Sebastian's Obsession

Chapter 5

"You have iron deficiency anemia, Miss Liondale. This is the reason why you felt your body weak and tired," the doctor declared, holding the paper in his hand. It was the result of the test that he performed earlier. And the very reason why it took us almost 4 hours before checking out from the hospital. Now, it was already 2 p.m. and I didn't feel like working on the case anymore.

My blood pressure was tested once again by the doctor and the result was normal. "I'm going to give you a prescription for what vitamins you should take, and aside from the pills, consume iron-rich foods and get 6-8 hours of sleep every day," he continued. Then, handed me his prescription slip after writing something on it.

I looked at it for a moment and just shrugged my shoulders. Defeated. As I can't read what's written in it. Not because I'm illiterate, but because doctors and their handwriting are quite a struggle. They have a very unique talent as their writing is like a calligraphic scripture from the ancient era. A share of written skills from some sort of alien— they only understood. Though it looks vintage. Difficult to read but pleasing in the eyes.

"Monica, can you buy me some coffee," I uttered after we exited the hospital. I kind of crave ice macchiato at the moment.

"Okay, what coffee?"

"Ice Macchiato."

"Antonius," Monica called our driver. "Let's have a stop by at starbucks because Winter wanted an iced macchiato."

Our driver nodded, acknowledging Monica's words before he slid right onto the driver's seat while Monica and I went into the backseat.

As Antonius drove the car, I rested my head on the headrest, my gaze fixed on the vista through the window. Canais is a megacity with street children wandering around, sellers on the road, high-profile buildings vying to see who is wealthier and higher, and busy people jostling for taxis.

If my savings ran out, I wonder if I'd be like these individuals. Rushing to work, squabbling for a cab, then running down the street to try and catch up to the green streetlights. A kind of life that I've never dreamed of. Life is indeed full of uncertainties. Today you're on top, the next day you'll go rock bottom. You can be rich now and poor the next day. It's as if we're just spinning on the wheel called life. Fighting in the current of every wild wave that comes along just to make our own path, but in the end, we would still drown, sinking deeper beneath until we would reach the seabed...the end.

Well, we can be both fortunate and unlucky at the same time. One thing I've learned is that everything in this world is transient, including properties, vehicles, businesses, and money. All of these can disappear in just a snap of a finger or a blink of an eye.

We don't have control over time or even the flow of change. We will just wake up one day and all the things we have worked hard for are gone. No matter how much effort we put into it, it will never be back again. I guess there are certain things that will inevitably vanish in time. And we are left with no choice but to watch it as it disappears. That's how life goes and how unfair it works.

"Just iced macchiato, En? Nothing else?" Monica inquired after Antonius parked the car in the parking lot, which made me snap back in time. I delve deep into thoughts that I did not notice we were already in front of Starbucks.

I cleared my throat, looked at Monica, and nodded. "Yes, just iced macchiato, Monica."

These days I crave nothing but coffee. It had somehow become my comfort drink. Oddly, it can calm me and then make me palpitate the next. But, as the old saying goes, it's more exquisite when it's taboo. That's probably how human nature works. Even if we are aware of the risk, we will continue to do it. To eat what is prohibited. To drink the forbidden. And to do things that may wind up hurting you in the end. Humans as we are, rebel in our own little ways.

I watched as the entrance door of the cafe closed and opened. People come in and go out of Starbucks. Some look in a rush. Some look calm. Some look sad, and some look happy. This is what life looks like. It did not depict one certain emotion and feelings to withhold. But it portrays a thousand faces all at once and me...I'm in the phase of worrying about my future and what lies ahead of me.

Will I perish or prosper? That I don't know for the time being. But I know that in this lifetime, I won't be able to sail as smoothly as I hoped. Paradoxically, what we picture ourselves to be is always the total opposite of what transpires sooner. If we want wealth, we will end up in the ground. As though the creator wanted to see if we could withstand the trials. Or if we are even deserving of the good thing.

