Chapter 6 6

Today is the first time I'm going to see my mother since I started working for the Hubert. Mr Hubert was kind enough to give me a day off every Sunday so I can visit her. I'm really hoping the treatment she's receiving works, since she's been in a stagnant condition since we found out about her sickness. It was really hard for both of us when we got the news, but I knew I had to stay strong for her. That's why I decided to work for the Hubert's, since their pay was better than my previous employer's.

Mr Hubert even offered to pay for her treatment in one of the best hospitals in the South of Italy, and he helped me pay off all my debt to the previous hospital. I'm just hoping I get some good news, even if it's not much. As I walked into the hospital, the smell of antibacterial agents and antiseptics filled my nostrils. It was the typical hospital smell I had grown to hate. I went up to the receptionist, gave her my mother's name, and she showed me the way to her room after verifying who I was. When I entered the room, it looked different from when she was in the local hospital we used to live near. She wasn't connected to so many wires, and she had regained some of her colour. She looked healthy, which made me feel relieved. All I could hear was the consistent sound of her heart monitor and her shallow, feather-light breathing. She looked like a baby, sleeping like a baby. Finally, my mother was sleeping like a baby. She looked so adorable. My insides were doing somersaults, I was ecstatic and in pure joy. I was so thankful for Mr Hubert and all the doctors here who helped my mother to get better. I just wished she could be back to normal. I was finally at peace. I didn't even realize I was crying until my beautiful mother opened her eyes and asked, "I just knew someone was in here with me but why are you crying, my daughter?" I wiped my cheeks, I was speechless and couldn't find the words. For the first time in a very long time, I felt like there were no worries. I was doing well, my mother was improving, and we had a great place to live and good food to eat. It felt good to forget some of my tension. The only problem left was William. He had been on my mind since that moment in the vineyard. I got butterflies in my stomach whenever I was near him. It was so frustrating. It felt like my body had a mind of its own when he was around. She looked me up and down. "My darling, you are glowing. Tell me your secret, who is it that is taking care of my baby and more importantly who's paying my bills?" Her tone changed from playful to strict. I knew how strict she was, sending me to a convent school with only girls and making sure I had no contact with boys. She had strong morals which she made sure I followed too. I smiled as I remembered her favorite sentence, "Boys of your age are very stupid. They think with their bad parts." She would always say that, especially when she brushed my hair after I came home for holidays. I was brought back to reality when she called my dame Olly! Olly, Olivia I ran up to her side and hugged her tightly, taking in her scent. As strict as she was, she was still my mother. The one I missed every night and thought about every day. I remembered all her loving words, her sensible advice, and our special moments. All these memories made me cry harder. I wanted to go back to the time when we lived together without any worries, even though I didn't remember much. It was so long ago. I wanted my father to be back. I wanted him to be a part of our life. "Mother," I said. "Hey! You're wetting my gown but I have really missed this, us hugging. I missed you. I sighed as I looked up at my mom, stroking my hair. I knew what she was thinking; my father, her husband. He had been gone for 21 years, ever since he was sent to Iraq for war. I knew she hadn't gotten over him yet, and I respected her loyalty, but I wanted her to move on with her life. "Mom, please don't think about that now," I said, trying to keep my voice gentle. "It's not good for your health. I miss him too, but I don't want you to think about it." She took a few deep breaths, and then said, "alright. Okay. I will calm down." I smiled, and said, "Grandpa was right when he said You are a piece of work. I'm sure the people at the hospital have a hard time with you." My mom playfully waved her arms, saying, "Hey, don't sass me! Don't forget that my hands still work. I'm the mother here, not you." I couldn't help but giggle. It had been a long time since I had felt so content. I pulled her into another hug and said, "Oh Mom, I missed you so much." She pulled away, pretending to be angry. "Okay, okay, the hugging scene is over now. I'm the sick one, I don't need to be touched again and again. Ugh, you're so touchy." I pouted and stepped back. "Well then I wouldn't bother to come see you again. You clearly like your space." My mom laughed. "Aww, don't sulk, honey. The evil nurse might just come and give you some injections. I mean, she has an injection for everything, and a really big one for the bad girls." I pulled my cheeks and my mom gave me a forehead kiss. All the color drained from my face when she mentioned injections. I've always been scared of them, and I guess I always will be. She smirked when she saw my reaction, knowing my fear. "Don't be scared, honey. Me and your Grandpa won't let her touch you. But you have to be a good girl," she said with a cheeky smile. "Grandpa? Is he here? Is he coming?" I asked, surprised. I thought he was in Rome. "Ah yes. Your Grandpa is coming all the way from Rome to see his beautiful daughter and..." She paused, eyeing me. "Granddaughter." I would have laughed if I wasn't still shaken up by the injection comment. "Loosen up, girl. I'm the older and sick one here and I'm more loosened up than you. You're acting like a 90 year old," she said. "Okay. Don't just scare me like that again and I wouldn't act like a 90 year old," I replied hoarsely. The next thing I knew, I was getting hit behind my head. "Don't sass me, young lady! I warned you. For the last time, I'm the mother here and you're the daughter," she said. I was rubbing my head while glaring at her. She sure has a lot of strength. "What? Cat got your tongue?" she asked. "Lady, you are testing me," I said, laughing at her when I outsmarted her move by moving my head before her hand connected with my head. I had missed our playful bickering. We had always been like this, and seeing her sick before had killed me. But now that I knew she was better, I loved it. I had to thank the