Indomitable Heart

CHAPTER SIX — SAVING GRACE

The earth became void and formless to Olive because of this question.

"I didn't get the question. What did you ask?" Olive pretended to be absent-minded—the weight was too much to bear alone.

"I just want to know who Humphrey really is to you," Wilson clarified, in a polite tone.

Olive wanted to speak, but her lips wouldn't open. Instead, they trembled, about to conduct unnecessary music for her.

"Humphrey is my friend, Sir." She answered after calming her nerves.

"He's your friend. Are you sure he's just your friend?" Wilson asked suspiciously, giving her a criminal look.

"Of course. He's my male friend—nothing more attached to it, Sir." Olive spoke defensively.

"Did you just say there's nothing more?"

"Yes, I said so, and I'll continue saying it—it's the truth." Olive answered like a confident queen.

"Alright. But can you explain why he keeps collecting money from you unnecessarily?" Wilson threw an atomic bomb.

This question made goosebumps rent Olive's body without paying a single penny. She sat still, looking like a criminal caught red-handed. She contemplated whether to spit or swallow—and after moments, chose the former.

"How did you know..." She was still talking when Sonia barged in.

"I told him—a problem shared is a problem solved. Please tell us what's really going on," Sonia chipped in, hugging her passionately.

This hug melted her softly, made all fear disappear. She became prepared, a strange spirit propelling her.

"The truth is, he's my boyfriend." She stated, paused, then continued: "We knew each other right from secondary school."

"Is that all?" Wilson inquired.

"Yes. We help each other," Olive answered with the utmost trust.

"I see. So why give him money he doesn't merit?" Wilson continued.

"That's how our relationship has been from the beginning. I demonstrate my love through that means. I believe I should give if he doesn't have—and I've kept to it," Olive explained.

"So you're implying you provide for him and take care of him?" Sonia asked, frustrated.

"Not really. I just make the money he needs available," she defended.

"Olive, are you sure he loves you genuinely, like you love him?" Wilson hammered the nail on the head.

"I'm very sure. He's been supportive and caring toward me—and people he doesn't even know." Olive supported him.

"No problem. I understand, but I'm not comfortable with you giving away hard-earned money like that," Wilson spoke. The room went cold for minutes before he brought up an idea.

"Want to prove whether he truly loves you—or just sees you as a financial breakthrough?" he asked seriously.

"I told you he loves me to the peak. But if you don't believe me, go ahead with the trial—he'll succeed effortlessly." Olive voiced confidently and left.

Throughout that day, Wilson wasn't thinking straight at the office. He strategized how to test Humphrey, ascertain his true intentions. After mental exercise, he disclosed his plan to Olive.

"Can you feign sickness?" Wilson asked.

"Your question isn't fathomable. What are you saying?" Olive answered with another question.

"I want to know how he'll react when he hears you're severely sick—or even in a coma," Wilson explained.

"I'm ready to play along and prove he's faithful and really loving," Olive said, bringing out her phone. She handed it to Wilson, who called her boyfriend instantly.

Humphrey felt bee-stung the moment his phone rang. Seeing "Olive" on the screen, he answered after much hesitation and reluctance.

"Hello? Am I speaking with Mr. Humphrey?" Wilson asked urgently.

"Yes. Who's this?"

"Hospital attendant at God Is Able Hospital. I'm calling to inform you—the owner of this phone had a terrible accident, severe injury on the highway. We need family, relatives, or friends," Wilson explained.

"So why call me? What do you want me to do?" Humphrey asked carelessly.

"She saved this number as her love, so we assumed you'd know her," Wilson answered.

"Of course, I know her. Text the hospital address immediately so I can come," Humphrey requested.

"Alright. Thank you." Wilson hung up.

Olive, eavesdropping, was very happy at Humphrey's reaction.

"You see—I told you he's genuine." She lamented.

"Don't jump to conclusions—it's not over. Come, let's go to the hospital and act," Wilson cautioned. They set out.

Seven hours passed. Humphrey was nowhere. They weren't discouraged—they kept waiting. In the seventh hour, Humphrey stepped in. The attendant directed him to the emergency room where Olive lay. Meanwhile, Wilson had paid doctors and workers to let him dress as a doctor.

"What's wrong with her? Is she okay?" Humphrey asked.

"Are you Mr. Humphrey, her guardian?" Wilson, the doctor, inquired.

"Yes. Is she alright?"

"No. She's in a coma due to a head injury. Her cerebrum was affected—may lead to memory loss when she wakes, if she wakes." Wilson told him plainly.

"Jesus Christ. What am I going to do?" Humphrey asked, starting to cry.

"We need a deposit of one million dollars now to take care of her appropriately," Wilson demanded, waiting.

Humphrey suddenly stopped crying, looked up. "So you expect me to pay one million for someone who might not survive?"

"Yes. We'll try our best to..." He couldn't finish before Humphrey interrupted.

"Can you hear yourself? If she dies, all money spent is in vain. I can't do such a thing."

"But we still have to try." Wilson pressed harder, getting what he expected. Humphrey began crying again—weeping bitterly.

"Why cry if you don't want to save her?" Wilson asked.

"You really don't know? All this happened fast. I don't know her password, her PIN, her next of kin. I don't where all her money is. Does this mean I get nothing from her property and savings? I'm her boyfriend, for Christ's sake. She should've told me in advance so I could withdraw all her money and fortunes. Am I going to be denied all this?" He wailed uncontrollably.

Olive, pissed off by his former words, becomes dead inside hearing this. She stood hastily from the hospital bed and walked out, barely holding herself together—dignity and emotions bruised heavily. The cross was too heavy to carry alone. Wilson followed immediately. Humphrey, swept away by surprise, chased them shouting: "Olive, please wait—I can explain! Wait please!"

After hearing this too long, Olive stopped.

"So this was how you thought of me?"

"No, I can explain. It's not what you think," Humphrey knelt, begging. After two minutes of reminiscing, Olive looked

Him directly in the eyeball and said: "I'm done with you.”