Marcel's New Assistant

Chapter Eighteen: The E.R.

-Marcel's P.O.V.-

We waited for six hours. I haven't moved except to go to the restroom. Leeroy left briefly to tell Veronica what had happened.

I was sitting with my head in my hands, when one of nurses tapped my shoulder.

"Are you here for Ms. Alicia Flores?" He said, looking down at his clipboard.

"Yes, sir. Is she alright?" I rushed out, getting out of my seat.

"She's fine, she's fine. You can come in and visit her now." He said, leading me to her room.

The doctor had just walked out and her face was pale and her eyes were filled with tears threatening to fall.

"Alicia...?" She looked up at me and a sob escaped her mouth. She held out her arms and I was immediately next to her and holding her as she cried into my shirt.

"M-Marcel...I c-can't! T-they s-said I c-can't!" She sobbed, hiccuping between her words.

"Shhh...what's wrong? What can't you do?" I asked, rubbing her back and setting her on my lap. She clung to me and cried.

"I c-can't h-have kids..." she cried out. My heart shattered.

"I'm so sorry, Alicia, I'm so sorry." I held her closer and let her release all her emotions. She was deeply hurt. Not only physically but emotionally.

After an hour, she had stopped crying and was sound asleep against my chest. I gently stroked her hair, humming softly.

There was a knock and Leeroy, Veronica and Jonny came in. Veronica looked down at Britney and shook her head. "S-she's covered in bruises...why didn't we notice...?" She whispered sadly.

"She got too good at hiding them..." I whispered back. "What happened with Ben?"

Jonny's expression was hard. "They got 'im. I can't believe I had that sort of man in my building. I will be paying for the hospital bill personally." He said seriously.

I nodded and Leeroy stood next to the bed. "Is she alright?"

I sighed. "Her uterus was ruptured. She can't have kids..." I whispered sadly. Veronica gave a sharp intake of breath and tears cascaded down her face.

"Oh my god...That's horrible..." She said quietly, wiping her tears.

We heard commotion going on outside and we looked at each other, confused. "Where is she!? I need to see her!"

"Ma'am, you're going to need to lower your voice." Someone said, probably a nurse.

"I will not unless you direct me to her room!" The woman sounded serious, so the nursed sighed and mumbled, "Right this way."

The door was opened to reveal a woman with short, brown curly hair. She gasped when she saw Alicia and rushed over. "My baby...I can't believe this happened to you..." She suddenly looked up at my arms around her and then at my face. "And who are you?" she asked cautiously.

"U-um...I'm Marcel Styles. I work with Alicia...i-if you don't mind? Who are you?" I asked nervously.

"Catherine Flores. Alicia's mother." It was then that I realized that Alicia was a spitting image of her.

"Oh, please, forgive me! I had no idea." She held up her hand, effectively shutting me up.

"Why is my daughter in your arms?" She asked with pursed lips. Over- protective mum. Gotta watch out.

"He's the one that called the police and brought her here." Leeroy spoke up, his hands on his hips. "He's the one who noticed her injuries. He's the one who's she's been the assistant for. He's the one who was there when no one else was." Thank god for Leeroy.

Her expression softened. "I guess it's my turn to apologize?" she blushed.

I smiled and shook my head. "No need, ma'am."

"But, really. Why is she in your arms?" she asked, looking us over.

I swallowed hard and explained that Alicia can't have children and was horribly shaken. "Hay, mi hija..." She cried. "I shouldn't have ever let her come here. She could be safe at home." Ms. Flores sniffled.

"But she is safe now...Benjamin was arrested two hours ago and his trial is in four days." Veronica said.

"Yes...that's true. But-"

I didn't hear what she said because I felt Alicia shift in my lap. She looked up at me and snuggled into my chest. "Are you alright?" I whispered in her ear.

She shrugged and looked around. Her eyes went wide when she saw her mother. "Mami?" She said quietly. Everyone shut up and Ms. Flores went up to Alicia.

"Yes, baby. I'm here." Alicia let me go before hugging her mum.

"How did you get here?" She asked, her head on her mum's shoulder. She was still holding my hand and didn't seem to want to let go.

"I pulled a few strings and got on the quickest flight to the U.K. when they called me. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I couldn't..." she whispered.

"Well, when this whole thing has blown over, you're coming home."

Alicia quickly removed her head from her mum's shoulder. "What do you mean? I'm staying here, mami."

"Alicia Maria Flores. Do not argue with me." Her mother said strictly.

"Mom. I'm twenty-two years old. I can make my own decisions. I'm staying here. I have an amazing job, I have amazing people," She squeezed my hand lightly, "And I'm completely safe now. You can't just make me pack up and leave." She whined.

Her mum huffed and put her hands on her hips. "Fine." Alicia brightened considerably. "But! If I get another phone call like this, I'm sending someone to pack your things and take your ass back to Newark. Ta bien?"

"Yes, mami! Thank you, I love you!"

"Yeah, yeah, I love you too. I need you to stay safe. You're lucky I got Carlos to stay so he didn't come and murder that man." She said seriously.

"Okay. Tell papi I said I love and miss him." Her mother hummed before saying that she needs to head back home. We all waved goodbye and settled back in our seats.

I cleared my throat. "So...Maria, huh?"

"Shut up." she said, throwing a pillow at me, causing everyone to laugh.

(A/N: OMG ZERRIE IS ENGAGED I'M SO HAPPY AHHH! *breathes in* alright, I'm good. See you next chappy. xx)