Rosita on hearing Riley's question unconsciously dropped her(Riley) hand, a bit stunned.
"Mum..., are you alright?" she queried, looking puzzled.
"Um...sweetheart, can we not talk about this now?" queried Rosita quizzically.
"O..kay....mum.." answered Riley with a slight nod, quiet puzzled.
Just then, Lian walked in.
"Uncle...,you're here." exclaimed Riley on seeing him.
"Well.., yes dear. I got the news from the nurse that Rosita regained consciousness so I rushed over to see her." he mumbled as he walked over to Rosita.
"How are you feeling Rosita? We were so worried about you."
"I'm feeling much better Lian..." she uttered as he slightly hugged and peeked her cheeks.
"So what did the doctor say?" he questioned as he sat on the chair beside her bed.
"He gave me some medications and asked me to take some rest. He advised me not to think too much nor panic with the warning that it can give me an attack again. He also added that I will be totally fine within 2weeks if I keep responding well to treatment."
"That's good to hear, Rosita. Always keep it in mind and adhere to the Doctor's advise and you're going to be alright."
"Thank you Lian. Anyway, how is everybody doing? I mean the entire Holland family."
"Everybody is fine dear. They're even on their way. They will soon get here."
Lian didn't even end his statement when the door slammed opened with Melissa, Leyla, Kathie, Vanessa and the entire family except Mad. Flora at the door with broad smiles on their faces having flowers and other gifts in hand.
"Rosita...." Kathie exclaimed as they rushed to her bed.
"I'm so glad to see you back Rosita." she added as she hugged her.
"Same here Kathie. I'm glad to see you all." she mumbled with a smile as the rest of the family took turns to hug her.
Lian looked on as stood beside Riley laughing and giggling making her happy. Suddenly, felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned and it was Riley.
"Can we talk?" she whispered.
"Sure dear..,I even have something to discuss with you."
"Okay, let me get my bag." she answered, walked over to where her bag was and picked it up. By this time, Lian was already at the door. Riley returned to him and they trotted out of the ward without Rosita and the rest of the family's notice.
***********
After a few blocks walk away from the hospital, Lian and Riley noticed a Café near by. They walked in and took their seat.
"What would you care for dear?"
" A cup of Americano will be okay Uncle.."
"Okay.., give me a minute." he muttered and went over to the counter.
"Please, can I have two cups of Americano?" he ordered and stood patiently in wait. Meanwhile, Riley sat quietly at the table holding the letters she found in her parents wardrobe with her attention all focused on it.
"Why is mum refusing to tell me anything?" she queried, starring at the content of the letters.
Few minutes later, Lian walked back to the table with two cups of coffee in hand.
"Here you're dear.." he muttered, handing over one of the cups to her.
"Thank you Uncle..." she replied, pushed the letters into her bag and took the coffee.
"What was that?" inquired Lian as he took his seat.
"Well...Uncle, that's what I want to talk to you about." she answered, sipping on her cup of coffee.
"Okay.., let's hear it out."
Riley took a long sigh and handed over the letters to her Uncle.
"Have a look at this Uncle."
Lian searched her face for a while and took the letter from her. He opened the letters, read it's content and deeply sigh.
"Uncle, can you please tell me what this is about? Is this letter really from the Auntie Nichole I know? I asked mum but she is not willing to tell me anything about it. What's going on Uncle?" she queried anxiously, looking stressed up.
"Riley dear, you have to understand your mum. Huh? Okay.., lets do this. I will tell you what all this is about but you first have to calm down and promise me you won't generate any hatred for anyone especially in the family."
"Okay Uncle, I promise." she hastily answered, expectantly.
"Well..., it's all started some years back when your grandmother...." he uttered, narrating everything that happened in the past hears which brought Nichole into their lives.
"Why did Anutie Nichole do that? I can never forgive her for the pains she has caused my family. I'm going to find evidence to put her behind bars and that's a promise." she mumbled indignantly, standing up from her seat as she picked her bag.
"Where are you going Riley?" questioned Lian, puzzled.
"I will talk to you later Uncle." she responded and stormed out of the Café.
"Riley...., Riley..,Riley...." he called after her as her back disappear out of the Café but she ignored.
"She is just stubborn like her dad." he muttered as he watched her stopped a taxi and speeds away.
Riley sat in the taxi in deep thoughts on what to do. She searched through her bag and picked up her phone. She turned on the screen and dialed Kate's number. After a short ring, she answered.
"Hello..."
"Hello...Kate, are you with the rest of the girls?" she queried.
"Yes...Riley, what's up?"
"Good, put the phone on speaker out. I have a favour to ask from you girls."
"Okay., hold on a second. Now shot, we're listening."
"Okay.., I want you girls to do some background check on Auntie Nichole. I will call you later for it. I have to meet up with Lionel first."
"Okay..., consider it done. But what....." muttered Loretta sounding a little confused.
"But isn't Auntie Nichole the lady who came to meet you up when we were in grade 2 some years back? she added.
" Yes..., she is the same person."
"But why are you doing a background check on her?" queried Nancy sounding puzzled.
"This is not the right time to talk about it Nancy. I promise to tell you guys later after I'm back from meeting with Lionel."
"Okay..."
"Then talk to you girls later."
"Sure.." she answered and they hanged up.
"Please.., I will alight at the GIGS RESTAURANT." uttered Riley to the driver.
"Okay...Miss..." he responded.
She went back to her phone and dialed Lionel's number.
"Are you there yet?" she inquired as Lionel answered.
"I'm almost there.., what about you?"
"I will also be there soon."
"Okay then, see you later."
"Okay bye..," she answered and hanged up. She sat quietly for the rest of the journey, planning on how to fight against Nichole.
***********
Lian got to Rosita's ward to meet her only in the ward.
"Oh..?, are they all gone?" he questioned as he looked around.
"Yes.." mumbled Rosita with a smile.
"Well.., I need to talk to you about something Rosie.." he uttered as he neared her.
"Okay...,go ahead.." she commented, slightly smiling.
"Hmm..., I think Riley found out the treat letters Nichole sent you. She just showed it to me when I went with her to the Café. She asked me questions about it so I told her the whole story."
"What....?" she exclaimed.
"So where is she now?" she added.
"I think she went to find out more about Nichole and how to bring her down."
"Oh..my..God..." she mumbled.
"That's not all Rosie..., I just found out that Lionel is Nichole's son."
"What...?" she exclaimed.
"Then we have to stop Riley from finding out more. I don't want her to end up developing hatred for Lionel. I can see the joy in her eyes whenever she is with him."
"So what're we going to do?" queried Lian, searching Rosita's face.