#24 To The Fredericks'

"Mother, hear me out!"

I ran to my mother's side the moment I entered the room. What happened earlier at home really bugged me and I had to tell someone.

"Eric came to our house earlier to return the water bottle I left yesterday. And then, he stood so close to me I was afraid my heart would jump out!"

Seeing my mother chuckle at my speech eased my heart. I didn't know what was funny but seeing her reaction made my day. Despite her being so weak that she could barely even lift a finger, mother still made an effort to hear me out and react to everything I said.

I sat on the chair beside my mother's bed and continued talking about what happened while Eric visited our house. I told her everything from the part where I made him wait until where he left because an emergency came up.

My hand was holding my mother's the whole time. I didn't know the reason I did that but it just felt like she would leave if I let go.

"Mother, how are you feeling today? Any improvements on your health condition?" I asked despite knowing the fact that it's impossible for her to get better. She's only getting weaker day by day and son, she'll leave this world for a better place.

Mother just smiled in response to my question. Even though there were no words, I could tell she didn't want me to worry.

"I promise not to mention anything about canceling my engagement, so would you stay a little longer?"

She looked into my sad eyes before giving me a reply, "Not cancelling your engagement is possible, but that does not change my fate."

An inevitable fact stated by someone who is near her own death. That's the most painful thing ever.

Unable to deny it, I was at loss for words. I thought of visiting Eric's mother now since I had nothing more to say. I let go of my mother's hand and stood up.

"I'll be visiting Eric's mother later. Do you need me to pass any message for you?" I asked her before leaving the room.

She thought for a while and said, "Just tell her to rest more."

"Roger!" I saluted jokingly and took my things.

I took out my phone after leaving the room to check if there were any messages while my phone was on silent mode just now. Eric hasn't contacted me ever since he left hurriedly, saying there was an emergency.

I wonder what happened? Just thinking about the worst case scenario made me anxious.

Alice was already there when I arrived at the lobby. I hopped into the car and told her to drive me to the Frederick estate. She gave a very amused look that couldn't be described in words.

"Oh my, Miss! Are you visiting the Young Master?" Her eyes were so wide as she asked that I was afraid her eyeballs would pop out.

"It's not what you're thinking. I'm just visiting his mother."

The sparkles in her eyes faded and her smile dropped. It wasn't obvious but I could see her fingers fidgeting on the steering wheel. "W-well, good luck..." She stuttered and bit her bottom lip.

Is something the matter?

I wanted to ask further but the topic was avoided when we arrived in front of the Frederick estate's main gate. Alice unlocked the car door for me to get off. I told her I would contact her later and she nodded. My hand waved in the air as she drove away.

Now, let's see what's behind one of the wealthiest clan's gates.

It was my first time coming here physically so I thought I would be a little lost on where the intercom was. Thanks to Mia, I was able to find it in no time. I rang it and a young man's voice could be heard on the line.

I cleared my throat and spoke, "This is Amanda Asia, I have come to visit Mrs Frederick."

There was no response on the other side and the line just got cut off like that by the person. I was left with no choice but to wait. After a while, the gates creaked open, revealing a familiar figure of a young man.

"Sorry, did you wait long?" He brought me in and the gates behind me closed automatically when he pressed a button on the remote control in his hand.

"Eric? I thought you had an emergency to attend to?"

"Yeah. The maids freaked out when my mother did not wake up but actually she was just sleeping-in."

Right, adults sleep-in too, just like my sister.

I recognized the path we were walking on the way to the main house. It was exactly the same as what I saw during the video call with Mia when they came. The quiet atmosphere was similar to grandma's place, the scent of flowers too.

Guess they really are family. They even share the same taste in environment.

I caught up to Eric who was already quite some distance away. He was panting and sweated a little when I walked beside him. Maybe I did not notice earlier but did he run from the main house to the gate just to pick me up?

"Was it necessary to pick me at the gate when you can actually control it from inside?" Well, not that it mattered but I was just curious why he would go so far just to tire himself out.

Eric glanced at me and answered before opening the door.

"I thought you would be afraid of the abnormal silence here. Seems like you're fine after all."

Ah, so you were worried about me.

"Jeez. Shouldn't have wasted my energy on you."

...Or not! I take back my words! He's not worried in the slightest bit!

I explained to him that I got used to the silence during my stay at grandma's. He gave me an "oh" look and before I knew it, we had already arrived in front of his mother's room.

"I've been wondering for a while… Are those roses in your hand the one I bought?"

"Yeah. My mother's vase was too small to fit them all so she said to give the rest to your mother."

"Hmm… Not bad. My mother is quite the self-lover so I guess she would like it."

Eric snickered at his own words and opened the door. He greeted his mother who was enjoying the scenery by the window.

Why is she doing the same thing as my mother whenever I visit her at the hospital? Is that some kind of sister thing?

"Good morning, Mrs Frederick," I greeted her with a bow in respect. She gladly accepted the roses I gave her. Eric was right, she looked pleased when she sniffed the smell of the roses before handing the flowers to Eric and asked him to do a favour.

"Eric, can you please do me a favour and replace my flowers with these?"

Eric did as told and discarded the flowers that were originally in the vase before putting the new ones. While he was at it, his mother talked to me a little.

"You're Amanda, right?"

"Yes."

"I think I've seen you somewhere before… Right, you were on a video call with your friend last time when they visited."

I was impressed she was able to recognize me. If I recall correctly, she just glanced once at me on the screen last time and no more.

Eric sat beside me as soon as he was done changing the flowers. I glanced at the clock on the bedside table and realized it was already noon.

It's near lunchtime, I should head back.

"Amanda," Eric's mother called out to me when I stood up. She told me I could stay for lunch and that my portion will be prepared too. Apparently, their chefs would prepare enough for anyone in the house.

That's some good hospitality they got there. Was that the reason we had to pass by the kitchen before coming here?

I felt bad for them wasting their ingredients on a sudden visitor like me but she insisted on my stay.

I finally gave up and decided to stay. But first, let me excuse myself to contact Alice. Since I won't be eating lunch at home, I should inform them to not prepare my portion.

I was granted permission to use my phone. I quickly texted Alice and kept my phone back into my bag, not even bothering to wait for a reply.

My body was as still as a statue, not daring to move a muscle. The atmosphere in the room was so tense. How does the mother and son usually communicate? Or was it because of my presence?

There were rules to follow in the Frederick estate. Break one and it's over, though I'm not sure what would happen to rule breakers.

However, I do not know a single thing about the Fredericks' rules. Simply acting on my own will might cause trouble so I'd rather not do anything unless asked to.

I was really nervous in the awkward silence. I even sat in my most elegant posture ever. Not long after, a maid knocked on the door and Eric went to answer it. 

"Young Master, lunch is ready."