Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Few weeks ago…

"How was work today?" Hazel asked immediately Marie entered the house.

Marie took little time in throwing off her shoes before raging. "Ammon is back! That little, little, little piece of..." Marie was struggling to find the right words as she was also struggling to take off the shirt which had become a little too tight after lunch.

Hazel raised her brows: "Ammon, as in, your ex boyfriend? What do you mean by he is back? You guys are back together?"

Marie paused at the skirt she was taking off. "Of course not! Didn't I tell you?" Marie squinted as if trying to recall a memory.

"Tell me what?" Hazel inquired, she was as confused as Marie.

"Ammon Delcano is one of the successors of the Delcano company. You know how they rotate every six months?" Marie hurriedly took off her skirt while Hazel nodded. "Apparently, six months is over, and Courtney Delcano has gone over to the other branch, while Ammon is here,"

One would have asked why Marie still worked in the Delcano company even after Ammon and she had broken up.

The truth was, Marie had never been petty. She was rational. A five month salary working in the Delcano company was enough to build modest house, pay her bills, and keep some as savings.

"Oh. So, how was work today with Ammon back?" Hazel inquired again, she was sitting on the plush loveseat of the living room, wrapped in a thick blanket while her elder daughter slept beside her, unaware that Marie was back.

"You should know from my tone," Marie frowned and whined like a child which made Hazel laugh.

Marie ignored her and continued, "It was awful! Starting from this morning when he spilled HOT COFFEE on my shirt, and did not apologize! That pipsqueak! I could just pinch..." Marie fastened her teeth to her bottom lips and imitated pinching someone.

Hazel was still chuckling at her sister's reaction. She knew Marie still had feelings for him but would not admit it.

 Marie suddenly stopped and asked Hazel in a serious tone, "How have you been? How are you feeling? Have you eaten yet?"

Hazel smiled sadly and Marie noticed how pale Hazel looked.

"Just some minor pains here and there. Nothing really bad," Hazel replied, looking away from Marie whose eyes scanned her face.

Marie nodded slowly and repeated her main question, "So, have you eaten?"

Hazel did not lie, even if she did not want Marie to worry, she knew her daughters will tell the truth.

"No appetite," Hazel responded slowly, her back had began to ache.

Marie just shook her head, and before she could say anything, Hazel beat her to it.

"You still have feelings for him, dont you?" Hazel tilted her head to get a better view of Marie's reaction.

"He has a girlfriend," Marie's reply was cold and nonchalant.

She started picking up her clothes, shoes, and bag from the floor.

"That was not my question," Hazel pressed

Marie was about to give another reply when her phone rang. It was Alyssa.

"His girlfriend is calling," Marie mumbled, rolling her eyes after she fumbled with her bag to take out the phone.

Hazel waved her hand, indicating Marie to pick up the call and put it on speaker

"Hi Marie!" Alyssa's voice boomed cheerily, waking Hazel's daughter in the process. "How are you doing? Are you free this night?"

Alyssa did not wait for a reply before she continued, "Ammon and I are going to the cinema, and I really want you to tag along. Please?" She begged.

Marie sighed and pinched the space between her eyebrows, her eyes locked with that of her sister who gave her a small encouraging smile.

"I'm sorry, Alyssa, but I already have an engagement for the night. I've been cancelling for weeks now, but I have to go this time," Marie lied smoothly while Hazel looked at her in amazement, "Have fun by the way."

The line went quiet for a while before Alyssa said, "Are you still mad at Ammon for what he did earlier today?"

"What? No! I even forgot about that," Marie replied confidently.

Hazel, on the other hand, was trying to hold in her laughter.

"Are you sure? Or is it about how I confronted you today? I'm really sorry. I was just jealous and a lot of things have been on my mind. I know you would not do that to me. I'm really sorry for my outburst."

Marie cautiously replied to that. "Alyssa, really, I understand your feelings and everything, but I do really have an engagement tonight. I'm not mad at you or anything."

"Are you sure?" Alyssa whined on the other end of the call.

"100%"

"No problem. I'll see you tomorrow, then,"

The line went dead and Marie breathed out in relief.

"I even forgot about that," Hazel mimicked Marie in a babyish tone, earning a groan from Marie.

"Welcome, aunty," Nicole, Hazel's daughter, who had just woken up, greeted Marie.

"How are you, sweetheart? I'm sorry for waking you up. Come give me a big hug," Marie replied as she walked towards them, arms wide open, with Nicole sluggishly walking towards her.

"Mom threw up this morning after having breakfast, and she hasn't had lunch either," Nicole quickly complained, her eyes glistened with tears.

Taking care of Hazel had been traumatizing for all of them, especially the children who took it harder.

Marie tried to reassure Nicole. "Don't worry, aunty is back, she knows what to do," She hugged Nicole again, while staring at Hazel who refused to look her in the eye.

"It's been a while since you stepped outside. What do you say? Let's tour the city." Marie said towards Hazel who had begun to protest, but she ignored Hazel and walked towards her room.

If she stayed a bit longer, Hazel would have convinced her otherwise.

Hazel was sick. Very sick. She needed countless surgeries to keep her organs working, and this had taken up all of Marie's savings, and most of her salary.

They had been referred to a hospital abroad which could take care of Hazel's situation, but the cost would be very high.

Marie did not mind. She would do anything for her sister.

She had applied for a loan from her company in the hopes that they would deduct the interest and a little principal from her monthly salary.

Once the loan was approved, she would waste no time in taking Hazel for the last surgery.

If the operation was successful, all she would have to do is nurse Hazel back to health.

"Where are we going, Marie?" Hazel inquired as Marie strapped her properly to the seat.

"Out, Hazel. We are going out," Marie replied as she rounded the car and slid into the driver's seat.

"You're not even going to tell me what happened between you and Alyssa at work?" Hazel asked incredulously.

"We can talk about it on the way, can't we?" Marie gave her a side glance as she tu

rned on the ignition of the car.

She backed the car out of the compound and watched as Nicole and Hailey waved at them.