WAS POSTPONED

THE NEXT MORNING...

"Marcus, you will be fine!" Denyse comforted Marcus who was now sitting on a wheelchair.

"I.. I am not a-afraid anymore, Mami."

Zoe smiled and patted the little boy's head, "I know you are a brave big boy already."

"Mami said that Marcus will just sleep and let the doctors treat him," Vegas uttered, "you will not be in pain, Marcus."

"Yeah, that's right. Just pray before you fall asleep, little Marcus."

"I will, Mami. Thank you everyone for coming here with me," Marcus shyly mumbled.

"We will wait for you to come back so we can already play!"

"Yes, I will play all day with you after the doctors treat me!"

Zoe watched as the kids assured Marcus that his operation will work out fine.

They were in front of one of the best children's hospitals in Texas and the kids wanted to send Marcus here so Zoe let them.

The male nurse who was holding Marcus wheelchair said, "Miss Zoe, we will bring Marcus inside now to prepare him."

Zoe nodded and faced the children, "Kids, little Marcus will go inside the hospital now. Pray for his successful operation, okay?"

"Bye Marcus! God bless you!"

"Let's go inside, baby," Marcus' mother said in a gentle voice while stroking her son's hair.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter, Marcus' parents were also there to accompany the child. The couple were always out of town because of their job that's why Marcus is under the Angels' Haven care.

"Mami..." the little boy called Zoe.

"I will go after you, little Marcus. Go inside with your mom and dad first," Zoe assured the kid.

Marcus nodded and held her mother's hand. The male nurse lead them inside the hospital and the kids waved their hands at Marcus.

"Nurse Wendy, I'll leave the kids with you at the shelter. I will stay here with Marcus until his operation is done."

"Of course, Miss Zoe. Do you have anything you need? I can get it for you first."

"I'm okay, Nurse Wendy. Please bring the children back so they can already rest."

Nurse Wendy nodded, "Yes, Miss Zoe."

The two of them helped the childen to get inside their service van and when everything's fine, Zoe bid goodbye to the kids and watched the vehicle drove away.

She immediately went inside the hospital and one security accompanied her to the operating room to avoid ruckus inside. While on the way, people can only greet her and took pictures of her from afar which she also gave them a smile.

Zoe was thankful that the people in the hospital were understanding and didn't invade her personal space.

When they reached the floor where the surgery will be held, Marcus is already in his hospital gown and lying on the stretcher. His parents were talking to him.

"Mami!" The kid called as soon as he saw Zoe.

Zoe walked towards him and asked, "You ready, little Marcus?"

"I am ready, Mami. I want to be cured," Marcus looked at her with hopeful eyes.

"Oh, baby... you will be cured. I promise."

Zoe requested for the best pediatricians to perform Marcus' open-heart surgery and she was confident that they will take care of him in the operating room.

"Mami, can I have a hug from you?" Marcus asked while looking at her with his round eyes.

"I don't think I can, little Marcus. You don't want some germs coming with you inside the operating room."

"How about a small kiss here, Mami?" Marcus pointed his forehead, "I think I will feel braver if you give me one."

Zoe looked at the nurse assisting the child, asking if it's okay and the nurse gave her a smile and nod.

"Alright, if that will make Marcus feel better."

Zoe leaned down and gently kissed the child's little forehead, "Did that made you braver?" She asked as soon as she retreated.

Marcus smiled widely, "Yes, Mami. Thank you."

"Good. See you soon, little Marcus," Zoe grinned.

"Wait for me here, Mami, mom and dad!" Marcus said with high spirits.

"We will, baby." Marcus' parents replied.

After that, Marcus was brought inside the operating room. Then a group of physicians followed.

"We will do our very best, Mr. and Mrs. Walter, Miss Zoe," Dr. Bill, the surgeon, said with assurance, "It may take five to eight hours and you can wait at the VIP lounge area."

Zoe shook her head, "Thank you, Dr. Bill. We're fine waiting at the lobby."

Dr. Bill nodded and they stepped inside the operating room. The door was closed gently, telling that the surgery will already start.

"Ma'am, sir, let's wait there," Zoe leaded the couple to the nearby lobby and took a seat.

"Miss Zoe, thank you for looking out for our son," Mr. Walter expressed his gratitude to Zoe.

"I'm glad I could be of help to you, sir."

Mrs. Walter spoke, "My baby is so fond of you, Miss Zoe. I hate to say this but I am envious."

"Don't think like that, ma'am. If you see how excited he gets whenever he got a call that his parents are coming home, I am sure you will know how much he loves the two of you," Zoe stated.

"R-really? My son was getting excited to see us?"

Mrs. Walter was teary-eyed as she asked Zoe. It was a surprise for her because she knew she and her husband don't have that much time for their son. They were drowned in work in order to provide a better life for their child.

"Yes, ma'am. I can assure you that. Your son gets a bit shy in expressing his feelings but I know he appreciates his parents' effort."

"You're a real blessing to the kids like my son, Miss Zoe."

Zoe smiled, "No, Mr. Walter, it's the other way around. I am so happy that they were part of my life."

While talking in the lobby, they also mentioned that in six month from now,, they planned to settle down in France, and that means they will bring Marcus with them.

Zoe got sad upon hearing the news but she has no right to interfere with their decision. It is also best for Marcus to stay with his family.

