chapter 6

  I knocked on Carlson’s residence door. Checking my outfit. I was wearing a casual green sundress that stopped on my knees. The door opened. It was their helper Nina who welcomed me.

        “Good evening, Kathy! Please come in! Belinda is waiting for you” she happily greeted me

        I smiled and mouthed her thank you. I was about to walk to the dining room when Nina spoke again.

        “Oh, Kathy!, this way, please,” she said, leading me to the second floor. I frowned and asked her, “Uhm, upstairs?” Is Belinda okay? Is she sick? I was puzzled.

        “Oh, my bad! Mrs. Carlson wants you to go straight to her room.” Nina spoke, sensing my thoughts. I frowned.

        “She has asked me to prepare the food on the porch and send you there.” She explained.

        Wow!, that’s strange. Dinner supposed to serve at the dining hall.

         “Okay, thank you” I walked upstairs and looked for the room with big white double doors. I was baffled. Was this something important? And where were Jack and Miles? Were they going to be there too or just us?

        My inner thoughts answered when Masters bedroom door opened wide.

        “Hello, sweetheart, please come in,” Belinda greeted and hugged me. I stepped inside and looked around the room. It has been renewed and way so different from the last time I remembered how it looked in the past.

        She led me straight outside to their big balcony. The area was well-lighted and looked magnificent. The view was entirely overlooking their backyard garden and swimming pool. Moonlight overshadowing the water, making it glow and bright.

        “It's lovely here, Belinda,” I said in amazement

        “Thank you, sweety, are you hungry?’ She asked me enthusiastically

        “Uhm, not really, but I’ll be soon” I smiled then I gazed around and found the table full of food. My smile faded away as I noticed there were only two chairs next to the table.

        “Come, sit down and eat,” Belinda told me. I followed her lead and sat down on the chair opposite her.

        Belinda felt the confusion immersing in me about what was happening.

        “Let's eat first, Kathy. I just want to talk to you. I just missed you,” Belinda assured me.

        “I missed you too, Belinda!” I smiled at her

        I didn’t feel famished until I started eating the food Nina prepared for us. It was so great that I forgot how tensed I was. Belinda and I talked about my job and her holiday stay in the UK. Nothing brought up much on the topic. Jack was currently in California to take care of some of the businesses.

        Nina took away our plates and served our dessert and wine.

        I was enjoying myself with the glass of wine when Belinda spoke to me.

        “Kathy?”

        “Yes?”

        “Can I ask you something?”

        “Shoot!” I said before sipping my wine

        “How much do you love my son?”

        What? I choked and started coughing, the alcoholic liquid went on the wrong pipe. I was bewildered by her question. How much do I love his son? With all my heart of course but I didn’t say it. I couldn’t since I was busy coughing out the wine. My throat was sore. Belinda went to me, patting my back.

        “I’m sorry, are you okay?” While she was rubbing circles on my back. Of course, I wasn't; her question caught me off guard!

        I waved my hand as I felt better. I took the table napkin and wiped my mouth. Belinda gave me a glass of water and drank it. It relieved my sore throat after almost choking out my life from the wine. She asked me again if I was okay. I just nodded. I composed myself and looked at her.

        “Why did you ask me about it?” my voice was still hoarse.

        “About what?’’ she frowned. She was acting as if she didn’t surprisingly attack me.

        “The one that you asked me before?” now I was the one frowning.

        “Oh, yeah, I’m sorry, I know you like my son since you were kids, and as a mom, I have always wanted the best for him. I can see it in your eyes every time you look at him. I know you treated each other as siblings,” Belinda told me as if it was just a natural thing to say.

        Of course, I liked Miles, scratch that I loved him. I loved him silently, even if he can’t return the feelings I have for him.

        “but as a dying wish, will you take care of my son by marrying him?” Belinda continued

        “What?!, what do you mean, dying wish?” I was beyond shocked by what she uttered. She just smiled at me.

