Red Alert

Chapter 8: Shocked

Ella's Pov

I trudged out of the hospital, papers in my hand and holding the tears back. Today, I finally decided to head to the doctors and see if it was anything serious or not. When has my luck been good, so after I made the appointment and had a bunch of tests taken, the news was broken. I couldn't say anything and was simply frozen. The doctor told me I had something called 'aplastic anemia' and it was severe. 

As the doctor explained to me, aplastic anemia is an autoimmune disease in which the body fails to produce blood cells in sufficient numbers. Blood cells are produced in the bone marrow by stem cells that reside there. Aplastic anemia causes a deficiency of all blood cell types: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. I didn't understand all that very much but I had an idea that it wasn't good. 

The doctor told me that I should think about getting treatment because if I didn't, I might die during this year. It scared me, I was frightened and I didn't want to die because no matter what, who wants to die. I asked everything necessary about 'aplastic anemia' plus the treatment, plus the money. The only problem was the money and the fee for getting the treatment was a lot. I had money, not that much but I did have it, the only thing was that I didn't want to use it on me but my siblings. I wanted April to be able to go to the acting classes and I just wanted to help them any way I could. 

Besides, the fee was too much, it would take me a year to collect the amount of money the doctor told me. For all we know, maybe it wasn't severe and maybe I'll get to live through my life. If things get serious I'll contact the doctor but otherwise, I think I'm fine with how everything is. I'll just ignore it for now and if I'm able to collect the money then I will think about it. I felt like crying but what use would that be. I still couldn't help but worry about it but for now, I have to get to work.

I arrived at work just on time as I left my stuff in the employee's room before heading out to help the customers. Mr. Rhodes aka Dylan hadn't arrived yet and was I glad. After yesterday it would be awkward as well as embarrassing for me. I had looked like a fool and I don't want to be reminded about that. Yesterday had been a good day and I had enjoyed a fair amount, least to say I looked stunning, in my opinion.

Anyway, a few hours passed and I was now on my afternoon shift. I had just finished helping some customers buy clothes for their children as I handed them their bag. I walked out from the cashier counter and looked around for customers to help just as a fellow employee walked over and told me that some customer needed my help.

"How may I help you?" I asked as I approached the customers, looking up only to meet the eyes of my little sister.

"Ella! I didn't know you worked here." April said as she jumped to hug me.

"Uh...Yeah, I work here." I said, not expecting her here. After April pulled away from the hug I looked at the person beside her, immediately recognizing it as Jayden. Don't ask me how I knew the difference between Jayden and Hayden but I had my ways. "Hi." I simply said, looking at Jayden.

"Hey." Jayden greeted, hiding his shock if he was even shocked to me here. I had to say that, Jayden looked all grown up now, he was wearing a suit, carrying a bag and probably had a proper job. I'm glad he's living nicely because that's what I always wanted for him.

"So, what are you looking for? Anything specific?" I asked as I turned back to April.

"I'm going to my first advertisement shooting tomorrow so I want to go there looking my best," April said with a huge grin lightening her face.

"Really? That's great." I expressed my happiness for her as I turned to the rack of dresses. Finding the right dress for April would be a piece of cake for me, I think. I picked out a bunch of dresses and handed them to April as I smiled. "Try these on," I Stated as she smiled and headed over to the dressing room. With her gone, it was only me and Jayden, so it was quite uncomfortable. Luckily at that moment, Mr. Rhodes walked in and I decided to go and greet him but chickened out.

"Ms. Jamison," Mr. Rhodes called me as I mentally composed myself before walking over to him.

"Welcome back to the store, sir." I greeted him the way the other employees had taught me to. I had gotten a bit of training by my fellow employees and I couldn't thank them enough for helping me learn and expand.

"How are sales going?" He asked as he sat down on the couch, getting comfortable.

"Good, sir," I spoke.

