my heart break even more.

“Let me give you a ride," he offered. I could tell his care was evidently false but I should worry less about that. I needed the ride more than I needed to worry about how real his care was.

I strode towards the door but he still stood there, failing to realize how much the ride means to me.

“You coming, Jayden?" He asked.

Obviously, Jayden declined so Hayden came with me and we went out of the mansion.

We ran into the garage together and he pointed at one of the cars– a brown one.

I got into the passenger seat while he settled in the driver's seat.

I quickly fastened my seatbelt.

The engine roared awake as he dashed off, making it out of the gate that automatically opened.

I handed my phone to him after searching the address on an online map.

He followed the map until we arrived at the hospital.

I slammed the door shut, running into the hospital with tears streaming down my face.

I didn't realize I was only wearing a thin silk nightgown until the cold night air hit my bare skin.

I ran over to a counter where three ladies were, my chest heaving up and down.

Their attention snapped to me.

“Where is she?!" I yelled in between heavy breaths.

"Relax, miss. Who are you here to see?” One of them spoke as she pushed strands of her light brown hair behind her ear.

“Amanda Washmin! She was stabbed and brought here! Where is she?” I slammed my hand against the countertop, feeling sweat trickle down my forehead.

“This is a hospital, miss, you need to respect our policy and keep your voice lo-”.

"Fucking tell me where the fuck she is!!” I spat as I shot my hand over the counter to clutch her collars, my voice reverberating through the whole hospital.

“Go straight in there and the second door by the left.” She said, gesturing towards a white double swing door.

I let go of her collar, dashing towards the door.

Without second thoughts, I went straight to the second door by the left.

As soon as I cracked the door open, I spotted Julianna standing beside a man. Before then was a bed with my mother lying in it.

“Mom!" I shouted, running to the bed.

Tears stung my eyes, threatening to fall as I looked down at her pale face. Her eyes were closed and her lips chapped.

I held her hand, squeezing it to feel that familiar warmth.

I let out a shaky sigh, squeezing her hand way tighter than I was supposed to but it was all I needed.

“She'll be fine," Julie stated, her voice soft as she hugged me from behind, wrapping her hand around my waist.

“Will she?” I asked.

She didn't respond and the man who seemed to be the doctor didn't.

I tucked Mom's hand back under the covers before grabbing Julie's hands that were on my waist, hitching them off me.

I turned to the doctor. “Will my Mom be fine?" I asked again.

He nodded, flashing me a smile that didn't get to his eyes. “She will be," he reassured, grabbing my shoulder.

“What's wrong with her now?" I asked.

“She was stabbed. The knife pierced her kidney and it's really serious so her kidney will be removed tonight. She can depend on one so she'll be alright,”.

“I- when will….. How much does it cost?” I asked.

"Fifteen thousand dollars, miss.",

I nodded. “That is not a problem, I just need my mother,”.

I turned to Julie, “Take care of everything with the company's funds,".

"Alright then. Kindly leave in five minutes,” the doctor said before turning to leave. I watched him exit but then something struck my mind.

I squinted my eyes, turning to Julianna. “Where is Aunt Kathy?",

“She's on her way, I contacted her and told her your Mom was attacked. Without listening to me any further, she said she would rush over here immediately.".

"Where was she while Mom was attacked,”.

"She claimed to have left for her home,”,

"My mother was the last to leave the venue? How did you know she was attacked?”I demanded, curious.

"I was also contacted by some government agencies, stating their hidden camera caught everything and they'll make sure to find the criminals.”.

I nodded.

She fetched out her phone and stared at the screen. “Kathy says she can't make it,”.

"She can't?” My brows furrowed. The weight of curiosity and worry pulled my heart down.

I forced a smile, looking into her eyes.

“I need to leave. Thank you! Just keep doing what you're doing, you're really helpful!".

She smiled. I immediately left without waiting for her response.

As I slammed the door, getting back into the car, my eyes swept through the screen of my phone.

I scrolled up, searching for my previous conversation with Aunt Kathy where she sent her address.

21, GREEN VALLEY AVENUE….