When I woke up my mom was sitting next to me, tears clouding her eyes.
"Mom?" I croaked out. She rushed to hug me.
"Oh my baby!" She exclaimed. I let out a sigh and lifted my arm to pat her shoulder. I felt a restraint hold me back, I winced. Looking over I saw that I was hooked to an IV drip. I looked at my mom.
"Mom, can you help me sit up?" I asked. Nodding, she swiftly and gently lifted me up and adjusting the pillow behind my back.
"The nurse will be here in a moment. Here here. Drink some water." She said. I took the cup thankfully before taking a big gulp of water, I glanced around the room.
"Mom.. this isn't a regular hospital, is it?" I said. There was a flat screen tv at the end of the room and the room was laced with accents of shiny marble that matched the polished floors.
"We're in the VIP room sweetheart." She said. "That friend of yours-"
Before she could finish, Maddie walked in the room.
"She's not my friend." I scowled. Both my mom's and Maddie's expression dropped. I turned to the IV before staring at my lap.
"Where is it?" I asked. My mom looked at me confused. Maddie spoke up.
"It's where you left it, untouched." She said. I sighed and brushed a hand through my hair. I looked up at the ceiling and waited patiently. Everyone in the room went silent.
Finally, the nurse walked in. As well as a y'all, built figure next to her.
"Good, your awake, be sure to eat healthy and not do anything straining or stressful." She said before carefully talking out the IV drip. I nodded thanking her before she left. The tall man staying. Looking up at him. I noticed Maddie and him shared similar face structures.
"Oh hell no." I thought to myself. My gut told me this would be nothing but trouble.
"How are you feeling Ms. Somnium. Your mother here was worried sick." He said. I clenched my fists.
"Good. Thank you for the hospitality. However I'm feeling much better now. How can we repay you?" I said, getting straight to the point. My mom turned to him and showed a great full smile.
"Truly, how could we ever repay you?" She asked. He straightened his suit. I had an idea of what he was going to ask for, but I crossed my fingers and prayed that I was wrong.
"How about, the flower." He said. His lips curving into the smallest smirk. My mom turned to me.
"Dear, What is he-" I grabbed my phone, pulling up a document and handing it to my mom to read. I then looked back at him. Although I was terrified of what he would do, I clenched my fists tighter and smiled.
"Absolutely not." I said. The smirk on his face instantly faded. Maddie who was standing next to him had her gaze attach to the ground, staying silent. My mom looked up at me.
"Dear, just give him the plant." She said. I turned to my mother.
"I can't mom. Someone entrusted me with it. It's not mine in the first place." I said. My mom sighed but looked up to face him. She was holding my hand tightly.
"I'm sorry sir. But I must stand by my daughters decisions. I hope you too understand this." She said. Although she tried not to show it, I knew my mom too well. And I knew the slight waver in her voice wasn't just from crying.
"Alright, the fee is going to be 15,000 dollars." He said. I raised a brow wearing a scared grin I tried to pass off as an amused smirk.
"How long was I asleep?" I asked.
"Only three hours." My mom said skeptical. Maddie's uncle laughed.
"Not only for the hospital fee, but for the transportation from our home to yours, as well as replacements for the cameras broken. I'm sure your daughter remembers?" He said. I couldn't help but to glare at him. My brain told me to shut up then and there but I couldn't.
"I don't remember asking for your assistance. And last I check that counts as breaking and entry. We could sue you for that. I'm sure those poor reporters would like there cameras back. I'm sure you remember? " I mocked. His face only showed a small grin.
"Is that a threat Ms. Somnium? I'm sure you should know who I am." He said. Then, he glanced over to my mom. "And what position your mother is in currently." He said. My mother's grip on my hand tightened.
"I-I will always stand by my blood sir." She said. She was practically trembling. He could read through us like a book, his gaze taking one good look at us and could tell me we're all buff. I shut my eyes before remembering something.
"The Clavem Abscondita is to be often confused with the rare Red Trumpet Creeper. There similar colors and shape give off quite the resemblance." I said matter-a-factly. Smiling, I looked up at Maddie and her father.
"Say, all you have is a photo of this flower, correct?" I asked. "And based on how certain you are, this photo isn't the least bit blurry?"
Maddie's Father stopped smiling.
