#09 Mother

Without further ado, my sister called an ambulance. She hugged me tightly while trembling. Both of us feared to lose our mother despite her always being harsh on us.

"It's okay, Amanda. Mother said grandma managed to survive long because she was left alone, so we should leave her alone too."

I agreed with her, and she went to the counter when the nurse called for her.

I sat at the waiting area and texted Mia. I wasn't expecting her to reply but she could always read it in the morning when she wakes up.

"Amanda, let's go. We have school tomorrow."

When we went back home, the feeling was different. The couch where mother would usually sit in the living room was blank, and Alice did not look for her to report about me.

I went to my room and forced myself to sleep, but tears rolled down my cheeks as the thought of losing my sister next crossed my mind. My eyes sting so much that I could hardly close my eyes.

'I should drink some water.' I went to the kitchen and got a glass of water to drink and cleared my mind before returning to bed.

I've always known this day would come but I never expected it to be so soon. Judging by the days grandma admitted the hospital until she passed away, it should be soon.

"Miss, please eat at least a single bite." The maids were worried about my loss of appetite the next morning. Just looking at mother's blank seat made me break down in tears again. My sister had to constantly remind me that she was still alive, that she has yet to leave the world.

I felt guilty for not eating the food served by the maids and chef who spent their morning making. Since mother was no longer at home, they didn't receive any orders and are free to cook whatever desired.

They did ask if my sister and I have any special requests. I knew there would be pancakes included anyway so it wasn't necessary for me to order it.

I barely ate any and went to school, with Alice nagging on the way of course.

"Please eat in school, Miss."

"I will."

She drove off while looking back to make sure I didn't faint while walking. I waved at her to indicate that I was fine and she could leave me alone but she stopped the car. She insisted on seeing me to class, not until Eric arrived.

He saw me having a hard time talking to Alice and approached us.

"Alice, she will be fine, please do not worry."

Alice smiled in relief when she heard him. "Please take care of her, young master."

We went to class after she left. Judging by the way Eric acted, the news of my mother must have spread to him, or so I thought. Turns out, he just assumed I was sleep deprived due to overload assignments.

Mia rushed to me and asked how long I slept last night when she saw my eyebags. She lectured me for not having enough sleep and ruined my own image. Eyebags have always been her worst fear as they ruin her beautiful looks. Now that I, her closest friend has it, would definitely anger her.

I was known as 'the quiet beauty' in class because I had a pretty face and didn't talk much. However, my classmates seemed to always notice every difference in me even when I just changed a slightest bit in my appearance.

Thanks to the first class being English, my mood lightened a little.

During break time, I went to the cafeteria with Mia as usual. My appetite was better so I had a cup of honeydew juice since it had a discount again. When Mia was done buying what she wanted, she suddenly stopped walking.

"Mia, what's wrong?" I asked. She had an indescribable look on her face. I couldn't tell if it was irritation or happiness, but then she grinned and leaned to me. My face turned red as a tomato when I heard what she whispered into my ear.

"I haven't mentioned the name and you're already having such a big reaction?"

How could I not react when she said that!

My knees weakened when I heard Eric talking to me.

"Are you okay? Do you have a fever?"

I was shocked when I turned my head to see him. His face was just inches away from mine and Mia was having fun in her own world. She snickered which resulted in me frowning at her.

"I'm fine." I took a step back and went to Mia while Eric's friends came to look for him. We returned to our classroom after Mia was done eating.

It wasn't obvious but I knew Mia was trying to talk more to me and avoided mentioning anything about my mother. I really appreciated that side of her.

During class, I received a text from Eric but I wanted to focus in class so I didn't read it until school was over.

"My mother has symptoms of the disease too."

Hm, I guess it's not surprising since they are from the same bloodline after all.

Alice came to pick up and drove me to the hospital where mother was. I was afraid she would blame me for making her in such a pathetic state and hesitated to enter her room, but Alice gave me a push.

"Miss, the lady would be more than happy to see you."

I didn't want to believe my eyes. What Alice said was true. Mother was sitting upright, looking at the scenery outside of the window and shifted her gaze to me when I entered. I was bewitched by the smile she gave me.

What? Has her smile ever been so beautiful? When was the last time I saw such a sincere smile?

I sat on the chair beside her bed and she started talking to me.

"Amanda, I heard you didn't finish your breakfast this morning?"

Ah, Alice must have told her that.

She looked at my face and her expression changed. "Did you sleep last night?"

I was amazed she even noticed that little detail. She usually never really looks at my face, so why now?

I just nodded my head slightly but she knew I lied. She was so weak that her lecture wasn't too long but a few words.

"You need to sleep well or you'll be more pathetic than I am."

I left the room when she said she was tired and wanted to rest. Alice drove me home and I was so tired I wanted to throw myself into bed once I reached home, but my sister said there was a guest in the living room.

I went to see who it was and saw Eric sitting so casually on the couch while drinking tea, like it was his house. I immediately turned away and told my sister to send him off when he was done with his tea.

"How rude. Your relative went out of his way to see you and now you're chasing him off?"

"You're the one visiting unannounced. Don't expect the maids to feed you-"

"Young master Eric, you must be hungry after a long day. Here, have some pastries." So the tea wasn't from my sister but the maids!

Eric was grinning from ear to ear when the food was served to him. The food kept coming in and he kept eating until the last bit of crumb.

"Did you come here just for the food?" I got annoyed just by looking at him eating those pastries the maids always made for my tea break.

"Of course not. I wasn't even expecting to be served with such delicious snacks." He stood up and went to the sink to wash his hands. The maids even offered him a clean towel to wipe his hands dry.

"I'm here to talk about your... our mothers. But can we not do it here?"