Chelsy was having lunch in her hospital room, when a nurse walked in with a bouquet of orange, white and blue tulips for her.
''Greetings Miss Powers. You have got a delivery.''
Chelsy thanked her with a broad smile on her face. She took out the note which came with the card, and read it out loud. When she realized the flowers had come from Hank, the quiet gancarnagh, she was stunned. Her fingers twitched with nervous energy, as her hands trembled uncontrollably. The unexpected gesture by Hank had sent shock waves through her entire being.
She clutched her chest as she could feel her heart beating, with each beat leaving a thunderous echo.
Her eyebrows shot up, forming a high arch of astonishment. ''What? These came from the quiet gancarnagh? How did he know these are my favorite flowers, and most especially my favorite colors?'' Chelsy mumbled to herself.
Her emotions were a combination of fright and anticipation. Was it the fear of what she felt, or the anticipation of what Hank was up to?
She had just taken a few spoons of her meal, and suddenly felt full. She stood up, took the flowers to her bedside, and placed them in a glass vase.
She couldn't fathom what had happened and needed to talk to someone. She took out her phone, and dialed her best friend's number. When the call got connected, Rachel's voice, filled with excitement, echoed through the phone. ''Hey baby girl. You remembered me today.l, huh?''
Chelsy gave a chuckle and replied, ''Come on sis, you are on my mind twenty-four seven. It's just that we both have become so busy with our jobs that we don't get to talk every day.''
''Chels, yes we do have our jobs, but we promised to talk to each other if not every day, at least every other day. But it has been four good days, ma'am. I called you two days ago, and you didn't return my call. Wait a minute. Did you get a new best friend? If so, I am taking the next available flight to London. I will make sure I pull the girl by her pubic hair. I can't share my best friend with anyone.'' Rachel spoke with a playful tone.
Chelsy could not help but laugh out loud. ''Rach. You are indeed crazy. Who would be able to accept me as a best friend with my silly attitude? Don't worry, only you can tolerate my stupidity. Remember you are the yin to my yang.'' They both laughed out hysterically.
The only people Chelsy could actually be her true authentic self with were her brother Leonel, and her best friend Rachel.
''Rach, I miss you so much, and wish you were here.'' Chelsy's voice had a tinge of sadness in it. ''Me too, Chels. Wolverton is not the same without you. Anyway, I have a few days off in two months' time. I will come over to London and spend some time with you, okay?''
Chelsy's eyes glistened with excitement. ''Really! Rach? I am so glad, and can't wait for you to be here. I will start counting the days.''
''Don't be silly Chels. Anyway, how are you? And how are the preparations for your company's event coming? I know it is definitely keeping you so busy.'' Rachel inquired.
Chelsy took a deep breath and replied, ''Rachel, there is something I would like to share with you, and would want your honest opinion. I am in the hospital right now.'' Chelsy knew that, Rachel was the only person that would call a spade a spade, and not a long spoon. She knew that Rachel would point out anyone's wrongdoing without fear or favor.
When Rachel heard this, she gasped, and asked with her voice resonating with fright. ''Chels, are you okay? Are you sick? Why are you in the hospital?''
Chelsy could feel a headache coming due to the incessant questions coming from Rachel. ''Rach, calm down, okay? I am fine. It is not that serious. I just had a malaise. And the doctor says I am fine, and should rest for a few days. That's all. So don't get all worked up.''
Rachel, who had been holding her breath, let out a loud sigh and said, ''Chels, you gave me a fright. My heart almost jumped out of my chest. So what is it that you want my opinion on?''
Chelsy cleared her throat and said, ''Rach, you remember the guy I mentioned I had met while taking the three-day camping trip on mount Halo, right? Guess what, he is here in London. And you can't imagine what happened.''
Rachel couldn't help but listen with so much anticipation. ''Then what happened Chels? Please don't keep me waiting. Just spill it out already.''
Chelsy went ahead to narrate everything that had happened, from Hank bringing her to the hospital, putting her in an expensive hospital suite, and sending her a bouquet of her favorite flowers and favorite colors.
''Holy cow. Chels.'' Rachel squealed with joy.
''How did he find you?'' Rachel asked.
''Rach, that is the point exactly. I don't know how he found me. I don't even know if I should be scared or excited. How could he afford all this luxury, like paying for my hospital bill, and even asking my boss to give me a whole week off? What if he is some drug cartel leader, or some kind of spirit for real?
