HIDDEN PASSION

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Lillian took the following day off from work, deciding to get some rest at home. And that was because she had slept in that morning while thinking of what happened between her and Nathaniel the previous day. He did a great job in ruining her mood. She had actually been very happy that he got the investors, but did he really have to think that low of her? She did not even do anything wrong.

Perhaps, he was right. The way she had been treating him and acting like a bitch that she wasn't could have given off that aura.

She had just finished texting Mr. Clifford on the phone to thank him for helping her when she got out of her room with a pair of shorts and armless top that was revealing the inscription on her arm. She was used to dressing like that at home, since she rarely had visitors except her best friend who came once in a while. But, she always hides the inscription from her by wearing a huge t-shirt with sleeves long enough to reach her elbows.

Talking of her friend, she realized that they barely talk anymore. Dorcas had changed and started giving her the busy excuse which she had never done before. She concluded that she might have a lot going on in her life that she wasn't ready to let out and decided to give her some space and not pressure her. It did not turn well when she had done that the last time. Dorcas had ended up yelling at her to leave her alone.

She took her seat on a chair in her mother's living room and started playing a 'Kung fu' game on her phone. She had muttered some words angrily under her breath when the game paused by itself before she realized that it was due to an incoming call from her mother.

What could she want? She thought as she answered the call. "Hello, mum," she said, but what she heard made her jump from her seat, took her car key and headed to the destination given to her.

How could her mother suddenly collapse? She was all well and good when she left home that morning. What could have happened? It's not even noon yet.

She parked her car in the parking lot of the hospital and ran inside the reception to see Nester, who she knew to be the P. A of Nath.

Sighting her, the lady walked towards her. "Hello, I am Nester, the —"

"I know you. Hi, how is my mum? What happened to her?" Lillian asked almost in tears.

"Calm down, Miss Williams," Nester said and her eyes unconsciously strayed to her left arm, then back  to her face.

"Call me Lillian, please. How is my mum?" She asked again when she could not see any nurse on standby to ask. How could they not have any nurses at the reception? Were they that short of staff? She could not help but wonder in her anger.

"She is being attended to," Nester answered.

Nester cautiously gazed back at her left arm to make sure she was not just hallucinating earlier. Perhaps, if she looked one more time and closely, she would not see what she was seeing, but no. It was boldly written there in her arm.

LillyNath? That was the name her boss had talked to her about. How could Nathaniel be searching all around when she was just under his nose? Could he not perceive her scent? She had also been even looking for the woman to help her boss. What would she do now?

No matter how she really wished for her boss to find her, she did not want it to be that soon. He had to concentrate on the company, especially when he had just successfully secured some investors. She did not want him to be distracted. Aside from that, she knew that finding her that soon will reduce the closeness between her and Nathaniel. They had been getting along just fine after he had confided in her and she had been very happy with the progress and had given herself some hope that she could actually end up with Nath if he did not find the Lillian he was looking for.

Not taking any chances in letting her boss see Lillian's arm, she quickly went back to where she was seated to take the suit jacket that she had taken off earlier, which was beside Nath's own. He had taken his own off when he wanted to piggyback Mrs. Williams from her office to his car.

She took a jacket without taking her eyes off Lillian and put it around Lillian to cover her arm. "You must be cold," she said, as if concerned. But if she was the one he had been searching for, how come he did not know? She knew they mee often and even went on the same trip for a few days. Wasn't that the perfect time to see the inscription and recognize her? She pondered for a while, but she got no answer to any of her questions.

Lillian did not even seem to notice what she was putting on. Her mind had drifted very far away from the present. She was only worried about her mother and nothing else was on her mind. She had only muttered her appreciation as the young lady covered her with her jacket as she put it on very well, even though it was a little too big for her.

She listened carefully as Nester explained that she had been to her mother's office with her boss for a business meeting when she suddenly started acting up. "But the doctor had assured us that she will be fine, so don't worry," Nester consoled, then the doctor came into view with Nathaniel.

Lillian sauntered quickly to meet him halfway. "How is my mum?"

"Calm down. She is fine now. She fainted as a result of stress. She is already old and here are limits to the amount of stress her body can endure. I will advise you to keep her from going to work again. She is old enough to retire," Doctor Mark said.

"Alright, doctor. Thank you very much," Lillian appreciated as she wiped her tears without meeting the special eyes that were boring holes into her body.

The doctor smiled. "It's all thanks to God and this man who brought her here without delay. A second late and only God knows what we will be discussing right now," he said and then informed her that she could see her mother if she wanted to, then went over to Nester and smiled at her. She watched as he circled her hand around her neck and led her away from sight, probably to his office. She did not even know the reason she kept looking back at her.

"They are friends. I mean... The doctor and Nester. I can see you're looking at them," Nath answered her thoughts, but she only shrugged it off and said nothing.

She hesitated for a while before saying, "Thank — you for saving my mum," but did not meet his eyes. Things had gotten more awkward with him for her ever since the previous day. That was also part of the reasons she had taken the day off,to cool off her heart that was burning with passion. But, she had only been selfish by leaving her mother alone to do the work of two people.

Nath smiled and she could see that at the corner of her mouth. "You don't need to thank me. Anyone could have done that. Will you go and see her now? I'll lead you there," he offered and started walking toward the elevator when she nodded but kept looking at her until they got in the elevator.

"Why do you keep staring at me like that?" Lillian asked.

He smiled. "Lilly... Sorry, I mean Lillian. I'm just looking at the jacket. It looks like mine," he said.

"Nester gave this to me. I didn't know it's yours. I thought it was hers," she said uncomfortably and started taking off the jacket, making it slip down her left arm, revealing her inscription.