Chapter 5
“Aihihihi” I looked at Brylle who giggled at William. He visited here in the hospital even before Tiya did. He’s just in time since I wanted to ask him something.
“You’re such a cute, little kid.” He says and pinched Brylle’s cheek playfully.
“Grandpa William!” The child cheerfully exclaimed.
Brylle has been confined for six days now and according to the doctor, his platelets are improving well. He says he can get discharged later today.
The two hugged and I just watch them while packing up our stuff. I sure do hope we can get out of here later.
I might have already saved 10, 000 from working on part-time jobs. Every time Tiya is here, I grab the opportunity to work part-time since we’ll be taking shifts in staying with Brylle. I already applied enough part-time jobs and I just wish I could really find myself a real job.
The visitors that came here give their own financial donations, but I don’t have the heart to accept them and just gave them to Tiya. I know she had been broke herself ever since we walked in her life. Giving her the money would serve as my way of showing gratitude, as well.
I sat at the sofa here in the private room. My mind still can’t get over the time where Zeke transferred Brylle to a room that caused so much fortune. It’s seriously giving me a headache.
I tried asking the doctor and nurse to return him to his ward but they always insisted that wouldn’t be possible. Zeke strictly ordered not to transfer him whatever it takes.
Who is he to command such things to the staff here? Is he the owner of the hospital or something?!
“Nassandra, are you alright?” William looks at me with a worried expression.
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” I asked with Brylle also looking at me.
“Your grip on Brylle’s shirt is too tight, it might rip off any minute.” This made me look at my hand and loosen the grip on the shirt. It’s been crumpled up anyway.
*Internal facepalm*
“Oh, hehe. I’m just thinking about everything that’s happened especially that Mr. Arrogant.” I whispered the last statement so William wouldn’t hear what I’m muttering.
“Haha. Anne told me that you don’t want to accept Sir Zeke’s offer.” He places Brylle back to his bed then sat beside me.
“I understand why you don’t want to accept. But this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Nassandra.” He adds which made me lower my gaze.
“The blood he donated is enough.” I stated blankly. We’ll never know when he might take advantage of my conscience towards him. I absolutely don’t want that to happen.
I thought for a second as I actually wanted to tell William something.
“Is it okay if I just call you William?” He chuckled and nodded in approvance.
“I like that better if you call me that way.” That made me smile.
“Can I ask a favor, William?” He raised a brow at me.
“What is it?” I took a deep breath, here goes nothing.
“Can you ask Zeke to come here?” He suddenly looked confused.
“Why? He’s a very busy person, I doubt he’d have a free time.” I pouted.
“I just needed to tell him something.” I emphasized every word I said and organized every statement I’d say to him once we meet.
William gave me a stern look. He obviously wants to ask me a lot of questions, but he chose not to bring them up.
“Sure, Nassandra. I’ll ask him, but I’m not sure if he’ll agree.” I nodded at him and walked towards Brylle. He said he was hungry.
“William said you wanted to talk to me?” A man in a tuxedo who just arrived, casually said. I clenched my fist.
I looked at William who arrived along with Zeke. Looks like he’s the one who brought his boss here in the hospital.
“Could you look after Brylle for a moment?” I asked to which he just nodded and smiled.
I immediately held Zeke’s arm and quickly led him out of Brylle’s room into the fire exit where I bawled my eyes at.
“Ow, feisty. I like it.” He stated with a smirk. I let his arm go and faced him.
“Why did you transfer Brylle?! And why does it have to be in an expensive, private room? Do you think I’m wealthy like you to be able to pay for all his expenses here in the hospital? Yeah, I wanted a comfortable room for him but not in a private room!” I yelled at him. But the latter looked amused at everything I just said.
“Woah, babe, chill!” I furrowed my eyebrows at his response.
“Stop with those frank words. Seriously, babe? We’re not close.” I irritatedly pointed out. He just laughed at me which made me have the urge to slap him on the face. I glared at him.
“Why are you laughing? Do you think this is fun? And who are you to command everyone here in the hospital, are you the owner or something?!” His laughter got even louder as I tried my best to control myself.
“Hahahahahahha, I’m sorry. But yeah.” I furrowed my eyebrows again.
“What?”
“I’m the owner of this hospital.” What he just said made me stop. Is he serious?
“Oh, I love that look on your face.” Couldn’t take it any longer, I slapped him on the face. The sound of my slap echoed throughout the vacuum fire exit. He held his cheek as his eyes became dark.
He looked at me as if he was going to do something evil while he smirked. Shems.
