Chereads / The girl with the golden rose / Chapter 15 - Secretive brother

Chapter 15 - Secretive brother

Matteo came into the room dressed wearing black jeans, a white polo and a leather jacket. He was holding his bike's helmet in his hand. His hair was disheveled. He used his hand to arrange his hair as he made his cool appearance in the room.

The twins were entranced while Julian and Viviana both rolled their eyes, why did he have to act so cool, it is not like he can control it. Theo has always been like this, that's why he was such a social magnet. Matteo was shocked for a moment seeing the crowd in the room, he wasn't expecting Viviana to be having visitors.

" Theo, where have you been!" Viviana's excited voice asked. Of all times, why did he decide to go off the radar around this period? Theo was glad that Viviana was excited to see him. He thought she would be upset because he disappeared without a word. "Nowhere in particular, I left the country to handle some things personally. I hope you didn't miss me much." He replied, offering Viviana a nervous smile which didn't fail to showcase his dimples Viviana was always envious of.

" Something personal, you say." Viviana squinted her eyes, trying to see if Matteo was lying. " Personal indeed, I am glad you are back unharmed, I was so worried since I couldn't get in touch with you." Everyone was amused by Viviana's squinted eyes, it was so funny. " Glad you missed me, and you shouldn't worry too much, I can take care of myself. I will just sit in that corner while you speak to your guests." Theo exchanged pleasantries with Julian and his sisters so that he wouldn't seem rude before he moved to sit on a chair that was in a corner close to the door.

Viviana chatted with the siblings about school, their neighborhood and popular gist among the elites. Just like Julian his sisters were also chattering boxes, it was obvious where Julian learned how to talk so much. Throughout their exchange, Theo ignored them, placing all his attention on his phone. Theo wasn't the chatty type, he only spoke to a few people close to him, like his family, while the rest acted civil towards them. Theo, being a tech wizard, adored dedicating the majority of his time to his electronic devices.

The siblings chatted with Viviana. It was a pleasure talking to someone from the outside world. Whenever her dad visited her while she was here, it was always late when she was sleeping, she could sense his presence but was too sleepy to talk to him. At first, she was shocked that they allowed Lorenzo in since it was after visiting hours, but then she remembered that Kyle said Lorenzo had made a very generous investment in Xavier's family business. 

Throughout the time the twins were in the room they kept stealing glances at Theo, but they were scared to approach him because they knew they were kind of in his black book and Theo had this aloof, unapproachable aura around him. " I think we have spent our time, we don't want Theo mad, so I think it is time we left. Take care Vivi we will make sure to pray for you." Artemis declared, signaling her siblings they should go. 

" Please take care of yourself and eat plenty fruits." Athena wished Viviana farewell with a hug, followed by Julian, who also hugged her before saying. " We will talk later. Take care." Artemis was the last to hug Viviana . She gave Viviana a big bear hug. " Get well soon so that you can cheer Julian up, he has been so depressed recently that it makes me sad. I promise I won't play any funny pranks on you anymore if you get better." Artemis chirped in.

" Make sure to snuggle the teddy if you get scared at night." Julian's voice echoed before he stepped out of the room with his sisters. They spent some hours talking to Viviana. Viviana avoided talking about her health condition, as she would rather not bother Julian about it. He was such a worrywart.

" I thought they never leave, what a noisy bunch," Theo commented after the siblings left. Viviana shot him a questioning glance, as if to ask, "What did you say?" " See who decided to turn to a chatterbox." He flicked Viviana's forehead before he snapped, " who are you calling a chatterbox? " He had an annoyed expression on his handsome face. He had already left his seat to sit on Vivi's bed.

" Ouch, that hurts, have you forgotten I am sick." Viviana complained, rubbing her forehead. She pouted her red lips and had a cute frown on her face. " Ewww what is that reaction on your face? Are you trying to act cute? You are too evil to act cute." Theo sneered while faking a disgusted expression. " I even feel like throwing up. It's no surprise that Alexandra's twins enjoy playing pranks on you." Viviana's forehead creased, and irritation flickered across her face as she grew increasingly annoyed with her brother's antics.

Alexandra was Julian's surname. " You know what Matteo Marino, you can go to wherever you come from, you are not invited here. The talking part of you isn't doing any good for my health. I'd rather you stay quiet altogether," deadpanned Viviana.

" Okay, don't be angry, I won't say anything annoying again." He murmured, audible enough for Viviana to hear. After that, Matteo and Viviana spoke about her health, and recent Information, and how she was adjusting to the hospital. Viviana also told him about Chelsea and Kylie. Matteo listened attentively to all his sister's tales. Viviana tried inquiring about his recent where about, but he pushed all her attempts away. When Viviana saw his desperate attempt not to talk about it, she stopped bugging him about it and swallowed her curiosity.

" I think I won't be celebrating my 16th birthday this year. I can't when you are in the condition." Theo declared. Viviana was touched that Theo was willing to give up his 16th birthday because of her, but she wasn't going to allow it. It was such a special age not to be celebrated, and she won't allow her family to suffer because of her. " I won't allow that, no way. Theo, I want you to celebrate your birthday. I will make sure I am there to cheer you all the way. Have you forgotten that the 16th birthday celebration is a tradition the Marino's kept for generations? They even unveil a portrait of the celebrant on the birthday. There is no way I would watch and see you miss that." demanded Viviana with no room for negotiation.

" But I don't feel like it" Theo argued. " No one asked you whether you felt like it or not. Theo, this is too essential for you to miss. Please do this for you and me." She pleaded. After being pushed by Viviana, Theo finally agreed to celebrate his birthday and then said he would speak to their father's assistant David, in finding someone to handle the preparations. Viviana was overjoyed she was able to convince her brother. After spending some time with Viviana, Theo also left as visiting hours were almost over, and he had to prepare for school, which he had missed for days now. He bid her farewell while patting her head.

After that day, Theo chatted with Viviana frequently and visited her whenever he had the opportunity to bring her food. It helps Viviana to be in a good mood. Yesterday, Viviana was informed that the international specialist would be coming to the hospital today along with her new assistant. She was also informed that her father's presence would be needed, as the specialist would have to speak to her father about her condition.

" Hi Viviana, how have you been doing." Viviana was unexpectedly greeted by her neighbour who saw her coming back from the group therapy session he skipped. Since she would rather not be outrightly rude, she replied with a forced smile. " Good morning, Kyle, as you can see, I am not dead." 

" I never knew you were also a fan of dark humor that's unexpected." He replied with a smirk on his face. " What do you want, Mister Xavier that you took the initiative to talk to me?" Viviana questioned him, dropping the pretense.

" You don't have to be so cold. I am sorry I kind of acted like an as****e the other day. I was kind of in a bad mood. I didn't mean to behave like that." He started with a sorry expression. He was really in a bad mood due to some unforeseen circumstances. Viviana who still had a stoic expression replied on a low tone. " I have heard your apology and I would think about it." 

Kyle seeing that Viviana wasn't convinced added. " Okay to make up for it, I will give you a detailed tour of the hospital today after we see the International specialist in quotes." He joked about the doctor who was meant to see them today. " I don't think anything is interesting about the hospital." Viviana rolled her eyes as she replied to him.

" Trust me there are and I am the best person to show you since I know this place like the back of my palm. So I guess we will see later and have fun with your specialist consultation." He declared before leaving with his hands in his pockets.