THE NOTE
1165 Words
Back in Royal hospital...
As soon as Lucien leaves, Mr. Santiago and his wife, Mrs. Avery, both run into Juliet's ward to see if she is hurt by that poor thing.
"Princess, are you alright?"
"Did he hurt you again?"
"What did he say to you, darling?" As soon as they step foot into the room, they begin bombarding her with questions, not giving her even a breathing space.
However, Juliet doesn't say a word, instead, she closes her eyes.
Her parents irritate her right now, she can't bear to say a word because her thoughts are not hers at the moment.
She just can't understand the fact that Lucien came back after all these years. 'After all these years he just shows up out of the blue?' Thoughts like that cloud her mind. Unconsciously, she shuts her eyes and before she knows it, she falls asleep.
The Pearsons leave the room so she can sleep in a quiet and conducive atmosphere.
They go to the counter to make payments but what happens takes them all by surprise.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Pearson, but the bills have been paid for already," the receptionist mutters.
"Paid? By whom?" They ask at the same time, staring at her with curved-up brows.
"I'm so sorry to say this but the one who paid for the bills chooses to be anonymous," the receptionist responds with a shake of her head.
"Oh, it must be the Millers then. After all, we are almost family," after thinking about who could possibly choose to settle their bills, Mrs. Avery suddenly whispers to Mr. Santiago beside her, a bright smile on her face.
"Yeah, I think so as well." Mr. Santiago concurs.
They are about to leave but the receptionist brings to their notice that an envelope was delivered to the Pearsons.
"Oh, really?" Mrs. Avery is enthusiastic as she hurriedly takes the package from the receptionist. Without uttering any other word, she drags her husband and Brianna, who had just joined them not long ago out of the hospital, leaving only Juliet in the hospital to recover.
'Sir, they've gone home, you can now return to the hospital.'
'Okay I'll be right there,' Lucien replies to the text that just popped into his phone.
He dusts off his outfit and boards a cab back to Royal Hospital. This time there are no hindrances from the guard or receptionist.
He goes in straight and in no time, arrives at Juliet's ward.
Without further ado, he gently opens the door but doesn't bother to walk in, his gaze settling on Juliet.
As he gazes at her, he can't help but reminisce on a past beautiful memory of them both.
Six years ago, when they were both together in his room playing cards she became tired and slept off in his arms after they had kissed and ran around chasing each other.
The thought makes him smile as he looks at her from the doorpost. He stares at her for a few more minutes and and locks the door quietly so as not to wake her up then walks out of the hospital and goes home without having the chance to talk to her again that day.
AT THE PEARSON'S MANSION
Mr. Santiago can be seen pacing about. His fists are clenched and his jaws are thickened. His head is heavy as he reminisces on what to do to Lucien who has been a pain and a nuisance to his family all through the day. Today is the day he had hoped to become families with the Millers through marriage ties and now this too has been hindered because of that riffraff of a man.
In a corner, Mrs. Avery can see that her husband is angry, and seeing that as the best opportunity to get what she wants, she decides to aggravate his anger by adding more fuel.
"Hubby, you better get that punk arrested for assault. What if he had injured our daughter, Brianna, back there, then both our daughters would have been admitted to that hospital in one day?" She walks up to him and says sadly, lowering her head.
Hearing this, Mr. Santiago can't help himself from groaning out. And the next second, he smashes a vase against the wall, then breathes in deeply trying to contain his frustration. "You are right honey," he says. "But before that, I want to thank our soon-to-be son-in-law for paying the hospital bills." He picks up his phone and dials Brook's number and after a second beep, it is answered.
"Hello, Mr. Miller, I want to sincerely apologize for the inconvenience today and thank you for paying off Juliet's hospital bills," he says, surprisingly polite.
"What are you talking about Mr. Santiago? I didn't pay any bills. But as for the inconveniences that occurred today, I will make sure that tattered thing gets what he deserves for ruining my wedding and for embarrassing me like that!"
"Well, you don't have to worry too much, I will make sure he pays for that myself." Mr. Santiago replies and hangs up, forgetting Brooks' first words.
Immediately after the phone call, the Pearsons' chauffeur walks in with an envelope in his hand.
"You left this in the car earlier, sire," he mutters and stretches the envelope to Mr. Santiago.
"Thank you, Carlos." Mr. Santiago collects the envelope from him and Carlos as he called him makes a slight bow and leaves.
Mr. Santiago is just about to open the envelope when his wife and daughter who had left to change out of their wears while he was on call, walk in.
Simultaneously, two dressed ladies who can be said to be maids because of their uniformed dress walk in after Mrs. Avery and her daughter, carrying dishes. They place them on the dining table which is just a few feet away from where Mrs. Avery and Brianna are standing. "Supper is ready, ma'am and sir," they announce before bowing and walking away.
"You better come eat, hubby, you know we haven't eaten all day," Mrs. Avery calls out to Mr. Santiago.
Mr. Santiago drops the envelope on the table before him. "Let me suspend this until after supper," he mumbles to himself and joins them. He can't deny the fact that he is so famished.
While eating, there is no chattering and bickering as it used to be. Everyone is quiet, minding their business.
After eating, Mr. Santiago leaves for the sitting room.
He sits to watch the news on the TV but unknowingly dozes off.
After about 30 minutes, he wakes up and remembers the envelope that was given to him earlier by his chauffeur.
He walks to the table where he had earlier dropped the envelope and picks it up. 'To the Pearsons' the envelope has on it.
He opens it and beholds thousands and thousands of dollar notes and a note that reads;
'This money is meant for the arrest of one Mr. Lucien Wood.'
- Writer
