A Deep Abyss

Episode 2: Assurance

Tina's POV

The driver dropped me at the front of our home and left immediately. I stood there for a while before walking in. Entering the hall, I collapsed on the sofa and stared blankly at the ceiling. I couldn't get the scene out of my head. I had caused my sister's situation and here I was unharmed, sitting like nothing happened. I took out my phone and called Roman.

"Hey, I just got home. Thank you for taking care of me." I said gratefully.

"Stop thanking me already, you are my friend and I can do anything for you." he replied.

"I'm really lucky to have you."

"Same Tee."

We chatted for a while before the call ended. I stood up and made way to the bar counter, taking out a bottle of liquor and a glass. I poured myself a little of it and gulped it all at once. I poured more and kept gulping it down my throat, causing it to leave a burning sensation down as it went. I looked at myself on the mirror, staring at my fair pale skin, my brown eyes looking dull than usual. How could I be fine when my sister was lying lifeless at the hospital.

I sat at the counter for a while before getting up and heading to my room. I laid on the bed and kept staring at the ceiling. It was lonely without Tessy here. Soon enough I dozed off...

Few Days Later...........

The piercing lights through the curtain, that came from the sun brought me back to reality as it fell on my face. I woke up to see it was ten minutes past eleven. Weakly, i got up from the bed and went into the bathroom. In no time, I was done with my chores, and had also prepared a meal for Roman. I knew it wasn't necessary, but he had helped me yesterday by giving me food and taking care of me, and, as a friend, I felt indebted.

I left the house and took a cab to his company

"Roman empire please." I smiled at the driver. He looked at me and nodded.

We arrived outside the entrance of the company and I paid him. The security guards welcomed me and gestured for me to go in. I went in and met with the receptionist.

"Please, is Mr Roman in? I'm here to see him." I said politely

"Mr Roman is busy at the moment." she said looking at the computer screen in front of her. "You just have to wait for ten minutes and I will inform him of your arrival."

She showed me where to sit comfortably while I waited for him. In a blink of an eye, the meeting had ended and the receptionist nodded at me to go in. I stood up and went into Roman's office. I knocked at the door and waited for a response.

"Come in." a low and intimidating voice sounded. I pushed open the door and walked in. I saw the man in a tailored black, exquisite suit that showed of wealth, power and style. The man stood up and came to me, looking at me with passionate eyes and then pulled me into his embrace.

"When did you come?" he asked. I looked at him with smiles in my eyes.

"Not too long. I heard you were busy so I waited till you were done." I looked down to my hand and brought up the food box to him.

"Here, I brought you lunch." He looked at me and then at the box and smiled.

"Why bother? You shouldn't do all these." he said

"And why not?" I retorted.

" I don't want to stress you." I felt his concern for me.

"I just wanted to say thank you for helping me ...."

"What are friends for, if not to help each other in times of need? Hmm?"

After he finished speaking, he gestured me to take a seat. I sat on the large sofa in the office, relaxing my back a bit. There was silence in the room.

"Have you gone to the hospital?" he asked me, bringing me to reality again.

"No not yet." He simply nodded his head and continued eating the meal I brought. I watched with keen interest as he ate.

"Stop staring." he said. "I can't eat with those eyes staring"

I chuckled on his statement.

Soon, he was done with his meal and called on an assistant to clean up.

"Can you accompany me to the hospital today?" I asked, looking at his face hopefully.

"I'm not that busy, let's go." he replied.

We left his office together in his car and soon got to the hospital. We walked into the ward together and saw my unresponsive sister. Tears threatened to roll from the corners of my eyes. Roman seemed to notice my reaction as he held me closer to his chest. I held back and left his embrace. Standing at the bed side, I could only wish for God to restore my sister back to me.

"She wouldn't want to see you this way you know." Roman said.

"It's all my fault, all my fault..."

"Hey, Hey. Stop this alright, it wasn't anybody's fault." he said, comforting me. I tried to remain calm and cleaned my tears. Just as I sat on a nearby chair, a doctor walked into the ward. He looked at me and then at Roman who seemed to be emitting a strong aura.

"Are you the patient's family?" asked the doctor. I nodded and then spoke up.

"Doctor, will my sister be fine? When will she wake up? Is it very serious? Will she recover?...." I asked without breathing.

"Tee, you are choking the doctor with questions. One at a time ok?" Roman said. Roman gestured to the doctor to speak.

"Your sister is fine miss...?"

"Tina, Tina is my name." I responded quickly.

