Against All Odds (Completed)

Chapter Eleven

“W-what happened to her?” Ashton asked in a shaky voice. Holding the phone against his ear and wearing a frown on his face he sat gloomy on the edge of the bed.

He shook his head in despair. Not again. This was the third time Mrs. Martha Agyemang-Asenso had been admitted to the hospital for another heart attack. She was suffering from an acute coronary syndrome, something Ashton’s mother was finding very difficult to tell the widow.

“She was admitted last night.” Ashton heard his mother let out a sigh and his heart tightened. “I don’t think she’s very fit, yet she wouldn’t listen when I tell her not to stress herself too much.”

“You know that’s how she is. She’s also finding something to do. She’s not used to been idle.” Ashton said, caressing his temple with his fingers.

“Yes, but she’s got no choice. Her concern at the moment is to stay strong for her daughter.” Ashton’s mother said.

Ashton nodded. His mother was right. If Mrs. Asenso didn’t want Lily to find out about her condition, then she needed to take care of herself. She was all Lily's got. The only family she had.

“Talk to you later, Ashton. I need to work.”

“Sure. I’ll stop by to check up on her.”

“Alright.”

The call ended and Ashton got up from the bed. With a sharp in take of breath, he grabbed a blue jacket from his closet and headed out of the room. He had an afternoon class due 3pm, but he couldn’t resist the urge to visit Lily’s mother. At that moment, she was all he thought of.

Mrs. Asenso was a beautiful and kind-hearted woman whom Ashton had known almost all his life. She was sweet and always treated him as the son she never had and Ashton’s mother likewise, considered Lily as the daughter she never had. Both women grew a close bond over the years which eventually connected their children as well. And been neighbours, the bond grew stronger. Stronger to the point of both mothers hoping their children would end up as a couple.

Ashton’s uber came within a few minutes and he hopped inside as the driver drove him to the hospital where his mother worked as a doctor.

After about thirty minutes of a quiet drive and almost reaching the hospital, Ashton stopped by a floral shop and purchased a bouquet of red roses before hopping back into the cab. Within minutes, the driver pulled the car to a stop on the hospital’s parking lot and Ashton got down after paying his fare.

With the bouquet tucked firmly in his hands, Ashton’s face brightened as he walked into the building. He was directed to Mrs. Asenso's ward and he didn’t hesitate to briskly strode towards it, so eager to meet Lily’s mother. Standing by the door, he knocked softly and waited for an answer. Hearing a faint reply, he turned the knob and entered the room.

“Well, hello son-in-law!” Martha Asenso greeted with a grin, lifting her head from the pillow to look at Ashton.

“There’s no need to stretch, I’m coming closer to the bed.” Ashton stopped her, disliking the look of pain in Martha's eyes as she struggled to get up.

“Alright.” Martha smiled and stretched her hand at

Ashton, watching him walk to the bed. The smile widened when Ashton took her hand and gave it a little squeeze. “How are you?”

Ashton forced a smile. “I'm fine.” He stared at Martha’s pale skin and with a twinge in his heart, he gulped nervously. She was getting worse, which was something he feared. “How’re you doing, Mother?”

She nodded. “I’m fine too. I’m glad you didn’t come with Lillian. I hope you’re still concealing this whole thing from her?”

Ashton nodded.

“That’s good.” She smiled. “There’s no need for either of you to worry. I’m fine. And keeping this from Lillian is the best, I don’t want her worrying so much when there’s nothing wrong with me. It’d affect her studies.”

“I understand. Get well soon.”  Ashton squeezed her hand softly.

Maybe she wasn’t aware how serious her condition was or she was just pretending. And either ways, Ashton hoped she’d get well. Mrs. Asenso looked like she was not going to stop brooding over the death of her husband who was robbed and shot on his trip to a business seminar a year ago.

As if that wasn’t bad luck enough, her husband’s side of the family were determined to take away everything she and her husband had worked so many years for. One of the things which she cherished most was their family restaurant which she was now on the verge of losing. She had only three months to get the restaurant booming again or she’d lose it for good. And Lily knowing how much the restaurant meant to her mother, she’d entered the cooking contest to earn money which she’d invest in the restaurant.

Ashton was in total support of Lily’s decision, but what he didn’t understand was why she’d decided to keep her plans a secret from her mother. Whatever reason it was, Ashton wished Lily would be able to bring back smiles on her mother’s face.

“Here, I got these for you.” He handed him the bouquet and watched as a smile spread across her lips.

“You’d never stop being cute.” She sniffed the flowers and met Ashton’s eyes, her eyes glistening with joy. “I love them. Thanks.”

Ashton nodded. “Sure. When are you checking out?”

She frowned. “Maybe in two days. I hate staying in hospitals!”

“You’ll be discharged when you’re fully well, Mother. You'll have to wait till then.” Ashton lifted his brows, making sure not to laugh at her for hating hospitals. There was still a childish side in her.

“I remember your mother said something like that too.” She pouted. “Alright, I’ll just have to shove off the idea of sneaking out.”

Ashton laughed. “Yes, you should.” 

“Thanks so much, Ashton. For everything.”

He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead. “Don't mention. All you need to do is to get well for us.”

Martha nodded. “And all I need you to do is to take care of Lillian. You know she’s your wife after all.”

Ashton chuckled. He was aware how both his mother and Mrs. Asenso would always try to get his attention on Lillian. Not that he minded, Lillian was and would always be special to him. She was the sister he never had and the best friend he'd always love. He’d always be there for her.