A smile crept onto my lips after seeing who was coming back. Monica entered the car with coffee in her hand. "Here's your order, En." I immediately accepted it and took a sip of it.

"Thanks, Monica," I whispered.

After we were all settled, Antonius resumed driving. We arrived at the residence a few minutes later. And I walked directly to my room and slumped down on my bed. My phone rang just as I was about to shut my eyes, and the unregistered number flashed across my screen. Though unknown, the last digit appears to be recognizable. A certain realization hit me after recalling that it was the same number that called me last night and earlier today.

"Hello?" I queried, dubious. I don't usually answer unregistered calls, but since this is a new number, I have to.

"Hey, you forgot about me already?" said a woman at the other end of the call.

My eyes widened in disbelief after figuring out who the caller was. "Isabelle?" I exclaimed, ecstatic. I couldn't be wrong with my guess.

"Good God! I thought you'd forgotten about me already," she responded.

It's been a long time since we've communicated. She is currently in France following her ambition to become a well-known fashion designer. And this month she entered a competition, which is why we haven't spoken. Fashion is her top priority, thus I am one of those she has set aside so that her focus can be exclusively on the contest.

"How did you get my number?" I inquired, knowing that I'd changed the number yesterday.

"I got it from Cana. I thought you'd blocked me. Why did you change numbers again? If I'm not mistaken, this is the second time this month that you've changed numbers. Did you perhaps break your phone again?" she inquired again.

"Third time, Isabelle," I corrected. "And yeah, you can say that; some pest just irritates me, and sh*t happens."

"Goodness, Hiver!" Isabelle said with a French accent. How did my name get changed to Hiver? That sounds unpleasant in the ear.

"You're basically wasting your money; manage your temper, okay?" she continued naggingly.

My expenses were always a source of concern for her. I enjoy spending money, whilst she prefers to save it. We're basically complete opposites, and if I'd listened to her advice about being frugal and spending money properly, I'd be a billionaire by now.

"Yeah, whatever, Belle; by the way, when are you coming back? I miss you."

"Next month, Hiver. The competition has just ended, and the results will be published next week; after that, I'll stay here for a few weeks to unwind; this month has been a little stressful for me," she sighed. If it's stressful for her, imagine how much worse it must be for me. It's as though this month is completely unlucky for both of us.

"Bring me a keepsake," I said. "Or it could be a Parisian," I continued, laughing.

"A Parisian? Really, Hiver? I did that last time but you just ran away like a scared little cat," Isabelle responded with an annoyed tone. Although I couldn't see her, I guess she just rolled her eyes as we talked. Now that she had reminded me of that, a feeling of shame surfaced within as I reflected on what occurred last year. I never imagined she'd actually do it; it was just an inside joke, but she did bring me some man.

"I was joking, Belle; just bring me some chocolate," I complained.

"Yeah, whatever, Hiver. I'm going now. Don't throw away your phone again, it's so hard contacting you," she ordered before we hung up.

I think I'll just inform her about my current situation when she returns. Telling it through the phone is a bit hard. Besides, I'm still in the phase of fighting for it. Win or lose. I'm not sure whether what I did was correct. But this was the only option available to me. I am not weak and I won't give up easily. Not the L Jewelry.

I sighed, looking blankly at the ceiling. I'm sorry for failing you, Mum and Dad. My phone beeps once again, jolting me out of my trance. I looked at it and saw Donato's message on the screen. He seemed to have decided which matter we would bring to court. One of them was larceny, and the other two were new to me. I really hope we can win even one of them.

I realize this will be a difficult battle. Montenegro has all of the proof, whilst I do not. If Aunt Natasha had been present, she could have produced a statement proving that it was my company and that I did not sell it. I laughed at my own concept, and how naïve it sounded. Why would Aunt Natasha help me with regaining control of my company when she was the one who sold it? I shook my head in amusement, a lone tear escaped from my eyes. This is driving me insane.