Chapter 4 4

Alicia walked to the bus stop, she thought about what she was going to tell the doctor when the payment of bills would arise. She felt like the whole world was against her.

First the ultimatum about the bills then her boyfriend cheating in her, the compounding bills and her abject pool of poverty and now,the one job she was supposed to use to get life going, she had ruined completely with her own hands.

It was as early as six and all Alicia could hear as she dragged herself towards her mother's ward were cries from people who had lost their loved ones and her heart went out to them.

Alicia decided to stop at the receptionist's desk to check her bill again. It was something she did all the time to keep track and to remind herself constantly how much if a failure she was.

The receptionist nurse was talking to her colleague but as soon as they saw Alicia, they both stopped talking and gave her a smile.

Something was off about these two and Alicia furrowed her brows.

" Good morning Alicia, how may we be of assistance?"

Alicia frowned.

They have never been of " assistance", why were they acting funny? She asked herself.

"I want to check my bills. I'm sorry that I keep disturbing-"

Before she completed her statement, the receptionist turned the monitor towards Alicia to read through the receipt and what she saw had her in shock.

The bills...

Alicia shook her head to clear the dream she was having at this moment.

"Is this true or fabricated?" She questioned the nurses who seemed genuinely upset by the question. They may not have been Alicia's huge fans but why would they do such a thing?

Alicia was moved to check the monitor for the third time, just maybe the names had been gotten wrongly by the nurses but she was certain she had seen Foxx boldly written on the screen.

Fate was finally smiling on her and Alicia was sure an astrological chart wouldn't be necessary to let her know the stars were finally aligning for her. This was the big breakthrough she had prayed for, it was finally here.

"The bill has been paid!" She screamed with relief.

The nurses couldn't believe the same Alicia that had walked past them for years was dancing in front of them. They couldn't think of anything that Alicia could have done to earn herself such favor as they watched her squeal in joy, accompanied by dance moves they couldn't even understand.

It wasn't just the nurses, Alicia couldn't think of anyone that would be so gracious as to help settle her mother's hospital bills. She had not even told anyone aside Laura and her friend was definitely not financially buoyant enough to settle the huge pile of bills that had used years to accumulate.

The only thought in Alicia's mind as she danced towards the elevator-being more expressive than the nurses had ever seen-was to hug her mother and to let her know a savior had been sent their way. Whoever said prayers never got answered had never prayed as much as Alicia had.

And as she hurried to her mother's ward, she anticipated telling her mother the great news as she was sure that the woman would be more than happy.

"She's asleep." A firm voice said as she was about to push the door open.

Alicia stopped in her tracks, shock traveling through her with speed. One thing was for sure, she had never seen this woman before.

Alicia stood rooted to the spot as she took the lady in. The lady patted the empty seat besides her and a part of her felt the woman had a hand in the bills payment, she walked towards her drinking the woman's appearance in.

She was an old woman, dressed in a dark suit and her hair was styled and perfectly neat. The diamond necklace that sat on her neck spoke volumes of her financial status so she had to be a woman of great wealth.

"Good morning, ma'am" Alicia greeted.

"And I'm guessing you are looking all happy because you found out your mother's hospital bills has been paid?" The woman responded, confirming what Alicia had thought.

Alicia was in confusion but she nodded anyway.

The woman was silent for a while, commanding respect. Alicia was raked with questions and was about to speak.

"I was in an accident" she started, "Your mother was there in time to save me and I owe her my life. I have been searched for her, for years. This is but a tip of the iceberg, I only wish I could do more" the lady said,casting a sad cloud on both of them.

Alicia had no idea who this woman was but she was filled with gratitude. She threw her arms around her, shocking the woman as she buried her head in her neck. "Thank you so much. This means a lot to both me and my mother and even though she's not responsive right now, we are so grateful"

The old lady patted her back in response and moved away, clearing her throat.

"You can call me Mrs Hale by the way" the woman said.

Alicia smiled widely with more relief than she ever knew existed but she couldn't help but feel like there was more.

"I appreciate what you've done Mrs Hale and If there's any way I can repay you, for this kindness... " Alicia began.

Mrs Hale seemed to take the comment seriously, she suddenly paused and a thin line formed on her face. Alicia paused immediately she noticed.

" I do, have a proposal which you're welcome to decline of course" for some reason, the sentence was filled with weight and a stiff smile crossed her lips. Alicia's heart quavered at the smile, a smile Alicia felt wasn't exactly a smile.

" I want you to marry my grandson." She deadpanned.