"Alright Miss Tina, your sister is fine and out of danger. It's not that serious but I can't answer your question of her waking up soon." the doctor said, in a regretful manner.

"You said it's not serious, but you can't assure her waking up?" Roman asked, intimidating the doctor. Though his voice wasn't loud or harsh, his words had coldness in it. The doctor looked at Roman, maintaining a delicate composure as he replied.

"It may not be serious, but the patient is still in a state of shock which is affecting her response. Rest assured, she will wake when the time is right." He turned to leave as he finished. I felt like saying something but then kept silent.

"Will she ever wake up?" I said absent-mindedly. Roman crouched down to my level and said

"I will do my best to make sure she wakes up."

Roman's POV

After leaving the hospital, I took Tee home to rest. I made sure she was fine before turning to leave.

"Roman..." I heard Tina's weak voice call. I turned around and looked at her. She looked at me with her beautiful brown eyes, as though they were pleading for mercy.

"Need something else?" I asked, walking to the edge of the bed.

"Can....can you stay with me tonight?". I looked at her, my eyebrows furrowed and then acted to think for a while.

"You need to sleep Tee, I don't want to disturb you." I said

"I'm sorry.. I shouldn't have asked for something like this." she said, lowing her gaze. Her appearance made her look pitiful. Knowing I didn't want to see her sad, I agreed to her request.

I came out of the bathroom and changed into a black pajama, climbing unto the bed. I pulled her into my embrace , resting her head on my sturdy chest.

"Thank you." she said.

"I'm not leaving you alright...not in this life not the next." I said, comforting her. Staring at the ceiling, I stretched my hand and took out a box, giving it to her.

"What is this?" she asked, looking puzzled.

"Just open it." I replied, looking at her. She opened up the box and brought out it's content.

"What is this?" she asked again.

"My assurance to you."

"Huh!" she looked at me, surprised and confused.

"This is my assurance that I won't leave you, no matter the situation Tina, and that's because I.....I...I want to protect you and be there for you."

"Roman." she called out, tears threatening to fall from the corner of her eyes.

"I promise never to abandon you Tee... I love you" I said to her. She rose her head up, higher this time to look at me.

"Say it again." she said, trying to discern the truth. Her expression filled with disbelief.

"I promise to be with you from now on, and.....I love you."

She jumped unto me, holding my shoulders and hugging me. I could feel the hot tears rolling down her cheeks, as they met with my skin. She released herself and faced me.

"I love you too Roman, I love you too." she found her composure and said. I leaned into her and hugged her harder than previously. Soon, we were sleeping, with her in my arms.

2 o'clock pm .......

I woke up to the skin burning sensation from the sun. I looked up and saw it was noon. I got out of the bed and headed to the bathroom. Once done, I stepped out of the bathroom and saw the still sleeping figure on the bed, seemingly carefree, as if nothing had happened to her few days ago. I walked to the bed and placed a kiss on her cheek before heading to the kitchen to make us brunch.

Tina's POV

I woke up tired and weak. I tried to recall last night's memories as I sat up on the bed. I looked towards the other side of the bed and noticed Roman wasn't there anymore. I scanned the room to see if there was a chance he was still hear. The door to the room was pushed open, and a tall and we'll built figure walked into the room.

"You're awake?" he asked, smiling and walking up to the bedside, placing the tray on the side table.

"Uhmm..." I nodded. I watched him walk up to the bed and place a kiss on my forehead. I saw a quick smile appear on his lips as he sat beside me...

"I thought you left?" I said.

"Not yet. You should go shower, our meal is ready."

I got up from the bed and headed to the bathroom. While in the bathroom, a heard a phone ringing and knew instantly that it was Roman's. I could hear him speaking to the other end but the words were not clear enough. Ten minutes later , I was done and walked into the bedroom.

"C'mon let's eat or else it might get cold and my efforts will be in vain." he said almost laughing.

"Let's eat then." I replied. After we ate up, he looked at his phone and turned to me.

"I'm leaving now, I have a lot of work to attend to." I nodded and got up to escort him.

"Oh by the way, I have sorted Theresa's medical issues. My assistant has made arrangements for her to be transferred." I paused my movements and stared blankly at him. He already made arrangements? He's getting her transferred to London? "Any thing wrong?" he asked. I shook my head in response and escorted him out.

After he left, I went back to the room and found the box he had given me the previous night. He called it an assurance. I looked at the tiny box in my hand and recalled the night's memories. Roman had actually said he liked me. I pinched my skin twice to make sure it wasn't fake, but then when I opened my eyes it was all real. I smiled as I laid back on my bed.