Chapter Four
1072 Words
Lucas did a Michael Jackson number through the hallway. He was so sleek with it that it earned him a hoot from a young girl in a wheelchair.
He made a smooth slide to the vending machine and got two bags of chips out of it. He had made new friends on his floor. Celie was on her third session of chemotherapy. She had introduced him to Alfie, whom he described as the older version of Neil. Alfie was a flirt, even though he was incapacitated in his legs. Celie always made fun of Alfie anytime she caught him staring at a female doctor for longer than necessary.
Lucas walked in quick strides back to Celie's room when he encountered this lady with the lovely brown hair. They held each other's gaze for a moment. The world seemed to pause at that time, a quiet connection building between them.
The woman who was wheeling her around gave Lucas a cold glare that spelled, “Get out of the way.” He continued his walk and tried to push the picture of the brunette that had already been imprinted on his memory out of his mind.
"You took longer than usual," Celie complained. She took the bag of chips and took a few bites. That was all she could eat. Alfie wheeled around and grabbed the unopened bag.
"Thanks Lucas. "Those nurses keep pumping these liquids into me and forget that I need proper food," Alfie grumbled. Lucas only smiled. Alfie had no family. The moment it was confirmed that he could never use his legs, his wife had taken everything they owned and ran off.
"I saw this girl…" Lucas announced. Alfie and Celie looked at him intently.
"She had the most beautiful brown hair I have ever seen. "Her eyes, something about her eyes… but her mother feels like an ice queen." He sighed and dug his hand into the bag of chips Celie had abandoned.
"How did you know that was her mother?" Celie asked, in a soft tone.
"I could see the resemblance. It was uncanny."
"Hold on. "Are you in any way talking about the billionaire family that paid for an entire suite in this hospital, so their daughter would feel comfortable?" Alfie asked, his eyes going wide.
"Like we are going to take the life out of her. These stupid rich folks." Celie kissed her teeth and laid back in her bed. She would soon be falling asleep. He had taken time to observe their patterns. Taking care of them reminded him of Frederick.
"I had no idea they were wealthy. I saw her and I knew I felt something. I don't know what it was."
Alfie began to laugh. The boisterous sound hit the roof. Lucas and Celie stared at him, wondering what could have appealed to his humor in Lucas' words.
"This young man thinks he could get one of those white, rich heiresses just by a connection. That is some hilarious s**t. "You are not just Hispanic, your Hispanic ass is broke too." Alfie bent down laughing again, and Lucas couldn't help the dark shade of embarrassment coloring his cheeks.
"That is enough, Alfie. "You have said enough," Celie said in a stern voice and tried to console Lucas.
"Ignore everything," he said. If it is meant to be, it will be. Keep an open mind, okay?"
Lucas nodded and stood to leave when the nurse came in.
"I will see you guys later."
"Bye Lucas."
"Bye Lucas delulu." Celie smacked Alfie with the bag of chips and Lucas could not help but laugh. He walked back to his hospital room. The doctor was there with Neil. Neil stared strangely at him and Lucas wondered why.
"Uhh, what is going on?" Lucas asked as he plopped down on his bed. He had missed three days from work now, and he did not mind. He had never taken a day off since he started working at that company. The HR manager had checked in on him, and he explained the entire situation to him. Except the part where he miraculously seemed to be completely healed.
"We have run all the tests. "I was speaking to your friend here. "We found nothing. "You are good as new." The doctor said this with a hint of incredulity in his tone.
"Is that why y'all were staring like you had seen a ghost when I walked in?" Lucas asked, his eyebrows slightly arched. Neil just let out a shaky laugh and walked over to his side.
"Nah, man. We were only wondering where you were. That's all. "Doc says we are free to leave," Neil said as he lifted Lucas' already-packed bag and placed a change of clothes on the hospital bed. Lucas stared at the clothes for a while. The doctor quietly exited the room.
"Thank heavens. The sooner I get out of this hospital gown, the better for me."
Neil excused him while he changed into his favorite t-shirt and sweatpants. He folded the gown neatly and placed it on the bed. He met Neil outside, his bag slung across his torso, and they walked out of the hospital together. Lucas noticed the luxury cars parked in front of the hospital. Neil snickered.
"The Smith princess is leaving today," Neil explained. Lucas only response was "oh". He locked eyes with the brown-haired lady in the wheelchair. He waved slightly at her, a small smile beginning to bend the corners of his lips. She waved back. He noticed her shoulders tense up and her gaze set straight ahead when her mother said something to her. Her mother probably hated him. He tried to take her off his mind.
"What about Lucia?" he asked Neil. Neil shrugged. He noticed the cars driving past them. The girl's face came to his mind again.
"What about her?" Neil replied, breaking him out of his daydream. He gave Neil a sly smile.
"Is this one the real one this time?"
"Nah… she reminds me of your Aunt Carina. I would not want to spend the rest of my life dealing with that."
Lucas laughed out loud. Neil had always borne this mentality that he had to go through a plethora of women so he could find *the one*. Lucas always joked that when Neil finally met his one, he would be competing for Nick Cannon's spot as father of the year.
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