Chapter 11: Vivian

Vivian watched Marcus walk away, shoulders light as if a great burden had been lifted off of him.

She was surprised to hear when Adrian requested a favor from her to meet up with Marcus. Initially hesitant to accept, given their previous meetings, she eventually gave in when Adrian hinted at what was happening with Marcus.

They had both been given a second chance, so it didn't feel right for her to be the only one enjoying it. Even though he did mess up her life plans last time, Vivian wasn't going to waste her time now loathing Marcus over what he did. He's clearly changed and seen his mistakes.

It felt wrong to be hurt by the fact that he never came to her about these issues. Vivian wrinkled her brow. Nevermind, he did try in the cafe but she blew up on him then, not giving him a chance to explain.

Her mind churned over these thoughts as she went through the rest of her day.

"What's up with you?" her grandma asked over the dinner they cooked together. "You've been off since you went to meet up with that ex of yours."

Vivian set her chopsticks down and rubbed her temple. "It left me a lot to think about and reflect on."

Her grandma stayed silent, waiting.

"Okay, okay." Vivian relented, "A lot of things happened between us since we broke up a few months ago and this time, it's finally over."

Grandma raised her brow, "You know, I was surprised when I heard you two ended things."

"Wasn't everyone." Vivian said moodily.

"I wouldn't know." her grandma replied, "But I could understand why people would be. Regardless, it's over now, so I don't see much point in talking about it."

"Thank you."

They finished eating dinner and Vivian volunteered to clean up. Emma and Luca had gone out with a few friends while Vivian opted to stay home with her grandma. It was a rare moment for them to spend some time together and they enjoyed it. Although Emma might feel betrayed that they didn't save any for her. Oops.

The rest of the night was spent chatting, discussing what's been happening back at home and Vivian's future plans. She debated on telling her grandma what really happened to her, but Vivian wasn't keen on worrying her.

"Lately it's been getting harder to manage the crops." her grandma looked down at her laced fingers. "To be honest, visiting you was not my only reason for coming here. I think I may have to move in order to find a better job."

"What?" Vivian sat straight on the couch, "You're thinking of selling?"

Grandma nodded mutely.

"But that's been in your family for generations!"

"Times have changed." her grandma sighed helplessly, "Even before I took you in, our family had been struggling to keep it running."

"Then I should go back and help you." Vivian insisted, "I would have gone back right after I graduated if you had told me."

Grandma shook her head, "It's a lost cause. I don't want you to be stuck there for the rest of your life working to death. Better for you to chase after your own dreams."

"I wouldn't have dreamed of becoming a chef if it wasn't for you."

She smiled, the laugh lines on her face deepening.

"It's true." Vivian maintained.

"I'm not doubting you." Her grandma wiped at her damp eyes. "I'm proud of who you have grown up to be."

"All thanks to you."

Her grandma reached over to pat her hand, but froze, blinking her eyes.

"Nai Nai? What's wrong?" Vivian peered at her grandma who was squinting and looking around.

"I—I can' see." The side of her mouth drooped, slurring her words. Her grandma tried to lift her hands to her face but only the left one managed. Her right arm flopped down to her side.

"I'm going to call the ambulance." Vivian reached for her phone sitting on the coffee table.

It took a minute for her to call and describe the symptoms and five more minutes before the ambulance arrived. Vivian struggled to make sure her grandma stayed conscious while listening to the directions over the phone.

She was relieved when the paramedics arrived and helped her escort her grandma out of the apartment.

They escorted her grandma up into the ambulance and one of them reached his hand back, raising his brow.

Vivian took it, and got pulled up onto the vehicle. She felt as if he was a familiar face but her preoccupation with her grandma pushed any other thoughts out of her brain.

A quick ride to the hospital later, Vivian was left in the waiting room while the EMT's brought her grandma into a different room.

"You seem familiar." The paramedic from earlier walked up beside her.

"I had the same feeling." Vivian turned to look at him, studying his face. "Oh! You're the person from the other day, under the tree?"

His eyes lit up in realization. "Ah, the girl from that day. I never did get your name."

"Vivian." she offered.

"I'm Eli." He paused, then laughed nervously, "I just realized this isn't the best place for something like this."

Vivian ran her fingers through her hair nervously, "I need something to take my mind off of everything right now."

"She'll be fine." he assured, "You did the right thing and acted quickly."

Vivian nodded, taking shaky breaths as the adrenaline slowly drained from her body.

"Here sit." He looked down at her shaking hands and guided her to a plastic chair. "I won't say that your grandmother will come out unscathed but you most likely prevented any serious, lasting damage."

"I hope so." Vivian rested her head against the wall. "Aren't you supposed to be out saving lives?"

He laughed, "No, I'm off duty now. Shift ended five minutes ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry for holding you up. You're probably eager to go home. It's late." Vivian threw a glance at the clock hanging on the wall.

"Hm, not really." Eli leaned on the wall next to her. "Besides, I would feel bad leaving you here alone. It's late." He grinned at her.

Vivian looked at the door her grandma had disappeared behind, "I'm going to stay here."