Rachel couldn't help but laugh at her best friend's fretful worry. ''Come on Chels. Don't be so melodramatic, okay? I don't think he is someone from the underworld, nor some kind of bad guy. You said your boss told you all your questions would be answered in due time, right? So just enjoy the pampering at this point, and worry about the rest later. The most important thing right now is your health. Focus on getting better soon. I am sure this gancarnagh guy of yours will give an explanation whenever he comes. Just chill girl.''
Chelsy let out a big sigh, and said, ''Thanks for always being my-to-person Rach. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have you in my life.'' Chelsy spoke with her voice cracking with a tinge of sadness.
''Hey Chels. I hope you are not trying to cry right now. Just gather those tears, and shove them down your throat.''
Chelsy couldn't help but give a little cackle. ''Rach, why can't you let me be emotional for a second?''
They both laughed. They spoke for a few more minutes, and said goodbye.
Chelsy's mood became much better after speaking with her best friend. The worried sensation she had was gone.
Chelsy picked up the remote control, and played one of her favorite channels; National Geographic. A documentary about sea creatures was on. There was a sudden knock on the door.
She asked the person to come in. When the door slowly opened, Daniel walked in with a fruit basket and a get well soon card.
''Greetings Chelsy.'' Daniel walked in with a warm smile. Chelsy stuttered and replied, ''Gree, greetings Sir Rivers. What brings you here?''
Daniel's eyebrows were raised with surprise. ''I thought there was a patient here called Chelsy Powers. Or am I in the wrong room?''
Chelsy gave a little laughter and said, ''I am sorry Mister Rivers. That was a silly question for me to have asked. Please come in.''
Daniel smiled and said, ''I can see you are feeling much better now. You can stop calling me Sir Rivers when we are out of the office, okay? Just call me Daniel.''
Chelsy didn't feel comfortable calling him that. She remembered what Kyle had done, and how he had harassed her. She shook her head and said, ''Sorry sir, but I can't call you by your first name. You are my boss, and I should accord you that respect.''
Daniel gave a little chuckle and said, ''If that will make you comfortable, it's okay. But I know the time will come when you will call me just Daniel.''
He moved across the room, and placed the basket of fruits on the glass table by the sofa. When he saw the flowers in the vase, he said, ''Those are beautiful flowers you have got. Are they from your secret admirer again?''
Chelsy forced a smile, though her inner turmoil betrayed her. Her smile was not genuine, and Daniel had noticed it. She stuttered and said, ''Oh! No Sir Rivers. They are from a friend.''
Chelsy felt so stupid for acting like a complete idiot. Daniel nodded and said, ''I see. Your friend has indeed got a good eye for beautiful things.'' He walked back to his original position.
He put his hands in his pockets, and said, ''Chelsy, I know there are so many questions running through your mind right now. You must be wondering what is going on. Don't worry, you are in safe hands. When your friend comes back, he will explain everything to you. But for now, just know you are in safe hands, okay?''
Chelsy lifted her head and looked at Daniel. ''Sir Rivers, please tell me. Do you know the quiet gancarnagh? Is he a drug cartel, a person from the underworld or some kind of spirit?''
When Daniel heard this, he couldn't help but laugh out so loud. ''Oh Chelsy, you are so cute. So you actually call him gancarnagh, huh?''
He gave another hysterical laughter. ''Don't worry. He is not a criminal nor some kind of cartel leader. He is a very good guy. I know him so well and can vouch for him. He is one of the coolest people anyone can ever meet. So don't worry. Anyway, I dropped by to check on you. The doctor says you will be discharged tomorrow. Someone will come pick you up tomorrow, and take you home, okay?''
Chelsy protested and said, ''No Mister Rivers. It is okay. I will take a taxi back home.''
''Chelsy, I don't want your Gancarnah friend chopping off my head when he returns. He specifically instructed a chauffeur should take you home tomorrow. I will be on my way now. Take care and good night.'' Daniel spun around, and left the room.
Chelsy was still in an aghast state. Who is this gancarnagh, that even my boss is scared of him? Chelsy thought to herself.
As she sat thinking to herself, her phone chimed with a notification, indicating she had an unread Watsapp message. She picked up her phone from the bedside table and looked at who had sent her a message.
It was a number that had not been registered on her phone. She opened the message, and it read, ''Hello mountain fairy, this is the quiet gancarnagh. I hope you are feeling much better today. Ensure you rest well and don't skip your meals. I am sure you are wondering how I got your number. Don't worry, I dialed my number on your phone. I know this should be a lot for you to take in. I will explain everything when I get back in four weeks' time. Take care of yourself, and see you when I get back.'' Chelsy's mouth was agape when she read the message.