"Alright...then. You should head back and help those customers." He said as I smiled and nodded. I started heading back towards Jayden and April but stopped midway as I decided to take my chance.

"Sir...um...I wanted to thank you for yesterday." I said as Mr. Rhodes looked up from his phone towards me, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, it was no problem." He replied as he turned back to his phone. I gave a tight smile as I walked back towards April who was showcasing one of the dresses she had chosen. I approached her as a smile made its way onto my face. April wasn't that six-year-old child anymore, she was a young lady and she was beautiful. It made me sad that I wasn't able to watch her grow up but I was also happy I am here now to see her.

"I like this one! What do you think?" Aprile exclaimed as she turned around and showed me the dress.

"You look stunning." I smiled as she gave a huge grin, heading back into the dressing room.

"How have you been?" Jayden asked as soon as April stepped away.

"I've been good. What about you?" I asked.

"I'm fine," Jayden stated.

"How are Lara and Hayden?" I questioned, my finger fiddling starting.

"They're the same as usual but what would you know?" Jayden said as I turned to him hiding my pain as I smiled. I didn't have anything else to say as I held back the tears and April stepped out.

"I want to buy this one!" She said as I took the white flowy dress from her and headed towards the cashier counter.

"Have a good day," I said with a smile as April waved before walking away. Jayden didn't wave or say anything as he walked away. I kept thinking about stopping them and saying something but I just didn't have the courage. I let them walk away as I was left staring at their figures get farther away. If only I could tell Jayden the truth if only I could tell them that I didn't abandon them. I sighed as I sat down on the cashier chair and waited for customers.

Time passed, customers kept coming and the day was passing by pretty swiftly. Dylan had decided to stay here the whole night because it was already midnight and he was still seated on the couch, doing stuff on his phone. Talking about phones, Jennie had informed me about the date of the wedding and you wouldn't believe that it was the day after tomorrow. Like what type of wedding happens like this. The engagement was just yesterday and the day after tomorrow is the wedding. Everything was going too fast but I couldn't complain, not when the Rhodes family was paying for everything.

Everything had been decided and the wedding was pretty much already set. I removed the thoughts from my head as I smiled when some people came to pay for their clothes. I decided to walk around and look for customers but instead, two guys approached me.

"You're Ella Jamison, right?" One guy asked me.

"Uh...Yeah." I muttered.

"We're Dylan's friends!" He said as I mentally 'oh-ed'. How could I have not guessed that? These two guys were both wearing fancy-looking suits and looked like the rich type of people. They were handsome and well-refined so it was kind of obvious now how they were friends with Dylan. "You're the one whose marrying Dylan, right?" He questioned.

"I-uh-I-don't-what-" I couldn't stop stuttering, not sure what to say.

"Jackson, stop it," Dylan warned as he approached us. "Ms. Jamison is busy with her work, don't bother my employee." He added as I mentally thanked him for saving from saying anything embarrassing.

"Employee? Dylan's marrying his employee? Really?! I thought this was an arranged marriage?" This 'Jackson' said with a confused expression on his face.

"Just shut up," Dylan stated.

"Ella, would you like to join us for dinner?" The other guy said, his face as stoic as Dylan's.

"Eh..." I didn't know how to respond. Should I go, should I not go, what to do.

"Come on," Jackson said as he grabbed my arm and all of them started walking towards the elevator, pulling me with them. 

In half an hour we were all seated at an over the top, beyond fancy restaurant. It was now past midnight but it looks like some fancy restaurants are still open late. To be honest, I was starving and hadn't had dinner, the last meal being my lunch. It wasn't like I wasn't allowed but while the other employees were having their dinner, I offered to take over the job of guiding customers for all of them. Besides, they all brought homemade dinner and that was one thing I couldn't have. It made me envious when I watched them eat and because of that, I didn't want to be present. I was starving but I wanted some fast food, not the fancy type of food they were going to eat. I have a big appetite and I need something filling. 

