Chapter Sixty-six

Annie's gaze flew to Clifford immediately the door slammed shut. She could see the shattered feelings that erupted in him. Annie walked swiftly down the stairs to meet Clifford. She patted his back to console him and after a while, Clifford stood up and sat down. He was too hurt to speak and Annie saw that.

" She loves you. " Annie said to the dejected-looking man.

" B-b-but she just turned me down. " Clifford stuttered with a heavy heart. It was a hard pill to swallow and he had to comport himself else he lose his manly aura and cry like a baby.

" I know her very well. You just need to be persistent. Don't force her and you'll slowly get into her. " Annie advised him. 

Clifford was thankful to Annie for the advise she gave him. That boosted his courage because he was totally downcasted a while ago.

" Let me check up on her. " Annie said and left him in search for Eddie.

Clifford was hurt but a part of him was ready to fight for what he wanted. And he made up his mind that he was going to fight till the very end. 

...

...

Eddie sat down crying in her room. She was heartbroken and confused. How was she going to tell Clifford that she truly loved him. She regretted ever showing up in this cruel world as she thought of it. Annie joined her on her bed immediately she stepped into Eddie's room. She could see that Eddie loved Clifford but didn't know why she did that.

" I'm sorry Annie. " Eddie apologized in tears. 

" But, why did you do that? " Annie questioned her because she really wanted to know. But Eddie kept quiet and continued crying. She stood up and made for the door. 

" Eddie. " Annie called halting Eddie's movement.

Eddie turned to face Annie. " Annie, no matter what happens, please don't let go of your trust in me. " Eddie told her and left the room.

Annie kept her gaze on the door after Eddie left, for a long time. She couldn't understand the meaning of those words and thought deeply about it. She knew something was bothering her best friend and was determined to find out. Annie walked out of the room and headed towards the kitchen. She reappeared in the sitting room with a tray containing two cups of tea.

Clifford was standing by the window when Annie walked into the sitting room. He heard footsteps approaching him and he turned to look at the source. He sighed when he saw Annie coming closer to him.

" I made you a cup of tea to calm your nerves. " Annie said and dropped the tray on the table. She took a cup and handed it to over to Clifford.

" Thanks. " Clifford said and took it. He sipped the tea and looked out through the window. 

" I think something is bothering Eddie. " Annie said and took a sip from her own cup.

Clifford flashed her a sharp look and she nodded. " I don't know what, but i think she needs help. And ... " Annie's gaze met that of Clifford's. " We can do that for her. " Annie said confidently to him. The duo discussed on how to make their plan work. Clifford promised Annie that he will go extra miles to help Eddie. For Eddie, she refused to speak to anyone or to be spoken to. 

Clifford slept in the visitors' room that night and left early the next day, for the hospital. Before that, he informed Annie that he was going to see one of his relatives that had an accident.

LIFE SAVING HOSPITAL.

When Clifford arrived at the hospital the next day, he saw Albert and Sofia cuddling each other. Lady Lily and Mira wasn't in the room with them.

" I can see that some people are enjoying themselves. " Clifford said after some minutes of watching the couple in a romantic affair without them noticing his presence.

The duo looked at him shocked that they were lost in their world of love. The trio exchanged greetings and Clifford enquired more about Sofia's health. He also decided to see the doctor taking care of Sofia's case and left the couple in the room.

...

...

Lady Lily and Mira went from Aunt Mary's ward to Alma's ward. They went emotional to see the patients still unconscious. Lady Lily broke into tears and Mira followed suit. After a while, they got up to leave for Sofia's ward.

" Lady Lily. " Mira called as soon as Lady Lily wanted to open the door for them to leave. Lady Lily turned to face her and followed her gaze to the patient on the bed. The both of them rushed to Alma's bed.

They looked at Alma with great anticipation as she began to move her fingers. Dark lines crowned her face and she winced as her head throbbed in pains. 

" Alma. " Lady Lily called softly. 

Alma's ears moved a little bit.

" She heard us. " Mira said with great excitement as Lady Lily called Alma again. Alma slowly opened her eyes and immediately, Mira rushed to alert Albert about that.

