Chapter 142
Get out this minute Miles! She yelled a d started crying again.
Peter came behind Miles and pulled him away. " Here I was thinking I was the wicked one, I never knew, you were even worse, where did you learn to be that mean? They walked down and pulled Andrew by the hand.
Elizabeth tried to go with them, but Peter said.
"Where do you think you are going? She was shocked, she didn't know how to respond, she felt embarrassed, they never liked her nor approve her relationship with Andrew.
"Don't you think your job is done, you should resume your duties as a maid, that is what you are" that was heart breaking, she never thought she was just being used to make Anna angry, he had even slept with her, he took her out for shopping and made her look so good, in return she fed him with informations about Anna, including what she did and what she did not, she was hoping it would end in her favour, but here they are all against her.
She waited for Andrew to speak on her behalf just like he did when Anna spoke against her, but he too shocked her.
"You can keep the clothes, but don't come back to the other house, you are her maid, stay here and continue feeding me with information, she must not leave this house and if Petranilla, comes her with my daughter again, make sure you inform me at once.
"This is crazy, she cried, but they walked away.
"What did she think? Paul asked as they all got into their different cars.
"She thought I would marry her, I guess.
They all laughed walking out of the house, before Paul said.
"She must be insane, her thoughts are insane, she is just some gold digger, thinking she has hit the jackpot.
"And I am the jackpot I guess" again they all laughed.
"Who would want to marry someone like her, I just used her to spite Anna. I still love Anna, I am just so angry that I cannot think of anything now.
They got into their different cars and drove off.
On his way, Andrew couldn't stop thinking about Anna, he regretted everything he said to her, he actually didn't want to, but at the moment, he was clouded by anger and bitterness.
They soon got to the house and when fully parked in, his daughter rushed to him, she was staying with his parents now and he could see her everyday, he knew if he was with her, Anna would not think of running away.
"So how did it go? His mother asked him, they know he wants to see her, he wants to hear from her, she has been asking after him and trying to reach him, but he just ignores her.
"Fine" he replied simply, and went into his room with his daughter.
"Daddy I want ice cream" she said though he didn't like giving her surgery things, he knew, that was the only thing he could give her to make her leave him.
He needed a moment to himself. He called one of the maids to give her what she wanted and she rushed out happilly after the maid.
"I shouldn't feel sorry for her, she is a wicked person, all those years are fake, she couldn't even apologise sincerely, she was still trying to attack me because I brought in her maid. What about her huh? She fucking slept with my friend, her GYNECOLOGIST.
"Who knows if it was just that once as she said.
Andrew was soliloquizing, he was very loud and Miles was eavesdropping on him, when he heard him cry, he knew he should walk in, he was hurting so much, he shouldn't be left alone.
Without knocking, he got hold of the handle and just like a buglar, he opened the door and walked in quietly.
"I want to be alone" he said with tears in his eyes.
Miles didn't want to argue with him, but he sure knows that he shouldn't be alone, loneliness, could be of both side and for someone in his condition, he shouldn't be left alone for too long.
His mother saw him coming out of Andrew's room and asked him what happened, seeing how his face changed.
"He said he wants to be alone"
"Oh my poor child, he must be going through alot.
They both walked back to the living room where they entire family members gathered.
"I think he still loves her, you should see his eyes, he is still crying for her.
"Even now?
"Yes, I guess, he would never be able to go through with the plan, he may want to keep her for a longer period.
"That would be over my dead body" Mr Anderson said and walked out.
"Let us just leave him alone for now" Miles said.
"But for someone who just escaped brain problems, are you sure it is right? Asked Paul.
It feels as though they all look up to Miles for answers now, he always have something to say about anything, anyone asks him.
"Some people naturally prefer time alone and that can be fine. He began.
Roughly 50% of the population can be categorized as introverts, meaning they get the most value in life out of time spent on their own. Being alone can offer a rich psychological experience, but too much isolation can have a negative impact on both one’s physical and mental health.
"You see, that is exactly the part I am worried about, don't you think we should just go and stay with him, we can raise issues he enjoys.
"What do you think he enjoys? Asked Peter and they all chorused "Basket ball"
Anthony finally spoke up, let us allow him as he has said, staying alone has its Pros and cons.
So you know that Being Alone Allows Our Brains to Recharge
Our brains need balance. While social interactions are crucial to certain areas of brain activity, time alone is necessary for our brains to unwind and recharge. Dr. Sherrie Bourg Carter explains, “Constantly being ‘on’ doesn’t give your brain a chance to rest and replenish itself. Being by yourself with no distractions gives you the chance to clear your mind, focus, and think more clearly. It’s an opportunity to revitalize your mind and body at the same time.”
