(Author’s POV)
"Hey~ ... Ra-ra, it’s ," a voice, all too familiar, reached Myra.
Myra’s rigid body relaxed on its own. With a weak voice, she said, "Ye~lena~ ..."
"Ummhmm~ ... do you need sothing?" Yelena asked.
"Can you~ please~ ... switch on the light~ ... and help up," she said weakly. Without uttering a word, Yelena adjusted Myra’s bed and turned the lights on. She then walked towards the window and pushed it open as a fresh morning breeze blew in gently.
She sat back, took Myra’s hand once again and asked, "Do you need anything else?"
Myra shook her head, glanced around and asked, "Where is~ .... Dad?"
"Uncle Will had gone to get so breakfast. He didn’t want to leave you, but I insisted and sent him out," Yelena said, trying to lighten the mood.
"When did you~ .... when did you arrive?" Myra queried.
"Last night .... Grandpa also ca. After seeing you, he returned to the hotel," Yelena mumbled. "You tell ? How are you feeling now? Should I get sothing for you?"
Myra shook her head in response. Yelena circled Myra’s dorsal side of her hand with her thumb and asked, "How did this happen? When I texted you~ ... you were in the car~ ... everything was fine. Then how?" She paused, "I shouldn’t have left you on your own. I should have~ ...." her voice choked at the end, as she lowered her head to hide her emotions.
"Yel~ ... don’t bla yourself. It was not because of you. The kidnapping, it was preplanned," Myra said.
Yelena paused as she raised her head, her face shocked, "Huhh? P~ p~ preplanned? Who were they? Did you know them?"
"Yes, it was preditated. The cab driver~ ... he drove to a deserted road. Afterwards, his other accomplices, who were waiting there beforehand, showed up. Then, when they took to the cottage, two more people showed up. It was Mr. and Mrs. Long."
"Lo~ ... Long~ ....?" Yelena’s ears were perked up. "As in that creepy, douchebag, Nigel Long?" Her russet browns were ready to pop out of their sockets.
"His parents, to be precise," Myra corrected. "I don’t know whether he was involved or not."
Yelena’s expression changed drastically, from dumbfounded to full blown rage as she got up from the seat. She slapped her thigh and roared, "THOSE FUCKING VICIOUS MONSTERS. Spreading rumours and tarnishing your reputation all over the university wasn’t enough for them. Now, they tried to pull sothing so low and evil. I will beat them up until their bodies are covered in black and blue bruises."
She was ready to run out and execute her plans, but Myra stopped her, "Yel~ ... calm down, relax. Take it easy."
"MYRA~ ... how can you say that? They did such a cruel thing to you, and you are still asking to calm down. I can’t calm down. Fuck. I will not calm down until each one of them is punished. I will not show them rcy even in the slightest, nor should you," Yelena was like burning ambers, ready to strike.
"Yelena~ ..." Myra’s voice ca out a little hard; at least she tried to. "I said~ ... calm down."
With puffed cheeks, Yelena settled back. But she was still visibly annoyed.
Myra shook her head and added, her voice firm, "I will not show rcy. Not to them, not to anyone else. But~ for now .... let’s just wait. Okay?"
Yelena saw sothing close to calculation in Myra’s eyes. She decided to take a step back and trust her friend’s decision. Soon, William ca back. Seeing that he was empty handed, Yelena was puzzled and asked, "Uncle Will, didn’t you go to get breakfast? Did you forget it by chance?"
"Breakfast is here~ ...." Nora walked inside, followed by Brave and Alaric, both of them had a lunch box each. Myra’s expression changed shades from neutral to relaxed to cold and then to shock. She was flabbergasted to see the flashy, handcrafted, all too familiar tiered lunch box.
It was the sa one Sandra gave them earlier.
William nodded at them. Just then, he too noticed it. After all, it was Sandra’s gift for him, so how could he not know? He couldn’t help but ask, "Ummm~ ... sorry to be rude, but where did you get this lunch box from? May I ask, Mr. Everests? It’s exactly like mine."
"It is the sa one, Mr. Miracle," Alaric spoke, his tone aloof as he gauged Myra’s reaction.
Myra jumped in, "When Fabian was at the hospital. There was a mix-up."
"Ahhhh~ ... the hospital staff must have given it to Mr. Everests," Yelena added.
Nora looked at Alaric. Apparently, he had told her it was from a small restaurant. She then returned her attention to Myra. "I made this for you~ ...." She took the box from Brave and opened the lid, as a fresh aroma of strong herbs and chicken ginger soup wafted.
Myra gave her a wry smile as Nora said, "Brother Alaric, set up the other one for Uncle Will and Yelena. They both must be hungry." She ordered him.
"Nora~ ... Mr. Everests doesn’t need to. I can do it on my own," William tried to reach for the box, but Alaric, quietly listening to his sister, started on his task. He ticulously unboxed all the things and placed them.
Yelena’s eyes narrowed as she half scoffed. She leaned back and whispered to Myra, "I heard he was a hard nut. Can’t believe all the rumours. He is a total simp brother, I guess."
Brave couldn’t hold his laughter and chuckled, though sneakily. Myra stared at Alaric for a minute or two, then turned her attention back to Nora, "Why did you co so early in the morning?"
"Nora insisted on bringing you a homade breakfast," Brave answered on his sister’s behalf. He stepped forward and, without warning touch Myra’s forehead, while asking, "How do you feel now?"
Myra’s breath hitched as she felt the warmth radiating from his palm. A burst of refreshing and cool scent of cardamom and musk filled her nostrils. She had never slled sothing like this before. In no ti, her face turned from almost pale to red.
Brave looked at her, concerned and asked, "You don’t seem to be running a fever. So, why is your face red?"
To Be Continued . . . . . . .
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