"Also, have anyone of you seen, this flower you speak so highly about? If it really is as rare as you say it is, how could I have found it before all your men combined?" I laughed. My mom quickly turned to me.
"Somnium-"
"The reason I will not give you this flower is because I spent time and energy nurturing it to become the beautiful flower it is today. You are to tell me, the Red Trumpet Creeper seeds we have in our shed, so happened to be a pack of extremely seeds?" I asked him.
"Are you sure you aren't the one that needs to switch spots with me?" I asked jokingly. My moms eyes widened.
"Somnium!-"
"Maddie, is this true?" He asked. Maddie stayed silent. He turned to face her, his body towering over her. My eyes widened as I saw his hand reach for her wrist. I grabbed my phone as quickly as I could, Turing it to the camera.
"Move another step and I'll release this close up of you laying a hand on her. That and the charges we will press for breaking and entering." I spat out. He quickly froze. Turning towards the camera, his face turned red in rage.
"Delete that before I sue you for taking photos without permission!" He yelled.
"Why? That's only be if your actually doing something wrong. Plus, this is a public space, I can do whatever I please." I said. My silly smile only made him more enraged. He turned to the door before grabbing Maddie's hand. She looked at me. I motioned you her as he stopped away with her. Her eye brightened once she understood what I meant.
"Ah..Ahh!!" Maddie yelled awkwardly before falling to the ground, I made sure to included her facial expression. Her uncle paled.
"What are you doing child! Stand up!" He said. Just then, another y'all figure walked through the door.
"That will be enough. Franklin." A voice boomed. I shuddered but quickly saved the video before helping Maddie up. She turned to look at me shocked. I quickly looked away and took a step back.
"James? What are you doing here?" Maddie's uncle almost sounded scared. I shuddered, knowing whoever this man was, he was not to be messed with.
"Dad!" Maddie quickly rushed up to him. I paled. His expression upon seeing Maddie quickly changed into a look of pure love.
"Dear, are you alright?" He didn't wait for her to respond and quickly looked back at his brother.
"I ask you to look after my daughter for a week and when I come back she was already on the floor?" His gaze hardened on the uncle. "Who do you and me for Franklin? Causing trouble for these kids all because of some flower? Do you know how much this will damage the companies reputation?" He said. With each word he spoke I could only thank the lord his anger was not being directed towards me.
"James-"
"No, I've had enough of this. I will hereby terminate your position of CEO, effective immediately." He said. As he finished, I watched the soul of Maddie's uncle leave his body.
"Leave. Now." Maddie's dad said. Walking out of the room unwillingly, he casted a final glare at me before slamming the door. Maddie's Dad's face quickly returned to a smile.
"..." My mom and I both stood there in silence. He turned towards my mom with an apologetic face.
"I am terribly sorry for my younger brothers behavior. Rest assured, there will be no billing of any sort being sent to you." He said. I saw my mom calm down instantly.
"Thank you sir. How could I repay you-"
"Just accepting this apology would be enough." He interrupted. My mom nodded vigorously. He turned towards me with a smile. Unsure of what to do, I quickly moved back and stared at the floor.
"G-good evening sir. I am sorry for the trouble." I stuttered. He walked up to me and patted my shoulder.
"No need little one, just you accepting my daughters apology would be enough." He said. I looked at him confused.
"What apology?" I asked. He blinked his eyes before turning to Maddie who was standing behind him, her gaze still on the floor. Yet this time, I could see the guilt welling up in her eyes.
"Right, well when it happens, please be lenient with her." He said. I didn't say anything. He then took a step back.
"I am sure you both are exhausted, I will have my driver take you back-"
"There's no need for that." My mom interrupted. "While we both appreciate the gesture, I already brought my car over." She explained. Maddie's dad nodded understandingly.
"Alright. I will be in touch just to case. Please, let us escort you down." He said. My mom nodded before pausing in front of the door. As well as Maddie's father.
"You May go" my mom said.
"No it's quiet alright, you may go"
"No I insist, please, go."
"No please, you may go"
"No please it's okay you may go."
"No it's alright-"
"I'll go!" I cut them off and walked to the parking lot ahead of both of them.
"Sweetheart, the parking lot is the other direction." My mom said. Turning around, I walking to the other direction promptly.
"I know!" I said after getting far enough.
***
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