CHAPTER SEVEENTEEN

Mary mouthed another word of thanks to her cousin for how she had stood by her that morning. Her mother seeing that, smiled at her daughter reassuringly. She knows how hard all of it must be for Mary. The weight of it all and the pressure to source for fund. She wished she could do something about her illness but it appears this is one thing that is totally out of her grip. 

"I'm sorry to put you in this situation baby girl", she said, cupping Mary's cheeks gently as she placed her forehead to hers.

"No, mum. Don't stay that. It's not your fault at all. Everything is going to be just fine. Infact, I've got some news for you mum. Let me quickly make some payment to the hospital's account and I'll tell you all about it", Mary said her mother. 

She picked her phone to make some transfer from the money Smith had deposited into her account earlier, to the hospital's account. She had gotten the account details earlier when she visited the billing department. She also excused Jennifer to go home, inorder to freshen up and get some rest since she had been the one staying with her mother since she left the hospital this morning. 

Kate became worried as loads of questions went through her mind. She wondered how her daughter was able to lay her hands on the money used to pay her hospital bills. Though she knows she had no reason to doubt Mary's morals in the past, still she feared for the worse.

Mary placed her phone aside after she had completed the transfer, before putting her attention on her mother

"Okay, mum. I know you must be wondering how I got the money"

Her mother nodded in affirmative.

"Yes, my dear. What is going on?" Kate gently asked her daughter.

"Well, I just secured a job mom. I had planned to inform you of it today before the whole incident happened. Do you remember how I went out earlier this week, regarding an appointment I had?" She asked her mother.

"Yes, I remember. I asked you of the outcome but you told me it wasn't certain yet.", Kate replied

"Yes, mom. At the time, I needed to think it through due to the job details and its requirements"

"And now?" Kate asked

"I went there today to accept the job. I'll be a nanny to a child. The pay is attractive because my employer is a wealthy one", Mary finished, trying to buy her mother into it.

"Is it safe baby? Who is your employer? I don't want you putting yourself at risk out there", Kate said, looking worried.

"I'm fine mum. Trust me. I won't do anything that would cause us any harm", Mary assured her mother. 

"For you to know that it is safe and genuine, the man insisted that I must submit a letter granting your approval before he would give me the job mum"

"Really?" Kate asked feeling relieved.

"Yes, he did. So, I'll go prepare it and have you sign it. I'm to resume work on Monday"

Suddenly, a thought came to Kate. 

"But you haven't explained how you got the money dear", She inquired.

"Oh, that! Simple. I just struck a bargain with him after explaining my situation to him, that I would work extra hours if he would give me a part payment of my salary. I believe he's quite a generous man though", Mary concluded.

Kate was not at ease with that. She knows from years of experience working with some wealthy persons, that they eventually seize their employees' weakness and exploit it to their own benefit. She prayed fervently that this would not be the case with Mary's boss. She however kept her fear to herself, so as not to dampen Mary's spirit.

"Okay baby, but please be careful and if you are at any point uncomfortable with the job, do not hesitate to walk away dear", she said instead.

"Okay mom. I will keep that in mind"

Mary released the breathe she had been holding. She feared her plan would go wrong. It was a sweet relief for her when her mother gave her approval at last.

Don't forget you kept some vital information about your job from her. Her subconscious whined.

Mary had no reply to that. She would inform her mother about it in due time. She consoled herself.

Few minutes later, George stepped into Kate's ward with a lady nurse. It was time for his routine check on his patients. He greeted them both with a smile as he went about his duty. Mary stepped aside as he checked Kate's vitals, asked some questions, jotted some things on his note pad. He administered some drugs and injections which he instructed the nurse to carry out at the specified time. When he had completed his task, he stepped out with a promise to check on her later. 

Mary walked him out of the ward.

"Thank you doctor. I really appreciate your help so far", Mary said trying to strike a conversation with George

"Oh, I'm just doing my duty Mary", George replied politely

Mary nodded. 

"Please, if there is anything regarding my mother's health issue that I need to know, I would appreciate it if you don't keep it away from me", Mary urged him

George gave a knowing smile as he gently placed his right hand on Mary's left shoulder.

"Be rest assured, she's in good hands Mary. However, I'll let you know if anything comes up".

Mary returned his smile. 

"Thank you doctor"

"I have to be on my way now", George said before turning to leave.

Mary stood and watched him till he was out of sight.