Emilia felt much better the next day. She dressed up a little bit nicer than the plain top and jeans that she had on over the past few days. She put on a knee length dark green dress with thick cable knit tights of deeper shade of orange/red
The colours made her skin appear more glowing and made her appear much more cheerful.
She packed her backpack and made her way to the city, followed by a shadow of a bodyguard. She tried not to pay attention to the man who kept his distance and didn't interact with her. Firstly, she made her way to the bank. The same person served her again as over the past few times, as if they were purposely selected to do so whenever she appeared.
"Good morning!" She smiled to the female clerk.
"Good morning, madam."
"As always, bank number is 578901. In the name of Emilia Hayden." She said as she blushed. For the first time she used her new name and it sounded strange but also it gave her butterflies in her stomach. "I would like to know the amount within the account."
"It is £39,781,500, madam."
"Eh…" Emilia froze. She definitely didn't expect the number to be in millions. "I'd like to withdraw £10'000, please."
"Of course."
Emilia picked up an envelope inside how to proceed. She never imagined the sheer amount of money in her account. She only spend the money on Maria's wage, her university course which was £9'000 a year, and three dresses that equalled £2000.
She proceeded to go to the hospital where she found Maria.
"Oh my goodness, what happened to you?" Maria looked at her with worry.
"A slight accident." Emilia's voice was dismissive. "First of all, thank you for all you did, Maria." She passed her the envelope with a smile.
"Am I getting fired?"
"No! Consider it a bonus. Although, feel free to take couple of days off. It must've been tough over the past week and a bit."
"What happened to you?"
"Turns out that I'm now married to the billionaire and I was kidnapped for a ransom." Emilia shrugged as she spoke casually as if it happened every day. Maria laughed thinking it was a joke, a reaction most people would have.
"I'm glad you're back. Give me a call if you need me. A doctor was hoping to speak with you just a few moments ago."
"Perfect." Emilia nodded.
She bid farewell to Maria and went to find her mum's doctor.
"Good morning."
"Oh, Miss Vincent. Glad to see you. I was about to call you."
"What is the matter?"
"Your mum's state is stable. There's no need for her to stay in the hospital."
"But it is not any better." Emilia finished with a sigh.
"Miss Vincent…" the doctor replicated her sigh. "I understand that you have had some hope. But your mum may need to be in the end of life care soon. There is hope but… I wouldn't hang onto it."
"I understand." Emilia nodded. "Thank you."
Emilia found her mum in the room after agreeing on the next steps with the doctor. She sat beside her mum and told her everything that has happened.
She spend most of the day in a hospital, sitting beside her mum, talking and reading to her. And as hours went, her spirits plummeted.
She left the hospital in the afternoon, a shadow of the bodyguard appearing again and following her as she went to her apartment to pick up her yellowing bonsai and a laptop.
In the meantime, Christopher subconsciously rushed home early enough to walk Barky and spend some time with Emilia over dinner. To his disappointment, Emilia was not in sight when he returned.
"Are you okay, sir?" Bernie came out of the living room with a dust feathers.
"I'm looking for Emilia."
"Oh, she should be back soon. She was in the city visiting her family today. The bus back is due to arrive in about twenty minutes." Bernie said as she checked her watch.
"Where's the bus stop?"
"Down in the village."
Christopher nodded as he hurried to grab a leash and put Barky on it, which in itself was a difficult task. Already panting when he run out of the door. Bernadette watched behind him in amusement. She never saw him act like that before and it was heartwarming to see the level of care he had for someone.
Emilia was on a bus, distant and nostalgic, staring into a space, not recognising a changing scenery. She should have been used to this feeling of powerlessness by now but sometimes it hit her harder than ever. She spiralled into the thoughts where she felt that she had no one.
Once she recognised the first houses of the village, she stood up to exit the bus and as the bus pulled over to stop she saw a glimpse of a familiar face.