Being Alone Increases Productivity
Let’s face it, people can be pretty distracting. “When you remove as many distractions and interruptions as you can from your day,” says Dr. Carter, “You are better able to concentrate, which will help you get more work done in a shorter amount of time.” Small interruptions from coworkers or family members can disrupt our trains of thought and make it difficult to get back into a project. Even the ping of a text message or an email notification can throw off our concentration and reduce productivity.
Being Alone Boosts Creativity
Creativity tends to flourish in solitude. Studies are now showing that people are actually more likely to come up with their best ideas on their own, rather than during group brainstorming sessions. Human beings in general, and creativity in particular, are sensitive to criticism from others, which is one reason why so many of us are able to think more freely and express ourselves more clearly when we are alone. Additionally, the lack of interruption from others allows us to reflect and think differently, leading to more creative “meta-cognitions.”
Being Alone Can Actually Strengthen Relationships with Others
There are several reasons why spending some time alone can actually improve our relationships. For starters, differentiation (being a separate, autonomous individual) and linkage (being emotionally and physically close) are essential ingredients for a healthy relationship. Maintaining a certain level of independence helps keep the spark alive in a relationship. Furthermore, time alone allows us to appreciate our time with others more, rather than taking it for granted or feeling overwhelmed by it. Alone time can also help us understand others better. Introverts tend to have high levels of both empathy and self-awareness, two qualities that contribute to healthy relationships with others. Lastly, according to Dr. Carter, “By spending time with yourself and gaining a better understanding of who you are and what you desire in life, you’re more likely to make better choices about who you want to be around.”
"If all these are it's pros, then I don't mind leaving him alone for a really long while" Paul said.
"I just want to see him happy, just the way he used to be.
"Let us not forget that Being Alone Makes Us Vulnerable to Our Inner Critics
Being alone with our thoughts isn’t always a good thing. Isolation can be the perfect breeding ground for negative, self-critical thoughts. We all have an inner critic, a nasty coach that lives inside our heads and seeks any opportunity to criticize us. These “critical inner voices” tend to multiply when we are left alone with our thoughts. The “critical inner voices” tend to be at their worst when we are not only alone, but are also feeling lonely. At these times, the inner critic tells us that something is wrong with us and we don’t belong around other people. In this sense, we are our own worst enemy.
Being Alone Can Lead to Painful Loneliness
It is important to distinguish between time spent happily alone and time spent feeling lonely. Neuroscientist John Cacioppo, who has made a career out of studying loneliness, defines loneliness as “perceived social isolation, or the discrepancy between what you want from your social relationships and your perception of those relationships.” In this sense, loneliness is not defined by the amount of time we spend alone, but rather by how we feel about the time we spend alone. Feeling lonely can trigger feelings of being unloved or unlikeable, which can lead us to turn on ourselves. Feeling lonely is actually painful on a physical level, as well as emotional level. Cacioppo explains, “The absence of social connection triggers the same, primal alarm bells as hunger, thirst and physical pain.”
Being Alone/Lonely Can Lead to Depression
Time spent alone and feeling lonely can lead to depression. In fact, studies now show that a lonely brain is structurally and biochemically different. When someone is lonely, their neural responses to positive images and events get suppressed, so the world is perceived through a negative filter. We are more likely to believe that things are hopeless when we are lonely. This makes it more difficult to summon up the energy and bravery to find happiness and change.
Being Alone Can Be Bad for Our Health
Too much time alone is bad for our physical health. Studies have found that social isolation and loneliness can increase the likelihood of mortality by up to 30%. Researchers claim, “Being socially connected is not only influential for psychological and emotional well-being but it also has a significant and positive influence on physical well-being and overall longevity.” It is important to maintain strong social connections, even if you prefer to spend a majority of your time alone.
"So What’s the Verdict? Asked their mother and Miles answered.
While human beings need time alone to allow their brains to rest and rejuvenate, too much time alone or a lack of social connections can be harmful to our mental and physical health. It is important to distinguish between healthy time alone, where we are being productive, creative and introspective, versus negative time alone, where we are being self-critical or feeling lonely.
If you find yourself constantly around others and feeling depleted, make sure to schedule some healthy alone time. If you find yourself predominantly alone or are feeling lonely, make sure to invest more time seeking meaningful social connections. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, it is important to find the right balance for you.
They were still talking, when they saw him walk out of the room, he grabbed his car keys from the table and walked out kn them, his eyes was still full with tears.