In order to pass time, Zoe called Fern and asked for any updates for her upcoming events and jobs. Nothing new, still her usual schedule for a week. Four hours had passed and the surgery was still going on. When Zoe looked at the time, it was already past noon.

"Ma'am, sir, you can have your lunch first, I'll stay here."

"What about you, Miss Zoe?"

"Ahh, I'm not yet hungry. I'll eat after you have your meal."

"Thank you, Miss Zoe. We'll be back as soon as possible."

As soon as the couple went down to grab their lunch, Zoe's stomach grumbled.

"Ohh, you're timing is so perfect," Zoe mumbled, thanking that the couple was gone before her stomach growled.

It's fine, she can still hold her hunger until Marcus' parents come back.

Zoe decided to open some unread messages in her phone because she wasn't able to do it last night and this morning. Today was her only time to read some messages.

As she scrolled down, her eyes widen when messages from a certain someone were there.

"Oh, no..."

From: HUBBY

Where are you? Aunt Dhalia said you're not home yet.

Sent 20:50

Why are you not answering the calls?!

Sent 22:00

FUCK! ZOE WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?!"

Sent 22:02

Why didn't she saw it last night?! She's really doomed when Hans see her!

"Just reading my last night's messages, I see."

"Ahhh!"

Because of shock, Zoe jerked up and her phone slipped out of her hand but before it could kiss the floor, someone threw a cushion underneath, preventing her gadget to hit the hard floor.

"Wow..." Zoe mumbled in amazement but she came back to senses when she realized who was behind her.

"Hans! Why are you always coming out of nowhere?!"

Hans rose his one brow, "I can show up anytime I want."

"But still.. I almost had a heart attack. You're always startling me," Zoe argued while picking up her phone and the cushion.

"I was standing here for quite some time now."

"What? Since when?"

"Since the "oh no" part."

"Oh nooo..." Zoe subconsciously muttered.

"Yes, that." Hans was already sitting next to her, leaving a meter distance between them.

Zoe doesn't know why she couldn't sense Hans' presence nor hear his footsteps whenever he approaches her without her idea.

Maybe it was a butler thing?

"I'm sorry. I haven't answered your calls because-"

"Next time, don't make Aunt Dhalia and Uncle Herman worry because of your carelessness," he scolded her coldly.

Zoe lowered her eyes, hiding the pain caused by his viscous words and she whispered, "Sorry."

The man beside her didn't talk anymore. But Zoe wanted to ask him something.

"H-how come you're here? What about your business trip with the mayor?" Zoe inquired.

"The trip was postponed," Hans only answered her second question.

"Postponed?"

"Yes."

Zoe nodded, "Mhm. Okay~"

There was a pause of silence between them before Hans asked, "What time did the surgery started?"

"Since 9 am."

"Did you have lunch already?"

Zoe turned to face Hans with confused eyes.

'Why is he asking me that? Is he concerned?'

'No! He hated you, Zoe.'

"Not yet, but I'm still not hungry," Zoe mumbled.

After she said that, it seems that her stomach betrayed her. It grumbled... and loud enough for Hans to hear.

"Who is lying? You or your stomach?" Hans asked with one brow raised.

Zoe felt embarrassed and her cheeks flushed in red, "Uhmm... I'll eat when Marcus' parents come back."

Hans glanced at his watch then placed a lunchbox beside Zoe.

"It's not good to eat past the right time," Hans simply said.

Picking up the lunchbox, Zoe wanted to ask who made it but only a 'thank you' she can muster.

"Aunt Dhalia made it, so you better finish the food."

Hans seemed to read her thoughts and answered her question. She felt even more guilty about making Aunt Dhalia worry last night.

"I'm sorry... I've been troubling Aunt Dhalia too much," Zoe muttered sadly as she look at the lunchbox.

"I'll get something for you to drink."

Hans stood up and left without waiting for Zoe's words. She wanted to say no because she had a bottle of water in her bag, but Hans were already far.

She watched his disappearing figure, her mind in daze why Hans suddenly showed up. It was just yesterday that he said being with her is just a waste of time.

Why would she even overthink about it? Of course, it was for Marcus and not her.

Still in daze, Zoe opened the lunchbox and saw a very palatable food in it, a brisket sandwich and veggie salad with delicious-looking sauce. She put it on her lap and started to dig in to satisfy her hangry stomach who made her an embarrassment earlier in front of her husband.

Because the food tasted so heavenly, she finished it quickly, leaving no leftovers.

Zoe fixed the lunchbox and put it on the small coffee table of the waiting lobby.

'Hans still not back yet?' Zoe thought as she looked to where Hans got out.

There might have an emergency.

A yawn escaped her mouth. She's getting drowsy because of the yummy food in her stomach.

"Miss Zoe! We are sorry! We took our lunch too long," Mrs. Walter who just came apologized.

Zoe smiled, "It's fine, ma'am. I just had my lunch, someone brought it to me."

"Oh. That's great, Miss Zoe."

"Yes." Zoe wanted to ask a favor, "Ma'am, I'll take a nap for a moment. Please wake me up when Marcus' operation is done."

"Okay, Miss Zoe. Have a rest, we will stay here."

"Thank you."

Zoe wore her sunglasses and rested her head on the backrest of the couch she's sitting on. Within a few seconds, she drifted off to sleep.

She doesn't know how long did she slept when her mind regain a slight consciousness. With her eyes closed, she felt something warm covered her arms and she's laying somewhere comfortable. Her nose twitched when a familiar scent embraced her.

Hans...