A couple of days later, Philippe got released from the hospital and in the meantime, they were escorted to a new home so it’s a lot safer and it’s sponsored by Christopher. Fatima was skeptical to accept it but for the sake of her brothers, she accepted it. He’s being kind to her which feels nice but it’s still a bit strange since a couple of days ago, his mother was ready to fight her because of how the company image got damaged.
She breathed heavily as she and her brother prepared lunch. “Wow, this place is amazing,” he said. This is the first day of them moving here and it’s closer to Grian’s house and the company. He was also transferred to different schools and so did Nikki for their safety. Timothy was also granted the opportunity to study since he’s ready for school but Fatima didn’t have money to let her brother study. With both the help of Christopher and Grian, it was possible for them to live in a better place, and was able to let her brothers study.
The doorbell rang and she stopped what she was doing and approached the door. She looked at the peephole and saw Christopher waiting outside. She opened the door with a smile and he smiled as well. “Good morning, Fatima. How do you like the house?” Chris asked and her eyebrows raised.
“Great! We love it. I don’t know how to repay you, I’m truly in debt with your kindness. I’m sorry if I was rude to you before,” she said and he chuckled. She scratched her neck and he cleared his throat. “Can I come in?” She nodded and let him in. He looked around and noticed how cozy the house was. It’s much better than her place before.
“Hey, Phil,” he greeted and Philippe looked up and waved at him. Christopher approached him and noticed they were preparing food. “There’s an oven here!” It’s been so long since he used or seen one of those.
“Do you still get nightmares?” he asked and he stopped for a moment before nodding his head.
“Remember your schedule with the therapist,” he reminded and he nodded. Fatima smiled before she noticed Timothy walk into the kitchen. Christopher waved at her youngest brother and Tim smiled.
“Can we visit Grian later?” Fatima spoke and Christopher nodded. She smiled before turning to the counter and washing some dirty dishes. As they were chilling in the kitchen, the doorbell rang again. “I’ll get it,” Chris said and they nodded. He walked to the door and saw a familiar face. He opened the door slightly as he looked outside.
“How’d you find this house?” he asked the woman and she smiled. He also smelled alcohol and cigarettes on her. “I know you.. Christopher, right?” she said, ignoring his question and he raised an eyebrow.
“We met when we rescued Fatima and her brother,” he answered.
“Ah, my children. I’m glad they’re safe...” she murmured half-drunk.
“But that’s not where I first saw you,” she answered.
“The day of the accident, my husband got hit by a young man. That young man... got away with it. I know who that young man is, and so do you,” she said with a grin and his jaw clenched.
“But... I didn’t report him,” she continued and his eyebrows furrowed.
“Why?” he asked in confusion as he eyed her.
“His mother- or rather, YOUR mother, paid me a ton to stay silent... I accepted. I didn’t care about my husband anyways,” she answered while laughing maniacally.
“You could’ve given justice to your husband’s death but you didn’t. How evil of you,” he said and she scoffed. She’s a dangerous woman who cannot be trusted. This is why he didn’t want her to be able to see Fatima. She’s evil but what tops it off, she also knows about the accident.
“I’m not the one who killed him, you did.” Christopher had enough and closed the door and locked it. He closed his eyes before he pulled out his phone. “Bring guards to guard Fatima’s house,” he requested. He breathed heavily as he calmed himself down so his thoughts wouldn’t eat him away from the inside. He massaged his head before going to the kitchen again and Fatima looked at him.
“Who was it?” she questioned and he shrugged.
“Just the neighborhood welcoming you guys,” he answered and she nodded and didn’t question him further.
In the afternoon, the two got ready to go to the hospital and she noticed guards outside the house. “It’s for protection,” Christopher said even if she didn’t utter a word. Her lips parted and she nodded her head.
