Trent's POVWhistling to myself, I smiled as I pictured countless possibilities of how my lunch with Alina would turn out. I needed to make this one memorable to make it up to her. Honestly, everything else faded into oblivion whenever I thought of her. I was prepared to do something epic to surprise her. Nothing too extravagant of course, lest I give off my real identity. "The company shares are progressing smoothly sire," I heard Clarence say in his most convincing sultry voice from his office. "There's no need to be worried."Even though his words were spoken authoritatively, I could sense that he was suppressing his panic. I halted in my track and leaned nearer to the closed door to eavesdrop on the conversation. If this was about Suntech, then I needed to know firsthand what the problem was. "I don't know what crazy disappearance game he is playing this time around, but I can't afford to allow him to toy with this company as he pleases," a man with a slight German inflection
Alina's PovI moaned as I bit into the delicious and chewy strands of spicy spaghetti. With my eyes closed, I relished the flavour that burst on my tongue. My senses were filled with relish. Man, whoever cooked this dish was an expert chef. "Tastes good?" Trent asked. I peeked from beneath my brows at him, a blush creeping up my face. I silently hoped I had not messed my face with my food. What was I doing, eating like a starved glutton? I had worked my head off and didn't know that I was famished until I sighted the simple but delicious feast that Trent had gone out of his way to make ready for me.What does he think of me seeing me in this unladylike state?Trent chuckled and soon after slurped his spaghetti in an exaggerated manner that elicited a light chortle from me.Soon we were tied in a contest of sorts of the person with the worst table manners in full display. When I eventually regained my composure after a bout of hearty laughter, I suddenly felt a strong wave of deja
Trent's POVFrom the expre ssion on her face, I knew the call was a serious one.I watched Alina pace as she made hasty enquiries in her supermom mode. She looked admirable doing this. Who would imagine that this woman, despite all the pain she constantly relives every day, could still take charge when it came to her son?"But nothing was wrong with him this morning! He was actively protesting not to want to go to school. Please, take him to the hospital, I'll be right there."She sighed and ran her hand through her hair. One look at me and I knew she was using her best effort to keep herself from crumpling into a puddle of tears. "It's Niguez. Something's wrong," she said as she stood still for the first time in a while. "I- I have to go." She lunged for the door that led back into the building.I held her back by her wrist and looked purposefully into her eyes. "Breathe, Alina. He'll be fine. Niguez is a strong one, just like you."She closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath.
Alina's PovI felt the heavy morning breath in my mouth as I yawned and stretched. The natural light of dawn peeked through the louvred blinds. My lower back ached like crazy. The posture I had slept in over the night was a tangled mess. When I arrived at the hospital yesterday and saw my baby looking so pale and in discomfort, I was distraught. I had to insist that they allow me to stay with him. The process was tedious. They took some minor tests and said they found nothing wrong with him. But the instincts in me told me something was wrong. His burning fever and his constant wailing pricked so hard at my heart. With tender fingers, I worked my way through the mass of hair he was sporting on his head. His face looked blissfully blank. At least, now he was asleep. The doctors had given him a mild tranquilizer that helped him fall asleep. I looked at my phone and realised that my battery was down. Oh, boy! I was so gonna get it from my workplace. Just how many more excuses wo
ALINA’S POV“Wh-what did you just say, doc?” I laughed. Of course, it had to be a joke because what did he mean by that? “Alina,” Trent called out, his hand holding mine, and I turned to him.“Did you hear what he said?” I asked; maybe I was the only one with a hearing problem. “Calm down, Alina. Listen to me. Niguez will be fine.” Trent raised his hand to stroke my hair. I chuckled slowly, and it morphed into sobs, “Of course, I know he'll be fine. He's a strong boy, and you said he was right?” I couldn't even control myself at this point. The news was slowly settling into my head. My little boy, my sweet innocent son, had acu…“No, no, no, no, no, there must be some mistake somewhere. Perhaps you must have mixed it up with someone else's result.” I said to myself and turned to face the doctor, “Why don't you try the test again? I'm sure you'll realize my son is as healthy as a horse. Huh?” “I’m sorry, ma'am, but the results are correct. I also–” That did it. That was the key
AUTHOR’S POVTime was of the essence for Niguez and Alina knew well she tried all possible means to get the money for the medication and surgery.She tried going to her workplace to ask for an advance but it didn't work as well as she thought.Alina could not blame her boss for refusing to give her the money as an advance anyone would refuse to give a staff that large amount of money.With each passing time all Alina could think of was the pain her son must be feeling and each time she thought about it she broke.After the day's work she managed to raise a thousand dollars from her savings and all. She headed straight to the hospital to check on her son.As she was alighting from the cab her phone rang and it was the doctor,“Hello ma’am, I called to speak with you about Niguez, will you be coming to the hospital today?”Fear gripped Alina's heart she was to scared to think or talk all she could mutter was “Yes”The doctor hung up and Alina rushed to the elevator with different kinds
Trent's POV “I’m curious about something.” “What's that?” Alina looked up at me. Her brown eyes were swollen and weary. She hasn't been getting much sleep, looking after Niguez and constantly worrying. I wanted to pull her into my arms, rest her head on my shoulder and stroke her wavy hair until she fell asleep. She cocked her eyebrow at me. “Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked, suddenly aware of my thoughts. “You wanted to ask something, didn't you?” She stifled a yawn. “Uhmm.. Right. I did.” Gosh. I felt like a high schooler in front of his crush. “La Casa dos spiritus.” “What?” She stared at me in confusion. “The house of spirits? It's a place in Salamina, right?” “Ohh… La Casa de los Espíritus. Yeah, it is. What about it?” “Is it really haunted by spirits?” “Definetly!” “Really?” I sat up in my chair. “Have you been there? You've seen them? Heard them? Tell me all about it.” I rattled off like a 3 year old who had too much ice cream. Alina giggled, he
Trent's POV I walk down the hallway, taking a right turn towards the visitor's room. I think I saw a coffee vending machine there. I hate hospitals. The smell, the white walls, everything about it. It leaves an ugly taste in my mouth and brings back unpleasant memories, a past I want to forget. I've avoided hospitals for most of my adult years except important occasions like supporting Alina. I grab a plastic cup and fill it. I bring the cup to my lips, take a sip and spew it back into the cup. Hospitals can't even get coffee right. I wipe my mouth and sit on their uncomfortable chair, setting the cup beside me. My mind starts to drift back to the ward. Alina's eyes locked in mine. I saw something in her eyes. I saw fear with an hint of desire? Want? Need? My phone starts to vibrate in my pocket bringing my mind back to reality. I pull it out of my pocket and decline the call. It rings again and I turn it off. I wish the woman would leave me alone. I don't know how she found out w