After their dinner Roberto offered to give Xia Meilin a ride back home which she gladly accepted. They were on their way to the parking lot when a familiar voice called out for Xia Meilin.
" Miss O'Connell wait! Please wait! "
They turned to find Linda running towards them at top speed.
Confused to see the young waitress chasing after them, both Xia Meilin and Roberto stopped in their tracks.
Huffing and puffing Linda finally caught up with them. " Oh! Thank God I found you! "
" What's the matter, Linda? Did something go wrong with the bill? " Xia Meilin asked looking the waitress somewhat concerned.
Linda who was still panting, vigorously shook her head indicating that it was not the case.
" Then did you miss me that much? " Roberto teased mischievously. " I know a few good places to enjoy on a moonlit night like this. Why don't we hit there? "
Xia Meilin face-palmed herself. She was clueless as to whether Roberto was serious or simply didn't know how to flirt. Anyways, in order keep herself safe she took a huge backwards and ensured there was plenty of space between the two of them so that people don't end up thinking they were related.
She believed that if Roberto keeps up the way things are then he was surely to get beaten up one of these days.
While that was Xia Meilin's reaction, Linda's on the other hand was a total frustration. " No thank you! " She firmly dicline. " Also, today is a new moon night. " Linda said pointing towards the sky. " For Christ sake, atleast get your facts right before you hit on girls. And secondly, if you hadn't heard me correctly, I was calling for Miss O'Connell ; not you! "
Ouch!
" Fine! " With that Roberto turned on his mute mode. Seeing this kind of childish behavior, Linda couldn't differentiate between whether she was dealing with the world's renowned investor or an overly spoiled toddler.
" I feel sorry for you, Miss O'Connell. How do the two of you even get along? " Linda really threw the knife this time.
Roberto glared and was about to refute when Xia Meilin slammed a hand over his mouth and diverted their conversation. " Don't worry about that. " She said with a smile. " By the way, why were you looking for me? "
" Oh yeah!!...I totally forgot. " Linda was so infaturated and not to mention embrassed that it completely slipped her mind as to why she was there in the first place.
Having reminded, her headstrong attitude suddenly deserted her and she was much more decoil and hesitant. " I....I was.. "
Seeing the young girl suddenly struggling to speak both Xia Meilin and Roberto looked concerned.
" Linda, if there's anything bothering you, you can talk to us. We'll do everything we can to help you. " Xia Meilin assured.
" No..no..It's..it not like that..Miss. O'Connell. " Linda still stuttered.
" Then? " They patiently waited while ensuring that the girl felt confident in speaking whatever she had in mind.
Taking a deep breath, Linda slowly began. " Actually Miss O'Connell, I... I accidentally over heard your conversation. "
' Accidently over heard their conversation? '
Linda's words created a wave of surprise between them which they managed to hide very well. As far as they recalled, Linda was nowhere in sight when they were having their conversation. So the question was how did she hear them? And more importantly what did she hear?
Both of them immediately picked up their guard as they cannot afford to have anyone know about their plans. Even if it was someone they knew they can trust, for it would risk that person's safety.
" What do you mean you heard our conversation? You were no where in sight! " Xia Meilin asked maintaining her composure.
" No I was! " Linda countered, then explained. " After serving your meal I was clearing up a nearby table when I heard you said that you have to move to Eastern by the end of this month because school semester in Eastern will start within the first week of next month. And if you don't make it by then, than your son would lag behind. " Looking down ashamed she slowly muttered " I'm sorry Miss O'Connell. I didn't mean pry. "
Xia Meilin and Roberto felt relieved knowing that Linda didn't hear anything that she shouldn't.
" Oh! Don't worry about that. And yeah...I have recently signed a contract with one of the production house in Eastern to film one of their upcoming movie so I have to stay there for a while. " Xia Meilin quickly covered up.
One of the perks of being a renowned author was that Xia Meilin was never out of words. Call it a professional hazard but, Xia Meilin has always managed to get herself out of any sticky situation as long as she had her beloved words.
And it worked! Hearing Xia Meilin's explanation far from suspecting, Linda believed her lie and was in fact she was actually happy for her. " Wow! That's great news, Miss. Congrats!! "
" Thank you.." Xia Meilin said smiling strainedly. She felt a tiny pang of guilt for lying to the innocent girl but, she knew it was better this way. She didn't want anyone she cared for to get hurt unnecessarily.