        “Please tell me your Joking, where’s the camera?” I looked around, trying to find a camera around me. If this was a practical joke, I do not like it.

        Belinda held both of my hands “I’m not joking Kathy, I’m dying. I have cancer” I can see the sadness in her eyes. No way this woman in front of me was going to leave me soon. She was too young for that, plus she seemed healthy and fit.

         “I found out while I was in the UK, you’re the first person to know, not even Jack, not even Miles.” She sadly said

        “No, please don’t say it. Maybe it’s not yet too late, I can speak to my Mom, she’s a doctor, she could still help you.” I cried.

        “The doctors told me there’s still a chance for me to survive it, but it is so little, I don’t want to jump into treatment knowing there’s nothing for me to live on” she continued

        “No!, you’ve got Jack and Miles, and also me, please don’t lose hope, we still need you, please consider the treatment.” I pleaded to her. Giving up wasn’t the answer. She still has us, her family.

        She held my hands tightly, “If I ask you to marry my son, will you consider it?” I was bewildered, even if I agreed, I don’t think Miles would agree to his Mom proposition.

        “Maybe yes, I don’t know, he doesn’t love me, so how will you even convince him for us to get married?” I asked her. I was still puzzled.

        “I will convince him.”

        “Belinda, this is wrong,” I objected “if you want to see Miles get married before, God forbid, you go. Why not ask him to marry the one he loves” I swallowed hard, it was paining me to think that Miles belonged to someone.

        “I don’t want anyone for him, but you, Kathy.” She appealed. “I know he’s dating, but I don’t and never trust that woman” I can see the irritation from her eyes. I knew who she was pertaining to.

         “Besides, she was the reason why your dearest brother was not here anymore,” I gasped. I didn’t expect her to say that. I didn’t think she had any idea what happened in the past.

        “I don’t know why Miles is still attached to her, I never trusted her, I don’t know what’s the real score between her and My son, but I do not like it.”

        “Ohh, Belinda,” I hugged her tight “Please consider the treatment, we still need you,” I begged her

        “Please think about what I told you. I only want you and no one else for my son. I’d rather die than see him ruining his life with that woman, Please help me, Kathy,”  she cried

        I didn’t answer her. I was clueless; there was a lot to take in.

        I broke the hug and asked her, “When are you going to tell them about your condition?”

        “I’ll tell them soon, but please don’t tell anyone about it. Let’s keep this secret for the meantime.” She requested. This secret would give me a burden while keeping it.

        I nodded, “Please let them know soon, so we can plan whatever treatment you will be needing.” I demanded. Time is running out, and as a nurse, I knew how it was going to be. Cancer wasn’t an ordinary battle to fight, so severe that shouldn’t be shrugged away.

        “I will, sweetheart. But you must think about what I've offered you.” She smiled at me.

        I left their house with a heavy heart. Everything was overwhelming me. How could she ask me the impossible? Even if I love her son, there was no guarantee that Miles will love me back. He has Nadia and seemed happy with her. Plus, we can’t get married quickly, and an arranged marriage was not what I hoped for life.

        I went inside my car and drove off. I couldn’t think straight. Even if my body was crying to rest, my brain didn't want to. I drove around. Maybe my mind will help me think straight. Knowing the person I love was giving up her battle, I just couldn’t rest. Miles needed to know this soon, but I promised his mom that I wouldn’t tell a soul and it was breaking me. I did not agree with her condition yet, but I don’t know if Miles would agree with her too.

        “AHHHH!!” I shouted, tugging my hair up. My head was on limbo. I was so glad that the traffic light was red. Nobody would see my frustrations; I was entangling my life with. I looked at my phone and saw miscalls and messages from Josh. I was about to call him back, but I decided not to, I knew I needed someone to talk with but talking to him might give away the secrets that I should keep for a while, I just sent him a short message telling him I was already in my bed and dead.