Chapter Fifteen

Eliora's POV

Pi. Pi. Pi. Pi

I heard these sound as I gradually open my eyes. It was the sound made from these hospital machine and for one thing, I hate hospitals.

"How did I end up here?"

"How come?" I wondered clueless as I couldn't move my neck, it was stiff.

"What's going on with me?" Tears gathered around my eyelids and soon I heard the hospital door pull open.

"Miss. Ganes, you're awake," the young nurse said politely with smile on her face.

"Where am I?" I struggled to speak.

"You're at Bellevue Hospital and I'm nurse Angie" the nurse said.

"Okay. So, why am I here?" I asked.

"You fainted due to stress and lack of protein... I mean good food but lucky enough, you haven't contracted ulcer." Nurse Angie said.

"When am I leaving?" I asked anxiously.

I need to get my ass off, I had debts to pay and graduation event to attend in the next one week.

"When you pay the hospital fee" nurse Angie said as she goes over to check on the drip.

"Hospital fee? How... Why?" I ask, confused.

"The LightSpeed Express Delivery System said you accepted to work with the terms and conditions that your hospital bills have nothing to do with the company." Nurse Angie explain briefly and my six senses returned.

"But can't they..." I started but stop half way.

"How much is the bills?" I asked hopelessly.

Why did I rush into searching for a job? Instead of gaining, I was loosing! I wonder if I had turned cripple as I couldn't even move my neck except for my hand, I laid on the bed like some pile of wood.

"It's two hundred dollars for processing fee, hundred dollars for room fee and one hundred and fifty dollars for treatment." Nurse Angie explained courteously and my gaze widen as I stared at her in astonishment.

"What? Did I do some surgery or ran some check up? How come? I can't even move my fucking neck!" I complained in annoyance.

"Oh about you neck, you will be fine after you make payment .. the doctor refuse to continue until you make the necessary payment." Nurse Angie said, sounding like one without conscience, if there is any word like that because she didn't even blink an eye.

"So... If I don't make payment, my neck will remain stiff? Isn't this punishment? Do I deserve this? Why? Why stop half way?" I paused still surprise by the whole event.

"Do I look like some dough that can be kept for two days until the baker buys an oven?" I asked annoyingly and the silly nurse laughed.

"Forgive me" nurse Angie tries to take in her humor.

"The thing is, we accepted to treat you because Mr. Stephen paid fifty dollars from the money you've worked... else the company will keep you pending until a family come pay your bills" nurse Angie pause.

"Didn't we try to be patient with you?" nurse Angie asked.

"So, how do you expect me to pay? How do you expect your patient to pay?" I ask cryptically in an annoyed rude tone.

"You can call your family, boyfriend, girlfriend... Anyone" nurse Angie said confidently as she hold the tabloid closer to her chest.

"Sorry to disappoint you, I'm the only one on earth. No mother, no father, no siblings, no boyfriend, no girlfriend" I said sadly keeping a pitiful face but my tone was serious and nurse Angie stared at me cluelessly.

"Impossible" a very familiar voice comes from behind nurse Angie, the door made it's usual sound and footstep followed, I stare anxiously waiting for the person to make his or her appearance.

"I'm her family" Jennifer said walking towards me and I won't lie, smile crept from the side of my lip.

"Jenny?" I called out in astonishment.

"Liora... I missed you" Jennifer takes her sit beside me on the bed.

"I missed you too" I stuttered with smile on my face.

What? It's not as if I missed her dearly, I only miss her financial support so don't get me wrong.... folks. Remember, I don't do... all these romance or girl-ish things.

"How are you feeling?" Jennifer ask, concerned.

"I'm good now" I said.

"When are you leaving?" Jennifer asked anxiously.

"The thing is..." I started ... I wanted to lie but nurse Angie won't just let me have my way, she told Jennifer everything... She hurt my pride!

"I'll go pay the bills babe. Hold on for a second" Jennifer said and was about standing from the bed but I grab her hand.

"Jenny" I called sadly.

"What? Don't worry, I'll be back" Jennifer assured with a warm smile and leaves with nurse Angie.

What have I done to deserve such love and friendship? I'm only here for the cash right?... I mean I don't see her as a girlfriend right?.. right? I don't even know my feelings again.

Few minutes later, Jennifer entered my hospital room holding a white bag with smile on her face.

"I brought fruits for you" Jennifer said with smile on her face.

"Thank you" I collect the apple from her and took a bite.

"Where have you been?" I asked as if I'm not interested... When I was.

"It's a long sweet story" Jennifer takes a sit closer to me.

"I'm curious" I winked.

"I went back to Italy with my hubby, it was some business trip and at the same time to invite business investors and friends to our wedding. I and my hubby went on dates and the days I spent there was fun!" Jennifer's eyes sparkle with love.

"I didn't want to come back but there was only a branch, he has to return to the main head quarter... I finally got a peg from him after so many years, I feel alive" Jennifer said happily and I smiled.