" Before you leave, can I please ask you for a favor? " Linda said looking up at her idol with puppy dog eyes. One look and Xia Meilin knew she couldn't refuse.
" Favor! What kind of favor Linda? " Roberto who until now was on mute suddenly turned on his volume.
Fishing out a book from her bag, Linda shyly presented it to Xia Meilin. " I know you're autograph's worth a few hundred millions Miss O'Connell but, do you think you can make an exception? "
A wave of joy washed over Xia Meilin's soul when she saw the cover of the book that Linda presented to her. " The Sword and The Soul? I had no idea you were interested in such historical novels, Linda. "
The Sword and The Soul : A Knight's devotion was one of the many short stories Xia Meilin had written over the years apart from her three massive series.
" Oh no, Miss..... This isn't for me. It's for my mom. Her birthday is next month so I thought I would surprise her-- "
" Say no more... " Xia Meilin enthusiastically interrupted, whisking the book away from Linda and began searching for a pen in her purse.
Linda couldn't believe her luck. The Evelyn O'Connell who's notoriously famous for being private was willing to sign an autograph for her that too for free!
It's true that Xia Meilin never gave any autograph in her nine year career as an author. On her tenth year however, she signed an entire collection of her work so far for a charity auction. Because of the rarity, Xia Meilin's collection sold out at a price of seven hundred millions dollars.
As awestruck fan and close acquaintance, Linda was aware that after signing for the charity Evelyn O'Connell was forbidden from signing anymore autograph because of it's monetary value. Therefore, when she asked her for one she was fully prepared for a rejection. It really came to her as a surprise when Xia Meilin readily agreed to give her one.
" Thank you! Thank you Miss O'Connell! This means the world to me! Thank you so much! " Taking back the signed book, Linda humbly thanked.
" Nah, don't mention it. I'm just glad to see you take such good care of your mom. I'm sure she's proud of you. " Xia Meilin replied with a broad smile.
" I bet she's the favorite. " Roberto added with a gentle smile.
Their words were definitely meant as compliments however, Linda's expressions turned otherwise. Her joy faded and was replaced by a sense of loss.
An apprehensive loss to be exact.
Tears began to stream down drenching her youthful face.
Both Roberto and Xia Meilin felt lost. They couldn't understand why all of a sudden the smiling girl before them would break down like this.
" Linda, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Please tell us what happend... " Xia Meilin asked. She was worried that something was terrible must have happened the girl's mother.
However, instead of an answer all Xia Meilin got from Linda was more tears. " Linda please tell us what happened? Is your mom okay? Has something happened to her? "
Meanwhile, Roberto who's otherwise quick to respond was now totally silent. He intently observed the girl with a hard expression and after Xia Meilin's repeated asking when there was no response from Linda, he decided it was time to intervene.
" For heaven sake, Linda stop crying! We're not some pyshics who'll know what's going on in your head without you telling us. " He scolded.
" Roberto's right, Linda.... Bottling everything in you isn't going to give you a solution. Sharing your problems will. So please, tell us what's going on. " Xia Meilin added, holding the girl gently in her arms.
It seemed Roberto's scolding and Xia Meilin's persistence worked. Linda finally began to speak about her problem. But what she said was not something the duo was prepared for.
" My mom... It's my mom... She's dying! "
" What! " They both yelped in unison. Death has never been a vague concept for them. It was concrete. The sight...the sound...and most of all the feel. Everything was crystal clear in their minds. Even though they had vastly different experiences, somewhere deep down it was the same. Hence, when Linda threw the word dying at them they couldn't help but, recollect their memories.
" What do you mean she's dying? " Roberto asked being the first to recover from his initial state of shock. His expression was as hard as a rock.
" Roberto please.. I don't think this is the right place to talk about such things. " Xia Meilin requested, having herself recovered from the shock by then. " Come with us Linda. " With that Xia Meilin grabbed Linda by her arm and together they left the parking lot.
Just opposite the cafe there was a huge park. Sitting under one of its trees Linda began to explain.
" My mom is one of your biggest fan, Ms. O'Connell and a dying one too. She's an avid reader and has read all your books. She love them so much that she insisted on seen all your movies as well. She loves how relatable your stories are and the lessons they teach to our society. I don't blame her though. After all, it's her only way of escape from all her constant pain. "
" Thank you for the compliment, Linda. But why do you keep saying she's dying? Is she sick ? " Xia Meilin asked. She was really curious to know why Linda threw the word ' death ' at them. From her earnest expression, she could tell that things were serious.
