Buckle up

The following day, as early as possible, Nora was at the hospital;

She sat beside her grandmother's bed, holding her wrinkled hand gently.

"Nora, dear..." Her grandmother called out, her voice was weak but warm. 

"How did you manage to get the money for this surgery? I know we didn't have such funds." She said. 

Nora squeezed her grandmother's hand reassuringly. 

"Don't worry about that, Grandma. I got a really good job that pays well." She replied. 

"Oh? Really? Tell me about it." Her grandmother requested. Even though she sounded and looked weak, her eyes lit up slightly at the information. 

"It is at a prestigious company. The pay is... more than generous." Nora said, keeping her explanation vague, not wanting to worry her grandmother with details about Black Industries.

Tears welled up in her grandmother's eyes as she looked at Nora. 

"You have always taken such good care of me, child. Ever since your parents..." Her voice trailed off.

"Grandma, please. Save your strength for the surgery." Nora quickly butt in. 

The old woman managed a weak smile. 

"The Lord will continue to bless you, my dear. He will guide your path." She prayed softly. 

"Thank you, Grandma." Nora whispered, trying to hold back tears.

"Hey, don't look so gloomy. How will you find a husband with that face?" The old woman tried to joke despite herself. 

Nora couldn't help but laugh. 

"Grandma! Even now, you are trying to play matchmaker?" She asked in disbelief. 

"Someone has to!" Her grandmother chuckled softly before coughing.

Watching her grandmother try to make her smile even in that condition made Nora's heart swell with love. 

"You really never change, do you? Always trying to make me happy." She mumbled. 

Then, a nurse came in.

"It is time, Ma'am Hazel." The nurse informed the old woman. 

Nora leaned forward and kissed her grandmother's forehead. 

"I will be right here when you wake up." She assured the woman. 

"I know you will, dear. You always are." The woman replied, her voice getting weaker.

 ~~~~~~~~

Hours later, Nora paced the hospital corridor. 

The surgery was complete, but visitors weren't allowed yet. 

"Uhn..." She sighed heavily, feeling bored. 

Then she checked her phone and realized she hadn't gotten a reply to the thank-you message she had sent Ethan.

"I should head to the office. I can thank him properly in person." She decided. 

When she arrived at the company, Ethan's sleek black car was already in its usual spot. 

"Of course he would have arrived, he always come in early." Nora mumbled to herself.

She got to their floor and quickly prepared his coffee – black, no sugar – just how he liked it. But his office was empty when she knocked.

"Mr. Black is in a meeting with a client." Mrs. Thompson informed her as she passed by.

"Oh, I see." Nora muttered and went to her desk. 

She had just settled in when the approaching distinct footsteps caught her attention. 

Then a woman entered, commanding attention without even trying – her presence filled the space effortlessly.

"Who is she?" Nora thought to herself as she stared at the woman, observing how charismatic she looked in her expensive suit. 

Everything about the woman spoke of old money and refined taste. She was graceful with her perfect posture and purposeful movements. 

"Excuse me! You can't go in there." Nora called out, standing up. The woman had headed confidently for Ethan's office as if she owned the building. 

Then the woman turned, her perfectly styled hair bounced. 

"Excuse me?" She asked in a voice that was cultured, with just a hint of condescension.

"May I know who you are?" Nora asked professionally, though she felt somewhat small in the presence of such sophistication.

The woman's perfectly painted lips curved into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. 

"You don't know who Lila Montgomery is?" She asked while adjusting her bag dramatically.

Nora huffed inwardly but she tried to remain professional. 

"I'm afraid I don't, Ms. Montgomery. And Mr. Black isn't in his office right now." She replied. 

"So, you can't go in." Nora added calmly and knew the woman would definitely have a problem with that. 

"Listen, young woman, I run three successful companies and sit on the board of five others. I'm not someone a mere personal assistant can give orders to." Lila stated smugly as she glanced at Nora's simple formal outfit. 

"Even Ethan Black doesn't dare to make me wait." She added and Nora heaved a sigh in exasperation but despite that, she stood her ground. 

"I understand your position now that you explained it to me, Ms. Montgomery, but I'm following strict protocols. You will need to wait at reception." Nora said firmly. 

Lila got the underlying shade and she raised an eyebrow while an amused smirk made its way onto her lips. 

"Most people cower in my presence and wouldn't dare to refuse giving into my wants... But you?" Lila asked as she looked at Nora. 

"What is with these people and their smugness?" Nora scoffed inwardly while maintaining a calm look. 

"Tell me, who exactly are you to stand tall before me and give me such instructions?" Lila questioned, her gaze burning hole into Nora's face. 

"Nora Hayes." Nora replied through gritted teeth.

At the announcement, Lila's expression changed instantly. She looked like she recognized something. 

"Hayes?" She repeated slowly, studying Nora's face with calculated interest.

"Is there something wrong with my name?" Nora inquired with a small frown, feeling unease crept up her spine. 

Nora could observe how taken aback Lila looked. Her composure slightly faltered. 

"No, definitely not... the daughter of the Hayes I knew wouldn't be foolish enough to come to work here." Lila mumbled more to herself but Nora could make out the words. 

"W... What does that mean?" Nora asked, her lips slightly quivering. She was shaken as she dreaded what that could meant. 

"Not after what happened." Lila added, again more to herself. 

"What did you just say? Which Hayes are you talking about?" Nora demanded, stepping closer to Lila, her professional mask had completely scattered then.