Chapter 17

Ariana hurried home, and with Monica's help, they rushed Mike to Bella's clinic. Bella ran a check on Mike while Ariana waited patiently. She hadn't been this scared in her entire life. Her little brother wasn't alright. Why had she let it happen? She had been so engrossed in saving money for her mom that she had failed to look after her brother. And Mike had kept quiet and cool all this while. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if anything happened to him.

Bella came out of the emergency room with a disappointed look on her face. "What's wrong with him?" Ariana asked anxiously, holding her breath.

"Mike has a peptic ulcer. I'm sure he hasn't been eating well. How did this happen?"

"I... I don't know. I'm not always home," Ariana sniffed. It felt like her whole world had come crashing down. Mike had an ulcer. "Proceed with the treatment."

"I already gave him an injection to reduce the pain, and he's asleep. Just buy some food for him. I'm sure he'll be hungry when he wakes up."

"Can I see him before I leave?"

"Sure, I'll take you to him," Bella sighed, and she led Ariana to Mike's hospital room and left them alone. Ariana sat on a stool and held Mike's hand. She never thought that Mike would be lying here like this. He was always cheerful and playful, and now he was just lying here asleep. It was all her fault that this had happened to him. She should have paid more attention to him. How would she be able to tell her mom this? There was no point in crying; she just had to work a lot harder.

"Honey, I'll be back tomorrow. I have to stay with Mom, but I'll buy you your favorite food," Ariana whispered and kissed Mike's cheek. She felt devastated, and she hated leaving him there alone, but her mom needed her too. She took one last glance at him before leaving.

"Take good care of him," Ariana said to Bella.

"I will, darling. I will," Bella hugged Ariana, comforting her. This girl was so strong, providing for her family alone, and she never gave up. That's why she loved her.

"I'll walk you home," Monica said. It was the least she could do. Monica walked Ariana home, and she said goodbye. Just as Ariana was about to enter her house, the landlord cleared his throat.

"Hi," Ariana forced a smile.

"Don't 'hi' me, Ariana. You know exactly why I'm here."

"Mr. Liam, I know I'm late on rent, but I have a lot of expenses that I have to cover..."

"That's what you said three months ago," Mr. Liam started with a stern voice that meant business, and his face was expressionless.

"My brother is sick, and he's at the hospital. Just give me a little more time. Please," Ariana pleaded. She had a lot on her plate, but she would figure it out. "I promise I'll sort it out; I just need a little time," Ariana added.

"I'll give you a week."

"Thank you," she smiled.

The next morning, she delivered milk and newspapers first before leaving for Bella's clinic to check up on Mike. She bought him his favorite food. By the time she arrived at the hospital, Mike was already awake. His face lit up when he saw Ariana. Ariana hugged him tightly; his condition was better now.

"How are you? Are you still having stomachache or a headache?"

"No, I'm good, but I'm hungry, though," Mike stated.

"I got you something," she handed him a flask. "Do you want me to feed you?"

"Yes," Mike smiled sheepishly, and Ariana chuckled. She was very happy that Mike was back to his cheerful self. Last night, she thought she had lost him. She spent a few hours at the clinic, keeping Mike company, before leaving for the coffee shop where she worked.

After a few days, Mike was discharged from the hospital. Ariana was relieved; now, the only thing to worry about was her mom and the rent. After an exhausting day, Ariana lay on her bed and spotted a card on her table. She picked it up, racking her brain to remember where she had gotten it from. Then, she remembered that Jack had given her this card. She sighed and threw it into the waste bin. Though it was an exciting offer, she couldn't be engaged to a stranger, and she had always dreamt of marrying someone she loved, so there was no way she was accepting this proposal.

On Wednesday, when she got back from work, she heard sobbing coming from her mom's room, and she rushed in to see what was wrong. She saw her mom lying on the bed, unconscious, and Mike sobbing, shaking her mom vigorously. Ariana stood still, feeling like her world had come crashing down. What was she going to do?

She dashed to her room to find Jack's card; she had no other option but to accept Jack's offer. She dialed his number, and he picked up after three rings.

"Hey, Jack."

"So good to hear from you, Ariana."

"Is your offer still available? I need your help. My mom's unconscious, and I don't know what to do. I'm just so confused and..."

"Calm".