Linda nodded in agreement.
That's when Roberto out of nowhere snarled at her. " Then instead of wasting your time in getting Evylen's autograph, you should've asked for a doctor's contact! "
Hearing Roberto's offensive remarks, Linda clenched her fist hard, trying her best to swallow the anger that was rising inside her, along with the words she that wanted to smack at his face.
Even though Xia Meilin didn't approve the way Roberto said those words to Linda, she couldn't agree more to what he said. She knew exactly where Roberto was coming from and the fact that he was actually worried about Linda's mother.
" So what did the doctors say about her illness? " As soon as Xia Meilin asked, Roberto remarked again. " Ask her if she even bothered to take her mom to a doctor. "
That was it!
No matter how renowned of an investor he was, no matter how grateful she was towards him, Linda could not let this remark of his slide just like that.
" What makes you think I don't care about my mom, Mr. Atkinson? " Linda lashed out. Her eyes red with anger. Tears pouring uncontrollably. " Because I do! I do care about my mom! But what would you know about struggle? You were born with a gold spoon! You think we didn't even bother to take her to a doctor, right? You know what? We did! We knocked the doors of every hospital and every clinic in Coastern in hopes of finding a cure for my mom's illness. We spent hundreds of dollars on doctor's fees, thousands of dollars at diagonist centres and millions on recommended treatments to the point that right now my family is in three hundred million dollars debt. And that's not even the worst. The worst is that even after doing so much, we got nothing but disappointment. None of the treatments worked, none of the diagnoses could tell what's wrong with my mom. Her condition has only worsened over the last five years and still all those doctors who are so-called ' Miracle-maker ' only leeched money out of us and nothing else. Whenever we complained about their treatment not working, all they ever say is ' Pray to God ' and that my mother's illness is an ' Orphan Disease '. Now you tell me Mr. Atkinson what would you've done if you were in my shoes. What would you have done if you had to see your mother in constant pain all day...every day? What wrong did I do when I was only trying to help my mom find some happiness? "
Linda was sure that Roberto was just like other rich snobs and that after hearing her story he would feel guilty for judging her. However, his response left her wondering the level of his narcissism.
" First, there is no such thing as an ' Orphan Disease '. Secondly, none of your efforts matter unless they provide you with the desired results and last but never the least, you simply wasted your resources thanks to your lack of research. Hence, you have none but yourself to blame for your family's situation and still you have the audacity to shamelessly expect sympathy from us. "
Xia Meilin face palmed herself for the second time. And Linda couldn't understand as to what caused the easy going, always flirting Roberto to become someone so unempathic. For as long as she had known him, he was never like this. His change of attitude was too much to take for Linda and she was simply too shocked. His words were too hurtful for her to take in.
They glared at each other like sworn enemies.
Xia Meilin looked pleadingly at Roberto, begging him to not be so harsh. Unfortunately, it seems he had no such intention. " You knew well enough that we had friends who work in the medical field and yet, you never bothered to tell us about this. Even today, you came to us for autograph and not for some advice. You're nothing but a disappointment and a cruel murderer! "
Spating this Roberto stormed out of the park.
As Roberto walked away Linda dropped herself to ground in tears. His harsh words and bitting remarks had crush her entire being. Xia Meilin felt sorry her, however there was no way she could say that Roberto was wrong. She was also well aware that the damage Roberto's words had caused is nothing compared to what Linda's has. Thus, all she could do now was explain Linda Roberto's prespective.
" His words may sound cruel and unempathic right now. " She said giving Linda a comforting hug. " But trust me when I say that no one in this world understands your pain and helplessness better than him. "
Linda who was crying in Xia Melin's arms looked up in tears unable to believe that even Evylen O'Connell would say he was right. " Him? Understand my pain and helplessness? You're kidding right? "
Smiling sadly Xia Meilin replied. " If anything is a joke here, than its you ,Linda. As for him, he has already lost his mother and grandmother thanks to each of them suffering an uniquely rare disease of their kind. They were the only two people in the world that he loved. Fate snatched them away from him when he was just ten. In both the case there was literally nothing that could have been done to save them. No amount of money nor research was enough to save them. "
Tears began weld up in her eyes. Her voice felt chocked as she tried her best to suppress her cries. " They.. were gone just like that. Suffering....Crying..... Begging for death. Roberto could do nothing except take care of them and pray to God to ease their pain. "
Linda was beyond speechless.....
