The Seductress

Wayne pushed through the glass doors that lead into the long hallway of their family hospital. He finds Fiona sitting on the hospital benches with her head hung low. He strides hastily towards her and she looks up at him.

“Fiona!… how’s Mom!” He asks breathlsssly. Fiona sniffles and wipes her cheeks.

“They wheeled her into the ICU Wayne” She mutter tearily. Wayne stares at her, aghast.

“ICU?.. what the hell happened to her?” He blurts out as he sits beside her.

“I.. I don’t know Wayne. I woke up from my nap and I decided to fix dinner… then I found mom slumped on the kitchen floor unconscious… she had a huge gash on her head and it looked like she was preparing dinner already”

Fiona falters as she sobs quietly. She had shakily dailed 911 when she found her unconscious and barely breathing. She couldn’t bear the thought of loosing mom. It’s gonna kill her. She had barely gotten over her dad’s death. Wayne clenches his teeth and rakes his hand at his hair in exasperation. She had clearly wanted to fix dinner. Probably trying to make up for the things he’s doing. Godammit that’s his responsibility!.

“I’m fuckin scared brother… I can’t bear the thought of losing her!” Fiona sniffles and wipes at her face. Her large eyes are filled with tears and she’s got a runny nose from too much crying. He puffs out a breath as he watched the few people sitting on the seetes.

“Come on Fiona… I’m here now, mom’s gonna be okay” He pulls her to himself and she lolled against his chest. He’s saved up almost all the cash for her treatment. He hoped whatever happened to her wouldn’t cost much. They stayed that way for a few minutes, absorbing each others warmth, hoping for a positive response from the doctor.

Minutes later, the door to the ICU finally opens and the doctor steps out. Doctor Mac has been their family doctor even before the death of their dad.

“Evening doctor… how’s she” Wayne says andstands as he gets to him. Doctor Mac takes off his glasses and sighs.

“I’m afraid her condition is critical Wayne… from our results, she collided her head against something very hard and it resulted in blood clotting in the brain” Fiona gasps as she bolted up from her seat. Wayne shuts his eyes in pain, trying not to loose it.

“Doc Mac!, is she gonna be fine!, tell me we aren’t gonna lose her please!” Fiona rasps as she sobs. He stared at her with a soft gaze. Life could be cruel. He never believed the Anderson family would ever go broke. Once they were freaking rich and generous too. Now with Anderson gone, things seems to have taken a drastic turn.

“We managed to stable her Wayne. But we need to undergo an operation to drain out the blood… If it prolongs it might lead to acute stroke” He deadpans as Fiona place a palm over her mouth.

“Doctor Mac.. I’d do anything to save her!… could you carry on with the operation?” Tiredness laces his voice and doctor Mac nods.

“Its gonna take a lot of money… and we need half of the cash to commence the operation, two thousand dollars precisely…” He says as Fiona lets out a silent gasp.

“… Just carry on with the operation doc!… I’d come with the cash first thing tomorrow” Fiona bites down her lips and wipe at her cheeks. How the heck would Wayne provide two thousand dollars before the next day. Even if he does, that’s just half the amount!.

“Alright Wayne…. we’re gonna commence it tomorrow… but you would need to sign some papers before we commence” Doc Mac gives him a sad smile and Wayne nods.

“Take care Wayne… everything would be fine” Doc Mac reassures him and he leaves.

“How are you gonna provide the cash for mom’s surgery Wayne!?” Fiona voice out her thoughts. Wayne blew out a breath and sigh.

“I’d pay half the amount Fiona… then if I don’t have enough cash I’d take a loan okay… come on let’s head home” Wayne puts his arm around her and they walk out of the hospital together. The idea of taking a loan didn’t sit well with Fiona. She couldn’t afford Wayne working late hours just to pay off the loan. Unfortunately Wayne never allows her to work. She badly wanted to earn some cash and relief some of his burdens, but the last time he suggested that he blatantly refused. Sometimes it makes her think she ain’t nineteen but ten.

The ride home was in silence. She knew Wayne was engrossed with how he’s gonna get the cash to foot mom’s bills. Gosh!.. if only she could help. The cab pulls up at thier apartment and she steps out. She pushed

through the gates and walked up to their apartment porch. She turns the knob and step in.

Wayne trails behind her and he plonk down a single sofa tiredly. Fiona kicked off her sneakers, walking barefooted to the kitchen. She returns with a can of water and pour some into a glass cup for Wayne.

“Thanks Fiona” He mutters gratefully as he drain out the contents. She returns it to the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe as she stared at him.

“What’s eating you out… spill it out Wayne” She furrow her brows in concern. Wayne groans. He knew this was probably the worst time to think of Selene, but he couldn’t stop wondering why she wants him as her secretary. One thing he’s sure of he’s not taking up the offer. It sounds like bad news.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Are you worried about mom?” Fiona leans off the doorframe and walks to sit beside him.

