Gianna (Contract Marriage)

Chapter 2

After a long day at work, I was so tired that I just wanted to go home to my mom and make sure she took her medication accordingly. I kept my curious and confused state behind so that I could concentrate on carrying out my duties.

The restaurant closes in 15 minutes for those who won't work extra hours. I need to clear the tables quickly so that I can meet up with the closing time.

When the restaurant alarm clock rang for closing, I looked side to side to find Abigail, because she had gone to the bathroom. I had to sit to wait for her because we always go home together after work and any day I leave without her, she won't forgive me.

“Sorry I kept you waiting Gianna.” Abigail apologized as she came out of the bathroom walking towards me, flinging her long hair. I really envied her long hair. She looks tired too.

“It's fine Abigail,” I replied, exhausted. “Let's just start going, I need to be home to check up on my mom.” I said while we were walking out of the restaurant.

“I thought your mom was doing fine now?” Abigail asked.

“Yes she is, but she still needs to finish her medication, according to the doctor.”

“Yea, that's true,” Abigail responded as she nodded. “I'll join you home to say hi to her.”

“That'll be so nice Abigail.” I felt happy.

As we walked down the road headed to the bus station to get on a bus, Abigail started her interrogation. Trust me, she makes sure she must get answers.

“So tell me Gianna my friend, how did you manage to convince Mr Lawrence not to suspend you anymore?”

She shrugged. “Because I saw you serving in the other session.”

I chuckled “I’m the super girl you never knew” I replied jestingly as we both laughed.

“Come on Gianna, you're so creepy.” Abigail said, s******g my back.

Sighing, I told her what had transpired. “I actually don't really know why too, but immediately you left, Mr Lawrence came into his office smiling and all of a sudden he said I should resume work duties.” I told her while demonstrating.

Abigail was astonished. “Really?”

“The more confusing and curious part is that he was so specific I served only Mr William Charles anytime he came to the restaurant.”

“What?” Abigail instantly became more confused than I was at first. “Why just Mr William Charles?” She was more curious than I was also.

“If I knew why, I wouldn't have hidden it from you.” I replied while dipping my hand into my worn-out leather bag to take out my phone.

She gave me the look of an anxious person, but it was expected though and there was nothing I could do about it.

I checked my phone to see if my Mom had called, but there was nothing like that. That's strange, mom always calls. I answer only when my phone is close by, but when it's not, I do call back. This one was different. There wasn't any sign or proof that my mom had called today.

We got to the bus stop, and we had to wait for a bus because there was no bus available at the moment. So as we were waiting, I remembered I hadn't told Abigail about the $12,000 tip Mr William Charles left which I kept on the other side of my bag.

“He dropped an amount of $12,000 tip for me on the table he was on.” My eye shifted to the direction of where I kept the money in my bag.

“$12,000 tip?” Abigail narrowed her eyes. “Let me see.” She hesitated.

I took it out and showed it to her. “See, here is the money.”

“What!” Abigail pronounced in a high tone.

I could see her face sweaty immediately, her mouth remained wide open, her eyes were gradually closing like someone who's feeling sleepy, and in no time she fainted. I understand the amount is huge and that the highest tip she had ever gotten was $300, but what I didn't understand was that she fainted at the bus stop because of an amount that didn't make me faint. Oh, how I thought she was stronger than I was.

I took out the bottle of water from my bag, opened it and sprinkled some water on Abigail's face. “Abigail.” I called while checking her heartbeat.

“Gianna, did I just pass out?” Abigail asked as she regained consciousness and tried to get up.

“Of course you did, all because of a $12,000 tip.” I muttered while returning the bottle of water to my bag.

“I heard Mr William Charles is so wealthy and has a very big mansion. I also heard he has two wives, a son and a daughter, and—”

Just as Abigail was talking, a bus came. “Abigail come on.” I interfered with what she was telling me as we got on the bus.

It wasn't long, we finally got home. “Mom, I'm home!” I screamed happily, but I didn't hear any response. Is mom not home? Abigail went straight to the kitchen to get a glass of water while I went to the room to check if my mom was there.

Mom was in there, and I thought she was sleeping.

“Oh Mrs George, my sweet mom.” I playfully tried to wake her up, but she didn't wake up.

“Good evening Mrs George.” Abigail greeted my mom as she walked into the room with a glass of water in her hand thinking my mom was awake.

“Mom,” I called in an undertone, shaking her body. “Mom!” I had to scream this time, but she still didn't wake up.

“What's wrong, Gianna?” Abigail inquired.

I started panicking, and my hands were really shaky, everything in me felt hot. I quickly checked if my mom was still breathing. Oh, my!

“What’s wrong, tell me what's wrong?” Abigail anxiously inquired further and the glass of water in her hand was already shaking.

“Mo..m is no..t,” I stammered as tears were already filled in my eyes. “Mom is not breathing.” I said helplessly.

“What?” Abigail asked in a low tone as the glass of water fell from her hand and she fainted yet again.

This was already a lot, so I had to call 911!