CONTRACTUAL TORTURE

Chapter 4: The Encounter

Irene faltered and she suddenly became interested in studying the lines on her hand. Xavier could see that she was bothered. “Is everything okay?” He asked. “I need to know where you got the money for Mike's bills.” He repeated.

“I signed a contract.” Irene replied in a small voice.

“What? That's great, Irene.” Xavier smiled, clapping her on the back. “What company did you sign with?” He asked, clearly in the dark and oblivious to what Irene meant.

She sighed. “Its a marriage contract Xavier.” She clarified. “I sighed a marriage contract.”

Xavier's face went from joy to shock. “What? What did you do? With who did you sign this contract?” He asked.

That was a good question, a question she had been asking herself silently for a while now. “I.. I don't really know him.” She replied. “He's a stranger.”

“A stranger?!” Xavier almost screamed in surprise. “You took money from a stranger and agreed to marry them?!”

“I didn't have any choice, did I? You think I would have agreed to this if I had just one alternative? My brother's life was at stake, Xavier! I did what I had to do, to keep him alive!”

“What are you guys bitchin about?”

The voice interrupted their little dispute and they all turned quickly to the bed. Mike was awake!

“Mike!” Both Irene and Xavier chorused at the same time with their little quarrel forgotten. Unable to contain her happiness and control herself, Irene hugged Mike.

“Ouch..” A gasp escaped Mike's lips and Irene immediately drew back.

“Are you in pains?” Irene asked, scanning her brother's body. “You need a doctor? Tell me, where does it hurt?”

“You hugged me a little too tight.” Mike replied with a small smile on his lips.

Irene chuckled lightly with tears of joy welling up in her eyes. “I'm sorry about that. I'm only overwhelmed with joy to see you finally awake.” She said.

Mike was pale and his eyes were sunken, a testament to the many days he'd spent lying in the hospital. Despite his fragile nature, he managed a small smile on his lips. He opened his arms weakly. “Bring it in, big sis.”

Irene didn't wait for him to tell her again. She quickly hugged him, lightly this time as if she was afraid he would break. They finally parted and Irene drew back.

“So what was that all about? Why were you guys arguing?” Mike asked.

“Oh we were just..” Xavier started but trailed off when Irene squeezed his hand tightly, a warning not to spill the beans. At least not yet. “We were just disagreeing, about some adult stuff.” Xavier lied.

“Yes, totally.” Irene chimed in. “Nothing for you to worry about too and hey… You need to eat.” She said. “Now that you're finally awake, it's my duty to put some fat on those puny bones.” She joked.

“Porridge would be okay.” Mike replied.

“Porridge it is. You've got it.” Irene then turned to Xavier who had gone silent, sitting there with smiles as he watched brother and sister quietly. “Keep an eye on him, Xavier. I'll be back soon.” She said.

***

“So have you asked her out yet?” Mike asked, the moment Irene stepped out of the room.

“Pardon?” Xavier's brow furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“I mean my sister. Have you asked her out yet?” Mike asked again.

“Mike!” Xavier exclaimed. “What are you thinking? Irene and I, are just friends. Nothing more, nothing less.” He said.

Mike rolled his eyes. “Adults are confusing.” He said. “What's the big deal? I mean you're both adults and you're single too and ready to mingle right?”

Xavier couldn't help but chuckle at Mike's words. “Okay first of all, don't ever use 'single' and 'mingle' in the same sentence and secondly, I have a girlfriend.” He said.

“You do? Since when?”

“Since a very long time, Mike, and what are we even doing talking about girlfriends when you really should be resting now.”

“I think I've had enough rest, don't you think?” Mike asked.

“You just came out of surgery, kid. Rest, regain your energy.” Xavier insisted.

Mike fell silent at once with his own mind swimming with different thoughts. He was really grateful to have Irene has a sister and didn't know what he would have done without her or where he would have been without her. Even though he was 15 and Irene 20, he looked at her sometimes as a mother, a second mother who stood in to fill the gap after their parents passed away.

