Nanny For Her Child

CHAPTER TWO

Audrey woke up the next morning to the sound of silence. She looked around, trying to remember where she was. And then it hit her - the hotel room, David, the night they spent together.

She sat up hurriedly when she noticed she was the only one on the bed. She couldn't find the man she slept with on the bed and was alarmed.

Just when she had almost concluded that she had been scammed, her eyes fell on a brown fat looking envelope on the bedside table. She picked it up, and her eyes widened as she counted the money, “$10,000 !!!” She exclaimed with excitement.

But then she hesitated wondering if it was a trap. She looked around to make sure that he was gone. “Hello? Anyone there?” She asked, looking towards the bathroom.

She got no response and then she had to get out of bed so as to make sure that no one was in the bathroom.

She stepped on a piece of paper and when she picked it up, she saw that it was a written note by the man, David Gates to her. Her eyes scanned through the words:

“Dear stranger,

Last night was just that - one night. We don't know each other and we have no business together. The money inside the envelope is yours. Please don't try to contact me.

Good bye,

David “

Audrey felt a pang of embarrassment. She felt so used and worthless.

But as she looked at the envelope again, she felt a sense of gratitude. At least she had gotten something out of it.

She got out of bed, and walked over to the mirror. She looked at herself, and said aloud "Audrey you will scale through this trust me”

As she walked out of the hotel room, she bumped into the man she had called. He was standing in the hallway, sipping coffee.

"Hey, how's it going?" he asked, smiling at her.

Audrey smiled back, feeling a sense of awkwardness. "It's going," she mumbled trying to sound casual. "I'm just checking out.”

Avoiding his gaze, she said,"I'll take my leave now, Bye” she said and hurriedly walked away.

She quickened her pace, anxious to get out of the hotel and away from the memories of the night before.

She felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had done what she had to do and now she could focus on taking care of her mother.

But as she thought about facing her mother, Audrey felt a wave of fear wash over her. How would she explain where the money came from? Would her mother ever forgive her?

Audrey took a deep breath, trying to push the thoughts aside. She would deal with that later.

She boarded a taxi and headed to the hospital, where her sister was waiting anxiously.

"Hey, how's mom?" Audrey asked, rushing to her sister's side.

Gina looked up, her eyes still red from crying."The doctors said that the next 24 hours would be more critical if the surgery is not done on time."

“Don't worry I have the money ready,” she said taking out the envelope containing the money from her bag.

Before Gina could ask her how she got the money, she ran to the nurse's station. "I have the money for the surgery,” she said, trying to catch her breath. “Please commence the surgery immediately” she pleaded.

The nurse looked up, a hint of surprise on her face. She registered her payment quickly and gave her a form to sign. "Let me call the doctor," she said and left.

Audrey nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. She waited for what felt like an eternity before the doctor came out, a smile on his face.

"The surgery will be performed immediately," he said. "We'll do everything we can to save your mother's life."

Audrey nodded, tears of relief streaming down her face. She hugged Gina and together waited for hours with high hopes, pacing back and forth in the waiting room, until finally, the doctor came out again.

"The surgery was a success," he said. "Your mother is recovering well. We've just given her a sedative so she'll be asleep for the next three ,four hours after that she'll wake up.”

Audrey collapsed onto the chair, her body shaking with sobs. She had done it. She had saved her mother's life. “Thank you so much doctor” she said her voice breaking.

Holding each other's hand, Audrey and her sister shed tears of joy thankful that their mother was finally well.

Days passed, and Audrey's mother slowly recovered. Audrey was by her side every step of the way, nursing her back to health.

But as her mother grew stronger, Audrey could see the curiosity in her eyes. "Audrey, how did you get the money for the surgery?" she asked one day, her voice weak but determined.

Audrey's heart sank. She hesitated, unsure of what to say. She knew her mother would ask but didn't want her mother's health to be affected again.

As much as she didn't want to tell her mother the truth, she couldn't lie to her mother either.

"Mom, please, the doctor had advised that you shouldn't stress" Audrey said, trying to deflect the question. "You need to rest, I'll always be around to answer your question so get well first."

Her mother was insistent. She knew that her daughter was intentionally hiding something from her. "Audrey, I need to know," she said, her voice growing stronger. "What did you do to get that money?"

Audrey felt a surge of panic. She didn't want to tell her mother the truth, but she couldn't keep lying to her either.

"Mom, I...I did something I'm not proud of," Audrey said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her mother's eyes narrowed, a look of suspicion on her face. "What did you do, Audrey?" she asked, her voice cold. Hoping it wasn't what she was thinking.

Audrey took a deep breath, steeling herself for the truth. "I slept with a man for money," she said, the words feeling like poison on her lips.

Her mother's face went white, her eyes wide with shock. And then, suddenly, she clutched her chest, a look of pain on her face.

"Mom! Mom!! What's happening to you? Audrey screamed, rushing to her side. She ran out of the ward screaming, Doctor!! Nurse!!! Please help me!!

The doctor met her, “What's the problem? He asked, following her to her mother's ward hurriedly. “Doctor I don't know,we were talking and suddenly she held her chest. I don't know what's happening to her,” she said as they entered the ward.

The doctor examined her and was shocked. Audrey saw his facial expression and became even more worried.

“Tell me doctor, what has happened to her?” She asked impatiently.

“Whatever I'm about to say now isn't good but you'd have to accept it,” the doctor said,

sighing.

She looked at the doctor perplexed. What could be the problem again? She wondered….