My eyes widen as he quickly leaned my body against the wall which caused my back to feel a hinch of pain.
“Oh, I’m sorry if I hurt you. I love that expression, by the way, I wonder what you’ll look like if you experience more pain?” I sucked in a breath and attempted to slap him one more time but in the end, he immediately catched my hand and turned my body around.
I turned my face sideward so my face wouldn’t hit the hard wall.
“I do like it when girls hurt me… in a pleasurable way. But not when one wants to slap me twice.”
He twisted my hand which made me shut my mouth real hard. He wanted to hear me cry in pain and I will not give him the satisfaction he wants.
I may want to use my self-defence skill against him but I couldn’t do so.
“Stubborn, are we?” I looked at him with a death glare.
“Let go of me!” He lets out a wide grin as he went closer to my ear.
“Only if you promise to behave.” The tone of his voice changed which led me to no choice but to follow.
I immediately made my distance from him the minute he lets go of me. He smirked with delight.NôvelDrama.Org owns all © content.
“Now, what do you want?”
“I will pay for Brylle’s bills.” He says and laughed once again. I raised an eyebrow at him in question.
“Babe, do you know how much is his hospital bills?” Even though he was calling me ‘babe’ I was even more nervous on what he’s about to say.
“H-How much?” I asked.
“70, 000.” My face whitened upon hearing what he just said. I’ve been working 50 jobs or more just to get 10, 000 in a span of a week. And now he’s saying Brylle’s bill had reached 70, 000???
“Is that accurate?”
“Hmm, maybe more than 70, 000.” My eyebrows creased even more.
“How did your even know how much Brylle’s bill was?” I challenged to him. He might just been fooling around with me.
“Nassandra, I own the hospital and I am keeping an eye on your child.” I clench my fist at what he said. I might gather 40, 000 in no time but there’s still 20, 000 remaining.
“Just take my offer and it’ll be settled. If you don’t accept, you will pay for all the bills. I know you’re living a hard life, Nassandra.” He says, putting his hands in the pockets of his slacks.
“No.” He looks like he got irritated since his expression changed.
“Just take my damn offer—-”
“No, I don’t want to take debts from anyone.” I closed my eyes, reminiscing what happened to me before I met Brylle.
“Come on, lower your pride, Nassandra—-”
“My family died because of their debt. Just because of a freaking debt.” I stated blankly without any emotion. I don’t really want a trip down the memory lane right now.
He stopped and stared at me for a second. His expression softened which I didn’t let get through me. I need no sympathy.
“Okay fine, hmm.” He rubbed his chin as he thinks. I rolled my eyes at his action.
“What’s there to think? I will not accept your money.” I pointed out before walking away but he prevented me to do so.
“William told me you don’t have a job.” I raised a brow.
“You have nothing to do with that.” He smirked at my statement.
“You don’t want to have a debt with anyone, right? Then work for us.” I furrowed my eyebrows. What did he just say?
“We pay our employees great money and his house needs a maid. Since you don’t like debts, we’ll not give you a salary for two months.” I stared at him with a stern look. Who is ‘his’? And why do I feel like I want to consider the job he’s offering?
“How much?” He looked puzzled by my question but he answered it anyway.
“Oh, the salary? Haha, I guess 35, 000 every month?” Geez, that amount is just right to pay for Brylle’s bill. And damn, that’s a really good offer.
“Do I just have to work at the house?”
“Well, you are staying in Andrew’s house. Unless you want to stay in mine. There are plenty of things for us to do there.” I glared at him. Who is Andrew? If this was just a normal situation, I wouldn’t accept his offer no matter how expensive the salary is. But because of Brylle’s hospital bills, I’m thinking of accepting it. I looked at him with sharp eyes, wishing that I wouldn’t regret my decision afterwards.
“Fine, I’ll apply for a maid.” I rolled my eyes since he seemed pretty joyful upon hearing my response.
“Well, you’re already hired. We’ve been finding a maid for months. You know how to clean and cook, right?”
“What kind of question is that?” I remarked which made him laugh.
“Well, my sister doesn’t.” I raised a brow as Zeke opened the door of the fire exit.
“You’ll start on the day after tomorrow. Ladies first.” He escorted my way to the door which I casually walked out. Good thing I’ll start the next following day.
*Notes:
The ‘debt’ mentioned in this chapter refers to what Filipinos call “utang ng loob”. The essence of utang ng loob is to appropriately repay a person who has done one a favor. It is a cultural trait common in the Philippines.