Mikel sprung up from the couch, his heart pounding as Mirabelle's words rang in his ears.
"Alexis collapsed? Why…? I should go to the hospital." He murmured more to himself.
Jane's voice broke through his thoughts.
"Who was that?" She asked, noticing his alarmed expression.
"Alexis. She collapsed. They are taking her to the hospital." He said, barely glancing at her.
Jane stood abruptly, her eyes narrowing.
"And you are going to her? Right now?" She asked incredulously.
"Yes, I have to." Mikel grabbed his jacket and moved toward the door.
Jane quickly moved to block his path, her hand on his arm.
"Wait, Mikel. How can you leave me like this? I'm carrying your child, and you promised to stay the night. More so, aren't we in a middle of discussion?" She said.
Mikel clenched his jaw.
"I didn't plan for this, Jane. It's an emergency." He told her firmly and her grip tightened.
"I understand it is serious, but what about me? What about the baby? The doctor said you need to be present, especially at night. It's important for bonding. You don't want any complications, do you?" She asked rhetorically.
Mikel paused, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Bonding? At night? That sounds... odd." He pointed out but Jane's expression remained firm.
"Odd or not, that is what the doctor advised. And I'm not risking anything with this pregnancy." She insisted.
Mikel sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his face.
"Jane, Alexis is in the hospital. I can't just—" He was saying but she cut him short.
"She will be fine." Jane interrupted, then her tone became softer, persuasive.
"She is probably just stressed or tired. She has always been fragile, hasn't she? A little headache, and she collapses." She stated, remembering what Mikel had told her about his wife.
Mikel hesitated.
"She is right... Alexis is delicate." He stated inwardly.
Jane took a step closer, her eyes searching his.
"Stay. Just for tonight. She is in the hospital now, getting care. You can go in the morning." She suggested.
Mikel remained silent, torn between responsibility and obligation. Jane pressed on.
"Please, Mikel. I need you here."
"If I leave now, Jane will feel neglected. And Alexis... she is probably overreacting again." Mikel thought to himself.
After a moment, he nodded slowly.
"Fine. I will stay."
A triumphant smile spread across Jane's face, but she quickly masked it with a look of relief.
"Thank you. You won't regret this." She told him.
Mikel leaned against the couch, loosening his tie.
"Now, let's continue our discussion..." Jane started as she pretended to be concerned with Mikel's tie.
Mikel heaved a sigh before speaking up.
"You want assurance right? Okay, let's do that. I will make you head of one of my companies. You will have authority, but you don't have to do anything. You will simply be checking in from time to time, when you feel like it." He explained to her.
Jane's eyes widened.
"You mean it? Head of a company?" She asked in disbelief and excitement.
"Yes. You have been asking for stability. This will give you that." He said with an assuring nod.
"This is a good start, Jane." Jane said to herself inwardly and her smile returned, brighter this time.
~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, at the hospital;
Alexis's eyes fluttered open and she had to blink a few times, to adjust to the harsh light.
"Alexis, you are awake!" Mirabelle's relieved voice came from her side.
Alexis turned her head slowly to see her friend sitting by the bed.
"Mirabelle… what happened?" She asked cluelessly.
"You collapsed. Probably from exhaustion. Thank God, I was just arriving at your place when it happened." Mirabelle replied softly, squeezing Alexis's hand.
Alexis frowned, trying to recall.
"I was... just feeling a little dizzy. Nothing serious." She said.
"Well, it was serious enough to land you here. The doctor said it was stress and fatigue. You have been overworking yourself." Mirabelle said firmly.
Alexis sighed.
"It has been a tough week. Mikel's company... the fire… I couldn't stop worrying." She said.
Mirabelle's gaze softened, but concern was evident in her eyes.
"Speaking of Mikel… he hasn't come yet. I don't know what to make of that." Mirabelle said.
"He must be busy." Alexis said and although her expression remained calm, a hint of disappointment crossed her face.
Mirabelle shook her head, frowning.
"Too busy to check on his wife after she collapsed? Alexis, we are in the same city." She stated.
Alexis reached out, touching Mirabelle's arm.
"Don't be hard on him. He has a lot on his plate." Alexis defended.
Mirabelle leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed.
"Still, he should find time for you. Even an hour."
"If he could, he would. I know him." Alexis said, offering her friend a weak smile.
Mirabelle didn't look convinced but decided to let it go.
"Well, the important thing is you are recovering now. But you need to rest." She said.
"I will." Alexis nodded.
~~~~~~~~~
Later that evening; Alexis was sitting on the edge of the bed, ready to be discharged.
Mirabelle stood nearby, her arms folded, glancing at the door every few seconds.
"Still no sign of Mikel..." She muttered under her breath.
Alexis shrugged, trying to hide her disappointment.
"He is probably tied up with work."
Mirabelle narrowed her eyes then scoffed.
"Tied up or not, he should be here." She maintained.
"If he won't come to me… I will go to him." Alexis decided, standing up from the bed.
Mirabelle's mouth fell open.
"You are kidding, right? Alexis, you just got out of the hospital!" She yelled slightly.
Alexis grabbed her phone, with determination in her eyes.
"I'm fine now. I need to see him." She announced.
Mirabelle followed her, shaking her head.
"Alexis, you can't be serious. You need to rest!"
But Alexis didn't stop. She was already instructing her driver outside.
"Take me to Mikel's office."
The driver hesitated, glancing at Mirabelle for confirmation. Mirabelle tried to intervene.
"Alexis, think this through. He has multiple offices. Which one do you even mean?" Mirabelle asked, hoping that would change her mind.
Alexis met the driver's gaze, her voice steady.
"Anywhere. Or everywhere if possible." She maintained with determination.
"I am worried about my husband. He is not like this, something is definitely wrong somewhere." Alexis mumbled under her breath.