HIDDEN GEM

Chapter 15

Mateo

"So you're telling me that while Emerald is out there doing everything to ensure my safety that I just have to sit and hide here while doing nothing at all to help?"

Dr. Brown has informed me of the plan to ruin the wedding and though I'm glad that something is finally being done against that cruel prick, I couldn't help but feel useless in all of this.

"You have to understand Mateo, Victo..... Emerald just wants to ensure your safety to the best of her ability and this is what she has in mind. She already blames herself for ever getting you involved in all of this and even getting hurt badly in the way. Which is also why she thinks it's better for you to just hide safely here. You are way too injured to do anything other than pray for everything to work out. Ernest is a cruel man and god knows what he'll do to this kingdom once he gets a hold of it, so we must follow Emerald's orders to ensure not only our safety but the safety of this whole Kingdom."

I hated how useless I felt once again. I really am pathetic, lying here wrapped in bandages whilst everyone else has an important role to play.

"Hey, you're not useless, okay? Don't you ever think that you're useless. I can see it right in your eyes. Ernest has been searching for Emerald with red in his eyes for the past weeks, and you managed to protect her and make her happy during those weeks. You've done your part and you did a great job at that. I haven't seen Emerald talk so fondly about someone since her parents past. I don't know what happened between you two in those weeks but you made the hope in her eyes return and that is more important than anything. You've already done your job son, now leave the rest to us."

I don't how but in such a short amount of time, Dr. Brown seems to know just the right thing to say to me. I never really got to know my father, so the only father figure I've ever only come to know was my grandpa, but after he passed away I didn't have anyone else to turn to, but Dr. Brown makes me realize even if just a little, what it's like to have a dad.

"Now rest up kid, next time you'll be seeing Emerald will hopefully be when everything's been resolved." He closed the door of my room and I laid there staring at the white ceiling.

Since I wasn't in critical condition anymore they moved me from the ICU to a general ward. It gave me some sense of security knowing that I was hidden from Shannon. After our whole confrontation, Dr.Brown didn't push any further about our whole ordeal. I don't know if Emerald knows that she's my mother, but for the sake of this whole thing, I'd rather she not know.

Now that I think about it, if Ernest is her son, does that mean that I'm related to that monster? I felt a shiver run down my spine as the thought of sharing the same blood that runs through our veins crossed my mind.

I couldn't help but wonder what type of mother she was to Ernest, was she as despicable to him as she was to me? I hardly doubt it, I know I shouldn't have but I couldn't help but feel a sense of jealousy course through me as the thought of how differently she must've treated us.

Ernest couldn't have been that much younger than me? Where was he when I was growing up? How come I never knew about him?

There were so many unanswered questions and I had no idea on where to even start answering them.

Who really are you Ernest?

________________________________

"You're doing great, just one more lap and we'll go back." Dr.Brown says as I held onto his shoulder with my good arm.

Since I've lost a lot of blood and have been in bed rest, Dr. Brown suggested that I take a few laps around the infirmary to regain my posture.

The first time I tried to get out of the bed myself I nearly collapsed.

"Hey, Mateo I don't mean to intrude but what happened between you and Shannon? Of course you don't have to answ..." r.Brown asked cautiously.

"Don't worry about, I think it's about time that I let it all out anyways."

I took a heavy sigh as I prepared myself to talk about by scarring past.

"As you probably can already tell, Shannon and I don't have a loving mother and son relationship. That's because she never wanted me as a son, and she was never a mother to me. The reason she disappeared all the sudden from public media is because she had me. I was a mistake from the first day I was born. My father didn't want me so I never knew him, and I think that took a toll on Shannon since she had to take care of a child that she didn't want and a child of someone who abandoned her. The only reason she did it was because my grandfather promised heavy compensation for her. I don't think I can go into in-depth detail about all the horrid things she did for her own amusement but it was enough for me to run away from her as soon as I turned 18."

Though I left out a lot of heavy details about my past, it felt good to finally be able to tell my story without breaking down. Dr.Brown didn't say a word, he didn't look at me with pity, He just listened and that's the best response I could get.

After I finished my final lap I figured that I'd hang around the outdoor balcony of my room to get some fresh air.

I sat there for a couple hours with nothing in particular in my mind and just as I was about to head out, I hear footsteps coming from below.

"Ernest this is ridiculous,how long till this whole thing is over. I can't keep getting shoved around like this cause all I'm known as is your fathers mistress."

I instantly recognize that as the voice of my mother.

"Shannon you have to be patient. Once this whole thing is over, I'll finally have the throne and you won't have to hide anymore."

Hide? What does he mean by hide?

"Those fools thought that they'd outsmarted me, I have ears all over this kingdom and you darling are the best pair."

I sat there unable to move as I heard the unmistakeable sound of kissing. There was no way I was hearing this right?

"Baby, you aren't actually gonna fuck that brat are you? I can do all the things she can and more, and plus I'll be compliant. Plus I know how much you like your woman well seasoned."

I felt a little vomit come up my mouth as I hear the disgusting words coming out of my own birth givers mouth.

"What did I say about being jealous? It's not a good look on you darling. Don't you worry I'll be thinking of you the entire time."

What type of sick joke is this?

"Once I've gotten a taste of her and claimed what's rightfully mine, you'll be the one that sits by my side to rule this kingdom, my queen."

They both continued to make out and I knew I couldn't stand listening to it any longer so I move back inside making sure not to alert them.

I instantly clicked on the assistance button and waited till someone came in.

A nurse who I've come to get familiar with entered the room.

"What can I help you with?" She asks.

"Please bring Dr.Brown to me as soon as possible."

She looked quite startled by my sudden request but willfully complied.

Seconds later Dr.Brown barged into the room with a look of worry etched on his face.

"Mateo, son are you alright? What's the matter?"

He looked me up and down checking to see if I was hurt anywhere but when he found nothing wrong he looked at me directly in the eyes.

"Sh...Sha...Shannon.."

"What about her? Did she come here?"

"She's no...not Er...Ernest's mo..mother."

"Son, I'm gonna need you to all down, what exactly is it that you're saying?"

He gave me a cup of water to drink in hopes of calming down my breathing and thankfully it helped a little.

"Shannon isn't Ernest's mother, he's gonna give her the crown once he becomes King. They're.......together?" I couldn't help but but let out the last sentence as a question because I myself wasn't even sure if what I saw was right.

They're together.