Chelsy couldn't believe her eyes when she read the message.
Her eyes bulged from their sockets. She sat unblinking, trying to process what she had just read. Chelsy froze on the bed, her muscles locked in a momentary paralysis.
The surprise rendered her momentarily immobile. It took a few seconds before Chelsy could regain her senses.
''What? Did he just text me? Who is this man?'' Chelsy mumbled incessantly to herself. She composed herself and decided to go back to the program she was watching.
The next day, at Rivers Holdings, Erica and her teammates were busy at the office with their various tasks. Cleopatra took a frustrated sigh and said, ''Oh Jeezzz. Chelsy, please get well soon and come back. Now I see her importance in this office. If Chelsy were here she would have finished this in less than an hour. I have been on this for the past three hours, and no major progress.''
Ruben gave a chortle, and said, ''Cleopatra, this serves you right. Chelsy always helps you all the time with your tasks. Now you have to bear the consequences of your lazy ass.''
Cleopatra, scowled. She picked up a sheet of paper, wrapped it into a ball, and threw it at Ruben, ''You idiot. You are such an ass. You had better shut up if you have nothing good to say.''
Ruben couldn't help but cackle. ''Okay, okay. You had better calm down, else, I won't help you out.''
When Cleopatra heard this, she gave a coy smile, and said, ''Of course you have to assist me. We are a team, remember?''
Cleopatra and Ruben are not only teammates, but great friends as well. Erica, who had just returned from her lunch break, said, ''Guys, I will be visiting Chelsy today at the hospital. Would any of you like to come with me?''
Cleopatra shook her head negatively, and said, ''Sorry Erica, but I do have my dental appointment at four pm. So I won't be able to make it.''
Ruben, who was working on his computer, nodded and said, ''Yes Erica. We can both go see her.''
''Which hospital is she at? I am asking so that if I am done with the dentist, and it is still early, I can drop by and see her.'' Cleopatra asked.
''She is at Mount Olives hospital.'' Erica responded.
When the team heard this, their eyes almost jumped out of their sockets. ''What?'' Both Cleopatra and Ruben exclaimed simultaneously.
''Isn't that the hospital owned by the Fitzwilliam group? Mostly, rich and influential personalities go there. A single day spent there will cost you not only an arm and a leg, but it will cost you your entire body.'' Cleopatra exclaimed.
All through, Nicole had been silent, and cussing Chelsy in her thoughts. Ever since the CEO announced that Chelsy would have a week off due to her ill health, Nicole's hatred for Chelsy had tripled. The last straw that broke the carmel's back, was when she heard Chelsy was hospitalized at the Mount Olives Hospital.
She could not hide her envy anymore. She stood up like a wounded lioness. Her nostrils flared as she stared at Erica. She screamed, ''Enough. What is it with Chelsy this, and Chelsy that? Can one not have some peace and quiet?'' She stomped her feet and walked out of the office space and into the bathroom.
She opened the faucet at the sink and dampened her enraged face with some fresh water. She stared in the mirror and muttered to herself, ''That lowlife cheap call-girl. How was she able to get Mister Rivers wrapped around her little finger? I am certain he is the one paying for her medical bills at Mount Olives Hospital. I have done virtually everything in the past three years, to have his attention, but he never spared me a glance. But that social climber came in just a year ago, and he is at her every beck and call. Why is she taking away everything that rightfully belongs to me? I guess it is time everyone saw you for who you truly are Chelsy.''
Nicole gave a wicked smile. She padded her face dry with a paper towel, and walked back to her desk as if nothing had happened.
''Nicole, what was that outburst all about? Are you sure you are not coming down with a mental breakdown?'' Cleopatra snorted at Nicole.
Nicole looked furiously at Cleopatra and retorted. ''What the hell are you looking at? Loser.''
Cleopatra sighed at Nicole and threw more shade at her. ''I can see Chelsy is the bane of your existence. You try so hard to be in her shoes. Or do you think we don't know of your obsession with the CEO? And your constant bullying of Chelsy? Girl, let me give you a little advice. Just fix your attitude a little bit. Maybe then, you might just get the attention of a maintenance staff.''
Nicole was furious. She fired back. ''Cleopatra, you will regret this.''
Back at Mount Olives Hospital, Chelsy was lying on her bed, contemplating whether to reply to Hank's message. Suddenly, the bedside phone rang. When she answered the call, a lady from the reception spoke with a gentle voice. ''Hello miss Powers. This is the reception. There is a certain Miss Erica Langley and Ruben Scott here to see you.''
Chelsy replied with a warm tone. ''Yes please. You can send them up.'' The lady said okay and ended the call.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Erica and Ruben walked in and were flabbergasted when they saw Chelsy's suite. ''Holy smokes. Goodness me. Ruben, are we in the wrong room?'' Erica asked.
Ruben, with his goofy ass, walked in and said in a joking manner. ''Erica, when you are not used to luxurious places like this, you tend to act like a local champion. Girl, when you go to Rome, do what the Romans do, okay?'' He spoke, and walked towards Chelsy.
Ruben was very friendly and threw lots of jokes around the people he was comfortable with. ''Hey Ruben and Erica. Thank you for coming to see me. I have missed you all. Hope everyone at the office is doing great.''
Erica, who was still admiring the luxurious suite, spoke with a big grin on her face. ''Chelsy, this room is giving everything that is supposed to give. How are you able to pay for this place? Is it Mister Rivers taking care of the bills?''
