It's past noon. Ariana and Audrey decided to take Sofia home so Sunny could rest. "Sofia did you take everything you need?" Audrey asked. "Yes ma'am" She replied.
Ariana was too busy pulling the luggage. "Was it necessary to bring Sunny's entire wardrobe to the hospital?" Ariana grumbled. "Stop complaining Aunty Bear" Sofia said. "I'll show you complaining" Ariana whispered.
"Wait I forgot my ipad in the room" Sofia said. "Ugh... I'll get it" Audrey said, she left to get the ipad. Ariana pulled the bag so hard, it made the content fly across the room. She knelt down trying to gather them up. "Baby bear, come help aunty here please" Ariana said.
Sofia didn't respond. "Baby why are you just standing there?" Ariana asked. "Aunty bear why is that man staring at me that way?" Sofia asked. Ariana looked at the man who just stood there.
Audrey came with the ipad. "What the hell are you guys looking at?" Audrey asked. Ariana panicked, she subconsciously stood up. "What's going on?" Audrey asked. "That man is looking at aunty bear and it's making me uncomfortable"
Ariana turned to leave. "Woah, where are you going?" "I gotta get outta here now" Ariana said. "Why? Is that guy and his bodyguard threatening you?"
"That's my boss" "What? That's the same motherfucker that hurt you?" Audrey whispered. Ariana was terrified to death. A man in black suit approached them. "Nope, I ain't staying" Ariana ran upstairs.
Audrey grabbed the man by the arm. "Hey mister my friend isn't available at the moment. Try again later" Audrey said.
"Get your hands off me" He tried to break free and chase after Ariana but Audrey pulled his arm hard and within minutes he was on the floor. "Can't you tell when a girl isn't interested?" She asked.
Sofia picked everything up. "Let's go home Aunty orange" Sofia said. "But Ariana.... {sigh} fine" Audrey said in defeat.
Roberto got to the doctor's office. "Mr Gonzalez, I wasn't expecting you till tomorrow" Doctor said. "I know, I just came for a visit" Roberto said with a smile.
"How often do you stop by for a visit?" Charles asked. "Relax Charles I'm here for something but someone peeked my interest" Roberto said. Charles paused.
"I hope you don't have a target here? I can't allow you to assassinate anyone here today. It's against the policy of the hospital" Charles said. "I saw a lady not long ago" Roberto said as he took a sip from the whiskey Charles offered.
"You want to murder a female? Have you no heart?" He asked. Roberto placed the glass on the table with a smile on his face, that sent a chill down Charles's spine.
"I'm not here in business, I came here because I had a flu but she caught my attention. I want to know what's she's doing here?" He said. "There are so many female in the hospital"
"Don't play coil with me doc, I don't have that patience" Roberto said. Arturo showed a picture of Ariana to the doctor. "Oh, her friend was admitted to the hospital yesterday" Charles said. "Why?"
"I'm afraid that confidential" Charles said. Roberto gave a signal to Arturo, who pulled out a gun. "I'm not a man of many words, you ought to know that by now doc" he said. Charles felt his pulse drop low.
"Her friend was involved in the accident at miss Castello's restaurant" he said. "Alejandra's restaurant? I thought the victim was discharged?" Roberto asked.
"Yes but she was brought in yesterday because the stitches tore open" Charles said. "Hmm, that's interesting" Was all Roberto could say.
"Would that be all for now?" Charles asked. "Yes. Give Arturo the prescription for my flu and I'll be on my way" Roberto said.
He left the office and went downstairs to his car. He picked up his phone to call Antonio. "Why the fuck are you calling me?" Antonio asked from the other end of the line.
"I didn't want to speak with you dick head. Where's Alejandra?" Roberto asked. "Nigga call her phone if it's that important" Antonio said. "I know she's there with you and besides she won't pick my calls" Roberto said.
Alejandra grabbed the phone from Antonio. "What is the problem?" Alejandra asked. "Well guess what a little birdie told me" Roberto said. "Would you stop with the mysterious shit?" Alejandra asked.
"I'm at the hospital, I was informed that your employee was admitted to the hospital yesterday" Roberto said. "Nigga no one cares about an employee in the hospital" Antonio said. "Would you shut the hell up? I'm wasn't talking to you" Roberto said in frustration.
"Is she alright?" Alejandra asked despite suppressing her concern. Antonio was surprised by the question. "Ohhhh.... I smell gossip brewing" Roberto said. "Why are you concerned?" Antonio asked.