“No I’m not Fiona… cos I’m certain she’s gonna be fine. We just need to believe that alright?” Wayne assures her and she smiles. Those words taking off the sadness she felt.

“It’s a good thing you aren’t going to work tomorrow Wayne… I’d make sure I wake up early enough to prepare breakfast for mom” She voice out as she wraps her hair into a bun.

“Alright Fiona go freshen up while I fix dinner” Wayne says and push to his feet before striding into the kitchen. She was too tired to argue. She walked to her room and shut the door close. She stripped off her dress and showered for a short while before putting on her nightie. She brush down her hair and pack it up in a bun. Her phone dings and she picks it up to stare at the screen. A small smile tugs at her lips as a new photo of selene displays on her screen. She plumps down the bed as she admires the photo. Selene has a fan page and the number of followers are eye turning. Oh goodness!. How she wished she could meet selene just once. She saved the photo to her phone and drops the phone back on the bed. She had barely walked out of the room when an idea pops into her head. She paused with her hands on the door knob.

Wayne couldn’t provide the money for her mom’s treatment and even if he did, he may go broke. Selene was more like a philanthropist to ladies and she knew of so many orphanages she had donated lots of money to. Gosh!… maybe selene might be willing to help her out!. She never refuses when a lady asks for help. With her heartbeat accelerating she walks back to the bed and grabbed her phone. Searching the net for her number she jots it down and saved the contact to her phone.

Fiona runs her palm down her hair nervously as she decided on whether to call or text. she finally decides on texting. She suck in her breath as she types.

HI MISS SELENE, TRUST YOU DOING GOOD, I’M AWFULLY IN NEED OF YOUR HELP, I’D BE GLAD IF WE COULD TALK.

Fiona giggles happily as she clicks on send. She suck in her breath before releasing it slowly. She didn’t just do that did she. That was the bravest thing she’s ever done, considering she was the shy type.

“Fiona… table is set” Wayne yells from the living room. Fiona shoves the phone under the pillow and blew out a breath. Good job Fiona!.

“Alright brother I’d be out soon” She breath out, sliding her foot into her slippers and sauntering out of her room.

***

Fiona swungs her legs out of bed and yawns blearily. she run her palm down her face and parts the window drapes as the sunlight streams in.

“Good morning Lord..” She mumble as she trudges into the bathroom. She wash up her face and return back to the room. She pause midway when she remembers the text she sent to selene. Fiona gasps and rushed to the bed to retrieve her phone. Her heartbeat slammed against her ribs tremendously, wondering what her reply was. She swipe at the screen and was disappointed to see she hasn’t returned the text. She sigh lowly and toss it to the bed. Maybe she hasn’t seen it yet. She padded out of the room and walks to Wayne’s door. She turns the knob and peeked her head in. He was still asleep.

“Damn!… he must be really tired” She shut it close and walk into the kitchen to fix breakfast. She brings out ingredients from the cabinet and drops it on the countertop just as she hears the faint ringing of her phone. She arch her brows as she stride to her room. Who could possibly be calling this early?. She picks up the phone from the bed and stare at the screen. A silent scream escapes her mouth when she sees it’s Selene. Okay this could probably be her mind doing a trick on her. Her hands are shaky as she swiped at the answer icon, pressing the phone against her ear.

“Hi!” Fiona croaks out.

“Hey..” Selene voice was just as she expected it to be; sonorious and calm. Fiona seems lost for words. Holy shit! Fiona you’re do dumb!. her subconscious screams as she itch at her hair.

“I… I’m Fiona miss selene…” She voice out.

“Fiona… that’s a pretty name” Selene compliments and Fiona could swear her cheeks were a deep shade of red. Damnit who ever thought she’d be speaking to Selene!.

“So Fiona… you need my help?” Selene voice cut through her thoughts and she shuts her eyes.

“Yeah… yeah miss Selene… I’m sorry if I’m bothering you but my mom is hospitalized and they’re demanding a large sum of money. I’m afraid we can’t come up with such amount” Tears pool at her eyes as she remembers her mom.

“You have a sibling?” Fiona blinks her eyes to focus and nods.

“Uhmm… I do miss selene. I’ve got an elder brother… and… I think you’ve met him once” Fiona whispers the last part as she hear selene suck in her breath.

“What’s his name?” Her voice is laced with anxiousness. Fiona could tell she’s gotten her full attention. Fiona sucks in her breath.

“His name is Wayne miss… Wayne Anderson” Fiona says with a proud smirk. A long silence follows and she wondered if she’s probably hung up.

“Alright Fiona… I’d help you” She finally says as Fiona hungs her mouth open. Huh!, just like that!. She’s gonna pay for mom’s bills!.

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