"Good morning brother!" Erica sprinted happily towards Yago. "I missed you so much!" she exclaimed.
Yago watched Erica's liveliness with disinterest. This heartless sister of his didn't pay him a visit ever since he was declared to be out of danger! Only Arianna stayed with him this past few days. Now, she's actually showing up with all smiles as if he wasn't lying in a hospital bed? Wasn't she worried about him at all?
"Tell you what, brother. Sister in law has six small teacup puppies in her home! They were so adorable! You should see them!" Erica chatted with excited eyes. "They're milky white, and she gave me two of them. I wish I could take them back home. I really, really love them." she said as she sat down on the edge of her brother's bed.
Yago remained silent. He even looked away to show that he wasn't paying attention to her. Erica finally noticed her brother's silence and so she stared at his face for a while, trying to figure out just what was bothering him.
"What's the matter? Are you bored? Do you wanna leave the hospital already? Or are you missing Arianna so soon?" Erica started teasing him. "Don't worry, she'll be here later. She just needs to take care of a few matters regarding her up-coming wedding." she announced and then giggled as she watched her brother's mood turn sour.
"What date is it today?", Yago asked.
Erica thought for a while. "December fourteen." she replied.
Fourteen? So, he's been in the hospital for more than a week now? No wonder he's bored to death already. And he hasn't seen Arianna since yesterday. It's only a few days before christmas, and also before Arianna's wedding day. He must admit that although he trusts Arianna's judgement, he still feels uneasy about that wedding. What if Arianna really decides to go on with that wedding? What would he do then?
"And why are you here? I thought you already forgot about having a brother confined in a hospital." he said as he turned to Erica. He didn't make it obvious that he was bothered by what she said. Instead, he sounded like he was sulky and betrayed.
"What are you saying, brother? I didn't visit you because I don't want to disturb your alone time with sister in law!" she refuted. It was a good excuse, right? If her brother finds out that she's too mesmerized by the beauty of South mansion to leave the place, she'll definitely be in trouble.
Yago looked at his sister with narrowed eyes. Who would believe her? Would she be so considerate? "I'm not buying it. Because you were busy with your matters, Arianna didn't have a choice but take care of me this past few days all on her own. I've already troubled her too much. I don't want to stay in this hospital anymore. I wanna be discharged today. Go and take care of it!", Yago commanded. His tone implied that he will not take 'no' for an answer. He has been resting for a long time now. Time is running out. There are so many things to be done. He can't just stay idle in this hospital while his woman marries another man!
Stunned, Erica went out of the room without a word. She didn't dare go against his words in front of him but now that he's already out of sight, Erica was at a lost of what to do. Yago still needs to recuperate, right? So, he can't leave the hospital just yet, right? But who could convince him to stay? He would definitely lash out on her if she doesn't do according to instructions! What to do then?
Erica stood outside Yago's hospital room like a statue for a while before finally fishing out a handphone from her bag. She has no other choice but to ask for her help now.
"Hello! Sister in law!" Erica greeted at once when the call went through. "I need your helo on something."
"What is it?" she heard Arianna ask from the other end of the line.
"Well, Brother is being stubborn and insisted on leaving the hospital. But, he needs a few more days to rest, right? Can you come over for a while and persuade him to change his mind?" Erica went on without reservation. In her mind, she could only rely on Arianna now. Yago wouldn't listen to anyone else, but he'll comply if it's his wife's request, right?
Arianna was silent for several seconds. Erica almost thought the call just disconnected when she heard her voice again after a while. "Do as he said then. Take him home. I'll make an arrangement." she heard her say.
Erica was surprised by the sudden refusal. Does she not care about Yago anymore? Well, she thought he was another person, but Erica didn't think Arianna would be this apathetic towards her brother. After all, she took care of him this past few days, didn't she? "Sister in law, are you getting tired of taking care of my brother now? It's not his fault. I was the irresponsible one. Please don't take it against him!" she pleaded. Did the two of them fight? Was that the real reason why she didn't come to the hospital yesterday, and today, too? Then she must do something about it! It could be her fault!
From the other end of the line, Erica heard Arianna sigh. "Erica, be a good girl and just do as I say. I'm very busy right now, so I can't come to you personally. I need to attend to things. Take care of your brother for now. I'll send someone to pick you up." After saying those words, Arianna hung up without waiting for the other girl's reply. She sounded a bit exhausted and vexed. Was her brother right? Did she go overboard when she decided to let Arianna take care of her brother on her own? She was a busy woman and by name not related to her brother at all. It was her mistake perhaps.
Erica finally took a step away from Yago's room. She needs to take care of Yago's hospital discharge paper quickly and get back home to make up to her dear sister in law. She likes that sister so much! How can she bear to upset her this much?
Inside Arianna's study room, the woman remained silent as she dazedly stared at her phone. It has been a long time now since the call ended, but she was still pondering about things. A moment before Erica called, she received news about a mysterious person dressed in a lab coat sneaking into 'Vier's' ward before dawn. The hospital isn't safe for him anymore. It's good that the nurse she hired for him was more capable than needed. She's a combat medic with years of fighting experience. A mere footman won't be able to get pass through her. Still, she can't allow him to stay at the hospital anymore. She'll be constantly worried about him if he isn't within her line of sight.
Wait a minute. Why would she worry about him again?