"My thoughts exactly" Roberto said. "I just want to know how she's doing" was all Alejandra could say. Antonio raised an eyebrow.
"Well whatever your reasons are, it's your personal matter but you need to get down here because I was informed that she was charged triple the previous bill" Roberto said. Alejandra took a deep breath and let out a sigh of exhaustion.
"Anyway I gotta go" Roberto said and hung up immediately. Antonio looked at Alejandra. "What's this really about?"
"What?" Alejandra asked. "What's your sudden concern with that girl? You have never cared for any of your employee before so tell me what fucking games you're playing" Antonio said. "I'm not playing any games Antonio" Alejandra said.
She left the room, she questioned her sanity. {I don't know how many days it's been since I saw her last. I felt she doesn't need me in her life, I'd only make her suffer. How can I protect her when she refused leave the restaurant? I can't bare to see her in such state when I know I'm the cause}
Alejandra drove her motorcycle to the hospital. Charles was surprised to see Alejandra in his office when he returned from a patient's room.
{Why are all the Mafia family torturing me. First it was Roberto, then Antonio now Alejandra. It was bad enough I just got off the phone with Antonio ordering me to keep an eye on the girl now Alejandra is here too?}
"Good afternoon miss Castello, how may I be of assistance to you today?" Charles asked. "Cut the crap doc. Why wasn't I informed about Sunny being admitted back to the hospital?" Alejandra asked.
{I knew it was because of that girl. I don't know why they're interested in her. I pity the poor girl} "Ahem.. I am terribly sorry, it was my fault. I thought since you weren't the one who brought her like last time then you had nothing to do with fitting the bill" Charles said.
"Since when did you start making decisions for me?" Alejandra asked. "I... I just... When she..." Charles stuttered. "I was also informed that she was charged triple the previous bill. If you had done your job like a professional she would have never returned here and you have the nerve to stutter"
"Miss Castello the wound was properly treated, she must have done something difficult that caused it to tear"
"And the bill?" Alejandra asked. "She was charged what her bill was worth" Charles said. "What her bill was worth?" Alejandra chuckled then she continued talking. "I'll make it simple for you right now. You would refund her money back to her and you'll add an extra five hundred to her bill"
"Miss Castello, It... It's impossible. Refunds is against the hospital's policy" Charles said. "Oh you don't seem to get it, I'm not asking" Alejandra pulled out a gun from her jacket and placed it on the table.
"Do you have a problem with the current arrangement?" Alejandra asked while her hand was on her gun. "No ma'am" Was all he could reply in fear. "Such a shame I was planning on taking someone's life today. Too bad" The way she said it was like a disappointed little girl.
{What is wrong with this people? Thinking they kill anyone they like. Well I have to do as I'm told for the sake of my daughter}
"Go give her the money now and if she doesn't accept it, I will forget a bullet in your skull" Alejandra said menacingly. "How can I convince her to take her money back?" Charles asked. "You could have thought about that before cheating her... Oh be sure to tell her the reason for the refund"
Charles made his way to the room with an envelope in his hand, with every step he took he felt Alejandra staring deep into his soul. He knocked on the door before pushing it open. "It's a good thing you're here doctor, she has been feeling uncomfortable for a while" Ariana said.
"Come on Ariana you're exaggerating" Sunny said. "I don't joke with your health, now shut the hell up while the doctor attends to you" Ariana said.
"I'll have the nurse prescribe some medications for that" Charles said. "What brings you here doctor?" Sunny asked. "Ahem... Well it had come to my notice that you bill was incorrect"
"What? But we made the necessary payment {sigh} how much do we need to add this time?" Ariana asked in exhaustion. "You misunderstand, I'm here to give you a refund" Charles said.
"What?" Both girls asked in unison. "Doctor is it because I complained about my stomach? I'm fine, don't pay attention to my friend" She said with a smile. "No that's not it, we were the ones who didn't do our job well, so it's an apology from the entire staff including myself"
"Look here doctor, we paid you for your services. I don't get this bullshit you're talking about. We are not accepting that money" Ariana said. "Please accept the money" Charles pleaded. "My friend is right, I'm not taking it back. It's already been paid for"
{Alejandra would kill me on the spot. I can feel a laser on my head} "The truth is that someone donated money for all patients in the hospital, that's why everyone is getting a refund" Charles said.
