"Ahem...So.. what do you think, do I pass your scrutiny?" Joseph suddenly said and faced her. She was so enthralled that she did not notice that Joseph already turned to her and caught her staring at him.
"Joseph!", called Celine.
Joseph turned and saw Celine standing by the swing. She looked distressed, hair disheveled, bloodshot eyes, wearing a silk white robe and on barefoot. He was perplexed to see her like that and wonder where Cecilia is.
"What are you doing? You should be resting by now", Joseph said while walking towards her, looking around for Cecilia. Christine felt a little pity because of how she looked. She looked lost and bewildered. She thinks she really needs to be in a facility that can give her professional care.
"They are back Joseph!" she exclaimed and came forward to meet Joseph. Her arms extended and tears started to fall from her eyes. She plunged herself into Joseph, burying her face into his broad shoulders.
"Who is back?", Joseph rubbed his hand on her shoulder, to calm her down. This is the first time this happened.
"They are here, they are coming back for me and they will kill me", she screamed sobbed still holding on to him tightly.
"No one can harm you here, calm down", he said.
Joseph saw Cecilia came running and abruptly stopped when she saw what was happening in the balcony. Joseph gave her an inquiring look but Cecilia just shrugged her shoulders. Celine asked her to get some water downstairs earlier. She looked normal and was already resting when she left. But she was surprised to see that the room was empty when she came back. She looked around and did not find her until she heard her screaming in the balcony.
"Cecilia take her to her room and give her the medicine", Joseph asked Cecilia while removing Celine's arms around her but Celine won't let go and held him tighter.
"No!!"
"No!!!!"
Joseph sighed and held his temples. He wondered what triggered it. She was acting normal lately and why all f sudden she acts like this.
"You have to watch over me Joseph or they will also kill me", she said. She held his Tshirt and looked up at him, begging.
Joseph felt helpless. He looked at Christine who was just watching at what was going on, speechless, he looked as if he was getting her permission. She gave him a puzzled look. Why would he ask her permission? It is his mother after all and it is his responsibility to take care of her.
Joseph's brows creased and turned to look at Celine again.
"Alright, let us go, you need to go back to your room", he consoled her and helped her go back to her room. Cecilia followed them. She opened the door for them and while doing that, she met Celine's eyes. There was triumph in her eyes. She shook her head and looked at her again to make sure that she is not seeing things. Joseph already tucked her to be but she still won't let go. She motioned Joseph to sit on the side of the bed. When he did, Celine shifted and she laid her head on Joseph's lap. So Joseph adjusted his position so he could lean on the headboard.
"Please stay until I fall asleep, I am scared", Celine said in a pitiful voice. Cecilia felt odd. After Celine had thrown things inside her room earlier, she calmed down and called her in because she was outside the door. When she came in, she fixed the room and took the shattered pieces of glass and picture frames away. Celine already changed into her nightgown and was applying her skin products in front of the mirror. She looked perfectly okay. After she cleaned the room, Celine told her to go down and get some water for her.
"No one can harm you and besides, Cecilia is here for you", Joseph explained. he thought to himself that he really need to call Dr. Castillo to check on her again. He wondered why the sudden change of behavior. She was just usually clingy to him but did not have an outburst like that at the dining room and at the balcony. If she continues to be like this then he might have to explore other options to give her medical attention. He can't be at her side all the time.
Celine gave Cecilia a sharp look, she wanted her to leave. However, Cecilia did not look at her, she pretended to have not seen her expression, kept herself busy fixing the things on Celine's dresser.
"Cecilia is no use, Joseph. You can go now Cecilia", Celine said and looked at her, giving her warning signs.
Cecilia looked at Joseph, waiting for his approval which made Celine more pissed and she wanted to drag her out of the room at that time.
"You need Cecilia here, she can help you what you need and I will not be at ease if you will be alone. I can't be with you all the time and you know that", he explained and stood up.
"If needed, I will get people to secure the mansion. I will also have Dr. Castillo drop by tomorrow", he continued while he adjusted her pillow and covered her with the quilt.
By looking at the seriousness in Joseph's face, Celine could not find another excuse to keep him beside her. She forced herself to smile at him.
"I need to go, I have to be up early tomorrow. Cecilia is here to look after you", Joseph said while he waved his hands toward Cecilia.
"I should be fine now. You can now go Cecilia and I will just call you when I need anything", Celine said. She will have to think of a way to get rid of Christine.
"Are you sure?" Joseph asked.
"You are no longer scared?'', he added.
"Yes I am sure and I am no longer scared. You promised to add security to the mansion right?" she said while keeping her smile.
"I will", he said to assure her.
"Okay. Thank you", Celine said.
"Sleep tight", Joseph said and gestured for Cecilia to go out with him.
He turned the lights off and closed the door.
"Nanny Cecilia, what happened why did she act that way?" Joseph led Cecilia away from the room and asked her.
"I don't know Master Jolo. She has already calmed down and was already getting ready to sleep when I left to get water for her", Cecilia explained.
"I wonder what could have triggered it. She has been okay for the past days", Joseph said more to himself than to Cecilia.
"It actually started when Miss Christine came", Cecilia said in a small voice.
"I thought so too", Joseph said absentmindedly.