" Alma. " Lady Lily called and sat on Alma's bed. She held her hand as Alma blinked her eyes several times to clear her blurry eyes. Tears flowed from her eyes down her face. She was indeed in great pain. 

" Ma'am. " Alma forced out a reply.

Lady Lily beamed with joy as she Alma recognized her. Albert and Mira returned with a doctor . Lady Lily stood up to give way for the doctor. The doctor checked Alma's health and confirmed that he can begin treatment immediately.

" Thank you Doctor. " Albert said to the doctor and shook hands with him before the doctor left. 

Clifford was about going into Sofia's ward when he saw Albert with the doctor outside Alma's ward. He walked swiftly to meet him.

" Alma is awake. " Albert said to him.

Clifford furrowed his eyebrows and Albert got that in time. " I mean, the maid inside. Lady Lily and Mira said she is Alma. "

" That's great. " Clifford said smiling. He told Clifford that he had completed both Sofia and Aunt Mary's treatment. Albert thanked him for his kindness and they walked in to see the maid. ( Albert already cleared the maid's medical treatment. )

...

...

Albert returned to Sofia's room to share the good news to Sofia who was extremely happy when she received the news  She also prayed for the quick recovery of her Aunt, Mary.

" I also want to see Alma. " Sofia said.

" And that will be done after you've eaten these snacks. " Albert said and Sofia smiled as she opened her mouth to eat the biscuits Albert fed her.

The two was talking and laughing without seeing the lady standing some distance away from the ward. Valerie was so pissed off when she saw Albert acting so gentle and kind with Sofia. ' How was she ( Valerie ) going to be the next Mistress of the Smiths with what was currently happening? ' 

Valerie summoned courage and went into the ward. " You both are really having fun. " She said, feigning to be excited. The atmosphere in the room changed as soon as Valerie walked in. Albert was angry while Sofia felt scared. She was always uncomfortable anytime she sees Valerie around. But, they comported themselves and pretended that all was well.

" We were about visiting in the next ward. Alma is awake. " Albert announced happily.

Valerie felt her spirit leave her body. Her heart raced as she couldn't believe what she heard. " You mean who? " Valarie asked in a panicked mood.

" The maid. " Albert responded. 

Valerie breathed out a sigh of relief, she felt that Albert was talking about Aunt Mary. 

" Care to join us? " Albert asked her and she shook her head. The duo, Albert and Sofia stood up and made for the door. Sofia didn't want to leave as she felt uneasy about Valerie. But, she had no choice and left with Albert and Valerie followed behind. Valerie excused herself while Albert and Sofia walked slowly to Alma's ward.

...

...

Inside the ward, Lady Lily and Mira with Clifford were discussing and cracking jokes. They were warned by the doctor to reduce their voice to the minimal volume, which they did. Alma started receiving treatment immediately. Albert and Sofia walked into the ward and Sofia walked gently to meet Alma. Tears streamed down Alma's cheeks when she saw Sofia, same did Sofia.

" Ma'am. " Alma called. She was happy to see Sofia after a while but her smile turned to a frown as she felt heavy in her head.

" Shhhh. Don't talk. " Sofia said to her and she smiled in return. Sofia joined the others in the room as they spoke happily in a low tone about a party they planned to throw to celebrate everyone's recovery. Clifford was chatting with his two friends online and they told him that they wanted to see him. He told them that he had an emergency to attend to and promised to visit them later on.

Valerie pretended to go to the comfort room( rest room or the loo ) and came out within few seconds.

She walked past Sofia's ward and went into the next ward, Aunt Mary's ward.

Valerie gradually approached Aunt Mary's bed with feelings of anger, hatred, Jealousy and envy for Sofia. A cynical smile appeared on her lips as she looked at the unconscious patient.

" No. All of you can't live. First it was that useless thing you brought up, called Sofia. Now, it's Alma. One of you must pay and you will pay. " Valerie mused as she looked at Aunt Mary. Her gaze flew to the life supporting machine. 

( *** What is she planning to do? *** )