The Unloved Billionaires And I

We rushed into the clinic and I made for the reception to ask which ward was Liam taken to, with Irene racing behind me. I have hardly spoken a word to her since the call as I reeled from shock.

I can’t believe this. Liam was one of the most careful people I know how could he not have lost control like that?

Tears poured from my eyes when we were shown to his ward and we stood outside the cubicle watching him lie lifeless while the doctors fought to keep him alive-they refused us entry.

My hands twitched, my body shaking in grief. Irene’s hand found mine and tightened silently trying to take comfort from me even as she gave me one. I was a mess.

I finally found happiness and like that, fate wants to snatch it away from me.

“I hate this life so so much, Irene. Everything is a waste!”

“Don’t say that.”

“God hates me!”

“Shhhh…” She yanked me to her and buried my head in her shoulders away from the ward. No wonder he doesn’t call. Liam called me every moment for that. Sometimes I tease him for being a pest due to how frequently he calls me.

“God has a reason for everything.”

“The only reason he punishes me is for why? Because he hates me, Irene. I am cursed.”

“Hey,” she pulled me away and looked at my shaking self. My face was bent as tears cascaded unable to look at her. This pain is too much. How can one person be going through so much in her life?

I have been trying to overlook every thing that has come wrong in my love life. Starting from my first marriage. But it is too much.

Now, Liam came and for the first time, I feel alive. I feel like something. Not being with someone for anything or anyone. But for myself. And what happens? Life wants to take him away.

“It’s going to be alright, Sil.”

“When?” I whispered, slumping my shoulders in defeat. “When I die of depression?”

“Liam will be fine.”

I shook my head and twisted about to look at him. He looked so helpless lying there while those people prod and poke him with those facilities and needles. I feel so bad that I can’t help him.

Soon, they made their way out. The one who led them stopped in front of us. “Which of you is family?”

“Both of us,” Irene managed to speak. When he hesitated she explained. “He is my brother and her fiance.”

“Oh… come along then.”

We followed him.

We entered an office by the right-hand side of the next hall and he pointed out the two seats situated in front of his massive desk. “I must say our patient was very lucky.”

“What do you mean?” Irene whipped impatiently.

“He survived a severe haemorrhage to the heart from the shock of the accident. Normally, many die instantly from such an impact, but luckily, he scaled through.”

Without knowing it, I heaved out a sigh of relief from the revelation

“So what next?” I whispered.

“We have placed him in several supports and will watch him from now till tomorrow to see how he responds to treatment. If he does well, then we will know the next round of medication to administer to fasten the healing process. Plus, once he is fully recovered, he will need to stay indoors for some time to properly heal.” He wrote down something on a piece of paper and handed to me. “He will he seeing the dietician for some therapy on healthy feeding so as to help him revive the blood he lost.”

“Okay…” I took in the name on the paper and glanced up when Irene asked the question that as been on my mind since hearing the bad news.

“How did this happen, doctor?”

He shrugged. “I do not know specifically apart from what we all know. He had an accident.” He smiled. “It’s not like I am a mechanic.”

I nodded and stood. “Thank you very much, doctor. I beg that you help my Liam.”

“We will do all we can, ma’am.” He stood too and reached out his hand for a handshake which I took before I made my way out.

We watched him till late at night. Irene wanted us to go and come back the next day, but I refused. I was not planning to leave his bedside until my Laim recuperated. So, I asked her to go and bring some foods and clothes for me the next day.

By now, I was permitted to go in and sat by his bedside, holding his cold hand. I couldn’t sleep. I watched the steady staccato beat of his heart which somehow gardens me. It shows he was still here with me.

“I love you so much, Liam. You have to fight for your life. For us.” I kissed his hand. “I am fighting for us, you need to do the same. Please, don’t leave me.”

I continued talking to him throughout the night, not for once feeling sleepy. It was almost daybreak before my eyes drooped and I placed my head in the bed beside him and allowed my eyes close.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Sil…” Someone tapped me.

“Hmmn… mmm.. Liam.” I scrunched my nose, lifting my head to wince at once as I felt pain ricochet through my neck. It was so stiff from lying in a bad posture for long.

“It’s me, Irene.” She felt my forehead. “You need to shower and change into something. The doctors need to check on him.” I looked at her, my eyes still foggy.

“Irene…”

“Yeah.”

“You are back so early.”

“I had to bring you food and a new clothes.” She took my hand and pulled. I resisted, looking back at the bed where Liam still lay. Unmoving. “Liam…”

“The doctors, Silv…” She pulled. That was when I looked towards the doctor and saw the men in white frocks waiting.

I scratched my hair and stood up. “Sorry…” My voice sounded choked.

She dragged my outside of the cubicle and down the hallway. “You have to bathe and change, Silv.”

“I can’t leave, Irene.” I deadpanned, taking back my hand. “I can’t leave, Liam.”

“I know, which is why I got an option.”

“What?”

“You can bath and change here and then we eat. By the time we get back, the doctors will have something to tell us. Hopefully, something positive.”

“Okay, if you say so.”

I wasn’t convinced yet, wanting anything more but to stay beside Liam. But, I had to do her bidding because I believe by the time we get back I will able to go back to watch him.

And true to her words, by the time we got back, the doctor said he was responding well to treatment and by today he might wake up. I pray so much that he does. I can’t bear to leave him here and go to work by tomorrow.

That evening, Irene blabbed on about a new man that she met yesterday on her way home. I knew what she was doing. Irene was a tortoise. She hides away from her feeling when she doesn’t want to address them. A case study of now.

She loves Liam so much and seeing him the way he is was hurting her so much. She is trying to stay strong for him. For me. Like she always does. She will rather cry in private, than to show weakness outside. It happens in every aspect of her life.

So, as she chatted away like a hummingbird, I listened to her with half ear with my eyes on Liam. That was when I saw a movement. I shut off the chair and was by his side the next minute.

“What’s that?” Irene joined me.

“He moved his finger.” I pointed at it, my eyes unmoving. “I swear it. I saw him move.”

“Silva… it might be…” He moved it again. “Fuck! I saw it. Liam!” She fell beside him and grabbed his face.

“Irene!” I grabbed her and tugged. “Easy.”

“I saw it. My brother moved. Liam…” Her voice clogged in tears for the first since forever. “Liam, I knew you will make it… I love you so much and mom would kill me if anything happened to you. Do you hear me?” My heart pricked. It was rare to see them this way. And it had to be when he was struggling with his life.

Liam’s forehead creased before his eyelids starting moving. Then, they flew open, giving me a glimpse of that enthralling sharp blue depths. I have never felt my breathe snatched from me as I felt that moment.

I joined Irene and fell on him, my body wracking with sobs. “Thank you, Liam.”

He began coughing. “Water…” He said.

I hurried up and popped the water I brought in from the cafeteria where we ate. “Here.” I gave him and he gulped it down.

When he was done, his eyes latched on us as if he was seeing us for the first time. I was grinning like an idiot. You have no idea. “Sil… baby… Irene.” I took his hand and fondled.

“What happened, Liam?” I asked.

“Someone destroyed my brakes.” He breathe out. It was an intentional act.”

…