Page 18 of Sexted By a Stranger
The massive shock left my mind blank. I stared dumbly at that black card so close, symbolizing enormous wealth and a brand new future, then looked up at Luca.
He was waiting for my decision.
Refuse? Leon's pale face, Mom's desperate eyes flashed before me like a slideshow... Reality wouldn't give me the luxury of pride.
Accept? I could not only achieve my dreams but also solve all my life problems. Plus, no more dealing with the club.
"Why-why me?"
"Because," his gaze swept over my reddened eyes, his expression darkening, "your talent shouldn't be left unseen."
One sentence shattered all my defenses. My heart ached with warmth flooding through.
I took a deep breath, meeting Luca's gaze, trying to make my voice sound calm and steady. "Okay. I'll take the job." I took that black card.
"But the money is a loan," I added. "Deduct it from my salary."
Luca looked at me, eyes full of appreciation, and nodded. "Alright."
"I'll walk you up," his voice returned to its usual calm. "And you have five days off to handle your brother's situation."
"Thank you, Luca." I meant it sincerely, grateful to this man who'd saved me in every sense.
After seeing Luca off, I sat by the window, still clutching that card tightly. The edges dug into my palm with clear pain, reminding me this wasn't a dream.
Pushing open the ward door, Mom sat on a small stool beside Leon's bed, holding his skinny hand, eyes red and swollen. Leon's eyes were closed, face even paler than yesterday, breathing so weak it was barely detectable.
Hearing the door, Mom immediately looked up. Seeing me, she forced a bitter smile. "Sheila, you're here."
"Mom." I quickly walked over, supporting her thin, trembling shoulders. "How's Leon?"
Mom shook her head, tears welling up again. "The doctor said... tomorrow's the last day. But how are we supposed to come up with that kind of money?" She couldn't continue, just gripped my hand desperately, nails nearly digging into my flesh, as if clutching the only lifeline. "Sheila, what-what do we do? It's my fault..."
Looking at Mom's desperate, ashen face, I squeezed her hand back tightly. Opening my other palm, the black card lay quietly there. "Don't worry about the money. I've got it covered."
But Mom's eyes went wide, staring at the card in disbelief before snapping to look at me, her eyes instantly filled with horror and despair. "Sheila?" Her voice carried tears. "Tell me you didn't—"
"What? No! God, no, Mom."
I gripped her hand, speaking faster. "I got a new job. At that fancy jewelry place downtown. The boss is... he's really understanding about our situation. Gave me an advance on my bonus. They'll deduct it from my paychecks later. It's not charity."
"A jewelry place?" Mom froze, the horror in her eyes slowly fading, replaced by massive disbelief. "They just... hand out advances like that?"
"Yeah." I pressed the black card into her hands. "Boss said Leon's surgery comes first. It's real, Mom. We can save him." My voice trembled with excitement.
Mom looked down at the card in her hands—one she'd never seen before, emanating expensive elegance. Her fingertips carefully traced the iris, the paleness and despair on her face melting away like snow meeting sunshine.
"You're sure about this, sweetheart? Really sure?" Her voice shook, tears flooding out again. "We need to thank them properly. Send flowers, write letters... who was it again?"
"Éclat Lumière, you know the one." I answered vaguely, avoiding Mom's tearfully grateful gaze. Instinct told me Mom shouldn't know more.
"Éclat Lumière," Mom murmured, as if reciting a savior's name, hands constantly making the sign of the cross. "Thank God. Oh thank God, our Leon's gonna be okay."
Seeing the light rekindled on Mom's face, whatever else, at least this crisis was crossed.
Not until the nurse came to remind us visiting hours were over did I stand to leave. Walking out of the hospital building, I took out my phone and dialed Madeline's number.
"Madeline, it's me, Sheila."
