Diana waited for the nurse who had promised to get the healer for her daughter. She hadn't heard from her after a week. Her daughter hadn't improved and the doctor was putting pressure on her to make a decision.
'Madam, if you don't make a decision about the amputation, I will have to ask you and your daughter to leave our facility.'
'I have told you doctor to give me some more time to consider this. Moreover, don't you think it is my daughter who is to make this decision?
'It is because of the condition of your daughter, you have no choice than to make it on her behalf. She is in no state to make a decision now. You know this.'
'I understand what you are saying but understand me. Imagine that she wakes up, realises that her leg has been cut off, and then she hates herself for it. How do you think it would play out? She would hate me and blame me for not thinking about her.'
'Madam, this is no excuse. If you don't make a decision, I am sorry I would have to ask the nurses to discharge you. You are not complying with medical advice and I will have no hand in whatever happens to her.'
'I understand the doctor. I will give you a response soon.'
The doctor stomped out of the ward, just as Steven was coming, reeking of alcohol and smoke. Diana moved back, visibly repulsed by the combined smell of the alcohol and the smoke.
'Where have you been all night? I have called you numerous times, to no avail. Your sister is in the hospital and you have the time to enjoy yourself.'
Steven sank into a chair close by. He pulled off his shoes and threw them across the room, then answered his mother.
'Mom, you know yesterday was Bella's birthday. And I had to take her out and show her some love.'
'Who is Bella?' Diana was taken aback. Who is this new woman in her son's life?
'Oh you don't know Bella?' Steven laughed. He could barely keep his eyes open. They were heavy with sleep and alcohol. 'She is the love of my life.'
'I thought Amanda was the love of your life. You told me that last week.'
'Nah… Amanda is an old story now.'
'That is beside the point now. How are we going to make sure the Roberts Company, our family company, gets the park project?'
'I don't know mama. I thought you and Clara figured it out.'
'Do I need to remind you that Clara is in a coma?'
'Then you can do it ma.'
'Why don't you do it?'
'You know I can't do that kind of thing. It is not in the list of my capabilities.' Steven started to snore. He had fallen asleep.
Diana looked at her son and bit her lip. She wished he had been the one lying on the bed while Clara was up and about. Besides, she needs to find a way to get that contract. Her phone rang and it was Liam George. She was surprised, it has been a long time since she had heard of his name or heard from him.
'How are you? It has been a long time.'
'I am well. I travelled to the Bahamas for holiday and I am back. How is Clara? I have tried to reach her.'
'She is fine. Though not well. She was involved in an accident and has been in a coma. The doctor wanted to amputate her leg but I refused. I hope that there is a healer that can take her out of her misery.'
'Really, I didn't know. There is something I wanted to discuss with you. But I will have to discuss it with you in person.'
'Really? No problem.'
'What hospital is she in?'
'It is the Sinai hospital. We can talk when you get here. Is that fine by you?'
'Of course.'
The line went off and Diana remembered that she still had a friend in donaldation. Liam was the man they needed to talk to the new director of the project and secure that slot for them. She almost clapped her hands. As she was thinking about the conversation she had with Liam and how much good he would be to their family and company, then the door to the ward opened. The nurse who was to go and find the healer for her walked.
'Oh, this is a great evening. I have searched for you all over this hospital. Thank God you are here. Where have you been?'
'I am sorry for the long silence ma'am. I have been searching for the healer but it is difficult to get him. The person who told me about him is no longer in the city. She travelled to see her mother. She heard about it from a friend who used to work in the household where the healer had done his work.'
'Don't you know a way to contact him?'
'I am sorry I don't know him personally. I heard his story and thought that he was around. Your daughter should not have to amputate her leg since there is a healer. I am sorry for raising your hopes and failing.'
'Oh no. It is fine. Since there is a healer, it means that we have to find him. When will your friend come back?'
'She will be back next week or thereabout. But she is sure to return.'
'No problems. Take my number and call me when she arrives.'
'No problem ma'am.'
The nurse turned and left. Steven, who had woken up for a while now and watched her walk away, said to his mother.
'That nurse is a fine lady.'
'Will you shut the hell up Steven?'
Michael had just made food and had served it in a bowl. Isabella was opening the bottle of wine. After which she poured it in their glasses. She smiled at Michael. This was a special night. Her dad had dismissed them and told them to go home. Isabella had wanted to spend the night with him.
Anyway there was no need to fear. He was stable now and the doctors had assured that in no distant time, they would discharge him. She dished her food and sat down to eat. Michael did the same too. The night felt special. Both of them would be working together now, as partners. It was all too surreal.
'I wanted to give you something.' Michael said.
'Really? I love gifts.' Isabella said and squealed.
Michael presented her with a box wrapped in a shiny material. It was large and tied with two strings, ending with a bow. She shouted in excitement when she opened it. It was a handbag; a Balenciaga label was prominent on the side of the bag.
Liam gorge was handsome in every respect. He caught the eye of every lady who passed him. No wonder the two nurses who were with him in the elevator that brought him to the floor where Diana stayed with Clara could not stop talking about him.
Liam walked quickly to the receptionist. He was satisfied that he was still desirable after adding considerable weight. The weeks in the Bahamas have proved its worth. The receptionist directed him to the room after she had looked him up and down and continued to give him the side eye, showing that she was interested in him. Liam always enjoyed the attention he got. It gave him so much joy.
When he got to the room, Diana was seated by the bed. Alone in the room with her daughter, Steven had left to continue his usual shenanigans. He said he had a few meetings but his mother knew better, he had gone to be with some of his female friends. She got up as soon as he got in and hugged.
'That must be some costly perfume. It smells beautiful. Where did you get it?'
'It was on my last trip to Milan. How are you?'
'I am distressed. You can see how much I am suffering. How was the Bahamas?'