doctors before heading back. "Mother, where is Grandpa going to stay?" I asked while eating a chicken salad I had gotten for myself when I went out to smuggle her favorite food - pizza - from a nearby shop. I had been forced to do this because of her complaints about the cheap hospital food and her threat of giving me injections. I was so scared that I immediately ran out of the room, but I did miss my mother's laugh, which brought an automatic smile to my face. I was happy when she was happy. "You know your grandpa. He has many connections. He'll probably stay with an old friend or at a hotel. I haven't really asked him about it. But you don't need to worry about that. Give some rest to that little head of yours," she said with a mouth full of pizza. "Manners, mother," I said, receiving another hit on my head. I was going to have a concussion soon if she didn't stop hitting me like that. "Who's the mother?" she asked. "You are," I said, sulking. "Good, you're finally developing," she said. My mom gave me a look that I knew all too well. She thought it was funny, but it still hurt. After the meal, she got all serious on me. She looked like a high school teacher who had just caught her student without his homework. "So how do you pay the bills? Because this hospital isn't in our budget and I'm sure you haven't won the lottery," she said in a strict voice. "I work," I replied. She narrowed her eyes at me. She wasn't going to let this go. "I work as a maid for the Hubert'sand Mr Hubert helps me to pay your bills. He even helped me to clear all the bills from your previous hospital," I explained. "Hmm, seems like a nice man but I wonder why? Why would he help you to pay my bills? It's not like you are related to him or something," she asked. "I don't really know, Mom, but he seems like a really nice person. He is good to me and other workers too," I said. She sighed. "So any boys I need to take care of?" She asked, winking at me. I gasped as the thought of William filled my mind again and all the naughty things he did to me. I blushed hard thinking about him. I could never imagine telling all these things to my mother. She would kill William. "Oh my god, Mom! No! No boys," I replied, out of breath. "Aww. My baby has found a boyfriend. Is he hot? Is he a gentleman? Does he treat you properly?" She said in a sing-song voice. I knew she would continue asking me these stupid questions until I tell her something. "Alright, Mom. His name is William Hubert. He is my boss's youngest son," I said. "That's very naughty, darling. Sleeping with your boss's son? What's he like?" I couldn't believe my mother was saying this. Someone who was once against me going out with boys. I thought my mother would never approve of this, but it looks like she is actually enjoying it. I don't think it would do any harm if I tell her a few things. "He's so gorgeous, Mom, so manly and he's tall. Like really tall. He has beautiful green eyes that shine when he smiles and his smile could make any girl melt. He's just so adorable. I feel so attracted to him and he does naughty things to me, Mom," I whispered the last part, scared of how my mother would take this. Would she be angry? "Aww. You're so ecstatic, baby. It's cute. Seems they all treat you well. I want to meet this boy soon," she said. I shifted my mood immediately at the thought of Mrs Hubert. "Ugh, Mom. It's just Mrs Hubert. She's so mean to me and she insults me a lot. I even cry sometimes and then she's forcing William to marry this girl he doesn't even like. That's so rude. I feel bad for him. I just hope he doesn't succumb to her evil, vile wishes," I said, already feeling myself boiling up. "My little angel, don't let anyone have the power to make you cry and if William likes you a lot like you like him, he wouldn't marry her. So no need for jealousy," she said. Jealousy? Wait, what? I'm not jealous. I can't be. Am I? "Mom, I'm not jealous, I'm just saying," I said, trying to convince both her and myself that I wasn't jealous. I couldn't be jealous. "Whatever helps you sleep at night," my mother replied, smiling like she knew something I didn't. We talked for a while, and I even told her about Elizabeth and how nice she was to me. Then, the good doctor came in around two o'clock. He was so friendly and asked me to see him before I left. I was glad for the chance to thank him personally, but I couldn't help but wonder why he wanted to see me. I just hoped everything was alright with Mom. She looked well. "Darling, they let me use my phone now, so I'll call you during the week. Okay?" "Yes," I replied. "Goodbye," she said. I was on my way to the doctor's office, feeling a bit nervous. "Ah! Miss Valentino. Thanks for coming. I just wanted to inform you about your mother's health improvement. You see, cholesterol blocks the passage of blood to the heart, which can lead to heart failure or attack. With the medication we've been giving her, her cholesterol levels have reduced to the third grade. She's really fighting and doesn't want to die yet. In a month or two, she'll be released and you can take her home. But, she needs to be careful with her diet, or the cholesterol could come back full-blown. Cholesterol kills, but not all its victims." I jumped up and hugged the doctor. I don't think I'd been this happy in a long time. My mother could be okay; I could take her home soon. Thank you, Lord, thank you so much. "Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. God bless you," I said, still hugging him. I was so elated with the news that when I got home, I was singing cheerfully. My mother would be fine. I needed to thank Mr Hubert, too. Elizabeth even asked me what was wrong; I guess she wasn't used to seeing me in such a good mood. Heck, I wasn't used to it either. I told her about my mother's improving condition and she was happy for me. I couldn't wait for My grandpa to arrive; he'd be so pleased to hear about my mother's condition. I took a shower so I could continue with my Sunday chores, waiting for the Hubert family to come back from their Sunday lunch. I heard shuffling outside my door and, when I looked up, I saw William. He, wearing a white V-neck shirt that revealed a bit of his silky chest hair and jeans. He looked so attractive standing at my door, like he was something to eat. His eyes deepened to a darker shade of green as he ran his fingers through his shoulder-length hair. I was just standing there, gawking at him in nothing but a towel! How mortifying. Why does he always show up at the wrong time, Mother Nature?.....