RISK IT

Chapter 15

RISK IT

"I would do anything for my brother, just mention it, please." She grabbed his clothes,

"It's nothing much. I just want you to be my loyal friend and I've seen a red vase in your room, I love it very much. That's all."

Olivia and her mother exchanged glances, acknowledging the gentleman's willingness to offer his blood.

"Yes, we shall all be your devoted friends and you shall have the vase as well."

Olivia and Willsburg hurried to the hospital. Luckily, Dr. Jimmy was already attending to him, having provided all necessary first aid and waiting for blood.

"Good morning, Dr. Jimmy," Olivia greeted, breathlessly, "where's my brother?"

"Follow me," he led them up to the children's ward where Franklin was receiving treatment. He was peacefully asleep.

"Is he sleeping or what?" She panted, her expression one of shock and disorientation.

"Yeah, he's in a deep slumber."

She went to check for herself, confirming that indeed he was sleeping.

"This is Williamsburg…"

"Just call me Willsburg." He interjected quickly, though Olivia seemed quite confused, "you didn't wait for me to introduce myself in full."

"Don't worry about that," she turned to the doctor, "he's ready to donate his blood."

"No! I'm not here to donate my blood," the room fell silent, sleeping children stirring awake to watch him, "oh, okay. Just a small amount for this little boy."

"Can I see your face?" The doctor requested from Willsburg.

"No, you won't like to see my unshielded eyes, and my hair is a mess. Allow me to keep the cap on."

Jimmy nodded and led him to a different room.

"Have we met?" Jimmy inquired as he took samples to test.

"I don't think so. I'm observant, and I'd have noticed. Ouch…"

"I'm sorry."

When he finished and concluded he was fit for blood donation, he collected quite some good samples and quickly treated Franklin with it.

When he finished, Willsburg went to sit outside while Olivia sat beside her brother, resting her heavy head full of problems, beside his bed.

"Such a beautiful girl, besieged by life's hardships. Hmm, until when will she endure?"

Dr. Jimmy whispered, then discreetly took Olivia's phone from her hand and placed it on the table beside her. She didn't even notice. Her only movement was to turn her head away.

She was sweating profusely, like a pregnant fish. The Doctor approached her again, tucking her hair behind her ears.

"What… are… you doing to my sister?"

Franklin woke up questioning, then sat up, but his sister remained unconscious.

"I'm hungry," he cried, forgetting his initial query.

"How did you know he'd be hungry?" Dr. Jimmy also asked Willsburg who had entered with two polythene bags, raising them to signal to Franklin he had something for him.

"It was instinct! I was hungry, and perhaps, my new friends would be too." He walked forward and placed the food on the bed.

The Doctor took the bags, placing them beside Franklin.

"Alright, let me feed the kid," Willsburg offered.

Once more, the doctor took the food and intended to feed the kid.

"What's up with you?"

Willsburg asked, sensing the Doctor's unusual behavior towards him. He seemed jealous, though he couldn't fathom why.

"Olivia, make sure you kiss someone before we meet again, else, I will take the life I gave you." It was the spirit who had given her a second chance to live. It didn't feel like a dream to Olivia, it felt more realistic. She had been hearing that voice for a while and didn't know who it was.

Their voice woke Olivia, also tired and hungry like a caged lion,

"Who said that?"

"Who said what?" They asked back.

"You might be dreaming, sis." Her brother suggested, making her calm.

"Yeah, only a dream," she turned to look at the doctor, "What's that?"

"Take it, my dear."

Jimmy handed over the polythene bag to her. She snatched it and began devouring its contents. When she lifted her head, all eyes were on her again.

Children in the room, their parents, and the two gentlemen standing beside her. Then she turned again and noticed her brother also watching her, his mouth watering.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she pushed the remainder towards him, but he didn't look pleased. He loved his sister, but not with his food.

"No, this is his," then Willsburg handed it over.

Few hours later, Franklin was discharged, and together with their new neighbor, they left for home.

Her mother was still numb upon their return. Her breathing was irregular, but there was nothing she could do. Her days were numbered; she had accepted her fate of succumbing to cancer.

She stood and watched her sleeping body for a while before setting out to find a different job.

"Sorry, we don't have any vacancies available for employment here," the manager of the first restaurant she visited said, and so did the second and third.

She had received numerous calls from her friend, Nelly, but she ignored them, feeling betrayed by her. When evening approached and darkness descended, she sat on a bench by a river, feeling disturbed and lost.

"Olivia," a voice called, but when she turned, no one was there. She was alone; the street was deserted. Then she felt a touch on her head.

"I love you, Olivia. I'll always be there for you…" she heard it in her heart, followed by some visions.

She dismissed it as a déjà vu and headed home.

The next day, the search continued.

At the Corporate Goodwills Bank.

"Please, I just need a job, even if it's as a cleaner. That's meaningful work, and I'll do it with joy."

"No, I can't employ you. You are too beautiful for this," the manager said, dismissing her.

Her face fell; she had even tousled her hair and wasn't dressed formally. As soon as she stepped out, she received a call from Nelly, which she answered this time.

"Olivia…" Nelly's voice trembled, "what's wrong with you… ?"

"Nothing is wrong. I'm doing okay."

"No, not until you let me see you, please… tell me where we can meet," Nelly proposed.

Olivia checked her watch; it was around 12:30 PM.

She asked Nelly to meet her at the restaurant right behind the bank she got rejected.

In no time, Nelly arrived, radiating in colors, and they ordered two cups of coffee.

"I like your dress." Olivia couldn't take her eyes off Nelly's new dress.

"Yeah, I'm trying to look nice for someone I have a crush on," she whispered, "I'm crushing on the new manager, and I think he feels the same."

"No, he's not!"

"Why? Are you jealous?"

"Jealous? No!" She sipped her coffee, "I don't know why, but he's not interested. He's a dangerous man."

"No. You sound jealous. I hope you're not considering going back to work?"

Nelly questioned, suspecting Olivia's interest in McCarthy in some way.

As they talked, a young man entered and sat on a table closer to them. He smiled at them and Nelly reciprocated.

"Well, he gave us some days off. He wants to renovate the place."

"I will never return to that place even if I don't get any."

"Hello lady, I have a very good friend who is in need of employees, I don't know if you could occupy." he dropped his card, collected his package and left.

"Guess who is not returning to work,"

"But I'm afraid he'll do anything to get you back to work, his side. Why?"

"No! I will not."

Olivia concluded, leaving Nelly shocked.