'The Bahamas didn't want me to leave but I had to leave for work sake.'
But it was not true. He had left the Bahamas because he heard that someone had been offered his position as CEO of king donaldation. If not for that news, he could have stayed back. He liked to squander money, especially the one that doesn't belong to him.
'How is she doing?'
'She moved this morning. The doctors are saying she is coming around but asking us to amputate the legs before she wakes up. They say if we don't, they might have to push us out. Can you imagine the insolence? Oh how I have suffered. She might not walk again, they say. But with amputating her legs, she might use a prosthetic to walk again. I am distressed.' She fell into Liam's embrace.
'Don't we be here together.'
'And on top of that I have to get the contract for my project.'
'Oh that. The fool in charge of it now thinks he is a god. I have come back to humble him. He is the one who has taken over my position. I am sure he poisoned Mr. Donald or cast a spell on him.'
'Oh my. You don't mean that.' she opened her mouth and put her hand over it. She was rubbing her body. Liam was enjoying every moment of it.
'I mean every word of it. But we will get to the bottom of it.'
'You will come out victorious, I am sure of it.' Diana said, tossing her head this way and that. They were getting close. Both of them could feel the charge between them and neither of them wanted it to stop. Then the monitors started beeping, like the universe had caught them in the act and wanted to announce it to the whole world. But it was Clara monitors. They showed that Clara's heart beat was now erratic. Diana pressed the page button on the side of the bed, while Liam ran out of the room to call for a doctor or nurse.
Clara sat up in bed. Diana ran to her daughter's side, relieved that she was awake.
'How are you my love?' she said. Clara could only nod. The doctor was inside the room a moment later. He used his stethoscope to check her pulse and heart rate. He declared that they were.
'We are surprised because the way the monitor rang made me think that something wrong had happened.'
'She must be a very strong doctor. You see, my daughter is a strong woman. She bounces back from every problem she has encountered. And she comes back stronger and victorious. Just as I am sure that the legs will work whether with or without the doctor's aid.'
The doctor eyed her. He didn't want to say anything. It was clear that she wanted to belittle him. He knew Diana was a troublesome woman and only wanted her way to happen. She never liked to consider anyone. After the doctor was done, he walked out of the room.
'Now you can see that that doctor is ashamed because he thought that my daughter will never walk again. She is awake and she will prove them wrong.'
'Good. Good. Clara, welcome back to us. We are glad you're back here.'
Clara smiled. She was glad to be back. The coma had left a mark on her health. She was sure everyone had been worried about her.
'Mom, how about the park project that was announced? Have we gotten it yet?'
'You don't have to worry your pretty head about that, dear. It will be sorted out by mommy. All you need to do is fall back in your bed and relax.'
Let us talk about the park project. I think I can go into king donaldation, if you don't stay with her, while I go to convince that man that we deserve this project. Don't you think so?'
'I totally agree. You should go. I will stay with Clara.'
Liam agrees to stay at the hospital while Diana goes to submit their application for the contract. Diana leaves and on the way sees Michael and Isabella holding hands in the park. They had just come to Mr. Donald.
'What are you love birds always giggling about? Won't you get a job or do something better with your lives?'
She eyed them and walked away. Michael and Isabella wanted to laugh as she walked away but they held their mouths with their mouths and went away. The elevator was packed with people going to see their loved ones in the ward. When Michael got to their floor, many of the people had come out of the elevator. The door opened and before them was Liam pushing Clara in a wheelchair. They seem to be taking a stroll around the reception. Liam saw them and called out to Isabella.
'Isabella what are you doing here?' he said.
'I am here to see my father.' Isabella answered, surprised to see him here. 'What about you? What are you doing here? Is this lady your wife?'
Liam laughed. Clara was sleeping in her wheelchair; the doctor had recommended 'Mr. Donald, your father is in this hospital?'
Liam chose to not answer Isabella. He had a secret grudge for her because it was she who had taken over his position as CEO of king's . Even though she was the daughter of the owner, she had no right to take away something that belonged to him. He would do all it takes to take the position back from her.
'Wish Mr. Donald well for me, will you? I wish I could come see him but you can see that I have come here to see someone too.'
They exchanged pleasantries and Michael and Isabella went their way as Liam went to push Clara.
When Diana arrived at the donaldation, the place was busy as ever. Cars came in and out of the company. Many people including government workers were going in and coming out. It was like a shopping mall for those who needed a favour or wanted some contracts. Diana could see that she was not the first person to be here for a favour. She stood still and adjusted her breast, hoping that she would distract the director of the park project with her breast since she had heard that he was a man. All men loved breasts by the way.
The receptionist at the front desk asked her what she was there for. And after taking her details, asked her to take the elevator up to the sixth floor to see the director of the parks project. Diana was shocked when she discovered it was a woman. So all her practising and rehearsals to get the attention of the mystery director failed? She was not happy. She put her file on the reception desk, including the documents that the director had asked from her daughter's company the last time Clara was here.
'Have I seen you here before ma'am?' the woman at the large answered. Diana assumed she was the director. Diana answered. 'This is my first time here ma.'
'I am sure it is not your first time here. I have seen these documents before.'
'Oh, yes ma. My daughter has come here before. She was told to be=ring the insurance documents and other things. My daughter is lying in the hospital. She was hit by an oncoming vehicle.'
'Oh I am so sorry about that.' Cynthia said. She was only pretending to be sympathetic to her. Deeply she didn't feel pity for her at all. She was the one who had insulted and humiliated her boss in public before. Cynthia pretended to look at the documents, and inspect them. After looking at them for thirty seconds, she declared
'I am sorry ma'am. Your company, Roberts and co. does not qualify for this project. You do not qualify to get it.'
Diana couldn't believe her ears. She was heartbroken.