"The Shipmans' mansion? Do you really want to see her that much?. Wait! Don't tell Leonard Yul has finally been smitten. But you just met her, do you really think she's the one?" Zane denoted.
What? Smitten?-The two words rang in Leo's head. Of course not, what was he thinking? what was he saying?
"Shut up, Zane. S-Stop spouting nonsense," Leo stuttered for the first time since Zane has known him. He was truly in denial as always.
He didn't need to see her, she was the one who left without a word. He didn't do anything wrong this time. She was the one who left just like that, so she can suit herself, he doesn't care-He tried to rearrange his thoughts to how it used to be.
"I don't exactly know where the mansion is and even if I find out for you, you won't be able to see her," Zane continued.
"And why so?" Leo asked.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten something this important?" Zane said.
What's with him today? He never forgets, Leo always had them on their toes because you'll regret it if you forget and he reminds you himself.
"Today you'll be leaving the country by noon for an important international business deal with ferris industries. Tell me boss, how can you forget this?" Zane whined.
"I swear you're more than a nagging wife," Leo responded.
"When will the business trip be over?" he continued.
"In three weeks' time," Zane answered.
"We've been slacking behind Reyes Corp. for some while now and that's why we lost to them at the award's event. We need to land this deal boss. So I'm afraid you can't see her, not today," he added.
"I don't need to see her," Leo responded coldly. He started to walk towards the stairs.
"Prepare my stuffs," he added.
***
Davian and Silvia were at the hospital. Mrs. Randell had already woken up and was recovering speedily. They were there to see her.
"Thank you, Davian," Mrs. Randell responded as Davian had just finished feeding her.
He placed the bowl of soup back on a tray which was close to the flowers Silvia had brought along with her, which were on top of the drawer close to the bed.
"You never introduced your pretty friend to me, Davian. Although, she looks awfully familiar, like I've seen her some place. Have we met before Ms.?" Elizabeth asked Silvia.
"No," Silvia replied as she shook her head once.
"Oh..." Elizabeth trailed in thoughts.
"Don't stress your head mom. You just got operated in the head. She's... she is Silvia Reyes," Davian answered.
"Reyes...Reyes?! The Reyes?" she was finding it hard to believe.
The Reyes family were one of the most affluent and prominent families in the country with a large and prestigious business empire and they were the owners of the hospital.
"Yes, mom," he affirmed.
"I never knew you were friends with the Reyes' daughter," she said.
"We're not really friends mom. We're... we're getting married," he replied.
"?!"
Elizabeth was utterly flabbergasted. Davian looked at Silvia and she nodded. She walked out of the room to give them some privacy.
"H-How?" she asked. He sat on a chair close to her and held her hand.
"I'm not going to beat around the bush or lie to you. Her parents wanted to force her into marrying someone she doesn't want to. She came to me, actually we were introduced to each other by Cia," he explained.
"The doctor?" she asked.
"Yes, Cia my friend who's a doctor, she's also friends with Ms. Reyes. Although I already met Ms. Reyes during an interview for my firm with her company.
"She offered me a contract, to be her husband for a year so that she won't get married to the man she's being forced to marry. In exchange for money, and funds for your surgery," he elaborated.
"I had to accept it, you're all I have left I don't want to lose you. Saving your life was all that mattered to me," he added.
Tears threatened to trickle down her eyes. He wiped it when they started to fall.
"No, mom. Don't cry," he said.
"This was why I wanted to keep it from you, I don't want your condition to worsen," he uttered.
"No, no, I'll be fine. I feel great but at your expense. Thank you, for not keeping it away from me," she replied and more tears flowed down her cheeks. He stood up and hugged her.
"No, don't do this mom. Stop crying, it's not your fault. It's all mine," he pleaded.
"No, it's not. I feel like a burden," she replied.
"No mom. You're not a burden to me at all. Just a year and it will be over," he responded.
"I can't just help but feel guilty. If I hadn't gotten sick, you wouldn't be forced to marry a woman you don't love because of money," she cried more.
"Stop it mom. It's not like that, if I was rich enough I wouldn't have married her. It's all my fault, all mine," he said.
Both mother and son hugged it out for a long while.
"Get some sleep now mom," Davian said.
"Okay," she replied. He kissed her forehead and tucked her in.
"Bye," he added and began to walk towards the door.
"Bye son. I love you," she replied.
"I love you too mom," he said and opened the door. Silvia was standing right there, their eyes met. He took long, she could have just sat down, or did she?-He wondered.
"Let's go," he said and began to walk away not waiting for her. She soon followed from behind.
He truly loves his mom very much, she thought as she trailed behind him. She eavesdropped a little on their conversation earlier. She couldn't tell if she shared that kind of love with her parents. What would have happened if she hadn't help, even though she was asking something in return?
She shook her head, why would she care?. She only realized that they were already outside the hospital when she felt droplets of rain fall on her. Was she that deep in thoughts just now? It was about to rain.
She and Davian came at the same time in the same car. His car, as he was the one who came to pick her up to go see his mom with him.
Where the car was parked was a little further away from the entrance of the hospital. Davian's hand suddenly held hers as he drags her along with him, they were getting drenched in the rain.
Her eyes went to his hand that was holding hers as they ran looking for the nearest shade. Her amber eyes gazed back at him, she never expected him to do that.
"Ah!" Silvia yelped in pain. Davian turned towards her immediately.
"Silvia... what's wrong Silvia?!" he asked, a little concerned.
"?!"