Page 44 of Viral Affair

Veronica smiled at me, then she kissed my cheek tenderly.

“Good, so now let’s go and find out what is wrong with Mum. I swear to God, I am going to tell her off if she hasn’t been taking care of herself. She is such a workaholic,” she said.

We headed to the third floor still holding hands, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I’d finally regained control of my body. It was a huge step forward, and I’d only managed it because she was with me the whole time.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Veronica

I was worried about Rupert, in more ways than one, although I didn’t want to show it too much because he was already freaked out about being here with me. He took my hand like this was the most natural thing in the world, like we were a couple already, and I relaxed then.He, however, held onto me like a lifeline when we first entered the hospital.

When we arrived at the cardiology ward, I quickly managed to find a doctor while Rupert waited. My heart hammered when the doctor glanced at the chart and then at me.

“We suspected a heart attack, but, luckily it was just exhaustion. We’re keeping your mother for observation and still running some tests to make sure she’s fine. I believe she’s already requested to go home, more than once, but I’d prefer if she stayed, at least until we have the results back,” he said. He was a middle-aged guy with slightly brown hair and square jaw.

“My mother tends to work too much, and no matter what I say, it’s always the same. I promise I’ll talk to her about this,” I admitted, frustrated that Mum was straining herself again. She was still young, only sixty-three, so she had plenty of time to enjoy life.

My stomach churned with unease because I had to consider telling her about working as an escort so she would accept my money. I didn’t want her to worry, and honestly, we’d never been particularly close, but we always got on well. I wanted to tell her the truth. I could quit working for Emperor if I got that brand deal. Then my mother would know exactly where the money had come from, and I wouldn’t have to feel like I was selling myself to earn my living.

After I was done talking to Doctor Kendrick, one of the nurses took me to see Mum. I told Rupert to wait for me as I didn’t want to force him to be introduced to my mother while he was still a little fragile. She was in one of the rooms with two other ladies.

“Veronica, how did you know I was here?” she asked me in alarm. Mum had short dark-brown hair, and she was petite like me.

I told myself to keep it together when I saw her—she was too pale and tired. I had never met my father, and since Mum never had anything good to say about him, I’d never thought I needed him. But right now, I wished he’d been present…I wish I had someone to help ease this pain…

“No, Mum, don’t you dare try to get up. I got a phone call from Pam. She told me you’d collapsed at work.” I tried to stay calm, but it was hard. She never listened whenever I visited and promised to take it easy—a lie, of course. She was as stubborn as a mule.

“Pam and her big mouth. She shouldn’t have called you. I’m perfectly fine and I should be out this afternoon. You didn’t have to come, sweetheart. How did you even get here on Sunday?” Mum asked, as usual coming at me with hundreds of questions faster than I could field them.

I grabbed a chair and sat next to her.

“Pam made a right call. I spoke to the doctor. You collapsed out of sheer exhaustion, mum. They thought it was a heart attack, and the doctor clearly told me that they still needed to run some tests, so no! You’re not getting off so easily this time around.” I knew this was going to cause a storm, but someone had to put their foot down.

“See, Lauren, I told you they won’t let you out so fast. Good for you, hon,” one of the ladies on the far right said, and my mother narrowed her eyes at her.

“Don’t listen to them and that doctor. I didn’t have any heart attack. Maybe I picked up too many shifts, but the money was good. I couldn’t say no, hon. Besides, I’ll rest up and I’ll be back to my usual self.” My mother smiled at me.

But she wasn’t going to fool me with her easy-going attitude. She always picked too many shifts in the care home where she worked. That kind of job was very demanding and mentally challenging, too. I could never imagine doing what she did.

“Mum, stop it. You’re staying here until the tests are done, and don’t even try to argue with me. We both know that your schedule is crazy. You never have a day off. I told you, I’m going to help you out with money,” I said, grabbing her hand.

She seemed cold and so fragile. I had to text Laura later with updates because she’d been at home when I went there earlier on to pack my bag, and she was concerned.

“A friend has given me a lift here, and I’ll probably stay at a local Airbnb somewhere, but I’m going to check the flat later on to see if you need any help with tidying up.”

“Airbnb? Why would you want to spend money on hotels if you can stay with me? This is all too much, Veronica, and you’re blowing this out of proportion. We both know I need money, and I wanted to go for a little holiday with the girls, so I was trying to save up. That’s all.”

“Mum, please calm down. I think my friend wants to stay over with me, so that’s why he’s looking for an Airbnb in the area. For once, please don’t be stubborn and listen to the doctor.” I tried to keep my voice down, but it seemed the other ladies were listening in on our conversation since this room was pretty small.

My mother had been a very beautiful woman in the past, but she’d neglected herself over the years. Her skin was wrinkled and grey, and she must have lost a lot more weight since the last time I’d seen her. It was breaking my heart to see her like that. I was more than comfortable, and I felt guilty that I hadn’t insisted on this sooner.

“Oh, did you come with a man? How exciting! I thought you were swinging to the other side because you never brought a man home. Come on, I want to meet him. Where is he?” Mum asked, as if forgetting about what we were just discussing.

She was right. I didn’t really date, and I hadn’t been in any serious relationship since I’d ended my relationship with Vincent several years ago. He was the only boyfriend I’d ever introduced to her.Ugh, thinking about that arsehole and what he is planning to do to Rupert makes me stomach churn all over again. As if I don’t have enough to think about with mum here, in this place, worried that her heart is giving up, I have to worry about what Vincent could do to the Banks’.

“His name is Rupert, and he’s just a friend for now, so don’t get overexcited.” I sighed, slightly reluctant to introduce her to him. Things between us were still complicated, and I wasn’t sure how he felt about it.Hell, I wasn’t sure how I felt about things.

“They all say that. I bet he’s more than that.” One of the other ladies to the left sent me a wink.

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