Xavier drove back to his company, he had a pending meeting so he rushed right into it.
"Xavier, Xavier " Gerald yelled the moment he saw him walk out of the meeting room.
"Don't shout like that, respect your self " Xavier rubbed his forehead.
He had a headache that was getting worse every second. Gerald walked following Xavier to his office.
"I don't care I have a reason why am shouting like this, it's about Liana," he said
Xavier stopped, "What happened?" he asked.
"It's her brother, he took over her company and threw her out. I called her little secretary and she said Liana collapsed and was taken to the hospital " he said.
Xavier clenched his fists, "I knew he never changed, even after her giving him a second chance "
"Well, it seems like his parents were behind it, 'cause the new CEO is her mother " Gerald let out.
"Those sickening hypocrites don't know when to stop, they will pay for hurting her," he said.
"But you promised Liana never to harm them?"
Xavier glared, "I don't care anymore, they hurt her so they will answer to me now," he said walking out.
"Hi, wait for me I want to know too if she's okay " Gerald walked after Xavier.
....
Joy and the others who had come along with her to the hospital stood up when Xavier arrived with Gerald.
"You here," she said.
"How is she doing," he asked
"The doctor said it was shock that caused her to faint but she will be okay after some rest," she said.
"Which room is she " Joy directed him and then returned to the others.
"You all must still be shocked too and tired after being with my sister-in-law in the hospital, so why don't I treat you to dinner and then take you home," Gerald said.
"And boss? what about her " one asked
"Will she be alright?" the other asked.
Gerald chuckled, "With Xavier here now, you don't need to worry about her. She's in good hands now," he said.
Joy sniffed, "You go ahead, I will stay for a while," she said, "Thank you guys for being here with me "
They hugged her one by one and then left with Gerald.
"I will bring you something on my way back," he said leaving.
....
"Xavier "Liana called, a warm hand touching her face.
" Am here " he said.
"Hold me," she said.
He got up sitting next to her, warm strong arms picking her up and laying her on his chest embraced. Her arms clung to his back holding him tighter.
She didn't say anything else but he could feel her warm tears wet his shirt while silently sobbing.
...
Gerald returned with takeaway for Joy who had dozed off at the waiting bench outside Liana's room.
Slowly he tapped her shoulder, "Sleepyhead, am back" he said
Joy opened her eyes looking around with a daze, "Your back " she yawned.
"Mmm, here I bought you some food," Gerald said sitting next to her. Joy took the food thanking him.
"This is a lot " she gasped seeing the food.
"Well I thought that you have the same appetite as your boss " he smiled.
Joy chuckled, "I don't but I missed lunch so I won't waste any of it "
Gerald laughed, "Go ahead then " he sat back and watched her eat. "Has he left her room yet?"
Joy shook her head, "No, I only heard sobbing sounds I guess Liana is heartbroken about what happened "
Gerald sighed, "She will be okay don't worry, Xavier will take care of her"
"I know he will but it will be a while for her to accept what he did to her. We all trusted him but he did something despicable like this, he was the only person she relied on as family but he broke her worse than her parents did " Joy muttered.
"I know with Xavier she will heal but am worried about you," he said.
Gerald looked down at the swollen red face with stuffed cheeks of food and his frown disappeared being replaced with a smile.
"Me? "
With a smile, he answered, " Yes you, I mean he didn't only break his sister's heart but also yours since you were in a relationship with him "
Joy scoffed, "Oh that, I will be fine. It's his loss to have used me instead of loving me. I won't die from a heartbreak so in two weeks I will be fine," she said looking down at her food.
Gerald bent down to look at her, "Two weeks, really?"
She nodded sniffing, "Well maybe three.." a tear dropped as she spoke.
"Oh..okay I think three weeks is good enough," Gerald said trying not to let her cry. But his answer made her wail instead. Joy was crying bitterly with the food still in her mouth, her tears flowed out nonstop and Gerald froze watching her.
"Maybe months or a year I don't know anymore. My heart doesn't know how long it will take to heal cause the wound is there but it doesn't hurt, just numb and getting big " she cried, "I loved him with everything I had, trusted him but all along he saw me as a plaything for his plans " she coughed chocking on her food.
Gerald hit her back gently, "Sorry, you should choose one thing to do for now. Cry over that asshole or eat the delicious food I bought," he said.
She looked up still coughing, "I choose the food " she laughed. He nodded laughing along with her.