Chapter 4 A BROWN ENVELOPE

Ava's POV:

"I'll get you something to eat now, what would you like?"

"Erm..." I couldn't think of anything. Food was the last thing on my mind.

"I'm not sure I have enough money to pay for extra services."

"Don't worry, all that has been paid for. You have to eat something right away. You'll be given another shot soon. One that would make you sleep for long."

"The stranger paid?" I asked, and she nodded with a smile.

"Can I thank him?"

"He's left."

She gave me a list of meals available at the hospital's canteen and I made my choice. She came in shortly after and fed me. After taking my medications, I didn't know when I dozed off.

I woke up at almost noon the next day.

"Where's the nurse that was with me yesterday?" I asked the doctor who walked into my ward.

"She'll be here later this evening. How do you feel now?" She asked, walking towards my bed.

"Better than yesterday, thanks."

I turned to the table beside my bed and saw some fruits and water.

"You can have them, they were brought for you this morning," the doctor said.

"By who? I wasn't expecting any..."

"Your friend." Before I could ask any more questions, a nurse called her attention and she rushed out of my ward.

I managed to sit up. After taking some water, I opened my bag to see how much money I had left. To my surprise, I saw my phone fixed. For a second, I thought it was a new phone, but as I swiped, everything was the same except for the screen. It was new, someone repaired my phone.

Later that evening, the familiar nurse from the previous day, nurse Mary came. She explained that the stranger who brought me to the hospital had stopped by early in the morning on his way to work to drop off some fruit and water. He also asked if I needed anything else. When he was told I couldn't contact anyone because of my bad phone, he quickly sent one of his guards to fix and return it.

"Why didn't anyone wake me up or something? I need to thank him."

"Erm..., he said you shouldn't bother about that. But asked that I get your contact if you're willing to give it and he'll reach you later to check on you."

"But why? Well, I'm grateful either way."

"He dropped some money for you, in case he's not able to visit again before you're discharged." She said and handed me a brown envelope.

"Hmm! This is too much from a stranger who doesn't want me to know him yet. I hope he won't show up, asking for something outrageous in return?"

"I doubt it, he's a good man. But that's all I can say about him."

I informed my boss at the bakery and Library about the accident and they sympathized with me.

I called Connor, and he promised to visit me at the hospital once he got into town. Unfortunately, I was discharged before his return, but he sent someone to drop his apartment key with me and told me I could stay there for as long as I wanted.

I was glad, but I knew I had to make alternative plans as soon as possible. I didn't want to live with a man, even though he was my friend.

On the day I was discharged, I took a cab to Connor's apartment. The thought of going to Mrs. Eleanor's place to pick up my clothes came to my mind, but I knew I had to sneak in when everyone was out of the house. I didn't know what lies Lydia would have told her mother who didn't like me, but I didn't want to see their faces. Connor already told me I could wear some of his clothes, the ones that would fit, but I still wanted to try retrieving mine. I didn't want to spend all the cash I received from the stranger on new clothes.

As I approached the gate through a small street beside the house, I heard familiar voices. I hid until the voices seemed distant, when I peeped, I saw the silhouette of a man and a woman kissing, just outside the gate. I recognized them immediately. It was Jackson and Lydia, the cheating duo. I almost lost my life because of them, I had to brace up and move on.

As soon as they went very far away from the gate, I rushed in, packed my bags, and got out.

Thoughts of the scenarios before the accident played in my head repeatedly and I knew I had to distract myself with something, anything. I decided to visit the library to pass the time, after dropping my bags at Connor's place.

I also needed to eat something, so I decided to stop at a Cafe down the road and get myself a cup of coffee and a cake, as a treat.

I deserved a treat after all. I was glad I would no longer submit my salary to Mrs. Eleanor. Even before I moved in with her, she extorted me, saying my mother owed her some money from a business they did together. I had to move in with her after I learned my parents' house was mortgaged. I still don't understand fully what business deal they went into shortly before their demise.

I entered the cafe and the smell of freshly brewed coffee made me smile.

I walked towards the counter and there was a cue, so I joined and waited for my turn.

There were two ladies at the counter. One was taking orders and the other was calling people whose order was up.

"Lydia." I heard the other lady say and my heart sank.

Was it truly Lydia?

No, it could be someone else. Not the one I knew.

I was a bit nervous when I heard that name, I wasn't ready to face her yet.

The next thing I saw was Lydia walking up to the counter to pick up her coffee.

I was almost certain she would cause a scene if she saw me, and I didn't want that.

How did she know I was coming here? Why did she have to show her cunning self in the same place I wanted to relax and have a little good moment?