"You're lucky girl. You were out of state, no wonder I couldn't reach you" I said chewing the apple like a grandma as my tooth were numb.

"I'm so sorry babe. It was more like an emergency meeting so I had to rush... I'm sorry to keep you in the dark for days" Jennifer apologized sadly, I could feel the sadness inside of me... Is this how the friendship whole thing start?

"Forget it" I brushed her off and at the same time lighten up the uninvited emotional atmosphere.

"So tell me, how was your final examination and four days without me?" Jennifer teased and I laugh a bit.

"I'm a first class graduate" I smiled confidently.

"I trust you bitch. The surprise I have for you is assured then" Jennifer said with certainty.

"Surprise? You still won't tell me huh" I raised a brow.

"Never. A surprise remains a surprise" Jennifer winked and I sighed.

"And the days without me...?" Jennifer said sarcastically.

"I must say it was hell" I frowned.

"You didn't have to off load goods for money... It's my fault, I didn't leave you with enough cash"Jennifer frowned and I laugh.

"What?" Jennifer asked.

"You ain't my mother" I reminded holding a smirk.

"I know but I'm your best friend" Jennifer said boastfully and I remained speechless.

Best friend? Is that what we are? No kidding .. tell me she's just blinded?... Urgh! I feel like the bad guy now if you're looking at me that way.

"I'll leave you to rest now" Jennifer stands from the seat.

"Another plan?" I asked sadly.

"Nope. The doctor said you will be discharged today but you need extra rest for him to work on your... neck" Jennifer said mockingly pointing at my stiff posture, I smirked.

"You owe my one blow" I warned.

"Get your neck fixed, bitch" Jennifer laughs heartily as she leaves my hospital room, I exhaled deeply.

"She's being too nice to me... I hope I don't fail her. I owe you one... Jenny" I muttered as I slowly close my eyes.

I got to my estate after enjoying the luxurious ride, Jennifer book a designated ride for me and it had the best air condition which I needed.

I return home and heard sizzle sound coming out from my apartment, I was confused and also anxious thus I hurried into the room.

"Jenny?"

I saw Jennifer in an apron frying something happily, I called out in surprise.

"You're back?" Jennifer shoot me a dekko and focus on her pan.

"Yeah... I thought you had some meetings to attend?" I asked cryptically.

"I only wanted to surprise you" Jennifer smiled.

"What are you making?" I asked as I take my sit on the kitchen stool.

"I'm making some pancakes.." Jennifer reduce the gas.

"Your doctor advised me to cook lot of protein for you so you'll recover faster" Jennifer said lovingly.

"I can make that for myself... You know" I deep my hand into the cereal box on the table and took a handful of flakes, I chew gently.

"Enjoy my VIP treatment while it last" Jennifer winked and I smiled.

I left Jennifer in the kitchen and walk back to the living room, it's been ages and I can't remember taking out time to see some great movies. I took the remote and slowly go through my watch list.

"Harmony.... Venom.... He's all that.... The Bridgeton.... All of us are dead..." I sighed.

"Which should I watch? There are plenty of movies here" I battled with my inner feelings.

"Yes!" I scroll through the list opening a file tagged "K-Drama Section" then I played "A Business Proposal".

This has been the trending drama online and even some online groups post trailers on how interesting the drama was... I can't wait to watch it now, after all I'm done with exam.

I took a comfortable position on the armchair and focus as the drama started. Within minutes, Jennifer comes out from the kitchen holding a tray that contained plate of pancakes and glasses of milk. I lift my eyes away from the television.

"Jenny! Do you want me to get fat?" I screamed on seeing the size of food in front of me.

"Don't worry, I'll join you" Jennifer assured as she sit beside me on the armchair.

"Thank you" I used the fork to cut the pancakes into box before taking a bit into my mouth.

"How's it?" Jennifer asked anxiously.

"Delicious" I nodded.

"Glad you love it" we both started eating and watching the drama with smile on our face.

Graduation day came faster than I could ever imagine, I dressed on a yellow flay gown and random heel and applied warm make up ony face, I fall my hair making me look cuter, as for Jennifer who insisted to join me, she was dressed on an elegant business suit. Jennifer and I rode in her SUV car and within minutes, we were already at the university.

Other students with their family, relatives and loved ones were around the school environment and hall ways discussing with smile on their face, the graduating students were wearing the graduation gown and cap made of blue and orange color. I and Jennifer highlighted from the car.

"Cool" Jennifer nodded.

"Better hurry" I said persuasively.

I had to hurry to the auditorium so as to meet up with other graduating students thus I left Jennifer to catwalk behind.

After the dean's final speech and word of encouragement, we toss our graduation caps on the air screaming happily as people started dispersing slowly.

The school environment was full again but this time they were plenty of embraces, pictures taking and discussion between friends and families, I walked out of the hall with smile on my face when I saw Jennifer.

"You're still here" I said, astonished.

"What do you say about a picture between besties?" Jennifer asked lovingly and I smiled, I couldn't reject her... not for this moment.

"Today was a day to remember" I thought.