Te Quiero

DIEZ

"Teresa!" My brother who was on mom's bed shouted when he saw me.

I giggled. "You really missed me, didn't you?"

"You took so long." My mom said and I nodded.

"I had to..." I hate being interrupted and my mom just did.

"Thank you doctor Dylan for showing her my new ward. I was scared that she would freak out when she sees the other ward empty."

I freaked out.

"She freaked out but I ensured that she got calm." He smirked and I rolled my eyes knowing exactly what he was referring to.

"Oh. Thank you son." She had no idea. Lmao.

"Let's see how you're doing." He added and began to check my mom's heart sounds with his stethoscope.

He had won my mom's heart obviously and almost won mine but I couldn't trust him again after I saw that picture on his table.

What was he doing with that picture? I wanted to ask but I didn't want him to suspect anything. I mean, he might be involved in this dirty business and might even be a member of any gang. I couldn't think of any positive thing cause this guy has been showing up in my face and has been extremely nice.

It's the nice ones that are actually the deadly ones. I had to play cool but also get any information from this man. Any information at this moment was very important in finding out my father's killer.

"Tes?" My brother called and I got back to my senses. They were all staring at me.

"What're you thinking so deeply about?" Mom asked and I covered up with a laugh.

"Y'all should chill out. I'm just really tired and hungry so, I'm just quiet."

"I called you five times." Mom said.

"Well, I was too tired to reply. I'm sorry." I chuckled again.

She shook her head and I could bet that she knew I was up to something. "Doctor Dylan was saying something."

"Oh." I looked at him who was also looking at me.

"Tes, are you fine?" He asked me and I nodded. "I'm good."

"I know you saw the picture on my table. I kept it there on purpose."

"Wow. You did...then, who are you?"

He slowly brought out a gun. "Greetings from El."

My heart began to beat fast as I watched the gun being pointed at me. Was this really the end?

"Tes?" My brother called out again and I came back to reality. Oh. I started imagining again.

"Are you really fine?" My mom asked and I nodded. "I'm good mom. What were you saying Dylan?"

"You really need to rest Tessie." He said and I faked a smile. What was that imagination? Omg.

"I'll rest when you're done with my mom."

"Better. Actually, I was asking if you could be my date for this dinner I was invited to."

"What dinner?" I asked.

"Say yes." Mom chipped in.

"Mom?!"

"You've been really stressed lately. You need something to take your mind off everything."

"Oh my God. Mom it's my decision to make." I rolled my eyes.

"Then make it." He said and I looked away.

Why did he ask me infront of my family?

Maybe, he thought I wouldn't decline but even if I was going to say yes, it's just for the sole reason that I want to know him more and get whatever I can from him.

"Just say yes already." Daniel said resting his head on my mom's bossom. He was already tired.

"What're you expecting me to wear?" I asked stretching my hands into the air. Gosh I was also tired.

"I'll take care of that." He assured me.

"So you're in?" Mom asked and I smiled. She really wanted me to do this.

"Why me? Don't you have other female friends to fill in this spot? Or one of those nurses? You just met me today and now you want me to be your date." I said.

"Maybe I like being unprofessional with you." He replied.

Damn it. He's still on this unprofessional thing. Lol.

"Aiight. You win." I chuckled and he smiled back.

"The dinner begins by 7pm but I'll pick you by 5pm. At the hospital, right?"

"Yh, I'll be here."

"Alright. I can go home now."

"Sure." I replied quickly. I couldn't ask the question I wanted to ask my mom infront of him cause I wasn't sure of his identity. I mean, he's still a stranger.

"Good night doctor." Mom said with a bright smile and I just shook my head. He closed the door behind him and I looked at my mom with a straight face.

"What? I know you don't like me putting my mouth in things like this but I can't help it." She said giggling. My brother who was lying on her was already fast asleep. I wish I was in his shoes.

"Mom?" I said sternly. "That's not why I'm looking at you this way."

She frowned. "What's wrong?"

I cleared my throat. "You've been hiding something important from me."

She moved uneasily on her bed and I was sure that she knew exactly what I was talking about.

"What do you think I'm hiding from you Tes? She said with a smile. I could tell it was fake cause it was too wide. Why the fuck was she pretending?

"I went to the station tonight and..."

"Teresa, you have to stop with all this vengeance nonsense! Do you want to get yourself killed? You should be more worried about money. We used most of the money your dad left to put me in this hospital. What if there's no money when I'm out? What about your brother's fees? How'd we feed ourselves and you too...you're not working and you're not done with college. You still have a year but right now, you guys are on break. So, how on earth will we pay your fees for the next session. God, Teresa all these have been on my mind. I'm smiling with everyone here just to use it as a camouflage. Deep down I'm really sad. I miss my husband. I miss everything. It's all just overwhelming." A drop of tear escaped her eyes and she added. "But I just have to be strong for myself, Daniel and you."