Chapter 4
1147 Words
Jerome turned to see the same waitress enter Liam’s office. The same waitress that had been on his mind since he saw her. Recognition flickered in her eyes before she turned to face her boss.
“Here’s the wine you asked for, Sir. Anything else?”
Her voice sounded so smooth even though there it was a little shaky. When she rushed out of the office, Jerome turned to Liam.
“What’s her name? The waitress that just left?”
With a raised eyebrow, Liam stared at him and asked.
“Why do you want to know?”
Jerome shrugged and replied taking a sip of his drink.
“I find her attractive. That’s all.”
“Why not date her? I think she complements you a lot.”
“In what way?” Jerome asked raising an eyebrow.
“I mean she’s attractive, you’re handsome, her eyes complement yours and the height difference is not so bad.”
“Do you check out all your female staff or what?” Jerome laughed out.
“I’m a bachelor so I’ll admire any pretty lady I see. Staff or not. But I’m serious, let her be your fake girlfriend. She needs the money.”
Jerome’s attention was caught by the last statement.
“What do you mean? She needs the money?”
“The head chef was the one that brought her in to work here. Yesterday, he came to meet me asking if she could get her pay earlier than usual. I think she has some financial issues.”
Jerome nodded at the information. Glancing at his watch, he rose to go.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.”
When Jerome got to the parking lot, his mind wandered back to the information he just heard from Liam. He wondered what sort of financial issues she had. With those thoughts running through his head, he drove off.
“Your mother’s condition has worsened.”
The room became eerily silent. She could her heart beating loudly. Was her mum okay? Was she going to survive? In the silence, she heard a faint sound like her name being called by someone.
“Miss Reid? Are you okay?”
Tapped out from her panicked state of mind, she replied the doctor weakly.
“I’m fine. What’s wrong with my mother?”
“The cancerous cells have spread to some of her vital organs rapidly. Right now, we’ll need to start her chemotherapy treatment so as to kill the cells before spreading to all the organs.”
Ashleigh raked her hand through her hair before replying.
“Is there another option to stop the spread? I know chemotherapy is really expensive and I don’t have enough money to pay. Can I pay in installments?”
Dr. Roberts sighed and relaxed back on his seat.
“Ashleigh, you know I’ve given you more than enough time but it is against the hospital’s regulations to treat a patient without receiving the full payment. I bent the rules in your favor because your father was a close friend of mine. I’m sorry, Ashleigh but if we don’t start the chemotherapy treatment soon, your mother’s health will deteriorate quickly and her chances of surviving will be reduced.”
Ashleigh let out a quiet sob and nodded. She went to where her brother was sleeping and took him home. She tucked her brother in and went to her room. If we don’t start the chemotherapy treatment soon, your mother’s health will deteriorate quickly and her chances of surviving will be reduced. Remembering the doctor’s words brought the tears she had kept bottled up.
The next day at work, Ashleigh decided to meet her boss concerning her pay. When she got to his office he offered her a seat.
“I heard you wanted to see me Miss Reid.”
“Yes Sir. I was wondering if I could receive my pay earlier than usual. Something came up and I need the money urgently.”
“May I ask what the urgent matter is?”
“My mum is sick and I need to pay for her treatment.”
“I see. Since it is an urgent matter, I’ll see to it that you get your pay today. I’ll send a message to the finance team to notify them of this. By the end of today, you will receive your pay.
“Thank you very much Sir.”
“Pardon my invasion of your personal matters, but what’s wrong with your mum?”
“She has leukemia Sir.”
Mr. Fraser nodded before continuing, “If you ever need help, you are free to call me.”
“There’s no need for that Sir. I can’t –’’
“I insist. I’ll like to help you.”
Ashleigh offered a small smile and thanked him again before leaving. Returning back to the counter, she related everything to Emily.
Jerome was reading through a file on his table when his phone rang. The caller ID turned out to be Liam.
“What is it? I’m busy.”
“Remember the waitress I told you about? The one that wanted –’’
“I remember. What is it?”
“Well apparently her mum has leukemia so she needs to pay for her treatment.”
“Okay. So? Why are you telling me?”
“I thought you were interested in her.”
“I only said she was attractive. I never said I was interested in her. Was that what you called me for? I’m hanging up.”
It was for the best. He wouldn’t let a woman dwell in his mind for that long. He had his fair share of women already. Interrupting his thoughts was Felix’s knock.
“Sir, it’s time for the meeting with the Revenue team.”
“Okay.”
After the meeting, he met Liam in his office. Jerome rolled his eyes as he entered.
“Why are you here?”
“I’m here to see my best friend. Am I wrong?”
“I know you’re not here for that. I’m your best friend for a reason.”
“Fine. Why don’t you want to date the waitress?”
“Fake date. And besides, I just don’t want to. Drop it already.”
“If you say so. Anyways, come with me to a function. You can find a lady there to date.
“You’re beginning to sound like my father. You rarely go for these functions.”
Liam shrugged and said, “Well, my dad wants me there so I have to be there.”
“Why should I go with you? In cases like this, you go with a lady not your best friend.”
“You’ll be my date then. It’s settled. Look dapper as always.”
Liam said with a smile and laughed as he left the office.
- Writer
