CHAPTER 6. AT THE HOSPITAL

It's been a week since the whole incident. Bianca didn't show up anymore, but I believe she's been disturbing him with texts.

Nathan and I would hang out often, and we got along pretty easy. Noah was right about Nathan, he was really a sweet soul once you got to know him.

“I don't think Jeremy would be able to go to school today…” My mom said checking my brother's temperature. I stood there, contemplating if I should call the twins and announce to them that I won't be able to make it to work. I was beginning to panic.

My brother twitched his eyes and stared at me quietly, then he closed his eyes again.

“Don't worry, I'll stay back from work and watch Jeremy…” My mom spoke as though she's been reading my thoughts.

“Are you certain?” I asked concerned.

She nodded, then she covered his shivering body with a blanket.

I arrived at the Smith's mansion two hours late. The twins were sitting at the dinning table with bowels of cereal, and there was Bianca sitting next to Nathan.

Bianca frowned at the sight of me, then she proceeded to roll her eyes uncontrollably.

“When did they even get back together?” I thought quietly. After Nathan putting me through the mess of pretending to be his girlfriend and definitely, Bianca hates me now.

She was wearing one of his hoodies with a messy tied ponytail, obviously she slept over last night.

I apologized for resuming late, as they twins shrugged it off.

I went ahead to do my normal routine of setting the twin's room and cleaning around, then I went ahead to make breakfast.

All through, I didn't speak to Nathan that he noticed.

“Why are you even mad?” My subconsciousness questioned.

That was a good question, why was I even mad at Nathan in the first place?

I had no reply to this question or was I worried because my brother was ill?

The kitchen door creaked open as Nathan walked with the cereal bowels.

Normally, I am the one who picks up everything after eating, but this time he didn't even wait for me to get them.

I pretended I didn't see him.

“Are you ignoring me?” He asked after he dumped the bowels into the sink.

“No, I mean, why would I?” I laughed awkwardly.

Meanwhile, I was boiling inside. I felt betrayed. He literally used me to get back at Bianca, and now Bianca and I ain't in good terms.

“You haven't spoken to me since morning, so I was worried” He spoke again, this time his voice came very soft, almost in a whisper.

“I'm sorry” I responded nonchalantly.

I turned on the tap from the sink, letting the water pour down the bowels.

Nathan stood there staring at me. I didn't say a word to him, neither did he.

“Is it because of Bianca?” He groaned, breaking the silence between us.

“What?!” I blurted out.

“Then why are you ignoring me?” He demanded. His voice this time appeared a little fierce.

“Nothing. Can you let me do my job, please? You're distracting me” I pleaded.

His gaze searched my face like though he was trying to read through my thoughts, then he turned around and walked away quietly.

The rest of the day continued in silence.

I did the necessary stuff while I kept trying to contact my mom, but she wasn't picking the call.

I was tempted to go home because I was nervous. I kept biting my bottom lips, trying so hard to think.

“Liliana…” Nathan's voice drifted me back from my thoughts.

I didn't even notice he was standing there because, well, everyone was in their rooms, so I was the only one left in the living room.

“Yes?” I muttered.

He proceeded to sit near me.

“You've been acting weird since morning…” Nathan's voice trailed off.

“Is everything okay? Is your mom okay? What's going on? Is the job draining you? I could talk to my mom to minimize your working hours” He concluded.

The questions were just too much. He was sudden too caring, since when did he start caring about me?

“It's my brother” I hesitated for a while searching his eyes. He urged me to continue.

“He's been sick. Extremely sick and right now, my mom isn't even picking her calls, so I'm worried” I managed to say.

“Heyy, calm down… Have you tried calling her again?” He asked. I shook my head slowly, then I reached for my phone. I dailed my mother's number again and finally, she picked it.

“Hello, mom” I was the first to speak.

“How is Jeremy now?” I quickly asked. I was nervous, I was unsure of my mom's answer.

“Terrible! He's getting worse. I took him to the hospital” My mother replied. Her voice was crackly who someone who just finished crying. I could even hear her sniff.

“I'm on my way” With that, I ended the call and buried my palms in my face, sobbing quietly.

I informed Nathan about the condition of my brother, and he offered to drive me there, but I declined. I wanted to avoid involving him in whatever mess I am in right now.

“Shh… Remember when I was sick, and you volunteered to spend the night with me?” He asked, I nodded again.

“You were there for me when I needed you, and I'd never forget that, so I'm returning the favour" He said as my teary eyes gazed at him. That was the very first time someone had offered to help me out. My heart melted instantly.

“Thank you” I managed to say. He simply smiled. He held out his hand as I took it.

Just then, Bianca walked out of Nathan's room.

“What the hell is going on? Why are you holding hands with my boyfriend?!” Bianca yelled at me as she made way for us. I abruptly dragged out my hand from Nathan's grip.

“I'm sorry” I mumbled, looking down.

“Babe, you really need to chill. Nothing happened between us” Nathan tried to defend ourselves.

“I'm so sorry, baby. I am just scared I'm going to lose you to her” Bianca said pouting.

I rolled my eyes. She obviously was trying to play the victim card.

He held out his arms as she ran into them, then he gently brushed her hair backwards with his palms.

“Nothing is coming in between us, alright?” He whispered under his breath, but audible for me to hear.

My phone beeped as I quickly checked the message. It was from my mom, and she just sent the hospital's address.

I walked away quietly, opened the door and stepped out of the building, the security guard asked me why and where I was leaving to, and I needed to explain everything to him.

“Alright, stay safe. Your brother has my prayers” He comforted me as he opened the gate. I could hear Nathan screaming my name, but I didn't bother to look back.

The voice lessened and vanished eventually. I tried to double my steps. I didn't have enough money to pay my way down there.

A car drove, honking at me. I sighed when I realized it was Nathan. He was driving slow, very slow.

“Go back to your girlfriend. I have enough things to stress about already!” I spat.

“No. Get into the car right now. I'm not playing” He ordered. I stopped in my tracks, then I turned abruptly to him.

It was only then I realized the weather wasn't friendly, as I was sweating already.

“Make me!” I said, folding my arms.

He stopped the car, then he got down.

“Foremost, how do you intend to get to the hospital? Trekking?” He questioned as he made his way to me.

“Of course” I responded.

He shook his head then, carefully, he carried me like I were a toddler.

“People are watching!” I screamed at him. I looked around, and they were stares, I was embarrassed.

“I don't care” He replied, then he dropped me on my feet. He opened the door, then he ordered me to get in, and I went in stubbornly.

“Now tell me where the hospital's location” He said as he drove.

I told him exactly where the hospital was located.

“I can't wait to meet your family finally” He spoke. I simply leaned on the window, staring into the sky.

“I am too young to be this tired. Help me, God” I prayed quietly.