I'm Nothing Without You Chap 19

I really felt the burden was lifted on my shoulders as Jake woke up yesterday. Luckily for us the doctors do some miracles on Jake’s Aneurysm. They managed to control it. I got to say I’ve chosen the right hospital for Jake. And as for our patient, his doctor ordered him a total bed rest with complete bathroom privileges. So after his discharge I instantly assumed the role as his private duty nurse. It was fun. I was hands on with his medication schedules, his vital signs and all the stuff that nurses do at the hospital.

‘It seems to me that someone is enjoying taking care of the sick.’ Jake announced. We were at the poolside eating our breakfast. I was just finished preparing Jake’s medications.

I smiled at them. ‘I missed my job.’ I said without thinking.

‘So you are a nurse then?’ Katherine asked me curiously.

‘Nope. I had once a part time job at the Hospice but I had to leave the institution because I prioritized my career.’ I lied. ‘I worked at a company.’ Please don’t ask me to elaborate more about it, I prayed silently.

‘Maybe you can work at the Thompson’s Inc instead.’ Klive suggested.

I instantly shook my head. ‘I don’t think so.’ He flinched at my answer. ‘It’s complicated.’ I explain lamely.

After a few weeks of bed rest Jake recovered easily and to prove it to everybody he organized a party for their club. Everyone was invited to the party. It was a formal party and Katherine chose their hotel for the venue.

‘Do I really have to go?’ I asked Katherine. She was busy arranging five gowns.

‘Of course you do. Some of the press people identify you as-’

‘I don’t like the sound of that.’ I said seriously.

Katherine chuckled. ‘Don’t worry everything has been taking cared of. What do you think about these?’ she pointed the gowns at my bed.

I sighed and moved towards my bed. ‘I think they are okay…’ I commented lamely.

‘Which one do you like?’

‘I think this will do.’ I pointed a deep blue gown.

Katherine smiled at me. ‘Nice taste.’

I smiled weakly at her comment and lazily sit down the chair I had once evacuated.

‘C’mon…’ she said tugging my hand for me to stand up.

Katherine took thirty minutes to dress me up for the party. She just put some light make up on my face and I’m done. ‘Hhhmm…’ she said studying me. ‘Something’s missing… oh I know. Jewelries! Wait a sec…’ she was about to moved towards the door but her attention was caught by a box on my bedside table. She took the box and opened it. ‘Who give this to you, Avie?’ Katherine asked me seriously.

‘Oh that! Klive…’ I studied Katherine’s face. ‘Is something wrong with that?’

She blinked. ‘No! In fact I’m glad Klive gave it to you.’ She took the necklace and put it on my neck for me so as with the bracelet and the earrings. ‘PERFECT! I’m really glad you’re the one wearing these…’ she said meaningfully at me. ‘Let’s go. I want to see their reactions about THAT.’ she said excitedly at me and drags me towards the door.

I almost bumped Katherine after she abruptly stopped walking. ‘Katherine?’

‘About your boyfriend…’ she cleared her throat. ‘Where is he now?’

‘He’s working abroad. We exchange calls once a week.’ I said as if I read her thoughts.

‘Oh…’

As I went down the stairs, Jake’s gazed was fixed on the necklace I’m wearing. He looked confused but contentedly happy for something. I really don’t like this… I silently told myself.

‘Hey, I’m glad you decided to use my gift.’ It was Klive. ‘It really looks good on you.’

I just smiled at him and gave him a faint ‘thank you’.

The party was okay. The usual social gathering I had seen and witness for these past months. As expected the media were at the venue. They asked Jake about his condition, his prognosis and all. After I rushed him to the hospital, for some reasons the pen sharks heard about it. They wanted so badly to interview one of the Thompson’s about Jake’s condition. This was the first time Jake have ever answered questions from them. They were so eager to know more about his condition.

‘So Ms. Henrich are you now officially a Thompson? Base from you’re wearing tonight.’

Huh? That was a weird question. The weirder part was after that question I noticed that Katherine was tensed. She cuts off the interview which spared me from answering the question. I know something was up but I really can’t pinpoint it. Somehow it bugs me just thinking about it.

Later that night I found myself at Katherine and Jake’s door. I already made up my mind about this and I was determined to end these lies. I first took a deep breath before I knock their door. ‘Jake, Katherine can I come in?’

Jake opened the door for me. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I want to talk to both of you.’

‘Sure.’ Jake step back and opened the door wider for me.

It took me an hour to explain everything. After I finished the three of us were quiet. ‘I’m really sorry-’

‘Avie it’s okay.’ It was Jake. ‘So are you sure about your plan?’

‘Yes. I don’t have much of a choice…’

‘If there is something we could do-’

I shook my head. ‘I know Katherine but I think I can handle.’

‘Does Klive know about your plan?’

‘No Jake.’ I sigh.

‘You have to talk to him.’

‘I know.’ I said simply.

I thought it was just simple but three days have past Klive couldn’t spare his time to listen to me. As always he was busy doing stuff as the CEO of the Thompson’s Inc. He was really getting in my nerves very time he made excuses. It was as if he didn’t like me to talk about it or something.

