Only that way can she truly move on.

"We promised not to ask you till you feel ready to tell us," says Evelyn.

Olivia nods.

"Yeah, so don't feel pressured. You can tell us when you are ready," says Olivia.

I smile at them.

How did I deserve such precious people? I say to them.

"We don't know how we deserve you as well," says Olivia caressing my arm.

I put a few more bites in my mouth.

I am full. I say, moving the table away from me.

"But you didn't eat that much," says Olivia worried.

Uhm, Nathan told me he would bring something for me, so I am waiting for that. I say lying.

"Oh, that is why. I will only let it slide this time," says Olivia taking the things from me.

"Here, I brought orange juice for you," says Evelyn.

But I don't really like orange juice. I say, making a disgusting face.

"I know, but it is good for you," she says, forcing me to drink it.

I drink a little and give it back to her.

I was really feeling nauseous now and felt like throwing up.

I give them a smile thanking them for everything.

After a few seconds, father comes back with Dr Charles.

"So, when can she leave?" asks Evelyn excitedly.

Dr Charles doesn't look at her but walks towards me.

I look weirdly towards Olivia's side, but she just smiles.

"Okay, so you can't leave right now. I still have to take some tests. You will be discharged after a few days, if not a week," he says, smiling.

Do I really have to stay for that long? I ask him.

I wasn't feeling well but didn't want to stay here for so long either.

"Yeah, it is for your own safety," he says, looking at me.

I quickly put my hand on my mouth, feeling the need to vomit.

"Quickly bring that disposable vomit bowl," says Dr Charles screaming at Evelyn because she was closest to it.

I vomit the moment Evelyn gives me the bowl.

Evelyn takes my hair out of my way, gently caressing my back.

"Olivia, can you go and call a nurse for me?" says Dr Charles and Olivia nod leaving quickly.

After a few minutes, I felt better after throwing up.

Dad gives me a water bottle while I slowly wash my mouth with it.

Dr Charles takes the bowl from me and gives it to the nurse.

I give her an apologetic gesture, and she smiles at me.

"Maya, can you bring some Zofran ODT on your way back? I would like it as quick as possible," says Dr Charles.

"Yeah, I will do that," she says respectfully.

"Why didn't you tell me you were feeling nauseous?" asks Dr Charles.

I didn't think too big of it. I say to him.

"Do you have any other discomfort?"

I have a headache and my body is aching.

"That is because you have to rest. If you still feel unwell after taking a rest, tell me immediately," says Dr Charles.

I nod my head.

The nurse comes in, giving something to Dr Charles.

"Here, take this pill. Helps prevent nausea and vomiting. You just have to peel the foil backing off the blister and gently remove the tablet. Place the tablet on top of your tongue as soon as you remove it from the bottle or foil blister pack, and allow it to dissolve naturally. After a short period of time, you can swallow the remaining tablet with your own saliva," he says, giving me the tablet.

I do just as he tells me to.

Do I have to drink water? I ask.

"You don't need water, but if you want to, you can after swallowing it," he says.

After swallowing it, I drink a bit of water, not liking the taste of the tablet.

"Why don't you have a rest, and we will come back later," says dad, smiling at me.

Yeah, I would love that.

Go take a rest and don't worry about me.

I will be fine. I say, trying to lie down.

Dr Charles helped me to lie down while Evelyn helped me put on my blanket.

Their fingers touched, and they started looking at each other.

Was I the only one that felt the tension in this room?

I look at Olivia, and she giggles.

"Dr Charles, I would appreciate it if you could call me every hour to inform me about Mia," says dad breaking the silence.

Dr Charles came back to earth and quickly looked at dad taking his hand back.

"Yeah, leave that to me," he says.

Dad, don't tell Dr Charles to do unnecessary things. I say.

"Nothing is unnecessary if it's about you," he says, kissing me on my forehead.

I smile.

"Okay, we will take a leave but if you need anything, make sure to tell Dr Charles," says father walking to the door.

I nod my head.

"I will come back later," says Evelyn and Olivia nods as well.

I smile, and they leave, closing the door behind them.

After a while, I fall asleep.

*Evelyn's Pov:*

Could you distract dad for me while I talk to Charles? I ask Olivia.

"Yeah, sure. Just don't take too long," she says, smiling.

Yeah, yeah, just distract him. I say to Olivia.

"Mr Mason, shall we call uncle Robin or a taxi?" she asks while winking at me.

"Let's call a taxi," I hear my father say.

Hey, can we talk? I ask him, unsure of everything.

"Yeah, let's do that. Shall we go somewhere quiet?" Charles asks me, and I nod.

We go into the lift, and he clicks on the last floor.

I play with my fingers nervously.

I don't know why he was avoiding me.

After a while, we arrive, and we go off.

He walks to a bench and sits on it.

