Chapter 18: She vomited

*Chapter 18: She Vomited* 

"Why me?" After thinking for a while, that was the only question Ayla came up with. 

"Why did I decide to become your guardian when I barely know you?" Hayden reiterated her words. 

"Uhm, yeah." Ayla felt embarrassed that her thoughts had been uncovered without a hassle . 

"I like your attitude." Hayden shrugged and said. He did like how polite and respectful she was. Moreover, her attentiveness in class made him drawn to her. He had also fallen for her. How could he not take the chance to get to know her better when it was served on a silver platter?

Ayla's lips twitched when she heard his answer. Was that it? She didn't know if he was being naive or something along that line, but who would trust someone's attitude the moment they saw them?

"Some things can be faked, you know?" She turned and looked at him seriously . She wanted him to stop letting his guard down around him. After all, she had been through a lot, which made her trust no one but herself. 

"Ayla, what's my profession?" Hayden turned serious and asked her.

"You're a professor." She answered with certainty. 

"Then you must know this. I've studied all aspects of psychology, and I can tell a lot of things just by watching. Now, do you still believe someone can fool me?" He explained.

"Uhm, no." Ayla's face had already turned a shade of red. How could she forget that he was a teacher and he knew how to study human behaviour? She was so embarrassed that she wished she could dig a hole and hide. 

"Good, then you have my answer." He reverted back to his carefree nature. Ayla never imagined that he had such a playful side to him. He was ever cold, according to her, from the few interactions they had had before, especially in class.

"I'll go upstairs and change." Hayden excused himself and stood up. He was supposed to head to school, so after he finished having breakfast, he went upstairs to change into official clothes.

"Sure." Ayla nodded at him and stood up. She went to the living room and sat on the couch. She did it carefully so she wouldn't aggravate her wounds. 

As she sat there, sne had the urge to watch television. However, seeing modern television before her, she was confused. She didn't know how to operate it. Growing up, she had only been watching the old school TV. How could she have the knowledge of how to operate this new version. Fortunately, as if she had sensed her confusion, the housekeeper came to her rescue.

"Miss, do you need something?" She asked gently when she saw Ayla's conflicted expression. 

"Sure. Can you please show me how to operate the TV?" Ayla timidly requested. She didn't know how the housekeeper would look at her. Would he mock her for being a country bumpkin? 

"Of course, miss. I would be more than willing." The housekeeper gently smiled at Ayla before she took a seat beside her. 

Ayla raised her head to look at Mrs Anne's eyes. She expected to find disdain and contempt, but all she saw was gentleness and love. This made Ayla startled. Wasn't the housekeeper supposed to loathe her for being a country bumpkin who wished to climb the social ladder by clinging to Hayden ? 

"Okay, so this is how it works." The housekeeper: Mrs. Anne took the remote control from the table and began teaching Ayla. She was very attentive, which made her grasp everything instantly. She thanked the housekeeper before she began scrolling on the channels. 

After she found a programme that fascinated her, she began watching.

An hour later, Hayden walked down the stairs after he was done changing in his bedroom. He was going to bid goodbye to Ayla before he left for school. However, he was shocked to find her asleep on the couch while hugging a pillow. Even though she was asleep, he could see her frowning. He could tell that it had something to do with the ghastly wounds on her body. He placed his briefcase on the table before he went upstairs again. A few minutes later, he returned with a baby blue quilt, which he used to cover Ayla. After making sure her neck was comfortable, he moved back slowly so he couldn't wake her up. After all, he had seen the eye bugs and could tell that she hadn't had any sleep the night before. As he was about to leave, he saw Mrs. Anne emerged from the kitchen. He immediately made a shushing sign to make sure she didn't wake Ayla up. Mrs. Anne looked at Ayla's sleeping figure and instantly understood. The girl was asleep. She sighed. It seemed like her master had finally found a girl he liked. That was great news. Moreover, Mrs. Anne hoped Ayla could find someone who would show her warmth so she could stop being wary of everyone around her.

"Make sure you make her some nutritious soup later." Hayden instructed, his eyes never leaving Ayla's sleeping figure. She was too thin, so he had to nourish her from scratch. One step at a time. 

"Yes, sir." Mrs. Anne said respectfully. Of course, even without his reminder, she would still do it. To her, Ayla was just like her daughter, so she had to take good care of her, especially now that she was sick.

Ayla woke up five hours later and found the housekeeper seated on the couch next to the one she was sleeping on. 

"You're finally awake. " the housekeeper exclaimed happily. 

"How long was I asleep?" Ayla asked groggily . She was still confused.

"Five hours, miss." The housekeeper answered with a smile. 

Heck, she had actually slept that long?

"Oh, here's your soup. Make sure you have it before you take your medicine." The housekeeper passed her a bowl filled with soup and explained.

"Okay, thank you." Ayla thanked her and began sipping the soup from the bowl. It was so delicious that she almost asked for more. 

After she finished the soup, she took the medicine as prescribed by the doctor before she continued watching. However, five minutes later, she suddenly felt nauseous. She couldn't help but run outside while retching. Worried, Mrs. Anne followed her. She found her vomiting in the rubbish bin outside.

"Miss, are you okay?" As she rubbed her back to sooth her, she asked worriedly. 

"Yes, I am fine." After she was done vomiting, Ayla turned to the housekeeper and assured her with a smile. 

Even though she had been assured, the housekeeper went back to the house and called Hayden, reporting everything that had happened to Ayla.

"Why did she vomit even after following your prescription?" Hayden hollered on the phone the moment Graham picked up the call. 

"Calm down. " Graham placated Hayden before he continued. ; "it's because the soup wasn't warm. It was cold when she drank it." He analysed. 

So that was it?

"Got it, thanks." Hayden hung up after getting the answer from his best friend and doctor, Graham. 

He then called the housekeeper and relayed the message. Only then did he feel relaxed. 

In Ayla's room, the two girls, Aurelia and Charlotte, were going nuts. It's been two days since they saw Ayla, and they couldn't help but panic. After all, they had inflicted serious injuries on them.

"Where do you think that bitch went?" Charlotte pulled on her hair in frustrated and asked Aurelia. She was going nuts for real.

"I have no idea." Aurelia frowned and answered. She was also worried. She didn't know what would happen next.

They paced back and forth in the room, not knowing what to do. What would happen to them in case everything was revealed?

"Do you think she went to the police station to report us?" Charlotte suddenly asked. This question made Aurelia's face instantly turn ghastly pale.