‘There you are!’ I said as I entered the library. ‘Look here KLIVE, it is the fourth day and I don’t give a damn to your excuses. I NEED to talk to you, so heed me…’

He looked at me and smiled weakly. ‘What is it?’ he asked in a whisper.

I moved towards him. ‘Klive, you know from the start- are you okay?’

He smiled at me and slowly he lowered his face to mine.

‘K-Klive?’ I hold my breath thinking he WILL kiss me again. To my surprised his mouth didn’t touched mine but instead he rested his head on my shoulders. Suddenly he collapsed on top of me. ‘Klive? Hey what’s wrong?’ I touched his forehead. ‘Klive you’re burning. Klive?’

‘I’m sorry but I guess we should talk later.’ He whispered and buried his face in my neck.

‘Miss I think we should rush Klive to the nearest hospital.’

‘It’s okay Mr. John I can handle it. Can you please get some antipyretic and some lukewarm water with a towel?’

‘Sure Miss…’

Klive’s temperature didn’t change AT ALL even though he took his meds. It’s been an hour but still there were no changes. ‘Klive you better rest, have some sleep.’ I moved towards his bed, arranged his pillows and urged him to lie down.

He followed but didn’t close his eyes.

‘C’mon Klive you NEED to rest. Please close your eyes and try to get some SLEEP.’

He coughed. ‘I don’t want to sleep. I don’t want to close my eyes…’ he said weakly. ‘If I sleep… if I close my eyes you might leave me… alone…’ he trailed off.

I stared at him. He just fell asleep. I smiled at him and caressed his cheek. I didn’t know why but I found it cute and somehow flattering thinking someone was afraid of losing me. I shook my head. What am I thinking? This guy has a girlfriend. I sighed. I put the wet towel on his forehead.
‘I'm not leaving you… for now.’ I told him.

I took my phone from my pocket and dialed. I sighed as I was being transferred to a voice mail. ‘Ethan I think I’m going to extend for another day AGAIN. Something came up. Don’t worry the plan is the same.’

Klive opens his eyes. His head was still hurting but it was bearable. He looked for Avie but no Avie has materialized in his room. He sighed and stood up but only to stop upon seeing a silhouette sitting in the dark, sleeping contentedly. He smiled at the sight. ‘You never failed to surprise me, Avie.’

‘Have someone seen Avie?’ Klive asked their servant in their quarters. They shook their head in unison. Frustrated he looked for his parents. ‘Mom, Dad have you seen Avie? I’m looking for her all over the mansion.’

Jake and Katherine looked meaningfully at each other. ‘We haven’t seen her. Maybe she’s inside her room resting.’

Klive went to Avie’s room. No Avie was there but instead a letter placed on top of her bed. The letter was for him. He picked it and started reading:

Klive, thank you so much for everything you’ve done to me from the start. You opened your doors for me even though you didn’t know who I really was. But as time passed I’ve realized that I didn’t belong here, I didn’t belong in your circle. I’ve decided that it’s time for me to return to where I should be. I need to fix my life and to do that, my first move would be to leave here. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I can handle on my on. And Klive, please don’t waste your time looking for me. It will be useless. If everything goes well I’ll be back, I promise.

Klive sighed. ‘This can’t be happening!’ he rushed outside the mansion. ‘Avie! Avie!’ he shouted. ‘John, Alice where are you?’ after a second, Avie’s bodyguards materialized in front of him. ‘Avie’s missing. Have you two seen her?’ they looked at each other, surprise written all over their face and both shook their head. ‘John will you prepare the chopper, I’ll go to the island. Alice you look for Avie here. She might be around the neighborhood.’

The two bodyguards followed him. Klive went to the island hoping to find Avie there. ‘Avie? Are you there?’ he called. He was standing anxiously in front of the Henrich’s hut. ‘Avie?’

‘Leigh? Is that you?’

‘Leslie. I’m so glad to see you. Did you see Avie around here?’

‘No. After Mrs. Henrich’s death, I haven’t seen her here.’

‘If you happen to see her here, please call me with these numbers.’ He handed Leslie his calling card. ‘Please Les, it’s important.’

‘Okay…’ she said while reading the card. ‘Klive Emil Thompson?’

‘Yeah… just mention my name okay? Thank you so much Les. This means a lot.’

Seven months later….

‘I have the papers Klive.’ John handed Klive the data he instructed him to dig.

‘What you got?’ he asked eagerly.

Mr. John sighs. ‘Avie is… Avie was…’

‘What?’

‘Ms. Aviary Henrich was dead seven-’

‘What do you mean dead?’

‘I have proof here, her autopsy reports. She died from a cardiovascular disease.’

Klive stared helplessly at John. He couldn’t believe his ears he didn’t want to believe every proof that Mr. John provided him. ‘Dead? That’s impossible…’

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The one missing was Avie...

The one died was also Avie...

Three questions left unanswered...

Who could it be?