VULNERABILITY

Isabel fidgeted with her necklace as she contemplated the pawn broker's offer. She had just pawned her gold earrings and wristwatch for an amount that isn't up to a month's wage - jewelries that cost more than a year's wage each. He had offered to pay her more for the crescent shaped jade pendant she was wearing.

It was valuable to her as it was her mother's memento. But if she had to choose between a dead woman's keepsake and the life of two important people in her life, she would surely choose the latter. She took off the pendant and after squeezing it gently, she placed it on the desk.

The middle aged man grinned widely at her revealing his tobacco stained teeth as he took the pendant. She wanted to cringe but controlled herself. He was like David in many aspects but the most notable aspect was that they were both frauds. And she couldn't do anything about it. He placed a bunch of notes on the desk and she picked it up, not even bothering to count.

She asked him not to sell the pendant in a hurry as she would soon come back to claim it. He agreed and reminded her of the fact that she wouldn't buy it at the price she sold it to him.

As she left the place, she cursed David inwardly. She would not have to sleep in the car, go out alone in the middle of the night to buy medicine for Caleb or sell her mother's keepsake if not for his greed.

***** ***** *****

Evie stretched out her legs as she patted Caleb to sleep. He didn't get any sleep the previous night due to the itching of the poison ivy. She had been sleeping while he suffered and Isabel had to look after him instead. She cursed herself inwardly as she took his bandaged hand in hers. It was cold as Isabel had somehow put ice in the bandage in other to relieve him.

He stirred uncomfortably in his sleep as he adjusted himself on Evie's laps. She wanted to lay him properly on the back seat but was unable to move him. He had gained weight. She realised how many things she had missed. She no longer gave the attention she used to while they were at Veron's place.

She took a careful look at him as she observed every change in him. His cheeks were a little chubbier and his skin was smooth. His hair had regained it's original color - dark brown - and felt silkier in her fingers. He looked very handsome. She gently raised his head and stood up then put it back on the seat.

Her legs felt numb from sitting for so long and she decided to stretch it. She opened the back door of the car and walked outside. She walked around the car three times and was on the fourth round when she saw Mike walking toward her. He had told her he was coming while on the phone but she had thought he would come some time in the evening.

As he came closer, Evie saw the concern written in his eyes. He was truly worried about them. Before she had felt that he would make an enemy of them because of his father but right now she knew he could make an enemy of his father because of them.

She was about to say something when he pulled her into a warm hug. She was taken by surprise at first but when she hugged him back when she felt his racing heartbeat and his heavy breaths. He must have been very anxious for them and it was the first time someone had been concerned over their safety.

Well Eva also appeared to be concerned when she call the night before but after everything she had done to her, Evie didn't believe that someone as ruthless as Eva could ever have a change of heart. It was going to take more than just apologies and late night calls asking about her welfare and whereabouts to make her believe she was now a better person.

"Are you alright? Do you feel ill anywhere? Did you sleep well? How about Caleb? Has his hands recovered? Is he doing alright? Where is Isabel? How is she doing?" Mike asked her lots of questions as soon as he broke free from the hug.

She simply took his hand and led him to where Caleb was sleeping. As he saw Caleb sleep peacefully, his racing mind calmed a bit but he was still concerned about his hands. He was about to ask of Isabel when Evie dragged him away from the car. He guessed it was because she didn't want to wake Caleb.

Once they were out of earshot from the car, she told him where Isabel had gone. She also told him how Joanna had instructed all real estate agents not to give them a house in the city. And how they would have to sleep in the car everyday if they don't leave the city.

Mike assured her that everything would be fine as he had talked to her friend - Tori - and she had promised to help. He explained that they had a large bungalow that they wanted to sell out in about a year when she traveled overseas to join her mother. At the moment, she lived there alone and rejoiced at the prospect of living with a friend.

He had given her two months rents and promised to continue paying the rent until they were able to afford it. She had asked them to move in immediately and all Evie had to do was tell Isabel about it and they would move in. Then he would find a way to get out some of their belongings as the only things they had was Isabel's car, their phones and the clothes they had been putting on.

Evie thanked him. Then she thanked him again. She saw his injured knee and offered to dress it for him. She led him back to the car and after making him sit, she cleaned the bruise and used the leftover bandage to wrap it. And when she heard his stomach growl, she offered him some noodles - her breakfast - and when he declined, she fed him herself. He had helped her too much. Even if it meant she would starve, she couldn't let him go on an empty stomach.

***** ***** *****

Mike sat on the bed as he read a text in his phone. It was from Evie asking if he'd gotten home safely and to take care of himself. He quickly texted her in reply while he grinned from cheek to cheek like a kid who had just received candy for the first time. He bit on the insides of his cheeks to stop himself from smiling as he placed his phone on the nightstand.

He caught sight of the lotion on the table and picked it up. David had bought same lotion for Eloisa and him which was why he could easily switch it. He remembered how he had switched it then 'accidentally' poured his smoothie on her so she could take a bath. She had applied her poison ivy lotion all over her body.

He took a look at the clock. it was almost 18 hours since she applied it. He sighed in disappointment as he felt he had missed the scene and placed the lotion back on the table. Since he had promised to give it to Caleb, he would take it with him when he went to Tori's place.

He bolted up from the bed as he heard an ear piercing scream. It was followed by another. And yet another. Only one person screamed that way in the house. He hadn't missed the show after all. Even though he was locked inside his room, he could still hear her frantic screams.

He knew what he did was wrong and wicked. But she had attempted to do it to him but Caleb had taken it for him instead. And she had also made Evie end up in the hospital. It was time to taste her own medicine. She would end up in the hospital and wouldn't be able to explain because she would have to implicate herself.

He put on his headphones and played soft music as he lay back on his bed. He wouldn't have to see to two people he hated most. For now.