CHAPTER 3 [Her Brother]

As soon as the day ended I quickly collected my stuff and went out of the building. I was walking slowly towards the bus station contemplating whether to visit my mother again or not. They were supposed to do some major tests which were going to decide if the surgery will work or not. While I sat on the bench waiting for the bus, I took out my phone to check that if my brother visited her or not. And for sure I had received a message from him saying he had already visited my mom and was waiting for me on Dinner. I smiled. How did I got so lucky to have a brother like him? When the bus arrived I boarded it.

When I entered in the house, the delicious aroma of my brother's cooking filled me up, making my stomach rumble. Sensing my arrival, my brother scurried out of the kitchen to greet me. I gave him an exhausted smile.

"Oh my dear! You look completely drained. Go on quickly, freshen up. I'll set up the table for dinner." Carter, my brother exclaimed looking at my worn out face. Nodding my head in approval I quickly went up the stairs to change in to some comfortable clothes. Although I just wanted to fall on my bed and sleep but I was starving.

The dinner was already set when I got down; Carter was waiting for me to come.

"So how was your first day at work?" he asked as he served me pasta. I wasn't in the mood to argue with him for letting me serve myself so I just let him do that.

"Tiring." I stated while yawning. I wasn't in the mood to talk much. I wanted to tell my brother that I got harassed by my own boss on the very first day but I couldn't. I can not worry him. He is already against me working in that company or working anywhere in general.

"I told you not to work. I am working and that's enough. You are my responsibility. I will take care of you. I told you already you should focus on your career and not the money. I will manage." He grunted disapprovingly with the shake of his head. He wanted me pursue my dreams but if I do that I won't be able to support him and right now we need quite a lot of finance for mom's surgery.

"You are already working in 2 part time jobs. And I know if I didn't take up that offer uncle generously offered, you were already looking for a third job. I can't let this happen. We promised that we will be each other's support until mom comes back home. And when she does I will pursue my dream career. No more discussion on this topic. Tell me how your day today was?" I retorted. I didn't want to discuss this topic any further. My job is paying a lot. And right now mom's health is the most important. I can't lose her like I lost…Dad. Without realizing a treacherous tear rolled down my cheek which I quickly wiped away.

The rest of the dinner went by in a blur with both of us talking about mom's health. The doctors said she is stable but she is suffering from a Locked-in syndrome. Which is good news as she can actually hear us and she is conscious of her surrounding but she cannot give any kind of response as her body is in a state of paralysis. The doctors gave us hope that after a major surgery she will get back to her normal life. But it is very risky. But I am ready to go to any extent to save her.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

She was running late already. How can she sleep in. Just yesterday she promised Mr. Harrison she won't be late anymore. She wasn't used to of getting this early in the morning. She hurried in the kitchen to see his brother already making breakfast for her.

"Sorry bro! I don't have time for breakfast I am already running late." She said as she took out the carton of milk and poured herself a glass. Within a second she gulped it down.

"No! Even yesterday you left without eating anything. You need the energy to work. I won't let you go with an empty stomach." He glared at her and she cowered. Obediently she sat down on the chair as her brother brought her favorite blueberry pancakes with whipped cream. She gobbled everything up and stood up to say Good Bye to her brother.

She ran out of the house praying for the bus to still be there. And luck was on her side as she saw the bus and got on board.

She smoothed down her skirt as she entered the building calmly opposite to the rash running she did in heels to reach her office on time. She cursed the person who said that heels are formal wear and need to be worn in office.

She reached her cabin and settled down to start her work hoping not to see Mr. Travis again. A pile of files were already waiting for her. She quickly opened her laptop and started checking for any emails. Halfway through her work, she heard a knock on her door. Muttering a soft 'come in' she closed the file to look at the person who entered her cabin. Her eyes widened in disgust and shock as she saw the girl, Tessa, Mr. Travis's secretary standing there. And the same girl whom she walked in on making out with Mr. Travis yesterday.

'What is she here for?' she thought.

"Yes?" Evelyn asked the woman in a stiff voice.

"Mr. Travis told me to inform you that you will be accompanying him for the meeting. So please meet him in his office at 10:30. He will guide you what the meeting is about." Tessa gave me a tight smile and walked out of the cabin, leaving her perplexed.

'SAY WHAT NOW?' She mentally groaned. 'Why is her life so miserable?' She cried while banging her head on the table. She knew she was doomed.