Story of Nikki Lindsey

CHAPTER 22: CHEERING UP HERSELF

Nikki ate her dinner and had a shower inside the secluded room. She found a lounge outside: a mini-kitchen and a dining area in these hospital suites.

She realized Jasmine would be with her 24/7, staying outside the bedroom. And so it will not be that hard to be her private nurse. No wonder the nurses always wish to be assigned to any of these two floors, as the job is much more relaxed. 

"Miss! Do you need anything? You should call me instead."

She found Jasmine watching a drama on the flat-screen TV on the wall. Nikki planted a smile on her lips and later sat on the couch.

"It's alright. I feel the boredom staying in bed; besides, I have been sleeping." 

"Um, if you need anything, let me get them."

"Okay. Anyway, are you going to stay here? I mean, don't tell me you will sleep on the couch?"

"Oh, I must stay awake. Might you need me?"

"But I'm not in critical condition. I want you to sleep, don't mind me."

"Um, actually, Miss... I was instructed to watch you. I mean, surely you won't run away because your mother was here. But they ordered me to stop you if you plan to sneak out at night." 

"Oh, I see." Huh. She was genuinely planning to sneak out to see her mother after surgery, but she couldn't do that then. "Okay, I understood." 

She fell silent, then asked. "So, if I wanted to see my mother. I must ask for permission first?"

"I guess so... I will inquire Miss Erika tomorrow. Probably, after your check-up, you could visit your mother anytime."

"I see. Okay, I understand. Don't worry. I won't make your job hard for you. Thanks," she smiled at Jasmine. She can't escape then…

"You're welcome, Miss."

Nikki was about to close the door of the bedroom when she felt thirsty. "Um, can I have some water?"

"Right away, Miss!"

She nods before shutting the door. Leaning on the door, Nikki heaves a sad sigh. It seems impossible now. She feels like; she lost her freedom.

"Alright, Nikki Noreen Lindsey. Since you can't turn back now, behave and follow the master's order!" she consoles herself. That's what makes her stay positive.

She sat on her bed, then dialed Maria's mobile phone number. "Aunt Maria?"

"Nikki? How are you feeling?"

"I am fine, Auntie. How was Mama's surgery?"

"Don't worry. Doctor Ben came out and said they successfully removed the tumor on your mother's brain. There are a few procedures they must do before it finishes."

"I'm glad, Aunt Maria."

"Yes. Doctor Ben also assures you that your mother is stable."

The next moment, it was her sobs Maria heard on the other line. "Nikki, your mother finally has the surgery. So hush now, okay? You don't have to worry. Caitlin told me, the person who gives your mother blood will help each month with the blood transfusion."

"I... I'm just happy, Aunt Maria," she said between her sobs. "Have you seen the guy who gives blood to Mama?"

"Oh, I haven't. But I told Doctor Ben to thank him, whoever he is. It says he wants to keep his identity. What an angel that man is."

Tears continued flooding her eyes. The ones who know this agreement are only between her and that man and whoever is involved in his game.

It appears to her that this guy has an issue about having offspring. So she will try to understand that a man like him has things to consider.

Is he even normal himself? He is a pervert. But he talked fine when conversing through SMS messages, except for that one text. Nikki frowned and pouted. Now she remembers that.

In this situation, she cannot avoid thinking of what kind of person he is. Why is he hiding his identity? Is he physically able or has a disability? No, he probably is not.

Maybe he is just a busy person. But has time to text her? Is he even the one texting her? Ah, whatever. Why does she have to waste her time thinking about nonsense things? She must be thankful to him instead of saving her mother.

She can't escape since the nurse is watching her. Badly, she wanted to go to her mother. But she was told to get rest for her check-up tomorrow.

Nikki is walking back and forth to her room. She looks outside at the floor-ceiling window and suits herself to contemplate while staring at the traffic from afar. Later, his phone receives a text from that guy.

"Have you gone to bed now?"

What kind of question is this? Nikki mumbles. She glanced at the time on her phone; it was eight in the evening. Or is he asking if she was resting and not stressing herself?

Hmm, if that's the case, then she won't argue with him. She didn't like to reply to him, but she felt obliged.

"It's yet early. Besides, I'm waiting for news when Mama moves back to the ICU."

"You have nothing to worry about. The surgeons who do the surgery are all specialists. Besides, she was now away from danger. The more you stress yourself physically and mentally, it will complicate your pregnancy. You must take care of your emotions."

Huh? We're not even having sex yet, and you're talking about being pregnant? Nikki chooses not to share her thoughts. But she contemplates what the guy told her.

He is right, anyway. He even sounded concerned. May not to her, but for his future child. She's okay with that, the least, a gesture that he will care for the child, which matters most for her then.

But convinced herself instead. That night, she falls asleep with little courage to face the next day. She battles to conceal her fears and worries.

Nikki is staring at her reflection, wearing nothing. People used to praise how cute she was—having Asian mixed blood with her American father.

Her mother is a Chinese-American, and his father is an American-Japanese. She wondered what the results of their gene mixing would be, and she didn't know what ethnicity that man came from. 

Could he even allow her to ask a question? She just wanted to know what to expect something. She bites her lower lip. She wanted something to imagine, though, just working on her excuses to cheer herself up. 

She sighed. She looks stupid for acting hopeless over her worries about the child's appearance. Honestly, just being cute cannot be considered beautiful. Paired to her average height, she cannot compare to those like Michelle and Theo's rumored girlfriend, whose stature is for the queens.

Sometimes, she was curious about what made this guy choose her.

Ugh! Chill, Nikki! She shook her head. She must stop overthinking. These will only lead her to depression. It's not that she has no confidence in herself. She was uncomfortable with any stranger getting close by... she was making excuses. 

But the matter here is her mother's medical needs. Also, if not for their blood type history, she would not be in such a situation. So she convinced herself. 

"This is for you, mama."