I felt like someone is caressing my cheeks. A soft voice that seems to get louder comes up in the background.
"Rylee, wake up. The doctor will be in a few minutes. Wake up sleepy head."
I open my eyes slowly and the sky is bright and clear already.
"Come on. Get off from the hospital bed," the voice said again. I looked towards the voice and it's Aunt Jenny nagging at me.
"Okay, okay. Geez, stop nagging already," I replied with a grumpy face while getting up from the bed slowly.
She just rolled her eyes at me.
I walked towards the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.
As I got out of the bathroom, the doctor and a nurse came by the room. They examined mom's health chart and the nurse writes something on it.
"How are you feeling Mrs.Wallis?" The doctor asked my mom.
"I'm feeling a bit weary and my chest is hurting," she replied. My mom looked so fragile laying down on that bed.
"The nurse will inject you with some painkillers and gave you some medicine after this," said the doctor.
I can't help but felt useless. Unable to do anything. Tears started to form at the corner of my eyes but I blink as fast as I can to resist the tears from falling.
"Will she be alright?" I asked the doctor.
"Let's just pray for her and we will do our best to help her," he said. At that moment, I knew that there's little hope for my mom to get better.
"Ring...ringing...ringing"
Before I could say something my phone rang.
"Please excuse me," I said and went out of the room.
I looked at the caller ID and it's Mr. Mendoza. I quickly pressed the answer button. "Hello?"
"Hello Ms. Wallis, how are you?"
"I'm fine. Is anything okay Mr.Mendoza?" I responded.
"I told you to just called me Flynn. Anyway, I'm calling to ask you about your latest book. Is it done?" He asked.
"....," I paused. I don't know how to respond to the question. Since my breakup, I haven't been writing and now that my mom's sick, I don't think I can continue writing.
"Are you still there?"
I snapped from my thoughts. "Yes, I'm sorry Flynn, I don't think I will be able to continue my book any time soon. Something came up and it's unavoidable. I'm sorry," I explained. "I hope you could understand," I added.
"If that's the case then I can't do anything. I rejected a few authors who wanted their books to be published just because you have been one of my favorite clients for these past few years. If you are not serious about this then I'm sorry, your book will not be published," he said with a serious tone.
I was shocked to hear what he just said. "You can't do that Flynn. I...," before I could finish my sentences, he cut me off.
"Listen, Rylee, if you are not interested anymore, I can terminate your contract and you can find another publisher to publish your work. However, if you send me the latest chapter of your book, I might consider it. Make sure you bring it to my office by the end of this month or else, the contract will be revoked," and he ended the phone call.
I was dumbfounded. What the heck was that. It was unexpected from him. First, my boyfriend cheated on me. Then, I found out that my mom had cancer and now my career is about to end. My life's a mess right now. I don't even know what to do anymore.
Without realizing it, tears streaming down my cheeks. At that moment, I just wanted to be alone, away from everyone so I left the hospital without telling my mom or Aunt Jenny.