Chapter 18

"I can't do it." Javier's mother said as she shook her head.

"Please, help me." Yvonne spoke slowly, her eyes pleading for understanding. 

Even though Javier's mother loved Yvonne like her own daughter, she couldn't comprehend doing what Yvonne asked, especially when it involved her son. She was willing to do anything for Yvonne, but the request seems like a lot.

A doctor entered the room. 

"Doctor, she's awake," Javier's mother said, gesturing towards Yvonne. 

"I know," he said, smiling and nodding. 

Javier's mother stepped aside, creating space for the doctor to check on Yvonne. However, she was surprised that he didn't immediately attend to her. 

"Aren't you checking her?" she inquired. 

"I have checked," the doctor replied, his gaze shifting between Yvonne and Javier's mother. "I am certain Yvonne must have told you already."

Confused, Javier's mother looked at Yvonne, who nodded weakly.

"Who are you?" Javier's mother asked, her eyes narrowing. 

"Let me introduce myself; I am Dr. Philip, and I was her childhood doctor - well technically, family doctor, before I was fired by her father," he explained, extending his hand for a shake. 

Javier's mother's mouth slightly opened in surprise. She glanced at Yvonne and then back at the doctor before finally accepting the handshake. 

"I know it is surprising for you, but please keep my identity from your son," Doctor Philip urged. 

"I will do that, but what are you two planning?" she inquired cautiously. 

"No need to tell your son; I will tell him myself, but don't just say anything," he insisted. 

"Look, if she wants to get divorced from my son, I will accept it even though I am sad. But for me to tell my son she is dead, I can't do it." Javier's mother confessed. 

Yvonne gently held Javier's mother's hand, her eyes pleading for understanding. 

"I know that I am asking a lot from you, but if I stay here any longer, my life will be in danger. As he said, he would do the talking. Just don't say anything and act sad," Yvonne explained earnestly. 

"What has my son done for you to hurt him in this manner? Is there anything I do not know about?" Javier's mother asked, concern and confusion etched on her face. 

"Mother, just pretend," Yvonne pleaded. "He won't know if you don't tell him."

Javier's mother remained silent for a while before reluctantly agreeing. She left the room to give herself a moment to cool off. 

Yvonne attempted to sit up, and Dr. Philip offered his assistance. 

"Thank you," she whispered. 

"That is my job," he replied calmly. 

"I feel bad making her do this; I shouldn't have told her," Yvonne admitted, her eyes filled with remorse. 

Dr. Philip took a seat and looked at her thoughtfully.

"I want to ask you a question; I want to be sure you are ready for this."

"What is it?" Yvonne inquired, her gaze locking with his. 

"Do you really want to leave your husband? I mean, we have to lie to him that you were in a coma; is it worth it?" He asked, his tone serious. 

Yvonne fell silent for a while before opening up. 

"You know, I remember when I first met him. Like every other girl, I fell in love with him at first sight when he came to my grandfather's house," she began.

[Flashback]

"Yvonne, why are you still sleeping?" her grandfather scolded from downstairs.

As soon as Yvonne heard footsteps, she quickly fell into a sleeping position after using her phone.

Her grandfather tapped her.

Yvonne stretched and yawned. "Grandpa, what is it?"

"Get up from there and help your sister in the kitchen," he instructed. 

"No, I don't want to," she protested, shaking her head. "I am tired. I just finished an exam. Can't I relax?"

"You finished your exam yesterday, and you have enough time to rest," her grandfather pointed out.

"Grandpa, I am okay baking alone. Let her rest a little." Faith shouted from downstairs.

"Don't spoil her; is she the only one that writes an exam?" Her grandfather retorted. 

He removed the blanket from Yvonne, and she sighed. As she prepared to go downstairs, she heard a voice saying, "I like it."

Yvonne was shocked, and she looked at her grandfather.

"We have someone in the house?" she asked.

"Yes, your sister friend," her grandfather replied. 

Yvonne couldn't believe that there could be someone with a sweet voice. She glanced at the clothes she was wearing. 

"Grandpa, do you think this outfit is good?"

"Are you going somewhere?" she inquired. 

"Well, I need to look good."

"You look good in whatever you wear."

"You think so?"

Her grandfather sighed, walked past her, and opened the door. "Princess, walk. Tou look beautiful in whatever dre.." Yvonne quickly covered her grandfather's mouth.

"How can you say it like that? They will hear you," she whispered.

Her grandfather removed her hand from his mouth. 

"Will you go downstairs and help your sister?"

"Okay."

Yvonne went downstairs and took a peek at him. She couldn't believe how handsome he was. Just like his voice, his face looks captivating.

Her grandfather gently pushed her forward. "Grandpa," she protested, looking back at him.

"Hi," she said shyly, waving at him. 

"You are Faith's younger sister, right?"

Yvonne nodded and walked over to Faith, who was busy baking cookies. 

"When have you started to become so shy?" her grandfather teased.

"Grandpa!"

"What?" he shrugged his shoulders, and left the kitchen. 

"You are in 12th grade, right?" Javier asked her.

"Yes."

"This is actually my first time seeing you. She talked a lot about you." Javier remarked. 

"Did she say anything bad?"

"Javier, don't tell her." Faith interjected, laughing. 

"What did you say?" Yvonne tuned to her sister and held her ams. 

"You don't need to know," she said. "Don't distract me; leave the way." She removed Yvonne's hand, and she opened the oven. 

Everyone was all in the kitchen, well except their grandfather, who was on the balcony, enjoying the music from the radio. 

Javier stood up and joined their grandfather on the balcony. 

Yvonne glanced at Javier and smiled before turning her attention back to her sister. 

"Are both of you friends, or do you like him, or are you dating?" Yvonne asked curiously. 

"Why are you asking me that?" 

"Can't I ask?"

"We are friends." Faith replied with a smile.