I sit next to him.

So... We say at the same time.

"You go first," he says.

I smile and look down at my fingers.

Did I do something wrong last time? I ask quickly, afraid of the answer he will give me.

"No, of course not," he says, turning to me.

Then why were you avoiding me just now? I ask, looking at him now too.

"Because I am scared of the reality. What if your father won't like me? What if society won't accept us because of our age gap?" he asks, looking me in the eyes.

I smile, looking at him.

So you didn't avoid me because you don't like me?

"No, I love you," he says.

I could see him blushing.

You don't have to worry about dad.

He loves you, and I am sure he already knows that I love you too.

We look each other in the eyes.

This time it was me that was blushing.

"You think so?" he asks me, unsure.

Yeah, of course.

And why would you worry about what society says?

You are one of the best doctors at such a young age. It is me that doesn't deserve you. I say.

He laughs.

"Are you sure? You may get a lot of hate," he says.

Yeah, I am more than sure.

Don't worry, I will talk to dad.

"It is better if I talk to him. After all, I am the one that wants to date his daughter," he says, smiling lightly.

Really? I ask him while putting him in a hug.

I was smiling from ear to ear.

He slowly hugs me back.

"Yeah, let's do that," he says.

I let go of him.

So does this mean that you are my boyfriend? I ask him, blushing.

"Of course, girlfriend," he says, smiling.

Well, boyfriend, I have to go back now before dad starts asking me questions. I say.

"Yeah, you should do that. I will make sure to talk to your dad after Mia gets better."

Oh, yeah, about Mia, don't you think she should talk to a therapist? I ask.

"I know, but pushing won't make anything better. We have to give Mia more time and make sure to be there for her," says Charles.

I know.

I am just apprehensive about her.

Maybe she was saved this time, but what if no one notices it the next time she does it?

"I know. That is what scares me, too, but we have to trust Mia. We can do nothing for her if she doesn't open herself to us. She has to accept her past to make it stop haunting her. Only that way can she truly move on."

You are right. I say, sighing.

"Don't worry about her. I will keep an eye on her for the time being," he says, putting me in a hug again.

Yeah, thanks for that.

I don't know what I would do without you. I say, hugging Charles tightly.

"That is what soulmates are for. To never make each other feel alone," Charles says, breaking the hug and gently kissing me on my forehead.

I smile.

Then, I will see you later after I come back to check on Mia. I say, standing up.

"Sure. Let me bring you back," says Charles while intertwining our hands.

*Olivia's Pov:*

"Where is Evelyn?" asks Mr Mason.

Uhh, she went to the bathroom. I say, giving him an awkward smile.

"What is taking her so long?" he asks, annoyed.

Umm, maybe it is that time of the month. I say, shrugging my shoulders.

"She is with Dr Charles, right?"

Aduh. I say.

In a second, I realized what I had done and put my hand on my mouth in shock.

Mr Mason laughs.

I wasn't supposed to say that. I say, still in shock.

If Evelyn comes to know this, then I will be dead.

"Don't blame yourself. I already suspected it by the way they were acting," he says, smiling softly.

Really? I ask.

"Yeah. I also know they love each other."

No way! I say in shock.

"I know a lot of things," he says proudly.

Never doubted that! I say in sarcasm.

He laughs.

Really, he is one of the best dads I have ever seen.

"By the way, how is your mom doing?" he asks me, worried.

I look down.

She is still the same.

She isn't happy about me not going to college.

She thinks she is the one that is ruining my life.

"And what do you think?" asks Mr Mason gently.

I smile a little.

My mom used to work several jobs so that I could go to school and be able t have the things that other kids did.

I always felt like I wasn't doing anything for her.

Although this is a hard time for us, I am happy that it is my turn to be able to help.

"I understand her. It is hard to see your child struggling and unable to do anything."

He stops talking and thinks for a few seconds.

Okay, don't worry about studying. We are offering apprenticeships to a few students. It would be fantastic if you want to try out for that. After you finish your training, then you can work in the company," he says, smiling.

Really?

Are you sure? I ask in happiness.

"Yeah, of course. Your mother was one of my great friends, so you were always like a daughter to me," he says, smiling.

Thank you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I say, putting him in a hug.

"But!" he says.

I let him go.

"You must do your best and show them who you are!"

Of course.

How can I let such an opportunity go to waste?

"That is the spirit I want."

"What are you guys soo happy about?" asks Evelyn walking to us.

I am gonna start studying again. I say to Evelyn, smiling from ear to ear.

"No way! Really?" she says.

Yes! I say, and she puts me in a hug.

"I am so happy for you. I am sure you will do great."

Thank you, bestie.

"We have to go now. The taxi driver has been waiting for a long time," says Mr Mason.

Evelyn and I look at each other and laugh.