“Did she cry that much when I was unconscious?” Mike asked sadly.

Xavier noticed the boy's sad tone and he gently took his hand, squeezing it gently. “Every single day.” He said. “Your sister really loves you, Mike. And she'd do anything and everything in her power to see that you're okay. But you've got to be a source of strength for her too, do you understand?”

Mike managed a small nod. “I can do that.” He said.

“Good.” Xavier smiled. “Now go on kid, get some rest before she comes back with your food.” He said.

Mike sighed before closing his eyes peacefully and silence reigned again in the room with the only sound coming from the beeping of the machines on the other side of the bed.

“But if you break up with your girlfriend, you'll ask Irene out, right?” Mike asked abruptly.

“Mike…!” Xavier exclaimed.

****

Irene walked back to the lobby of the hospital with intentions to get Mike his porridge and then ran into Doctor Linch.

“Doctor Linch.” She called even before she finally caught up with the doctor.

“Is everything alright?” The doctor asked, probably thinking Mike was in another trouble.

“Everything's okay doctor, In fact, he's awake now.” She said, beaming with smiles.

“Oh that's great news.” The doctor replied. “Just give the boy a little time to rest and he should be up and about in no time.”

“I believe so.” Irene nodded. “I actually came out to get him some porridge. He must be starving.”

“No.” The doctor shock his head. “Porridge would be a bad choice. The boy just had an operation, it wouldn't be proper to give him heavy food. Just get him some electrolyte rich beverages for now.”

“Electro - what?” Irene frowned in confusion. “I'm sorry but I wouldn't know what to get or where to get it.” She said.

“No problem. We'll help you with that.” The doctor replied and then called a nurse who was close by. When the nurse came over, the doctor quickly gave his instructions. “Get Miss Brown here one Gatorade G2, diluted coconut water and chicken noodle soup without the noddles, do you understand?” The nurse nodded and walked off.

“Thank you so much doctor.” Irene expressed her gratitude.

“You're welcome.” Doctor Linch replied. “Now if you excuse me, I have things to tend to.” He walked off at that point.

Irene didn't have to wait for long before the nurse returned with a tray which she handed to Irene, a tray which contained all the things that the doctor had ordered. Irene thanked the nurse and was about to head back to Mike's room when the lobby erupted in a blur of activity.

“What Is Mr Yu doing here?!”

“I heard he's father's been admitted here so he has come to pay a visit, probably..”

“Oh my god, just check out this specimen..”

Irene heard the whispers going on all around her but she didn't really pay heed to them. Her attention was taken by the big and gruff men, probably bodyguards who were shoving people here and there rudely as if they were making way for the president.

“Out of the way!” Irene heard a big gruffy voice right next to her before she was shoved forcefully amidst the commotion. She managed to regain her stance but the same thing would not be said for the tray of food she carried. In an effort to save herself from falling, the tray had gone over her shoulder and the whole room gasped collectively.

Even before she turned, she knew that she was likely to be in some kind of trouble, judging by the horrified looks on the faces of those present in the hospital. Everyone's eyes seemed to be directed at someone or something behind her and so she turned tentatively to meet whatever it is, that was behind her.

The moment she turned, Irene gasped in surprise. Before her stood a handsome man, infact, the most handsome man Irene had ever seen. Until now, she'd believe that handsome men only existed in movies and books but she admitted that she was looking straight at the most handsome man she'd ever seen.

The man had short dark hair, with bangs that covered most of his forehead. He wore a designer tuxie which unfortunately, was covered with Irene's chicken noodle soup. Irene's heart stoped momentarily when she realized this last bit.

“I'm sorry.. I'm so so sorry about this..” She began to apologize quickly but the man totally ignored her.

He quietly collected a towel from one of his bodyguards and wiped drops of soup from his face. “You owe me 15 grands.” He said coldly with his sharp green eyes boring into Irene's.

“I'm sorry, what?” Irene asked, clearly confused.

“You just ruined my suit!” The man snapped, with his voice hardening. “15 thousand dollars should pay for the damages you've caused.” He said.