Do What I Say

Noella's POV

My body feels tired. Two days have passed. Although my heart still hurts from Darren's treatment, it's all covered by what happened to Uncle Martin. I'm still accompanying Uncle Martin, who hasn't regained consciousness, hoping that he will open his eyes soon so that my anxiety will end, but until now, there has been no sign of opening his eyes.

My anxiety has lessened since the doctor successfully performed surgery on Uncle Martin. Still, I couldn't be satisfied if Uncle hadn't awakened. The doctor had said that uncle would wake up within one to two days. When the second day was almost over, I was impatient.

"Uncle, can't you open your eyes now? I'm so worried about you. Please wake up." I could only pray and keep watching the progress of my uncle's condition from the screen that kept beeping, indicating that his heartbeat was still there.

As I was about to speak again, I felt my uncle's hand move at my touch. Slowly, I saw his eyes move, and I could see them open. Uncle's eyes circled like someone who had just woken up from sleep. When his eyes found me, he smiled meaningfully.

"Uncle, finally. Thank you for fighting to stay here with me. I'm so happy to see you open your eyes and smile like this." I continued to speak without stopping until Uncle's hand gently grasped mine.

"Noella, are you still here? I'm glad to see you again." Uncle's words made me smile, and I hugged him gently. After that, I pressed the button on the wall to call the nurse and doctor so they could check on my uncle's current state.

"Uncle, I couldn't have left you in the state you were in yesterday. Of course, I will try to keep you with me. I love you like my parents. How can I live without you?" Uncle smiled and nodded slowly. In between our conversation, a doctor and two nurses came in to check on Uncle.

I saw the doctor doing his job, checking with the device around his neck and also making sure his uncle's blood pressure was normal. The two nurses also took notes on what the doctor told them. Then, not long after that, the doctor looked at me with a smile.

"Mr. Martin's condition has stabilized. We just need to go through the post-surgery healing period. Mr. Martin is a strong and great person. He can get through his critical period quickly. After this, we will check again for the results and post-operative wounds." The doctor was very kind to explain my uncle's condition, and I felt relieved and calm now.

After explaining everything, the doctor went with the nurse and left me with my uncle in the patient room. I went back to sit beside the gurney, watching Uncle's face start to light up. There seemed to be some freshness, although not too much. I was sure Uncle would recover soon after this.

"Uncle, I'm really happy. I'll try to make time for you. Maybe I will reduce my work and pay attention to my uncle." I didn't want our time together wasted again because I was too busy with work.

"There's no need for that, Noella. Just work, don't reduce the time. You need a lot of money for your own life. I'll live as usual. If you come, I'll be even happier." Uncle is always thinking of me. He rarely thinks of himself. Even his health was neglected like this.

"Uncle, I-" My words were interrupted when the cell phone in my pocket rang. I grabbed the phone and saw who was calling me at the moment.

When I looked, it was an unknown number. There was no name on my phone screen, just a phone number, which made me think. "Who's calling? Pick up first. Who knows if that person has something important to say." My uncle invited me to take the call, and I did.

I nodded as I took the call near my uncle. "Hello, who is this?" I asked because I didn't know who was calling me right now.

"It's me." The voice was so unfamiliar that I sharpened my hearing. Maybe I had heard the voice of the person on the other side. However, when he spoke again, "Come here quickly." I stood up with a face full of shock as I realized who the voice belonged to.

"How come you have my number?" I didn't ask her the purpose of the call but instead asked how she got this number.

"Meet me right now." His words were like an order, and I said yes. I naturally couldn't refuse because Mr. Enrick had already helped me with Uncle Martin's surgery.

After the call ended, I said goodbye to Uncle Martin to go to work. Of course, I called it work because I had to reimburse my used money.

I didn't know the driver was waiting for me in the lobby. He was picking me up to go to where Mr. Enrick was. I also felt strange for the second time. What I was currently feeling was very different from when I was still with Darren.

Until I finally arrived at a place where Mr. Enrick was waiting inside. When I entered, Mr. Enrick handed me a dress. "You must accompany me to a family event."

I was confused as to why Mr. Enrick was asking me for a family event. "You must pretend to be my partner in front of my family. You can't refuse." Mr. Enrick's words jolted me again. On the other hand, I couldn't refuse because of the loan Mr. Enrick had given me.

I felt strange about this dinner. I've never had dinner in a fancy place like now. It makes me a little scared and nervous. I was also uncomfortable with it because it was my first time at a fancy restaurant.

In front of the restaurant, Mr. Enrick treated me well and like a man with a partner. He told me to wrap my hands around his muscular arms under his black suit.

"Remember! Don't make any mistakes. I'm just uncomfortable with the questions about marriage that my family is always discussing." Mr. Enrick explained his reason for inviting me to meet his extended family.

Although nervous, I nodded and convinced myself that I could do it. I also nodded to answer Mr. Enrick. I had to be able to do it for Uncle Martin, no matter what I did.

After that, Mr. Enrick led me through a large, special-looking door. I inhaled and exhaled slowly. Regulating my heartbeat to calm down was difficult, but I managed.

Mr. Enrick gave me a glance, which I returned with a smile. Finally, I followed Mr. Enrick's lead to go in there. The atmosphere was different, so luxurious and very formal. I could feel how rich they all were.

As my eyes wandered, I saw several people sitting there talking to each other. I was sure they were talking about me and Mr. Enrick, who had just entered the room.

All eyes were on us until my smile faded as my eyes met the figure of Darren, who was present among them all.

"Why is he here?" I wondered and stiffened as I was about to take a step further.

Darren looked at me, but nothing had escaped his lips until Mr. Enrick snapped me back into action. "We're going in now."