The orders were placed, Dylan ordering for me since I had no clue what a single thing on the menu was. It was embarrassing but whatever. The smell is making me too hungry to even say anything.

"So, Ella. Tell us about yourself." The other guy said, who was the only one whose name I was still unaware of. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, didn't I? I'm Asher and this guy is Jackson. We've been Dylan's best buds since we were eight." Asher introduced himself and the other guy more properly.

"It's nice to meet you," I stated.

"Yeah, yeah, let's get over with the basics. Who are you and how did all this happen?" Jackson asked sounding very excited or jumpy. I wasn't sure how to put it but he sounded eager, I think.

"I-I'm not sure what you mean," I answered.

"What he means is, we would like to know more about you and let's start with the simple things. Like...where are you from?" Asher asked in a more understandable way than Jackson.

"I'm originally from Seattle but I moved here when I was eleven," I told them the truth. It wouldn't hurt for us to get to know each other since I was going to 'marry ' Dylan, the day after tomorrow.

"Alright. And how did you end up working at Dylan's store?" Asher questioned.

"Oh, that was just a coincidence," I said, unsurely.

"And what about your family?" Jackson asked as I bit my lip, not wanting to go there right now.

"Okay, let's stop the questioning," Dylan said, saving me from answering that question.

"But I just wanna know more about your wife," Jackson whined.

"She's not my wife," Dylan stated with an edge to his voice. I didn't mind it or ponder over it because it was true, at least yet, not that I minded it. I mean, it stung just the tiniest bit but it didn't matter. Dylan and I both didn't want this so both of us had no reason or act or hide it. I didn't want a husband as much as he didn't want a wife so not referring to each other as partners, I was fine by it.

"Not yet," Jackson smirked as I spotted Dylan glaring at him.

"Anyway, the main question is that...did you know about the marriage beforehand? And did you approach Dylan on purpose? Is that the reason you started working at Dylan's store? Do you have a hidden motive?" Asher asked altogether as I was left speechless. My only question is, did I look like I was out to get something from Dylan. At least I don't think I look manipulative, which is mostly how manipulative people look but I'm not.

"Um...I'm sorry, I don't understand you," I answered, trying to get a more clear picture about what Asher said.

"I asked, are you marrying Dylan's only because of his money? Or are you trying to do something else?" Asher asked as I had nothing to say but to scoff.

"Really? What type of question is that meant to be? Do you think that I have an ulterior motive?" I asked as I looked at all three guys. All of them had a very look even Dylan and even though I shouldn't have minded it, I did and I felt hurt. "I don't have any motives, alright! I-I just...I was...I don't know! It just sort of happened and I had no choice but to agree to everything. I didn't want any of this! I already had enough problems on my shoulders!" I took a break as I looked at all of their expressions. "Look...all I have to say is that I didn't agree to this because I wanted Dylan's money. I only agreed to this because of my father deal and that's all there is. I found out about this only a few days ago and the reason I started working at the store, was because I needed money. If you still don't trust me then you can keep your money hidden away and I won't even ask for a thing. Just don't make me sound like..." I felt tears threaten to fall as I wasn't able to complete my sentence so instead, I got up and left the table. 

I exited the restaurant and walked down the street, not sure where I was heading to. My cheeks were red from embarrassment and the tears were on the verge of falling. I did not just vent out all my anger, only, I did and now I was feeling nothing but shame. Three handsome guys, who are all rich, one whose about to my husband, and I basically yelled at them. A smaller part of me felt utterly ashamed but a bigger part of me felt relieved to be able to get that out.

Without anything else, I started walking towards the store. I still had a few hours left to work so, I wasn't going to head home. The rest of the night went by smoothly as I finished my shifts and headed home to sleep. It was a tiring day but it was a usual day, nothing new about it but honestly, I felt amazing after letting all that steam out. It felt awesome to just say everything out loud and relieve myself of the burden.