💮͓̽His Mistress💮

The Surgery Day.

💮 Angel 💮

We pulled up at the hospital at eight in the morning. Luca was already in Mom's room, sitting beside her.

"Mom," I called softly, and both their heads turned toward me.

"Sis," Luca said as he stood up and wrapped me in a tight hug.

I pulled away and cupped his cheeks, gently stroking them with my thumbs.

His usually vibrant gray eyes looked dull, and the creases in his brows spoke volumes of the stress he was under.

His hair was messily braided into a bun, and he looked completely worn out.

"Luca... have you had any rest?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

My palm smoothed down his hair with care.

He sighed deeply and let his face sink into the crook of my neck, the move making me feel even shorter than I already was.

"Yes, Angel. Your brother's been very stubborn," Mom chimed in, her voice laced with mock annoyance.

"He hasn't gotten any rest for the past two days. He's been asking me the same questions over and over again."

"Mom," Luca groaned, rolling his eyes.

"Luca," I warned, giving him the sister tone.

"Don't go all mom on me, Sis," he muttered—right as his eyes landed on Raul.

"Angel—" Raul started, but Luca cut him off with a cold, narrowed look.

"Raul D'Amano," Raul introduced himself curtly.

"Uhm, Luca, he's—" I began, but was instantly cut off.

"Your boyfriend?" He deadpanned, raising a brow at me.

I was about to deny it, literally about to speak, but Raul's hand tightened around my waist—silently shutting me up.

"Your boyfriend! Oh, my heavens—son, please come over," Mom gushed excitedly from the hospital bed.

Luca and I exchanged a quick glance.

Isn't she supposed to be mad that I have a boyfriend?

I mean, this is the same woman who practically turned our living room into a surveillance station during my high school years.

She once acted like the Bible had a separate chapter just to warn me against dating.

No guys were allowed close to me—not even if it was for a project. And if they did manage to get past her radar? They'd be forced to work in the living room under her holy scrutiny.

It was mortifying.

"Good day, Mrs. Caribello," Raul greeted sweetly, flashing a small smile—and I swear, she blushed.

Luca and I snickered silently at the sight.

Mom stretched out her arms for a hug.

"Wow! You're so handsome, son. Like the models from the magazines. I hope my daughter is treating you well," she said, glaring at me over his shoulder.

"Mom—"

"Yes, Mrs. Caribello. She's the best," Raul said smoothly, then winked at me—making my cheeks flood with heat.

"Son, I hope you're not talking about sex," she said suddenly, her face turning serious. "And I hope she hasn't given you her vagina because until you both are married, no sex."

Her glare turned on me like a laser beam.

Luca and I groaned and covered our faces, wishing we could evaporate into thin air.

I glanced at Raul, who now looked completely lost and awkward. I shot him a don't say a word look.

Just then, Doctor Harry walked in with four other medical personnel, ready to transfer Mom to the operating theater.

****

I was dying inside due to nervousness but I had to be calm because of Luca.

He held my hand in his while resting his head on my shoulder, and Raul sat opposite us, busy on his phone but never failing to pass a reassuring smile my way.

After waiting for what seemed like days, the light of the theater went off and Doctor Harry came out.

"Doctor!" Luca and I rushed towards him to question him. He had an expressionless face, making me even more nervous.

"H-how's she, doctor? Did she—" I started, but he sighed, shattering my hopes. I felt Raul's arm around my shoulders.

"Tell us, doctor, don't be silent!" Luca yelled.

The doctor looked between us and his lips broke into a smile.

"The surgery was successful," he informed us, and I felt a light weight lift from my chest.

"Mom's fine," I whispered and threw my arms around Luca. "Mom's fine," I repeated.

"When are we going to see her, doc?"

"After twenty-four hours."

"Thank you so much, doctor," I said, giving him a grateful smile.

"It's no problem, dear," he replied, patted my cheek, and left.

Although I wanted so badly to stay with my mom, I had to leave the hospital earlier than I wished because of a shoot scheduled for the next day.

Before I left, I made sure to instruct Luca to call me as soon as she woke up.