She never imagine that the always flirting, easy going Roberto would have such a past.
She felt ashamed.....
At that moment, it suddenly clicked to Linda the reason behind Roberto's change of attitude....
And yes! He was right! But she wasn't that wrong, was she?
Although Xia Meilin had a full understanding for Linda's position, she still continued. For she too like Roberto believed that nothing was above life. " What you only fear of losing is something he has already lost. Hence, he knows what it's like to be in your shoes. Don't be fooled by his exterior because underneath it, lies a vast ocean. The deeper you go the more you find. " She paused for a moment, observing the array of emotions floating in Linda eyes. Pain, guilt, empathy and lastly respect... great respect.
" I know you felt hurt when he said you're a disappointment but you know what, it's actually betrayal! "
Xia Meilin's words cut Linda heart into thousand pieces. Sadly, more was yet to come.
" Not only did you betray us, you have also betrayed your parents. We know each other for three years Linda and over the years we tried our best to help you in every way could. We never treated you as stranger but as friends. When you couldn't pay your fees, Roberto asked the college to forgive your fees. When you were struggling to get a scholarship, Roberto recommended your name. When you were looking for a job, Roberto hired you for his cafe. When you were couldn't find accommodation in the campus, Roberto arranged it for you. Then why didn't you tell him about your mom? Do you know what hurts the most, Linda? You had the means yet you chose to ignore it. If you had come to us sooner, you could have saved your family from this huge debt while being able to find effective treatment for your mom in your limited budget. It doesn't matter how much you spent, what matters is how efficiently you spent. "
Understanding the unspoken meaning of Xia Meilin's statement, Linda cried even harder. Because it smashed the only stand that prevented her from seeking out there help.
" I'm sorry... Forgive me... "
" It's not us you should apologise, Linda. It's your family. They are the ones paying the price of your ignorance. " With those words, things turned out even more difficult for Linda. Now she didn't how she was going to face her parents. She didn't know what she was going to tell them nor did she have any idea as to how she was going to ask Roberto for help.
Just as Linda was about to drown herself in her own tears again, Xia Meilin asked. " Can you give me one reason as to why you never told us about your mom? "
Linda smiled at herself mockingly. She knew she would have to face this question and she was prepared to answer it as well. But now, her answer was nothing more than a joke. Still she chose to answer it. Maybe just to hear that her answer was joke.
" After struggling for nearly twenty years I had lost fate in medicine. None of the doctors knew anything. None of them could tell what's wrong with my mom. They simply brushed off saying it is an orphan disease-- "
Xia Meilin chuckled interrupting Linda. She knew it was rude but she couldn't help. " You sound like illiterate villager from some far away mountains who knows nothing of the world outside of the village, contradicting the fact that you're an university students and science to boot. You should know better that there is no such thing as orphan disease. Medical science is not some hocus-pocus. It is basic science that works on cause and effect basis. If there is no prescribed cause for any given condition then the cause for that condition has not yet been discovered and needs work. As simple as that. "
Every words was one stinging slap after another for Linda. Worst than what she had originally anticipated.
" Anyways, come on. On your feet girl. " Xia Meilin said getting up on her feet. " It's already seven thirty, if we leave now I'm sure we'll make it to Soho town within nine. "
" For..what? " Linda asked wiping away her tears. Clearly clueless to what Xia Meilin was upto. " Why do you have to go to Soho town now? "
" I need to have a little chat with your family and also see your mom's condition myself before we can recommend. " Xia Meilin answered atmost casually ." Now chop chop.."
Linda couldn't believe what she just heard. " You.... you're really.. going to recommend for my mom's treatment? "
" Well... Its not me who's gonna recommend, its Roberto since I'll be busy with my move. Besides, you may not consider us as your friend but, we do and therefore, we can't leave things like this. " Hearing this Linda's expression lit up with joy. A tiny glimmer of hope twinkled in her eyes. She was deeply touched. " Don't celebrate just yet. You still have to melt the ice with Roberto. "
" I know Miss O'Connell... " Linda said in low voice.
" Great than! Let's go... " With that the two women made their way back to the parking lot where a rather difficult Roberto was waiting for them.