Challenging a Cold Heart

Chapter 29: Busybody

Vincent's POV

"Vince, are you okay? What are you looking for?" Lisa asked me when I started searching around the hospital room frantically. I realized that I had lost the pen drive which had the videos of Luc as a kid.

"Lisa, did anyone touch my pillow?" I asked her warily and she frowned.

"No. They just took your clothes and stuff. Nobody touched the bed. Why? Is your phone missing?" She asked worriedly.

"No. It's.." I said distractedly as I rubbed my forehead in worry.

"What is it? If you tell me, maybe we could search for it together." Lisa said. I thought about it. If I told Lisa it was a pen drive that I was searching for, I should have to tell her how it looked as well. It had Luc's name engraved on it. How could I tell her that? And what if she jokingly refuses to give it back if she finds it? I sighed. Maybe I should tell Luc about it.

"Lisa, would it be possible to check from CCTV who came into my room?" I asked her hopefully and she snapped her fingers.

"I can get that for you. But remember you owe me a favour okay?" She told me and I nodded.

"It will take sometime though. You can go and settle down in Ulrich's wife's home." She said with a face.

"I will bring the footage to you in about three hours." She told me and I nodded. I looked around the room again. It was totally bare now except for the bed. I had already checked the cupboards several times and I checked the TV too just to ensure I didn't leave the pen drive there.

"Daee, are you searching for Anki?" James asked suddenly and I realized we've both just pretty much kept him there to himself as we searched the place.

"Who's Anki?" Lisa asked me.

"Luc." I said with a sigh and she spurted out laughing.

"Yeah sweetheart. You can hide your Anki under the pillow." She said and James looked at us innocently.

"Who else are you searching for Daee?" He asked me and I smiled. I didn't have the heart to tell him not to call me "Daddy". I mean he shouldn't be calling practically a stranger "Daddy" right? He should first know me and when he really believes I was as good as a daddy to him, then he should call me "Daddy" right? But then..never mind. I liked him already and didn't feel like telling him all that.

"Ooh..he calls you daddy already." Lisa said with wide eyes and I nodded curtly.

"So little one, can I be your mommy?" Lisa asked him and James stared at her.

"I mean if Vince is your daddy, why can't I be your mommy?" She asked me.

"But Anki didn't say you are my mommy." He said seriously.

"Oh! You follow everything Anki says?" She asked him.

"Yeah. Anki saved Ames from itch aunty." He told her.

"Who's itch aunty?" Lisa asked her and I couldn't help but listen to the conversation as I searched the place again for the last time.

"She's scaly." He said in a timid voice.

"Scaly? Oh! You mean scary?" Lisa asked with a laugh.

"Did itch aunty make you wear these?" Lisa asked, touching the casts on his hand and legs. James nodded hesitantly.

"Why? Did James do anything bad?" Lisa asked him and his lips trembled.

"Ames took itch aunty's glaps. Itch aunty doesn't like Ames." He said and we both looked at each other in horror.