CHAPTER 5 [Hospital]

The car stopped in front of a skyscraping building. A lavish luxury Hotel. Her eyes widened as the thought hit her that it would be a very expensive hotel and she could not afford anything like that, at least for now.

"Umm sir, can we go to a different hotel. It is…" she trailed off embarrassingly.

"No. Don't worry, it is on the company to pay our food." He replied nonchalantly while walking inside the hotel after handing the keys to the valet.

Her mouth went agape after seeing the interior; The Golden chandeliers, red plush carpet and the mirror walls. She hasn't seen anything like that in her life.

"You are ruining my reputation. Stop gawking." He growled as he took quick steps towards their reserved table. She quickly matched his pace.

It was her first time in a high class restaurant. As much as she liked the atmosphere here it was making her feel awkward and misfit. As for Travis he ordered the most expensive delicacies just to woo her. He was really enjoying her reactions. That's what he wanted to see.

"So Miss Evelyn, do you like the restaurant?" He asked her with a teasing smirk.

"Err…I do like the interior." She replied while looking around and he sighed satisfied with the answer. "But it feels so fake. All the people here and everything looks so.... pretended."

"WHAT?" he sat up straight in his chair baffled.

"This is not comfort. They have to pull off a certain image to look distinguished. Money isn't everything. It doesn't make you happy. Look around." She gestured "They are all pretending with fake smiles."

Her statement left him in a state of confusion. Of course money and status was everything for him. 'This girl really is crazy', he concluded.

'Let's taste the food here. She won't be able to deny the fact that it will the most amazing thing she ever ate in her life.' He thought and waited for the food to arrive. As soon as the food arrived he served her in her plate. He chuckled at her amazed expression.

"Try this. I am sure you won't be able to reject its taste. A very famous international chef cooked this." He said cocking his head waiting for her reaction.

"Hmm… this is nice." She said as she took a bite of steak.

"Told you." He replied proudly. He knew she won't be able to deny its taste.

"But it doesn't have my brother's love in it. It might have appealed my taste buds but I still prefer home made over this. For me the place doesn't matter, it is the people. Even street food taste amazing when I eat it with the people I love." She retorted while taking small bites from her steak leaving him dumbfounded. They continued eating in silence without any further discussion.

Just as she was about to take another mouthful her phone rang. She looked at the screen to see her brother calling her. She looked over at Travis.

"I need to take this call sir." Saying that she got up from the table to go towards the hallway, to accept the call.

"Hello Carter! What happened? Why did you call?" She asked concerned.

"Eve….please….listen carefully… don't fret." He hesitated.

"God Damn it! Just say it. Are you okay?" She nervously paced around the hallway.

"Evelyn… I am in the hospital… with mom…"

"Okay. But why are you there so late. Is mom okay?" She said in a calm voice contrary to what she was feeling internally.

'Please God. Please don't let anything happen to mom.' She prayed.

"Eve…Mom's lungs collapsed." He wailed.

"WHAT? When? I am coming… Don't worry I am coming right away bro." She tried to control her tears but it was not working. Clear crystals cascaded down her cheeks as she hurried towards their table where Travis sat eating his dinner clueless to what happened. Some passerby looked at her with a judgmental gaze with disgust but she couldn't care less about them.

"I am so sorry sir. I have to leave." She said as she picked up her belongings. Travis got shocked looking at her tear stained face which she was trying really hard to hide.

"What happened Evelyn? Why are you leaving in such a hurry? …Why…why are you crying? He asked in a quiet voice. It worried him. When it came to a women's tears he didn't knew how to react.

"Sir my brother needs me at the hospital. He's waiting for me. I am calling a cab. Sorry for ruining your dinner…and reputation." She said guiltily as she tried to call for a cab.

"Hospital?" He asked hoping to get any answers but it only made her cry more. Her condition was starting to attract attention as people started pointing towards her. "Okay. Wait! I will take you there. Let me just pay the bill." Saying that he called the waiter.

"No sir! I can call a …."

"I am taking you there. End of discussion." He said in a matter of fact tone.

They quickly got out of the hotel and valet brought their car at the door. As soon as they sat inside Travis raced towards the hospital. She was trying hard not to cry, sniffing quietly. It was making him awkward and curious about who was in the hospital.

"Miss Davis would you like to tell me now what happened?" He inquired once again.

"My…My mom is suffering from a Locked-in syndrome. Carter just called me…he...he said…her lungs collapsed…. I can't lose her." She stuffed her face in her hands as it was embarrassing for her to cry in front of her boss. He did not question her further.

He stopped in front of the Hospital. She quickly got down. Travis was also getting ready to come with her but she stopped him.

"Thank you so much for the lift sir but you should go now. We are in no relation for you to interfere in our family problems." She said quiet harshly. He didn't like her attitude.

"Get Out!" He said calmly while holding the steering wheel staring straight ahead.

She smile sadly and got down and ran inside the hospital. Asking about her mother on the reception she got to know that she was in the ICU.

In front of the ICU door, Carter sat on the floor with his head buried on his knees. He looked exhausted. She quickly went towards him and hugged him. Sensing his sister's arrival, Carter engulfed her. They broke down around all over again.

Just then the Doctor came out.

"Are you with Mrs. Davis?" The doctor asked.

"Yes! How is she doctor? Is she fine?" She bombarded him with questions.

"Mr. and Ms. Davis your mother is stable for now but she is on ventilator. We told you she needs the surgery as soon as possible. If we make delay it any more, there would be very less chances for the surgery to be successful."

"Please save her. Do the surgery. I'll bring the payments as soon as possible." Carter pleaded.

The doctor nodded and patted his shoulder sympathetically.

'But life is under no obligation to give us what we expect.'