03-bad news

Laila Moore

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It was so ironic how I was starving yet I was an employee at a food organization. Fitfood was a well-known industry that touched every aspect of food products. Mister Ross had his business being the best food supplier in the state and was slowly creeping into the world.

I yawned at the mere thought of the meals I usually devoured in the company kitchen.

Shaking off the thought, I stared outside through the car window. We had arrived in the hospital.

After a flight which mostly found me sleeping and getting woken up by nightmares, we finally landed and drove to the hospital.

The blue sky which was dotted with clouds was rapidly turning into a shade of black, an indication that the rain was approaching and the storm was going to fall down.

The hospital was industrious as usual. There were movements around the reception area where we were approaching.

We hadn't reached the reception when my eyes fell on Susan. Susan was the company secretary. A well-known lady who was smart with both brains and dressing code. Everyone in Fitfood admired Susan, and I also did.

She was slightly taller than I was, if that was not from the heels she usually wore. Her blonde hair fell gracefully on her lean shoulders. She had a slim face but most importantly was her makeup, she had a hand on that. She was always wearing lipstick that matched her outfit. At that moment, she was clad in a dark red skirt and a white top. Her lipstick matched her skirt.

She had seen us so when I was busy checking her out, she was on her way approaching us, with her beautiful smile offered to Oliver. A smile I never got, because I nearly forgot that she hated me for some unknown reasons.

"Mister Castillo." She opened her arms and gave Oliver a quick hug. "Long time no see."

"How are you?" Oliver was also excited to meet her. I realized I found Susan working for Mister Ross before I joined, so she knew Oliver.

"I'm okay." She gave me a quick glance and then ushered Oliver toward the elevator. "I've been taking care of your father."

I rolled my eyes, yeah right! Like I haven't been in the hospital alone?

"You are always an angel." Oliver praised.

They were engaged in a conversation all through until we got to the room. I mostly never paid any attention to most of the conversation as I was on my phone. I was reading some news about the CEO of FitFood being in critical condition. I hated news, they could exaggerate and give one heart failure. But honestly, Mister Ross was not okay.

Some other news spoke of Mike, Mister Ross' driver who died in the accident. I immediately shut the phone and exhaled, feeling tears emerging in my eyes. I blinked them off and then concentrated on reality.

We were already in Mister Ross' room where only machines were making noises.

"He has been like this," Susan explained and I closely told her that he was better than yesterday. I watched him struggle to live. "The doctors have really done a lot."

"I see." Oliver breathed. He stood beside his father with his hands deeply pocketed. He did not look bothered even seeing his father in his state. He had bandages all over his body. From what the doctor told me, he had sustained some serious internal injuries and he sort of broke his one leg.

I moved close to the bed to examine his face but Susan stopped me. "Liana, I think it's time you take a break. You can go home, I am sure you had a long day." She sounded calm, hiding the fact she loathed my mere presence.

She started hating me the first day I was employed as PA, which got me closer to Mister Ross than she was.

"No, it's–"

"As I said, I will take care of him." She insisted, leaving no room for argument.

I gave Mister Ross a look then back to Oliver and Susan. They were looking at me as if I was wasting their time. I fixed my handbag on my shoulder and then nodded.

"Okay. I will come tomorrow." I nibbled my lower lip as I moved back.

No one spoke. I left them, but a huge part of me wanted to stay and watch Mister Ross recover. He was the only friend and close person I had.

Mister Ross loved to have all dinners with me. Once we left work, his driver and I would take him home. He owned a mansion that he always complained was empty. Even with the presence of his workers around, he always said they over-respected him and he never liked it.

Mike and I used to spend the evening with mister Ross, have dinner together, and later, Mike would drive me home on his way to his place.

The three of us were close. I loved how we worked together. I was dying to see Mister Ross back on his feet because life was boring without him.

It had started raining when I hauled a cab to get me home. I was dwelling in a one-bedroom apartment that was cheap enough for me to afford. The apartment was not so far from Mister Ross's mansion, just a few miles away.

I paid my fee, then opened the door and ran to the entrance of the building I was residing in. I used my handbag to cover my hair from being soaked.

I ambled to the third floor and entered my empty house. I had no idea that the moment I would be alone was when reality was gonna hit me.

I sank onto a three seater sofa which was the only one I had in the room. I fished for my phone from my handbag but I realized I did not have friends to talk to. As I scrolled through my contacts, I found Mister Ross' number which I was the only one who had it aside from Mike.

I shakily pressed on it, it was turned off. After a few seconds, it directed me to a voicemail.

I cleared my throat and found myself talking.

"Hm…Good evening, boss, I…hm, I am calling to let you know that you have an important appointment with William Banks. You know, the owner of Banks Corporation? I am sure they want you to be the supplier to their organizations."

I swallowed a stubborn lump that nearly choked me.

"So, y-you better wake up. You always told me not to lie my head down when I have battles. So, why are you there? Please wake up."

I exhaled heavily and then rested on the sofa facing the ceiling. After a moment, I hung up the phone and then shut my eyes.

"I'm so lonely."

A warm tear gushed down my cheek. I hated to be alone because now that I was alone, I was reminded that I never had friends, no family, or siblings. They all hated me.

When I shut my eyes, sobs emerged from my throat and I was crying. I hated crying.

A buzz from my phone caught me grabbing it. Part of me thought it was Mister Ross who had woken up and saw my message, but when I checked the screen, I was caught sitting up abruptly.

I wiped my tears to see well, it was hard to believe that just when I had thought of my sibling, my sister texted me.

Kira Moore texted me!

She never replied to my message, for three years. I have been the only person who texted her to ask about them. But she always ignored me, like she wasn't the one who wronged me. She never even looked up for me when I ran away.

With my racing heart, I opened the message. I thought they were good news, but my heart left me when I read, and re-read the message.

Kira: 'Dad passed away. I thought you should know.'