The two arrived at the hospital and they went to Grian’s room that was also guarded. They entered the room and saw Grian sitting down while his mother sat down next to the hospital bed. They both looked to the door and saw Fatima and Christopher. “You better not have brought your mother here,” Grian’s mom said sassily and Chris scratched his neck and nodded.
“Hey,” Grian greeted the two.
“Hey, I brought food,” Fatima said and smiled. She approached the table and placed the food down. “Can you leave the room for a moment, mom and Chris?” he requested and the two nodded even if Christopher was hesitant. Fatima raised her eyebrows and once the two were out, Grian grabbed a bag at the other side of the hospital bed and handed it to her.
“What’s this?” Grian shrugged and urged her to open his gift.
“Open it,” he said and she raised an eyebrow before opening the paper bag. Her eyes widened when she saw a smaller box that is labeled to have a cellphone inside. “What?” she questioned and looked at Grian.
“You didn’t have to. You already held my brother’s education-“ she got cut off.
“It’s good for emergencies,” he said casually till he grinned.
“And I’ll be able to call you whenever I want so.. you know,” he said and winked before chuckling and so did she. She grabbed the box and removed the plastic cover. “Isn’t this expensive?” she asked and he shrugged.
She opened the box and saw the phone and her eyes widened. “I can’t believe phones got this big over the years,” she said and he chuckled.
“The sim card is in the paper bag,” he said and she nodded.
She opened the phone and set it up with the help of Grian and they put the sim card in. “Thank you..” she said.
“I’m kind of hungry, can you spoon-feed me again?” he requested and she eyed him. She looked at his hands and pouted. “Your hands look like they’re functioning fine,” she commented and he chuckled.
“Come on, the doctor told me to rest my body,” he tried convincing her and she rolled her eyes and shook her head.
BACK AT THE HOUSE, Philippe was watching the television with Timothy when he heard the doorbell ring. He stood up from his seat and opened the front door. “Hey, Phil,” Nikki greeted before entering the house even without him letting her.
“Why are you here? Are you really still guilty?” he asked with his arms crossed before he closed the door. She shrugged before sitting down on the couch. “Hi, Tim!” she greeted his younger brother.
“I just wanted to visit, okay!” Nikki answered before standing from her seat and going to the kitchen and opening the top cabinet. “Ohh, cereal,” she said and tried grabbing the cereal but it was too high. As she was trying, Philippe went behind her and grabbed it for her. She turned around and looked up and saw Philippe. They stared into each other’s eyes and she blinked a couple of times before moving away from him since they were so close. “Uhm..” she mumbled.
He handed her the cereal and she cleared her throat. “Thanks...” she said before going back to the living room to watch tv. Philippe crossed his arms and watched her in curiosity before sitting down next to her. “When does school start again?” he questioned.
“U-Uhm... next Monday,” she answered nervously and he nodded.
“You seem awfully nervous,” he commented and her cheeks turned red. He started eating the cereal without milk. “I’m not,” she murmured.
BACK AT THE HOSPITAL, Grian’s mother wanted to negotiate a deal with Fatima to help her financially. “After he gets discharged, I’d like to hire you to take care of him.”
“I can’t-“ She tried denying her request but she was cut off.
“It will be a lot safer than working in the coffee shop. I’d pay you a good amount of money,” she continued and Fatima looked at Grian.
“I’m not a nurse though...” she mumbled, knowing she won’t be able to take care of him properly.
“It’ll be fine. He just needs someone to help him with his daily needs,” she answered with a smile and Grian eyed her.
“Where are you going with this, mom?” he questioned while squinting his eyes. Trying to figure out what his mother is trying to do.
“Marriage,” she answered with no hesitation.
“What?” Fatima questioned, stunned.
“Mom!” Grian complained and crossed his arms before sighing.
“What?” Grian’s mother questioned while blinking her eyes. Fatima looked at Grian with a raised eyebrow and he’s shaking his head.
“Is it a deal then? It will be a good job,” she said, trying to convince her to agree upon her request. She really likes Fatima so she’s offering this job for the two to get closer.