Chapter Ten
1033 Words
Chapter Ten
"Can you still manage?"
Miss Jean hurried over to me. The dizziness had only gotten worse.
"You should go to the clinic. You look so pale."
"Okay. If Daddy looks for me, please call me right away, Miss Jean."
I really needed to get checked out and get some medicine.
I stood up, picked up my bag, and left the office.
As soon as I stepped into the elevator, I pressed the button for the first floor, where the company clinic was located.
When the elevator doors opened, I immediately stepped out.
My legs were already unsteady.
My vision had started to blur from the overwhelming dizziness.
I still tried to make it to the clinic, but my body finally gave out.
I was still conscious, but I couldn't keep my eyes open.
When I collapsed, I didn't hit the floor.
Strong arms caught me before I could.
I couldn't make sense of what was happening around me.
I knew I was still awake, but everything felt distant and muffled.
"What happened?"
The familiar voice made my heart skip.
"She collapsed... and she has a high fever."
Who caught me?
I tried to force my eyes open, but I couldn't.
The dizziness was too overwhelming.
"I'll take care of her from here. Thank you for bringing her."
"Shouldn't she be taken to the hospital?" the man asked.
"I'll examine her first. If she needs to be taken to the hospital, we'll take care of it. Thank you."
I never heard the man's voice again.
The dizziness finally dragged me into complete darkness.
When I woke up, I was still in the clinic.
An IV was already attached to my arm.
"Louella," the doctor called gently.
"Doc... what time is it? Have I been asleep for long? I need to get back to work. Just give me some medicine and—"
He stopped me before I could sit up.
"Stay where you are, Louella. Your fever is very high. If you insist on going back to work, you'll only collapse again. I've already informed Miss Jean about what happened, and she has notified your father."
"Did Dad come to check on me?"
The doctor shook his head.
I bit my lip.
What else had I expected?
When had my father ever been concerned about me?
"Are you alright?" the doctor asked with genuine concern. "I had some food prepared for you. Eat first before taking your medicine. Miss Jean said your father would stop by to pick you up so you could go home together."
I remained silent.
I wasn't alright.
Not physically.
Not mentally.
My body was finally giving in under the weight of everything I was carrying.
"Oh, Louella," the doctor added. "Your boyfriend called. I'm sorry for answering your phone, but it just kept ringing. I told him what happened."
"What did he say?"
As painful as it was, I still wanted to know how Magnus had reacted.
"He told me to make sure you were alright. Unfortunately, he couldn't come because Miss Susane asked him to accompany her to the salon."
How embarrassing.
The doctor must think I had the most worthless boyfriend in the world.
"Thank you, Doc."
I forced myself to smile.
"The food should be here any minute."
A few minutes later, one of the nurses arrived carrying a tray.
Thankfully, it was rice porridge.
Even though I still felt awful, I managed to eat a little.
Afterward, they gave me my medicine.
At exactly five-thirty that afternoon, Miss Jean arrived.
"Louella, how are you feeling?"
She was carrying the same folder Dad had given me earlier.
"I still don't feel well, Miss Jean."
"Your dad asked me to come instead. He was in a hurry. He said, I should get you a taxi home."
She handed me the folder before continuing.
"He also wants you to take this home. In case you can't come to work tomorrow, he wants you to review it there instead. Do you think you can walk?"
"I can."
I turned toward the doctor.
"Doc, I'm heading home now."
The IV had already been removed, so getting out of bed wasn't difficult.
Miss Jean supported me while one of the nurses picked up my bag.
"I already packed your medicine inside."
"Thank you."
I forced another smile.
Strangers were taking better care of me than my own family.
Was there really no one who could spare even a few minutes to make sure I was alright?
To make sure I got home safely?
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
No.
I refused to cry in front of them.
I swallowed my emotions before they could escape.
When we reached the front of the building, Miss Jean tried hailing a taxi.
It was rush hour.
Finding one was nearly impossible.
Just then, a black luxury sedan pulled up in front of us.
The rear window slowly rolled down.
Uncle Dmitri sat inside.
"Get in."
His command was cold and brief.
Miss Jean didn't even ask if I wanted to.
She immediately guided me toward the car.
One of the nurses handed my bag to the driver, who placed it on the front passenger seat.
I didn't have much of a choice.
Besides, I didn't want to keep the two women from going home any longer.
"Uncle Dmitri... you can just drop me off at the taxi terminal. I'll find a cab there."
He didn't respond.
The car pulled away in complete silence.
Because I still felt terrible, I fell asleep again during the drive.
I didn't even realize we'd already arrived home.
When I opened my eyes...
I was already lying in my bed.
Alone.
The bedroom door opened.
Mommy Susana walked in, followed by two housemaids.
"I'm glad you're awake now, Louella. You'll have your meals here in your room. Susane said she's afraid you'll pass your illness on to her."
She smiled faintly.
"Come on. Eat something first. You need to take your medicine. Your father also said you have unfinished work. He wants you to finish it tonight."
I was sick...
Yet the only thing Dad could think about was work.
Unbelievable.
I truly meant nothing to him.
- Writer
