Chapter 5 Dating an old man

Shantal was in the midst of her thoughts when a knock came on the door.

"Shantal, are you up?" Donald's voice came from behind the door.

"Yea -" Shantal clears her throat. "Yes, I am. You can come in."

Donald opened the door and walked in. He was already dressed in his corporate outfit. Looking as handsome as ever.

"Morning, how are you feeling?" Donald asked, walking close to her. He put his hand on her forehead to check her temperature. It was normal.

"Much better. Thank you." Shantal said.

They had breakfast together. Donald made sure she took her pills before he left. He had to leave for a board meeting earlier. He told her the driver would be available to take her anywhere she wanted to go.

"Speed dial Number 3 is for the driver. 1 for emergencies and 2 for food service." Donald explained to her before he left.

An hour later, Shantal was rushing to her father's room in the hospital. She is not sure Camilla knew what she was talking about on the phone. She needed clarification.

"I don't get it. If you didn't then who did?" Camilla asked.

"I have my guess but I have to confirm first." Shantal said.

"Who? Kyle?" Camilla asked, flaring up her nose. Knowing what happened between him and her sister.

Shantal's phone beeped. A message came in.

Mr Moore: (Thomas said you are at the hospital. How are you feeling? I wish him a quick recovery. Take care of yourself.)

"No. His uncle, maybe." Shantal said, smiling at her phone. "Maybe he overheard us yesterday." Still looking at the phone.

Camilla looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "What? Why are you smiling at your phone? Is that him?" She reached for the phone.

Shantal was quick enough to hide the phone. "Maybe. Why?" She had a mischievous smile.

"Oh my god Shanny. You broke up with Kyle and now you are falling for his uncle!?" Camilla sought. "You are falling for an old man!?" She added.

Hearing that, Shantal knitted her brows. "Why would you think I am falling for him?" She asked. Ignoring the comment on Donald being old.

"The creepy smile you had on your face when he texted said it all." Camilla said. Squinting her eyes and pointing at Shantal's face.

"Unbelievable! You are now turning red." Camilla added. She turned to their unconscious father and added. "Father must hear about this. You are in love with someone his age."

Shantal looked away in thought. 'could I be falling for Donald?' She looked back at her phone and responded to his message.

Shantal: (Yes I am at the hospital. I am feeling alright. Thank you.)

She sent the message. Almost immediately, a response came through.

Mr Moore: (Ok. Make sure you eat and take your medication. I will be home late.)

Shantal's mouth fell agape. So he is expecting her to go back to his house? 'till you are completely healed, you dummy.' her inner thoughts said. She sent him another text.

Shantal: (Ok. I will. Thank you for your concern. I have a question though.)

Mr Moore: (It's my job. Ask anything.)

Shantal looked at the phone and dropped it. She robbed her palms together, blowing air out of her mouth.

Camilla, who was eating her breakfast, raised her eyebrow at her sister's actions.

Shantal: (Did you have something to do with my father's medical bill?)

Shantal looked at the message for more than a minute before she hit send.

"This would be awkward if it wasn't him." She said out loud.

It took another two minutes before the reply came. Shantal did not take her eyes off the screen, only blinked when absolutely necessary.

Mr Moore: (Yes.)

Shantal's eyes grew wider.

"Oh my God." Shantal covered her mouth with her hands. At that moment, she had mixed feelings. 'Why is he doing all this?'

Soon, the door to the room was opened by some nurses. It was time to take Shantal's father into the surgery room, after some tests had been done and showed he was ready.

Shantal and Camilla said their goodbyes and hoped to see him soon. Mr Stanley was then taken away for his four hour surgery.

***

Later in the evening, Shantal was brought back to the penthouse. She wanted to stay with their father at the hospital. However, Camilla insisted on Shantal to go home and get some rest. She is a patient as well.

She went and took a bath and changed. She laid on the bed thinking of what her sister, Camilla said. 'Is it true that I am In love with Donald?' she thought to herself.

Even if she was, she has to keep that to herself. Donald knows she is his nephew's ex. He wouldn't think of being in a relationship with her. Besides,a man of power, wealth and influence, why would he ever want to be with a commoner like her?

Shantal was in the middle of her thoughts and mixed feelings when she dozed off. Only to be awakened by the warmth of a hand on her forehead.

She was meat with those dark orbs that she was thinking about before she slept.

"Hey." Donald said. A smile crept on his face. "Sorry I woke you up." He added, standing straight and his hands finding their way into his pocket. He has removed his suit jacket and undone two buttons from his shirt.

"What time is it?" Shantal asked.

"It's ten in the evening." Donald answered.

"Oh no. How did I manage to sleep for that long?" Shantal complained while searching for her phone.

She found it and was greeted with several missed calls from Camilla and a text from Kyle.

She ignored that of Kyle and went ahead to call her sister back.

Camilla picked after the second ring. "Where have you been, Shanny?"

"How is dad?" Shantal asked, ignoring Camilla's probing.

"He is fine. He asked about you since he woke up after the surgery. I have been calling but you didn't answer." Camilla explained.

"I will be there soon." Shantal said, getting up from the bed.

"It's late. Why not tomorrow? Besides, he is already asleep now." Camilla explained.

Donald just stood there, waiting for her to finish the call and tell him what was going on.

"Oh oh. Tell him I will be there first thing in the morning. Also tell him I love him." Shantal said with teary eyes.

After ending the call, she got up and immediately gave Donald a hug.

"Th - this wouldn't have been possible without you Donald. Thank you. Thank you so much. I will forever be indebted to you for saving my father's life." Shantal cried into Donald's white shirt.

Donald stiffed for a moment before he finally relaxed. He thought for a second what to do before he caressed her back gently as she sobbed into his chest. A smile crept on his face.

The next morning, Shantal sent a text to her sister saying,

Shantal: (I will be there soon. Donald is coming with me.)

Camilla: (Oh great. I don't have to tell dad you are dating his age mate. You can tell him yourself.)

Shantal only smiled at her sister's response and put the phone away. She got ready to leave for the hospital.