After composing himself, David turned to the bed and inquired with a calmer tone, "What happened?"
"I received a message from her about her sickness. I was considering sending someone to check on her…" George explained.
"No." David instinctively held up a hand, as if George could see him.
"Is there anything else, sir?" George asked.
"Well," David glanced down at the jacket on the bed, contemplating. "I think I'll visit her myself. That's better."
"Alright, sir," George agreed, his voice tinged with skepticism.
David ended the call and sat down, picking up the jacket. "The morning is still young." As distinct footsteps approached, he hastily tossed the jacket onto the couch just as Rita walked in.
"You seem upset," Rita observed.
"Please, Mrs. Rita, don't bother me," David replied curtly.
"Oh, it's your conscience bothering you, isn't it? And from the look of it earlier, you couldn't reach someone and now you're upset," Rita remarked knowingly.
"You seem to have all the answers," David retorted, shrugging.
"Anyway, if you've wronged her, you should apologize," Rita suggested gently.
David stood up abruptly. "I don't do that," he declared before leaving the room. He returned a moment later. "Put that jacket in a bag," he instructed.
"Why?" Rita questioned.
"Don't ask questions," David frowned as he left, leaving Rita to smile and comply, grabbing the jacket.
Carissa stirred, her eyes fluttering open to the dim morning light filtering through the curtains. A heaviness weighed upon her as she slowly sat up in bed, feeling worn out and disoriented. Glancing around her room, she furrowed her brow, trying to piece together the events of the previous night.
Her memory flooded back, and she sighed heavily. "Oh goodness, I hope I didn't get my family worried," she muttered to herself, a pang of guilt washing over her. The image of her daughter, Angelina, flashed in her mind, and she felt a surge of anxiety. "Angelina. My daughter must be so worried."
As if in response to her thoughts, the door creaked open, and Angelina tiptoed into the room, her expression a mix of relief and concern. With a bright smile, she rushed to her mother's side, enveloping her in a cautious hug.
"Mommy, you're awake!" Angelina exclaimed, her voice filled with relief. They settled into a tender mother-daughter conversation, Carissa apologizing profusely for causing worry.
Angelina listened attentively, her eyes filled with understanding. "I'm just glad you're okay now, Mommy. But I was really scared when I saw you collapse last night."
Carissa's heart ached at her daughter's words, guilt gnawing at her. Before she could respond, the question she had been dreading surfaced.
"Mommy, why were you all wet when you came home?" Angelina asked, her tone gentle but curious.
Carissa hesitated, her mind scrambling for an explanation she couldn't bring herself to give. Just then, the door swung open once more, revealing Daisy, her best friend, her expression etched with concern.
"Daisy, you're here?" Carissa exclaimed, surprised by her friend's presence.
"Yes, Mommy. She arrived very early today after Grandma informed her about your condition," Angelina revealed proudly.
Daisy's gaze bore into Carissa with intensity, ready to bombard her with questions. But Carissa's realization hit her like a slap. "Goodness!" She slapped her forehead, eyes widening in alarm. "I should be at work, preparing a presentation."
"No, relax, Mom. I sent a message to someone who called earlier and informed him about your condition," Angelina reassured her mother.
Carissa was taken aback by her daughter's initiative. "How did you manage that?"
"Aunt Daisy asked me to do it, by the way," Angelina explained casually.
Carissa sighed, shifting her gaze to Daisy. "Can I see the message she sent?"
"You don't need to. I saw it. It's good," Daisy assured.
"Mom, you don't need to worry. I'm smart," Angelina chimed in, smiling warmly.
Carissa returned her daughter's charming smile before turning to Daisy, who now wore a stern expression.
"Why did you come home so late last night?" Daisy questioned, her tone firm.
Carissa hesitated, but before she could respond, Angelina interjected with concern. "Was it because of him, Da…?"
"No, it wasn't," Carissa interjected quickly, not wanting to discuss it further or let Daisy mention his name.
"Who is the 'him' you were referring to that would likely trouble my Mom?" Angelina asked, frowning at the possibility of her mother facing issues.
"I was talking about her boss," Daisy clarified, choosing her words carefully.
"No boss can trouble my mother. She takes no nonsense from anyone," Angelina stated confidently, prompting Carissa to chuckle at her daughter's unwavering support.
A knowing glance passed between Carissa and Daisy, their unspoken communication clear.
"Or… is there anything else, Mom, you're keeping from me?" Angelina's gaze bore into her mother, a hint of concern in her eyes.
Carissa shook her head, but before she could respond, her father entered the room, breaking the moment.
"Good morning, Father," Carissa greeted, forcing a smile.
He returned her greeting with a smile of his own. "Good morning. Duncan is here to see you."
"Oh, I see," Carissa replied, her smile faltering slightly as Duncan and his wife, along with her own mother, entered the room.
As the doorbell rang, Angelina leaped off the bed. "Don't worry, I'll go check who's at the door," she declared before darting out of the room, eliciting a soft giggle from Carissa at her daughter's sensitivity.
Moments later, Angelina returned, her expression stunned. "There's a man at the door. He said he's Mom's boss and he wants to see the family."
Carissa's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"
"Let's go see him then," her father suggested, leading the way out of the room with the others, leaving Carissa alone with Daisy.
"I'm sure it's David. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind," Daisy declared vehemently, ready to storm out of the room.
Carissa grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks. "It's David!"
"Yes…" Daisy trailed off, realization dawning on her.
"My family is going to find out," Carissa panicked, her mind racing.
"Find out about what…?" Daisy paused, her own realization sinking in. "Oh, shit. They didn't know before."
"No," Carissa lamented, panic rising. "My little secret will be exposed," she cried, feeling the weight of impending revelation.