[129] a
Chloe would go to the hospital whenever she had free time to check Leonel’s condition. She was apprehensive about him after the accident. Leonel still hadn’t regained consciousness. Agatha and Robby Grisham, who knew about their son’s condition, looked incredibly sad. The worried expression was visible on their faces. Agatha didn’t leave the hospital where Leonel was being treated.
Agatha planned to transfer him to a much larger hospital with better facilities once he regained consciousness. However, she trusted the current doctors’ treatment. She couldn’t doubt them because Leonel’s safety was in their hands. Of course, Leonel’s skillful hands were also involved. Where else would their dexterity come from if not as a gift from God?
Chloe felt guilty about Leonel. Many “what ifs” were swirling in her mind, but she couldn’t do anything about it. Her decision regarding her feelings was already firm. What would become of her if she wavered and left a small opening for Leonel? Even though it was just a tiny part, she couldn’t let go of Leonel yet. Perhaps it was because of Agatha and Robby Grisham that Chloe still thought about Leonel.
Yes… Chloe felt that way.
Sometimes, Chloe also felt guilty towards Leonel, considering that he had been fighting to get closer to her, but Chloe responded with coldness and indifference. Chloe wasn’t unwilling to let Leonel come closer again. However, she was still hurt by the past events that Leonel had caused and how much they had hurt her. It wasn’t easy for her to forget. And when she was learning to forget the pain that Leonel had caused, Darren came into her life. It made Chloe reluctant to open her heart to Leonel again, especially with Darren by her side, although she admitted that it was challenging to open up.
Knock, knock, knock…
Someone knocked on Chloe’s office door, interrupting all her thoughts and making her startle. She shifted her focus towards the door. In reality, Chloe had quite a lot of work piled up, especially since she had to observe the new menu she would launch shortly.
“Come in!” Chloe commanded from inside her office. She found Peni entering the room. It made Chloe furrow her brow. Why did Peni suddenly enter her workspace? And she was holding some folders? Even before she started working, Chloe had been informed about what tasks she would do that day.
“What is it, Pen?” Chloe asked without hesitation.
“These are the partnership proposals from the hotel, Ma’am.”
Ah, she remembered one of her delayed projects. “Should we discuss it now?”
Peni shook her head slowly. “Please review it first. They want to meet tomorrow but in the morning.”
Chloe furrowed her brow. “Morning?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Around eight in the morning.”
“Why so early?” Chloe took the documents that Peni handed over. “And why didn’t you inform me?”
“It seems like you forgot about the schedule, didn’t you?”
Chloe gaped. “Is that true?” She quickly opened her planner, where she always wrote down all her work schedules. For meetings with new clients or proposals for new collaborations, she always noted them in this journal. And indeed, when she looked at her notes, she sighed in resignation.
“Why are you silent, Ma’am?” Peni asked because she had been observing her boss’s weary appearance. The vibrant spirit that used to be on Chloe’s face was starting to fade. Perhaps it had to do with the recent events, and Peni thought it was related to the accident that happened to her ex-husband.
Peni’s question startled Chloe, and she shifted her attention to the woman before her. She looked like a fool daydreaming in front of Peni, even though she had never behaved like this before. “I’ve been feeling tired lately, Pen.”
Peni pulled out a chair and sat in front of her. “Take a day off to rest after this client meeting.”
“That sounds like a good idea. Thank you for suggesting it earlier!” Chloe said to her trusted assistant. “I’ll review the proposal. If it’s okay, we can discuss the next steps. But treat them well, and don’t let the café’s image suffer. It could make my plans to open a new branch more challenging,” Chloe added, making Peni nod slowly and reassuringly smile.
“Alright, Ma’am.”
Shortly after, Peni stood up from her seat. “Then, if you’ll excuse me!”
But before Peni could leave, Chloe called out to her.
“Wait, Peni!”
Immediately, Peni’s steps halted, and she turned back to face Chloe behind her.
“What’s the matter, Ma’am? Can I help you with something?” she asked Chloe again.
“Please ask Tio to make me a hot drink. I’m feeling a bit under the weather,” Chloe said to Peni, who nodded and was concerned.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
“Or do you need me to get you some medicine?”
Chloe gave a faint smile. “No need, Pen. I need some rest.”
“In that case, I’ll also bring you some vitamins, Ma’am.” Peni then hurriedly walked out of the room. Chloe couldn’t stop her assistant’s eagerness. Peni was the one who knew Chloe’s condition the best when she complained of feeling unwell. Chloe was fortunate to have Peni by her side.
After Peni left, Chloe leaned back in her office chair. She stared at the still-illuminated monitor screen, where she saw numerous tables that needed her attention. Chloe sighed long, realizing she had to finish all the work. She also had to review the proposal that Peni had given her earlier. Chloe wanted to be able to handle the pressing workload. Moreover, she needed to visit Leonel and make sure of his condition. It had been three days since her last visit, and she had no idea about her ex-husband’s progress.
The doctors couldn’t conclude other than informing Chloe that Leonel’s injuries were severe. His ribs were broken in several places, and his abdomen had deep cuts from the car’s debris. The head injury sounded terrifying as well. Chloe could only hope Leonel would wake up soon and return to his usual self.
It wasn’t without reason that Chloe was afraid now. She had been in a car accident herself, which had confined her to a hospital bed for two months. Chloe couldn’t remember anything except the sound of the collision, which still sometimes haunted her dreams. Not to mention the consequences she had suffered from the accident. Her emotional state was far from stable, especially since she had also experienced blindness.
And what about Leonel?