"That looks shady if you ask me. Someone just came in and cleared everyone's bill? I don't believe you" Ariana said. {What is wrong with this lady? Are you the one the devil sent for my downfall?}
Sunny holds Ariana back. "Fine, I'll accept the money" Sunny said.
Ariana glares at Sunny but she finally cooled down. Ariana snatched the envelope from Charles aggressively. She opened it and counted the money. "why is there an extra five hundred in here?" Ariana asked.
"Umm... Oh... That's part of the donation" Charles blurted out. "I would like to thank this person for his kindness" Sunny said. "He would like to remain anonymous" He said "Hmmm"
"Please miss would you let this go" Charles said to Ariana. Sunny beamed with happiness. Alejandra stood by the door watching her genuine reactions, she couldn't help but smile. "At least she isn't badly hurt" Alejandra said.
She held the door knob, tried kicking the door open but she fought with the urge. She slowly pulls away, Charles stepped out of the room. "Mission accomplished" He said. "Excellent, take good care of her. Keep me posted on her condition" She said as she left the hospital.
Later in the night, Ariana sat beside Sunny. "Aria, I think you need to head home" Sunny said. "Why?" Ariana asked. "Your boss must have left the hospital by now"
"I want to be with you for a while" Ariana said. Sunny touched Ariana's cheeks. "I know you're scared but you'll have to face him at work tomorrow"
"You don't get it, I'm not going back to work tomorrow. I have officially resigned" Ariana said.
"Look I know it isn't easy but if you quit now, it would be difficult to get a new job. No company would be able to pay the same amount you're being paid presently, and don't forget we have an extra mouth to feed" Sunny said. Ariana stood up from the bed and walked to the window. " Weren't you the one who suggested I quit?"
"Melissa is no longer with us, it's left for us to take responsibilities as adults. I know you don't want to see his face but I urge you to return to work. Not because of the money but because I want you to show him that you can not be bought with money and that your dignity as a woman is still intact. And you aren't like other women who would throw themselves at his feet. You are not scared of him, If he wants to intimidate you then he could at least put in an effort in doing so" Sunny said.
Ariana sighs. "I'll think about it" She said. "Now that's a good girl. So pack up your things and go home" Sunny said.
The next moment Ariana found herself outside the hospital, everything that happened felt like a blur. She just got off the phone with Audrey, she informed her about the crazy donation and the sudden refund.
She slowly walked home. A black Bugatti Chiron stopped beside her. "Ariana" A familiar voice called. She didn't bother to look at the person, she walked away. Roberto came out and chased her. "Ariana we need to talk" Roberto said as he tried to catch up with her.
"There's nothing to talk about sir so please leave me alone" She coldly said. He grabs her by the arm. "Let me explain, let's go somewhere quiet so we could talk" Roberto said. "I would rather die than go anywhere with you"
"Fine, we could talk here.... I am sorry, I don't know what came over me. I could have controlled myself, I don't know why I lost my composure" Roberto said. "You expect me to sympathize with you?" Ariana asked sarcastically "Please I understand if you're still mad at me but I need you to forgive me" Roberto said genuinely.
He hasn't been himself today, he waited outside the hospital the entire day just to talk to her, he even canceled all his meetings.
"There's no need for your apology, I no longer want to work for you" Ariana said. "No... Please.... No... Don't say that... I need you, I would give you whatever you want... Don't quit" Roberto said. "It's not about the money, you can't buy everyone with your money. I DON'T NEED YOUR MONEY!!"
Roberto went on his knees. Ariana was honestly shocked, one of the most powerful man in the country is on his knees begging her. If this wasn't a serious situation she would say this only happen in the movies.
"Mr Roberto this is absurd, get up. You're embarrassing yourself" She said. "I don't care" He replied as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Mr Roberto, I.... I... Forgive you" She said. "Does this mean you'd return to the office tomorrow?" Roberto asked.
"No, I can't return to work. With everything that has happened, I'm scared of you. You almost raped me... You almost took advantage of me. You need to understand that I'm not like Jessica who would give anything just to be in your bed, I have dignity okay?"
"You are my boss and nothing changes that fact but whatever happened in past I am deeply sorry. Although I don't recall what happened but I am sorry and I take responsibility for it but I can't do this. I can't live in constant fear working for you. So please let go of my waist, I have to go home"
Roberto stood up. "Just know that the position is still open for you whenever you decide to come back"