11 Are you doubting me?

"Yeah, sure. You know that I am always ready to help you."

Something happened, and I am just not ready to tell you yet. I didn't pay the rent yet for this month, and the landlady kicked me out. So I would like to ask if I... hmmm..... can sleep.... at your place for a few days If you don't mind.

I say in a hurry.

"Of course you can, Alice. How can you even think I would say NO? Shall I go and pick you up now, or will you come tomorrow yourself?"

Can you pick me up now? I would love that.

I am waiting outside.

"Yes, madam!" He says, and I smile.

He always likes to irritate me.

After a while, I see a car parking in front of me.

That must be Ryan. I say to myself.

Ryan comes out of his car and goes to Alice.

"Let me help you," he says and takes her luggage from her.

Thank you, I say and go in the car.

After a few seconds, Ryan comes into the car.

"Can I ask what happened?"

Can I be selfish and say NO?

Ryan's looks at me and then looks away.

"I can't argue with you anyways," he smiles.

****

Ryan's Pov:

I look at Alice and see that she had fallen asleep.

She looks so cute and peaceful.

I wish I could hug her.

After a while, we are by my house, but I don't want to wake her up.

It looks like she didn't sleep for days.

I look at her, and I notice she didn't change at all.

Ryan goes near Alice and puts her hair at the back of her ear.

He goes closer and closer...

"What are you doing?!!" asks Alice in shock

Ryan moves back quickly.

Nothing! I was just trying to wake you up.

Do you always sleep wherever you are? I ask her to change the topic.

"NO! It is just that I was tired," she says annoyed.

Well, we are here.

"Is that your apartment?"

Yes, WHY?

WOAHHH! It is soo big!! I didn't know you lived here.

What would you have done if you did know? I ask her getting closer.

"UHUM! Well, I am not the friend that is after money."

I am just joking with you.

Come in. It is getting cold outside.

I open the door.

Ladies first! I smile at her.

"Thank you, sir," she smirks and bows at me.

Wow, she is getting used to my teasing.

That is not fun anymore.

"How did you get such a big apartment?"

Did you forget that I am a businessman? I ask her in disbelief.

"Of course not! It is just... I never thought you would be living in this kind of apartment."

Are you saying you never ever thought that I could be this successful?

"No, no. It makes me proud of you. Although you never had someone by your side, I am happy you have come this far, and as a friend, I will support you whenever you need me." She smiles at me.

There goes the word FRIEND again. But I don't want to be friends with you. I want to be more than that.

Do you only see me as a friend?

"Of course. You are like a brother to me. Why do you ask?" she says

No reason. I was just asking.

Let me bring you to your room.

And Ryan goes off while Alice stood there confused.

****

Alice's Pov:

What is wrong with him?

Why would he ask me such a question?

I just push it off and go with him.

"This room on the right is yours. I don't use that room, so I made it a guest room for if my friends come over, they can sleep here."

Ahh! Thanks again for letting me stay for a few days. I promise I will move out as soon as possible.

"You can stay here as long as you want. Just think of it as your own home."

I smile at him and go into the room.

Woahhh, Can this house get any better, and why is it so big? I ask in awe.

"Your room has a bathroom and toilet so you can use them. Freshen yourself up and take a rest. You seem very tired" He gives me a reassuring smile.

I smile at him and close the door behind him.

I turn around.

I throw myself on the bed. It is a king-sized bed.

It is so comfy and soft. I want to sleep here for my whole life.

And without thinking about anything, I fell asleep.

*****

Jonathan's Pov:

I feel so bad doing this to my own daughter.

No matter how much I pressure her to go to her mother, she is just as stubborn as me. When she decides to do something, she will do it till the end!

I am just worried that she will fall behind with her studies and life. She is always here with me, taking care of me, not having time for her friends or herself.

What can I do to make her give up?!

In frustration, I sigh.

"Worried about your daughter?"

I look at the door and see that it is the doctor.

We have been friends since childhood. He became a successful surgeon while I became a manager.

Yeah, I am worried about her. I am just a burden to her. I can't even eat or dress by myself!!

It is hard for me to accept this. I can't do this to Alice.

"Man, I know it is hard, but you have to stray strong for your daughter. She is doing her best for you to give you the best you deserve. Shouldn't you at least try it for the sake of her? You know she is risking her life for you right now!"

I know, man. I am trying, but it is hard to adjust to this new life.

just a few days ago, I was the one that worked for the family and cared for them, and now I am their burden.

"You don't always get the things you want in life. That is how life is. Life takes us wherever it wants, not caring about us, and that is why you have to stay strong for your family. Did Elizabeth contact you?"

No, after accusing me of cheating, she never contacted me. She didn't even let me explain! Maybe she was just using an excuse to leave me, especially after she came to know my condition.

She even tried to take Alice away from me!!

"Look from her side. She came to know that the man she loved her whole life cheated on her. It must have been hard on her too."

Are you saying I am at fault then??

"No, I am just saying that you have to look from her side too."

Let's just stop talking about her.

How is my condition? How long do I have to live?

"Less than a month. We are trying to do everything we can, but you have an IV tumour, and it has spread to other parts of your body. We can't do surgery. All we can hope for is a miracle right now. I am sorry, man. that I can't do more for you."

I can see that he is worried about me.

It is okay. It is not like it is your fault. You have done your best, and I am grateful for that. What is bound to happen will eventually happen, and NO ONE can change that. So I don't expect you to do that either.

"That is true. What is bound to happen DOES happen, but why is the world so unfair sometimes? It favours other people over others. I hate that things happen when we don't deserve it!"

Maybe it is to let us see how much we have and how much others don't have.

Instead of asking questions, we will never get answered. Why don't we change our fate? I look at him.

"How do you want to do that?"

By doing what you want! Doing the things you are happy with and the things that make you peaceful.

"Are you happy then?"

I wouldn't say I was but seeing Alice come here every day makes me think that I am lucky after all.

I have a daughter that cares about me more than her own life. Isn't this what all father's dream off? I smile

"It is, you could say, but all father's wish for them to be happy too. Do you think Alice is happy right now??"

I know she is worried about me. A LOT! And that is why I am trying to fake that I am not afraid of what is coming. I don't want to burden her more than I am already doing.

"YOU, of all people, should know that Alice isn't thinking that way. Whenever I see her, she is always happy and smiles for the sake of you.

She always asks me about your health and if I can do anything for you."

"Dad, are you still doubting me?"