[Book 2] What If

Chapter 14

Right after she finished lunch, Lea grabbed her things and went straight to Ellie's place. It was just a few blocks away from her own home, but she still used her car as she brought some food for the girl to eat.

After about ten minutes of driving, she arrived in front of a minimalist Spanish-style white mansion inside their village. With its striking, modern look and a set of white beacon of glass, Ellie's abode had earned the name of "Light House" among their neighborhood.

El's property measures about 800 sqm lots and has been one of the biggest land area in their village. The lower first level of the home contains the garage, utility areas and Ellie's entertainment area. The upper first level is where the main living areas are found, along with a pool and an outdoor pavilion located just outside the dining area.

Lea called on the home's caretaker to open up the gates for her as she parked her own car at the garage. She placed her white Toyota just beside the Mini Cooper convertible that El drove last night.

She took the stairs and entered the main door that leads to the living area. The place was humongous, it was like half a size of a tennis court and it was just for the living room. Her Sala does not yet include her entertainment system as it was placed on a different part of the house, but her living room has a good display of expensive couches, wall paintings and decorations, there was a centerpiece placed below the luxurious wall lighting and a grand piano that highlights the area. She walked past through a seemingly floating stairwell to go to the dining and kitchen area where she put her things and belongings. She asked the helper some assistance in preparing the food she brought for the master of the house.

Since Ellie was having a fever, Lea had cooked chicken soup for her protege. She had it prepared at her own home beforehand together with the citrus water she took out from a tumbler she brought. The female helper gave the Broadway star a set of bowl and spoon, a clear glass and a tray for her to put all the food she wanted Ellie to eat.

"Where's El?" Lea asked the helper as she picks up the tray from the table.

"She's upstairs on her room Ma'am. I'm not sure if she's sleeping but she hasn't come out of her room since last night."

"Okay. I'll just bring this to her then." She motioned for the girl to resume what the latter was originally doing before she came. The helpers at El's place had already been familiar with her and Nicole as they have been here several times since the house's blessing. And Ellie has instructed her employees to treat the Salonga-Chiens as part of her household.

Lea took the stairs as she went to the master's bedroom. She tried knocking on the door twice but there was no response. She tried turning the knob handle with her right hand to check if it was locked, but it opened.

She tried to peek in to see if her protege is awake but all she could see is a silhouette wrapped under disheveled blankets on the bed. She entered the room and closed the door behind her.

"El?" There was still no response from the person on the bed.

She went and sat at the edge of the bed as she puts the tray down. Lea tried to reach the body that is still covered under wraps.

"Ellie.."

"Mmm."

"Come on, you need to eat some food for you to get better."

The young woman slowly took off the covers as she tried to see who the person waking her up is.
She had a hunch on who it might be as the voice is very familiar.

She looked up to see her coach sitting on her bed, wearing casual clothes; one of her favorite Voltes V shirts, her eyeglasses and just jeans. Ellie tried to blink twice checking if she was just in a dream.

The Broadway star tried to feel her protege's temperature with the back of her palm as the woman uncovers herself from the blanket. She feels so hot. Lea looked at the bedside table to look for Ellie's medical paraphernalia and grabbed the digital thermometer. She used it on her protege only to found out that her temperature is at 39°C. Ellie is indeed having a fever.

Lea could only recall how she saw Ellie getting drenched on the heavy rain last night. The Broadway star still feels so bad about it. She helped the young woman sit up from bed as she puts the food tray table on her lap. Lea moved closer to El as she scoops up a spoonful of the chicken soup she prepared and tries to feed Ellie.

The young woman just stared at her, looking lost and haggard.

"Let me feed you.. This is my peace offering for last night.." Lea said as her eyes plead for the woman to eat. She had known from the helper earlier that Ellie haven't had any water nor food intake since last night. And if this continues, she's afraid that El might get heavily sick again.

Her protege didn't even say any word but opened up her mouth and reached for the spoonful of soup that her coach had been offering her. It was warm and delicious. She never wanted to accept Lea's goodwill because of what happened last night, but El had unknowingly emptied the contents of the bowl which made the singer felt accomplished. Though the young woman might not voice it out, she knew that El had liked the taste of her cooking.

After El completed her meal, Lea made her drink some medicines for fever and other supplements. The young woman obediently took them. Afterwards, she went back lying down as her body still feels so heavy and exhausted.

Lea feels sad and pity as she sees Ellie easily fall asleep. She knew she is to blame on why this woman is being sick right now. She puts aside the food tray and puts her eyeglasses on the bedside table as she takes the empty space on the bed. She took off her sandals as she lies down and watch over the sleeping Ellie.