Episode 5
1094 Words
CHAPTER 5
Mia hadn't had rest in days and she hadn't seen Sean either since their last encounter. She was doing the dishes when her phone rang.
"Hey, Mom."
"Jerald just had a heart attack and we're at the hospital."
"What? Where? I'm coming over. Oh my goodness. Ma, how?"
"Simone was having a birthday party and he wanted to go. I didn't let him because of his condition. He went into his room and when I went to check on him, he was right there on the floor."
"Mom, it's okay. Quit crying. It wasn't your fault."
"Mia, I've never been this scared in my life. I thought I'd lost him. Mia, I was so scared."
"It's okay Mom. What did the doctors say?"
"The same thing as before except that now it's urgent. The surgery has to take place. There's no more time, Mia."
"I know. I'll do something, Mom. Just stay strong for all of us."
"I tried to borrow but I'm in so much debt already."
"Ma, listen to me. DO NOT BORROW! Okay?"
"Okay, Mia."
"Take care of him. I'll get back to you."
She clutched her heart once she cut the call. Her heart was beating erratically like it'd burst out of her chest any moment soon.
"I have to do something. I have to." She said repeatedly until she gave in and fell to the kitchen floor. She couldn't stop the tears that poured.
She'd be weak just this one time.
She wiped her tears and got on her feet. She stared at the old clock, it was 7:45.
She got dressed and ordered a ride to the club. New York was bustling like it was broad daylight. It didn't take time before she arrived at the strip club.
She wasted no time in getting down and rushing in. She headed straight to Joe's office but he wasn't there. She waited a few more minutes.
"You're here early." He said the second he burst into his office.
"Joe, I need your help. Y'know that guy? The one that was requested for me nights ago. The one I've been working with?"
"Mr. Sean?" She didn't know him until now.
"Yea. I need his contact. We had a deal and I need to get back to him." She folded her hands in a pleading manner.
"Why didn't you just get his contact then?"
"Uh- I had it but I lost it. I need to get back to him. It's urgent."
"I'm sorry, Mia. I wish I could help but I must keep my clients' information confidential. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. But d'you know how I can reach him?"
"I'm sorry, I can't."
"Joe, for f**k's sake, this is a matter of life and death. It's serious." She yelled hitting his table in the process.
"Who's dying?" She ignored his comment and stormed out of his office.
She felt like breaking into tears but she knew nothing good will come out of a breakdown so she bottled her emotions and forced a smile through her pain.
"It's cool. It's cool."
She had no idea what to do or how she could reach Sean. Nothing.
That night, she'd gone back to the club again but he wasn't there. The room was empty because he had reserved the room but didn't use it.
She left the club and headed back to her apartment. Nothing was going right with her.
"Hey, you good?" Ashley asked as she plopped down on the couch.
"Sure."
"You don't look good, Mia. Asides from the fact that you constantly overwork yourself, there's something else bothering you." Renee butted in as she settled on the couch Ashley was on.
"I'm good, you both." Mia snapped. She got on her feet and left for her room. There she sat at the vanity and stared at her puffy face, pale eyes, and pale skin. She had eyebags underneath and wrinkles on her eyes. She looked exhausted. She was.
A knock on the door interrupted her train of thought.
"Hey." Ashley got in. She didn't reply.
"Are you alright? Should I bring in your dinner?"
"I'm not hungry, Ash."
"If it's about your little brother, I'm sure he'll get better eventually. He's a fighter." Ashley comforted her as she brought her closer and patted her gently.
"He's dying. His heart is failing. His body is giving in. I'm tired of being helpless. I need to do something." She sobbed.
****
The next day was a beautiful day. The sun shone brightly and Mia could feel it as she wiped the sweat off her sleeves.
She was helping Liam clean the cafe.
Customers started to troop in about five minutes later and she had to take orders and serve them.
"Hey." The caramel-skinned coworker greeted her.
"Hey, Chloe."
"That's enough. Go take some rest, I'd finish up the remaining orders." She was going to hesitate but was too tired to even drag anything with anyone.
She went to the dressing room to relax a bit. The odd sound of her ringtone pierced the atmosphere. She groaned.
"Hello."
"Heard you were looking for me. I'm right outside your house. Don't keep me waiting."
The line went dead before she could utter anything else.
Don't keep me waiting.
He was outside her house???
She has so many questions but knew no one could provide her with the answers here. She changed out of her work uniform and rushed to meet Chloe.
"Hey, please can you cover for me? I have to get going. It's an emergency."
"Is everything okay? You know what? Just leave. I'll cover for you." She said looking worried already.
"Thank you so much, Chloe. I appreciate it."
She hurriedly went in search of Liam. She found him speaking to a lady just outside the cafe. It seemed serious so she didn't disturb.
After some minutes, it seemed the air was chill so she went to meet him.
"Liam? I'm sorry but I need to get going. Chloe will cover up for me and I'll work extra tomorrow if you need me to." She didn't wait for his response before skidding away.
She got into a bus that stopped her right at her junction.
She paid and got down immediately. She wiped the bead of sweat forming on her forehead with a handkerchief.
She was about to turn to her street when she heard that voice.
"Mia?"
She froze.
Why today of all days? Was he stalking her? When did he get back?
All these questions.
She just stood there, frozen.
- Writer
