Chapter 27

MAY

What was that incident? Was it related to Nicholas's nightmare? I turned towards Mama, searching for answers. However, she looked away. I touched her shoulder lightly and looked into her eyes.

"I need to know the problem if I am going to help Nicholas," I told her carefully. "He slept well last night in my arms. However, that would work only when I'm there. If you want him to sleep peacefully, tell me the reason. I will help him."

"I have no doubt you can help him," Mama muttered. "It's an old matter and only a few people know it. It happened when he was ten years old and he has been traumatized by it since then. He had to see a psychiatrist for a while but he continued to have nightmares every night. I get worried about him every now and then due to that reason."

"What happened?" I asked curiously.

"It was an accident!" Mama replied. "He went driving with his parents and they got into an accident. Only Nicholas survived and he blames himself for what happened. He thinks he killed his parents and that's why every night, he has that nightmare."

"Why would he blame himself? Accidents are supposed to be unexpected happenings!" I exclaimed in agitation. I was angry and worried at the same time. I never thought Nicholas would have such a deep scar. He was great at keeping it concealed.

"His parents didn't want to go for a drive that day," Mama muttered. "I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was on his tenth birthday and he bothered his parents until they agreed to go for a drive. He was playing with his father when the accident happened. Nicholas believes the accident wouldn't have happened if he let his father concentrate on driving. The car was destroyed but according to experts, his father swerved the car in a direction to protect Nicholas at all costs."

I took a deep breath. Now I really felt sad for Nicholas. I thought I had it hard in life by growing up without a mother. However, Nicholas grew up believing he was responsible for the death of his parents. Such cruel fate. I looked at Mama and I could see a tear fall from her eyes. She wiped it off quickly and acted like nothing was wrong. However, I saw it clearly.

"You must have been close to his parents," I muttered.

"I was his mother's best friend," Mama muttered. "She hired me herself and I respected her. However, I also had a crush on his father."

"What?" I opened my mouth in shock.

"I am telling you the truth!" Mama began to laugh. "He was a handsome man and he made my heart flutter several times. I was a chef then in the mansion and whenever he said he enjoyed my meal, my heart was filled with joy. I loved to be acknowledged by him and I still miss him till this day."

"Hope you didn't..." I refused to mutter the dreaded words.

"No, May," She replied warmly. "He was the husband of my best friend regardless. He never knew I liked him until he died. Even though I regret it at times, I don't think I really did wrong."

I nodded. I stared at the meal in front of me. I had suddenly lost interest in it. I placed down my cutlery.

"You must eat," Mama said firmly. "I am sure Nicholas worries more about you than himself. Will you give him more reason to worry?"

I shook my head in the negative. I picked my cutlery again and started to eat. I needed to be strong for myself and my unborn child.

And for Nicholas.

**

That afternoon, I visited Nicholas's library for the first time. He had a private library meant for him alone. They say going through a person's books would tell you a lot about the person. He had a unique taste and strangely enough, I had similar likes. In his library, I found a rare book that I had been looking for for a long time. I sat down to read, neglecting the actual reason I came there.

I must have spent close to forty minutes in the library when Abby entered. She came to meet me in the chair I was seated in and I checked her out.

"I thought this was Nicholas's private library. Doesn't that mean not everyone gets access?" I asked her sarcastically.

"I am here because you told me to keep an eye on your father's situation. There are two things you must know," Abby told me calmly. I stood up instantly, waiting for what she had to say. I hope she didn't bring the news of my father's death to me.

"Go ahead..." I muttered with a shaky breath.

"First is about your friend, Susan. It appears she might get demoted or fired. She has been invited by your stepmother in regards to how she helped you publicly yesterday," Abby told me carefully.

"It will be fine. Even if she gets fired, I will ask Nicholas to find work for her in a better hospital," I replied.

"Greenfield hospital is known as the best hospital here. Everyone knows that. Even though your husband is influential, I doubt he can hold a candle to the current chairwoman of the hospital..." Abby said out of concern. "If Susan loses her job, it will be hard to find another one in the healthcare industry."

"What's the second news?" I said. "We will talk about Susan later."

"The second one is rather strange..." Abby muttered. "Your father's doctor, Charles, has never missed a workday before. However, that happened today. According to my spy, he asked for one week leave due to sickness."

"If he is sick, shouldn't he be a patient in the hospital?" I asked.

"We could say he chose to recuperate at home. However, it is strange all the same. Did he look sick yesterday?" Abby asked curiously.

"No," I shook my head in the negative. "Now I think his leave is strange. Can you find out what happened exactly?"

"I will send someone to check his house. Don't sorry, Miss," Abby said calmly. She turned to leave and I called her back.

"Thank you," I muttered all of a sudden. It made her nervous.