chapter 3
1182 Words
They were still in the middle of their conversation when Nora walks into the room.
She informed them that her brother wouldn’t be able to make it due to an urgent meeting, though she assured Lexi she would arrange for him to stop by before her discharge.
Lexi didn’t mind. She already had too much weighing on her thoughts. With a small, polite smile, she introduced Samara and Nora to each other.
They exchanged greetings warmly, their smiles easy until Nora’s gaze fell on the emblem clipped to Samara’s outfit. It was unmistakable, something commonly worn by reporters.
“How did you get in here? Reporters aren’t allowed in this room.”
“It is not what you think,” Lexi quickly interjected, her tone calm but firm.
“Yes, she is a reporter, but she’s also my closest friend. She won’t leak anything outside.”
“That’s right,” Samara added with a reassuring nod.
“ I'm not like other reporters, I respect people’s boundaries. You won’t find anything about this in the news.”
Nora studied her for a moment, her expression cautious but thoughtful. In the end, she relented after all, someone who had saved her life wasn’t likely to deceive her.
“Alright then. I have somewhere to be right now. If you need anything, just ask the nurses. I hope to see you when I return,” Nora said.
There was something in her tone, that made Lexi frown slightly.
“You sound like you’re going somewhere far,” she remarked.
Nora nodded, her lips curving faintly. “I have to be in Dubai for work. If everything goes well, I’ll return today and visit you tomorrow.”
Both Lexi and Samara stared at her in stunned silence.
This girl, barely out of her teens, is traveling for work? Am I dreaming? Lexi wondered, her brows knitting together.
Samara nearly burst into laughter, but Lexi shot her a sharp look, one that immediately silenced her.
“What would a teenager know about work? Aren't you supposed to hang out like the others?” Lexi asked carefully, her voice measured to avoid offense.
Nora chuckled softly, unfazed.
“I hear that a lot. But I am not a teenager, I’m turning twenty this year. My appearance just deceives people. Besides, when you’re born into a family like mine, work becomes part of you.”
Her words hung in the air, leaving both women momentarily speechless. Lexi, in particular, felt a flicker of unease. Nora wasn’t wrong but ut her composure and maturity were unexpectedly intimidating.
“I should get going now,” Nora said, offering a brief nod before leaving the room.
Hours slipped by, the daylight fading into a muted glow beyond the hospital windows. Samara eventually had to return to work, promising to visit again the next day.
Alone, with nothing but restless thoughts, Lexi decided to try calling Desmond once more. Just as she reached for her phone, it rang.
Her heart lifted slightly. She answered immediately, expecting a calm, familiar voice but what greeted her was nothing close to that.
“Why do I keep receiving so many calls from you?” his voice snapped coldly.
“I thought you’d understand by now, if I don’t answer, it means I’m busy.”
The harshness in his tone struck her like a slap. She had imagined concern, maybe even warmth but instead, she was being reprimanded.
“You didn’t even ask where I am… or if I’m okay,” she said quietly, her fingers tightening around the phone.
“Well, you’re talking, aren’t you? That means you’re fine. Let this be the last time don’t you ever make me look foolish like this again.”
He was about to hang up when she hurriedly stopped him.
“Desmond, are you that heartless? I missed the family dinner. Instead of asking why, you’re yelling at me. For God’s sake, we’re supposed to be—”
Her voice broke, tears spilling down her cheeks, even though he couldn’t see her.
“What family dinner?” he scoffed. “It seems you’ve finally lost it. And let me remind you, don’t you dare contact my parents or even set eyes on them until I say so.”
“But—”
The call ended abruptly.
The silence that followed felt suffocating.
Devastated, Lexi let her phone fall onto the bed beside her. Her chest tightened as memories flooded her mind.
Six years ago, she had met Desmond at a hotel where she worked as staff. He had noticed her intelligence, her charm and lured her into joining his own establishment. For five years, she had worked tirelessly beside him, helping build his hotel business from the ground up. Her beauty and charisma drew in high-profile clients, transforming it into a billion-dollar luxury empire.
Somewhere along the way, her feelings for him had deepened. What she thought was more than friendship turned into love.
When she confessed, he didn't reject her perhaps because losing her would mean losing the success she brought. Their relationship continued in secrecy, and three years later, he offered her a conditional engagement. Nothing would be public until he deemed it appropriate.
Like a fool, she had waited and waited.
But that day never came.
Now, doubt crept in like a slow poison. Had he truly cared? Or had she simply been convenient?
What bothered her most was the fact he replied casual upon hearing about the family dinner.
If there wasn't any family dinner, why would his personal assistant lie to her about it?
Before she could spiral further, the door opened and two nurses entered, their soft chatter filling the room as they attended to her.
“Did you see the video trending online?” one of them said excitedly. “Vanessa is so beautiful.”
“Of course she is, she’s from a wealthy family. Who could compete with that?” the other replied.
“And can you believe her boyfriend is Desmond Gillory?”
At the mention of his name, Lexi’s body tensed. Her sudden movement caused the needle in her arm to pierce deeper.
“Oh my God! Are you alright? Why did you move?” one nurse exclaimed, quickly pressing cotton against the spot to stop the bleeding.
“What news are you talking about?” Lexi demanded, her voice shaky. “Who is Vanessa, and why are you linking her with Desmond?”
“You don’t know her?” the nurse asked, surprised.
“She’s a top model and actress. Just this morning, she was announced as the ambassador for Kingsgate Enterprise, the luxury conglomerate owned by Desmond.”
“You should see the video,” the other added eagerly. “Especially the part where she kissed him.”
The words hit Lexi like a blow.
Her hands trembled as she yanked the IV tube from her arm, ignoring the sting. Grabbing her phone, she frantically searched for the latest news.
And there it was.
Her fiancé’s face plastered everywhere, beside him stood Vanessa smiling and kissing him.
- Writer