Eli pushed off the wall to stand in front of her, "Vivian, she's going to be there all night at least while they treat and observe her. You're better off going home and getting some rest so you can come back tomorrow with a clearer head."

"But…" Vivian was reluctant to leave without ensuring that her grandma was okay.

"You acted quickly, that was the best thing you could have done." he said, "So many people want to stay and make sure their loved ones are okay and I get that but remember your priorities. You probably have work or school that you're going to have to miss, not to mention how are you going to pay for hospital fees."

Vivian's face paled when he mentioned the fees.

"You have to take care of yourself before you worry about others."

There was some truth to his words, but she wasn't comfortable leaving her grandmother here alone.

"If you go home now and sleep, you can be here bright and early when visiting hours start at eight." he reasoned.

"Alright." Vivian conceded, "I'll head home then. Is there a way to leave a message in case she wakes up early?"

Eli jerked his head in the direction of the lobby where a nurse sat behind a desk. "They can help."

"Thank you so much."

"No problem." he said,an easy smile resting on his face. "It's kind of my job. Need me to wait to take you home?"

On one hand she didn't know Eli that well, but on the other hand, it was pretty late.

"Um—." Vivian wasn't sure how to turn her down but her phone ringing drew her attention, "Sorry." She turned to answer, "Hello?"

"Vivi, where are you?" Emma asked, "We got back to the apartment but neither of you guys were here. It's kind of late to be out."

"I'm actually at the hospital right now." Vivian said, "My grandma had a stroke."

"What? We'll be there right now."

She could hear the clattering of keys and Luca's faint voice over the phone. "I'm at the general hospital, close to the apartment."

"Got it." Emma replied, "Wait right there. It's not safe to go out at night."

"I'll be in the lobby. See you then." Vivian said, and hung up the phone.

"Your friends?" Eli asked.

"Yeah, they're coming over now."

"Alright, then I guess you'll be fine."

"Yes. Thanks for your offer though."

The corner of his lips curled, "I don't do that for just anyone."

"Er, I don't.." she stammered.

He ducked his head, brown curls falling in front of his eyes. "Ah, forget it." he said softly, "I didn't mean to do that. Sorry, this is such a bad place and time."

"Kind of." Vivian replied, "I'm not exactly looking for a relationship right now either."

"Of course." His face was flushed, but he managed to throw up a crooked smile, "Forget I said anything."

Vivian smiled back sheepishly, "I should probably go.." she gestured vaguely in the direction of the help desk.

"Yeah, I need to be heading home too." Eli rubbed the back of his neck and toed the ground, "Well, see you."

"See ya."

Eli shuffled off, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets. Vivian watched him for a minute, before remembering her task and headed for the nurse.

She just finished asking the nurse to send a message when Emma and Luca arrived. They fussed over her, making sure she was okay before escorting her back to the apartment.

"We'll visit first thing in the morning." Emma said, "Luca's staying over tonight, since it's kind of late. That's alright with you?"

"Yeah, does he need blankets or pillows?"

"He's fine. The couch has more than enough for him." Emma flicked her hand in the direction of the living room. "Remember to inform the restaurant that you have to take the day off."

"How did I ever live without you?"

"Very forgetfully." Emma replied, "Now sleep."

"Yes ma'am." Vivian saluted, "Goodnight."

"Sleep tight." Emma left and shut the door.

Vivian crawled into bed and closed her eyes.

What if her grandma wasn't okay? The doctor had assured her they were keeping her overnight just to monitor her after they'd administered the medicine, but what if something goes wrong? What if she dies?

Her eyes snapped open, the thoughts invading her mind. Vivian tossed herself around in bed, flipping her pillow over, kicking the sheets off, wrapping them around herself like a burrito. Nothing was distracting enough.

Finally she gave up on sleeping and crept quietly to the kitchen. She could see Luca's outline under the quilt he had found, breathing gently. Vivian wasn't worried about waking him up since he was a notoriously heavy sleeper.

She turned on the stove light to illuminate her surroundings and prepared the ingredients she was going to use. It was a nice feeling to channel the restless energy into something productive. Her mind stilled and emptied as her body went through the motions: measuring, pouring, mixing. Baking wasn't exactly her forte, but it was something to do that was relatively quiet.

Pouring the batter into the muffin tins, she sat on one of the bar stools while they rose in the oven. Besides the soft whir of the oven, the night was still. Vivian drifted over to the large windows. Even when it was obscenely late, the city never truly slept. The small dots of light spread throughout the city seemed like a cheap imitation of the stars they blinded.

Rustling from made Vivian turn around. Luca shuffled around under the blanket, making it slip off his shoulders and onto the floor. She draped it back over his shoulders and he nestled deeper into the pillow. Vivian let out a breath when he no longer shuffled around.

The oven let out a soft ding, letting her know that the timer was complete. Vivian pulled out the tray, sticking a toothpick into a muffin to make sure it was cooked through. When the pick came out clean, she set the tray on the counter to cool and turned off the oven. They would be a good snack for tomorrow.

It was nearly three now and Vivian finally yawned. She trod her way back to her bedroom and scurried under the covers, falling asleep.