Chelsy didn't want to discuss her personal affairs with Erica and Ruben. As much as they were all teammates and kind to her, she still didn't trust them completely. She knew they had loudmouths and would take things out of proportion.
She had already prepared what to tell them if they asked. She cleared her throat and said, ''Well, one of the charity organizations that I usually volunteer for brought me here. They took care of the bills and every expense.''
The lie was believable because her teammates all knew Chelsy loved attending charity events and even volunteering for some of them during weekends. ''Wow. That is so cool Chelsy. I really envy you girl. Anyway, I am so glad you are getting much better. And lest I forget, do you know Mister Kyle Hastings was fired three days ago?'' Erica spoke with a low voice that sounded like a whisper.
Chelsy's eyes bulged out in surprise. She remembered what Kyle had done to her the previous weekend and asked, ''What? Erica, why was he fired?''
Erica shrugged her shoulders and said, ''I am not quite sure of what he did. But I heard from the grapevine that he messed up with the CEO, and stepped on the toes of someone so dangerous. He has been blocklisted in London.''
When Chelsy heard this, her heart skipped a bit, and she thought to herself. Oh God. I hope I am not the reason he has been repudiated. But wait, it can't be me. Gancarnagh doesn't even know him, and I haven't mentioned him harassing me to anyone, not even Rachel.
Chelsy cleared her throat and said, ''Well, that is sad to hear. I hope he is doing okay though.''
Erica scoffed and replied, ''That serves him right. He has always been so supportive of Nicole. Always making her team win, not because they actually deserved it, but because they were sleeping with each other.''
Chelsy didn't want to engage in the gossip anymore, and said, ''Guys, there are fresh fruits here. You could both have some.''
Ruben, who wasn't interested in Erica's gossip, walked over to the center table and grabbed an apple. They ate and chatted for some time. Erica and Ruben bid goodbye and left.
Doctor Montegue walked in with some papers and spoke with a smile. ''Miss Powers, I guess your time here has come to an end. These are your discharge papers. Ensure that when you get home, you should eat properly, and rest properly, okay?''
Chelsy nodded, and thanked Doctor Montegue. As Doctor Montegue left, Asher walked in, wearing a black suit and spoke with a polite tone. ''Hello Miss Powers. My name is Asher, and I will be your chauffeur for today.''
Chelsy returned the smile and asked, ''Were you sent by Gancarnagh?'' Asher couldn't hold back his smile, and responded. ''Yes ma'am. My boss asked me to take you home.''
He walked over and grabbed Chelsy's bag which was already on the table and said, ''Whenever you are ready, ma'am.''
Chelsy was lost for words, and just nodded. She walked out of the room and into the hallway. They took the lift, which brought them to the underground packing lot. Asher directed her to a jet black luxury car. It was a black Mercedes-Benz S Class. Asher opened the rear door, and ushered Chelsy in.
This was the most luxurious car Chelsy had ever entered in. When they were on their way, Chelsy said, ''Asher, let me give you my address.''
Asher looked in the rear mirror and replied with a smile. ''Don't worry Miss Powers. I know your address. I can find my way.''
Chelsy just nodded. But deep within her, she was having different thoughts and feelings all waiting to erupt like a volcano. She was contemplating asking about Hank. She summed up her courage, and asked, ''Ehm, Asher, can you please tell me more about your boss?''
Asher looked at Chelsy through the rearview mirror, and replied, ''Ma'am, he is a very good and kind man. If you have any more questions, please wait and ask him when he gets back. I am certain he will answer every question.''
Chelsy was already tired of everyone saying he would answer her questions when he got back. She frowned and just leaned back in the car.
They arrived at Chelsy's house, and Asher helped her inside. He bid Chelsy goodbye, and left.
Chelsy was so happy to have returned to her house. ''Oh my, oh my. How I have missed my little house.'' Chelsy spoke while hugging a chair cushion.
Before she could unpack her bag, there was a ring on the door. ''Who could it be at this time?'' Chelsy muttered to herself.
She walked to the door and opened it. There was a middle-aged man standing with a black bag in his hand. ''Hello, Miss Powers, my name is Nathan, and I have brought your dinner.''
Before she could ask who had sent him, her phone chimed in her denim pocket. She took out the phone and a message from Hank read. ''Hello miss fairy. I have instructed my butler, Nathan, to bring you meals until you get better. Take care of yourself and stay safe.''
Chelsy was already tired from the constant surprises coming from Hank. She placed her phone back in her pocket, and collected the bag from Nathan. ''Thank you sir.''
Nathan just bowed and said, ''Please ma. Just call me Nathan.'' Chelsy smiled and said. ''Okay Nathan.'' He smiled back and left.
Chelsy was actually starving. She hadn't had anything to eat since lunch. She opened the bag and there were different varieties of food, most especially vegetables and lean protein meat.
The aroma from the food could wake a sleeping person. She placed some of the food on a plate, and ate until her stomach couldn't take any more food.
She placed the rest of the food in her refrigerator.
Chelsy went into her bathroom, and took a long warm shower and went back to her bedroom. It was almost midnight, and she was contemplating if she should text Hank or not. ''Oh my goodness, Chels. Just text this guy and thank him for the kind gesture, and for taking proper care of you. That is the right thing to do as a grateful human being.'' She muttered to herself.
Chelsy was conflicted between sending Hank a text and not sending him a text. She took a deep breath, and decided to text him. ''Hello gancarnagh. Thank you for bringing me to the hospital when I was sick, and for all the things you have done as well. I appreciate it. Kind regards.''
Chelsy closed her eyes, and pressed send.