Trouble After Trouble

Jeremy tried to find the towel, but his brain shut up and he forgot where he kept it. He is someone who prefers to air dry since he lives alone. If he walks to the kitchen, has a beer, and gets back to his room, he'd be dry.

Where do I keep my towels?

"Uncle Pat... "

Her broken voice made him pause his search and he looked at her. She looked terrible would be an understatement to describe her condition.

"Uncle Pat... heart attack. Aunt Becky called... I..."

Jerlina couldn't even finish her sentences as she was holding back her sobs. When she almost lost all confidence thinking that she might end up in prison, contemplating if she should consult a lawyer before she takes the next step, she received a call from Aunt Becky and she didn't know what to do.

Jeremy took in a deep breath. He knew how much she loved Patrick Davis and it would be devastating for her.

"Which hospital?" he asked and she stared blankly at him. "Jerlina?"

"I don't know... she called for ambulance and... St.Bart maybe? I'll..."

"It's okay. I'll find it out and take you there. Come on, he'll be fine. Jerlina... listen," he walked closer to her and held her cheek. The moment his hand touched her, she winced and he pulled his hand back.

Only when she felt the warmth on her cheek did Jerlina came to her senses. After she received the call, she walked here as if she was on auto-pilot. She was blank.

She has faced a lot of troubles in the past and she had handled troubles worse than this pretty easily. But these few months of stress affected her differently and strongly.

Back then, she had a shoulder to lean on. She had Gerry and whenever she is stressed, he'd give her a hug which would give her great strength.

But after the breakup, she's been under stress and faced greater losses, chipping away parts of her soul. She had no one to lean on and the loneliness made it all more unbearable. One after another, she is facing troubles and she didn't have the mental aptitude to take it all.

She looked up at the man looking at her. His voice seemed so gentle and soothing as he assured her. In her eyes, his blue eyes were filled with affection. Maybe because a little care is all she craved for, she thought he has it for her. She almost hugged him.

Ah... how can I sink this low to think he cares for me... He is the one who kidnapped me and killed my baby. Have I officially reached rock bottom?

She took a step back bowing her head. It was then she noticed his legs were bare and were dripping wet.

Did he step out of the shower? And is that a bullet wound scar?

Her eyes slowly moved up as if they had a mind of their own and ended up at his crotch.

Okay, he is very much naked... and hung!

"I'm sorry for barging in. I will wait outside," she didn't look further and left the room. It was her fault for invading his privacy and she felt nothing seeing his member.

She was a little embarrassed since she shrugged the basic courtesy of knocking before entering another person's room, but other than that, she felt nothing. She is an adult and this is not the first p*n*s she sees.

She didn't know if he meant it when he said he'd bring her to visit uncle Pat, but she sat by the stairs and waited. She tried to call aunt Becky, but the line didn't go through.

Jeremy looked at the closed door and he rubbed his chest. She noticed he was naked and she had no reaction. He didn't know what to think of it but it certainly didn't feel good.

Realizing that is not the important thing, he got dressed and got out. He called one of his men to check where the ambulance is taking Davis.

"Let's go," he patted her shoulder. He didn't understand why she sits on the floor whenever she is sad. It pained him to see her like that.

"Yes, thank you," Jerlina got up and followed him. She took her cards with her in case she might need them. She knew Uncle Pat won't be having a lot of money saved.

As an employer, she should be providing health insurance for her employees, but she couldn't get them the best. Honestly, there were days when she wished that her employees abandon her company so that she'd be relieved of a burden. But they never did.

On the way, Jerlina couldn't stop thinking about every time Uncle Pat helped her. He is like a father to her and she didn't want anything bad happening to him. It took longer for them to reach the hospital because of the traffic in the city.

"He'll be fine," Jeremy said before she alighted and she nodded with a forced smile.

She wanted him to be fine.

When she got there, they were treating him in the ER and Jerlina sat with Aunt Becky in the waiting area, holding her hand. She didn't speak much since she knew at these times, staying by her side in silence will be more comforting than any word of comfort.

Jeremy got them coffee and snacks. Jerlina wondered if he is putting an act in front of Aunt Becky.

They said he's stable and it will take some time to be exactly sure to say how bad his heart attack was. They also told them that he has to stay for a day in the hospital.

Jerlina was relieved. He is the closest thing she has to a family. She went to check about the medical bills and as expected, it was a lot. Aunt Becky said that their son is arranging for money.

Fearing he might get tangled with loan sharks, Jerlina offered to pay. Aunt Becky refused, but Jerlina paid anyway. While she was paying, Jeremy came to her side. He stood there silently wanting to say something but choosing not to. And she didn't care to hear from him.

After an hour, they told them they can see Uncle Pat. They went in and uncle Pat was lying on the bed. They spoke to him without straining him and he seemed fine.

The staff there asked them to leave since there can't be a crowd around the patient. Jerlina decided to take a walk outside the hospital just to shake off Jeremy who stuck to her like glue. As she got to the exit, she noticed an old man holding a walking stick walking inside. Jerlina stood aside to let him pass and he stopped and took a good look at her, blocking the entrance.

He seemed familiar, but Jerlina couldn't remember how she knew him. Since he stared at her, she gave a polite smile and a nod.

"Grandpa?" she heard Jeremy's voice from behind her and she stopped and turned to look at Jeremy.

His grandfather?