Facade

Chapter 35

Mia's pov

I entered into the villa panting. My tank top was covered in sweat and I looked as if I just ran a marathon. And I felt like it too. Whoever said exercises were satisfying obviously needs his brain checked. Damn! That was excruciatingly hard. I dragged myself to the kitchen and opened the fridge. I took out a carton of orange juice and collapsed on a stool. I gulped the juice straight from the carton. My mum will roast me if she sees me but I was too tired to care. I relaxed on the stool with my eyes closed till my breathing became even. I heard footsteps come into the kitchen and I opened my eyes to see Damian stroll in wearing Hello Kitty pyjamas. I snorted to cover my laughter but it was a wasted effort. I burst out laughing. Damian stared at me for a second, his expression confused.
"H-h-hello k-kitty pyjamas" I stuttered in between my laughter. Comprehension dawned on him and he rolled his eyes at me. I managed to get my laughter under control, but giggles still escaped me. It was extremely funny to me. The big bad CEO of Carlos enterprises wears fluffy Hello Kitty pyjamas. No one would believe me. Heck, the press will probably have a field day if they find out about it. Damian turned to me from where he sat drinking his coffee black. Yuck..... I tried that once and it was so bitter. I wonder how he can stand it.
"Where are you coming from this early?" He asked suspicious. He probably thinks I went to see a secret boyfriend or something. Stupid, annoying overprotective big brother.
"I went jogging" I replied confidently. It was his turn to start laughing. I scowled at him. Is the idea of me jogging that preposterous that he bursts out laughing?
"Y-you jogging?" Damian stuttered out in between his laughter. I scowled at him, not finding it amusing. When he showed no signs of stopping any time soon, I got angry and walked out leaving him in the kitchen. I walked straight to my room. I opened the door and walked straight to the shower. I pulled my clothes and dumped them on the ground. The maids will pick them up later, I thought. I know I'm acting like a bitch but I'm too tired to feel guilty. I showered quickly, not wasting time to savour the hot water. I wrapped a robe around my body and came out of the bathroom. I missed Karen. Maybe she can come over for a girls day out. I picked up my cell phone to call her. I was about dialing her number when I noticed I had missed calls from an unknown number. Who could that be? Ever since the kidnap fiasco with Aiden, I changed my number and very few people have this new one. Infact only my family and Karen. Since all my family members are accounted for, could it be Karen? By why didn't she use her cell phone? I thought. I decided to return the call. I dialed the number and waited for it to connect. Immediately it did, I didn't wait for the person to speak.
"Hi, I'm Mia. You called me earlier today." I said with a smile. I know whoever the person is won't be able to see my smile through the phone. But it's polite to smile when receiving calls, except it's something negative. The voice that replied sounded polite, quiet, caring yet still professional.
"Oh yes, are you Amelia Carlos?" The voice inquired. Shit! They know my full name. Isn't that stalkerish? Is that even a word? Talk about creepy!
"Yes I am" I answered, my voice unstable. I heard the lady sigh from the other end before she replied
"Great. I'm calling on behalf of Miss Karen Lee. She was brought in unconscious. Your number was found on an emergency card in her purse"
Her words sent a chill through me. No, not Karen. My hand holding the phone to my ear fell limply to my side. My breath began to hitch. I was breathing heavily. My eyes dimmed with tears but I hardly noticed. My legs felt like jelly. My body speaking its own language. I heard the lady on the other end saying something. With shaking fingers, I dragged the phone back to my ear.
"Ma'am, are you alright?" The lady asked, her voice alarmed and frantic.
I took a deep breath and tried to make my voice come out as steady as possible, though I was feeling anything but steady.
"Yes, I'm here" I replied the lady. My voice sounded a bit stronger than I felt. I heard the exhale of breath from the other end. I guess my reaction must have scared her.
"Okay ma'am. As I was saying, we'll like you to come over to fill some forms for us so we can continue with her treatment." The lady replied, her voice was anything but hopeful. I guess she thinks I'll break again. I don't know about that. I can't even promise myself not to break.
"Which hospital please?" I asked.
"City hospital ma'am" She replied. I was already on my feet, walking to my closet. I needed to change and I needed to do it fast.
"I'll be there shortly." I replied and hung up the phone. I picked the first thing my hands touched, which happened to be crop top and shorts. I didn't bother checking if fit, I just pulled it on. I picked up my phone, yelling for  Damian while leaving my room.

      ______________________________

Damian's pov

I sat in the study sipping coffee, while going through some papers. I was feeling lazy about going to the office today, which is very much unlike me. Maybe I'm coming down with something. Or I've just become too comfortable in the house to think about going to work. All in all, it didn't really bother me. Whether or not I go in doesn't matter. No one will question me. Perks of being the boss. That sounds cocky. Maybe I am getting cocky, I don't mind. My life has taken a turn since I reunited with Mia and I'm loving every second of it. I heard Mia yelling for me. I frowned and stood up. I walked out of the study and walked towards the sound. I saw Mia running down the stairs. She flew straight into my arm and started sobbing. What the hell?
"What's wrong Mia? Who hurt you?"
I asked, eager to stop whatever caused her tears. I hated her crying. She's my princess. Mia hiccuped trying to speak
"K-k-karen....hurts.... h-hospital"
I didn't know what the heck was going on but it didn't sound good. Panic crept up my spine but I forced it down. Karen was hurt. I don't know why but the thought of Karen hurt didn't sit well with me. Anything negative about Karen repulsed me. But I couldn't let it show. Mia needed me and I'll be there for her.
"Which hospital Mia?" I asked my sobbing sister. I was already pulling her out of the house to the car.
"City h-hospital" Mia replied. I nodded and pulled into the car. I put on her seat belt for her. I know she can do it but I didn't trust her to. She was so distraught that she might forget to put on her seatbelt. And since I was about breaking traffic laws, I wanted her safe. I got into the car and peeled out of the driveway. I was going above the speed but I didn't care. I'll pay for any ticket as long as I got to Karen and she was alright. Please be okay Karen.

Make me happy by clicking on the little star button below. Thanks