False Pretenses 10

Ise watched as kitty slept peacefully in the huge bed. She’d had a rough night and needed the rest, he

made as little sound as possible as he came into the room, closing the door behind him.

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Last night had been crazy for her, he hoped she’d feel better tis morning when she awoke.He’d been by

her side in a flash when he’d seen her lean on his car for support, obviously getting some really bad news

on the other end.

Putting two and two together from the conversation he had been hearing, he’d surmised it had been her

mom.

He’d watched as the emotions had played out on her face, she’d been hit really bad, her mom was in a

coma, they weren’t sure as of then what was wrong but she was in a critical state.

After she’d ended the call, she’d totally broken down. The tears had started slowly at first and then the

sobs had followed.

Ise knew he had to step in, he couldn’t have left her in the state she’d been in, that would have been

callous.

He’d taken her in a hug while she’d held on to him for support and strength. Sobbing uncontrollably into

his shirt while he’d cooed soft words to her. He could relate with her pain.

Four years ago his father had suffered a mild cardiac arrest and he could recall the pain he’d gone

through. It was painful when a loved one was hurt and there was nothing one could do to help.

He’d held her that way for a while, not sure for how long. He could tell she was too sad and in shock to

function so he’d taken her home- his home since he obviously didn’t know hers and had settled her in

the guest room of his private residence on the family estate.

It was about 7.30 am. and she was now stirring on the bed. Her phone was ringing again, he picked it up

from the dresser.

‘Stanley’ was the name on the screen. He carried it toward her.

She was so pretty and calm when she slept, why couldn’t she be this calm when she was awake? She had

to be up to something all the time, causing or looking for trouble and he seemed to be stuck with her.

He’d resigned to fate now, since it seemed he couldn’t shake her off him. He wasn’t sure but it seemed

like something was keeping them together also he was quite sure there was still hope for her yet, she’d

actually gone into Ola’s room, seen the wristwatches and not taken any one of them, maybe she wasn’t

all bad after all.

Her eyes opened as the phone, which he carried got closer to her, she suffered a moment of confusion

on seeing him before seeming to recall where she was and the events of the evening before.

Taking the phone she murmured her thanks.

“Stan.” She said and listened to whatever Stan was saying.

He perched on the dresser and watched her, gathering as much information as he could from her end of

the conversation.

“She’s conscious…..okay, a tumour? Oh my God!…..Do you need me to come down?….have you spoken

with her?…okay, okay, that’s good….I’ll see what I can do about the bills but frankly I’m dead broke….

We’ll have to use Dafe’s fees first….yeah, I know he won’t be happy but what can we do?…yeah… Please

give her my love, I’ll call you later…bye.” She hung up, exhaled the breath she’d been holding before

looking up at him.

“Hi.” She said giving him a wan smile. He guessed she still felt crappy.

“Hey.” He replied “any good news?”

She shrugged “sort of but not really, she’s regained consciousness but they found a tumour in her brain,

she has to have surgery and then they have to test if it’s cancerous.”

“Still not out of the woods yet then.” He mused and she shrugged as she moved to sit on the edge of the

bed.

“Life can be a bitch.” She replied “one blow after another.”

He looked at her, such a heavy burden on her shoulders “how you feeling now?”

“Shitty.” She replied as she massaged her temples.

He had to smile, the girl was something else.

She got up “Look, let me freshen up and then I promise to be out of your hair forever, and as for your

diamond stuff, I’ll get it to you by monday, just let me know where to drop it off.”

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This took him by surprise, he didn’t expect her to leave so soon “hey, hey, why you in a hurry to leave?”

He found himself asking.

She shrugged ” I have no reason to be here. You helped me out last night when I was beside my self with

grief and I’m really grateful for your help but I don’t want to overstay my welcome. So I’ll clean up and be

on my way.”

He shook his head, looking at her “I want to be sure you’re okay before I let you out of my sight, you

were in really bad shape last night. Stay a while longer. Have breakfast first at least.”

He saw the idea of breakfast sounded good to her but she was still looking reluctant.

“Please, I beg and insist.” He added.

She shrugged indifferently but he saw a slight smile on the corner of her mouth “okay, since you’re

begging, I’ll stay for breakfast.” She told him as she opened the door to the bathroom.

He smiled as he shook his head, but he was happy she was getting back to her usual self. The girl was

something else.

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