CHAPTER SIX

Declan, after exchanging a few words with the doctor, went ahead to get the prescribed medications for the child. He uncharacteristically strolled back to the ward after he had gotten everything settled. His hand reached to open the door but stop for a moment. 

His eyes flickered at the silhouette of the woman sitting by the side of the hospital bed, quietly watching over the child on the bed. His hand folded back to his side, and he watched her a moment, his thoughts barely expressed on his face. He could mostly only see a fragment of the emotions on the woman's face. It was that of melancholy, barely any show of weakness though helpless. 

At that moment, a thought crossed his mind, and a sliver of interest flashed through his dark orbs. The flicker of expression however disappeared as quickly as it came. He pushed the door and walked in. 

“You're here…” Elise muttered, tilting her head slightly to quickly wipe the stray tear at the corner of her eyes. She remained oblivious to the fact that the man had not just been watching her all along, he could also see through her swift movement. 

She rose from her sit and walked to him. “Thank you… for all of this” she squeezed out a smile, gazing at him with her watery eyes. 

“Hmm. Medicine for the child” he reached out the package to the woman and she accepted it with gratitude. 

Elise parted her lips and was about to speak again when the man gestured that they stepped out of the ward so as not to disturb the sleeping child. 

Outside the ward, Elise stood facing the man. Under the bright fluorescent light, his black shirt which carried a sleek, well-ironned press now had creases. The coat that was previously worn by her daughter was now hanging on his arm unceremoniously. Even if he had only showed up at the restaurant to take covers from the storm that day, his presence was very timeous. She felt deeply indebted to him. 

“Thank you for today…” Elise began, breaking the silence between them. “I know I have said this a lot of times already, but I cannot say it enough. If you had not been here early… then, my daughter…” her unspoken word lingered in the hallway, carrying so much weight that no parent was ready to bear. 

The man looked at her and nodded. At this point, she could already tell that he was a man of few words but kind intention. She knew when to stop. The hallway fell back into silence. Elise picked at her nails, unsure if what to say to the silent man.

“Looks like the rain finally stopped…” Elise looked out through the window, and commented.

“I will be heading back.” The man asserted. “What are your plans afterwards?” He questioned, staring into her eyes. 

“Huh?” Feeling the intent gaze, Elise was momentarily stunned and her mind failed to analyse his words. His eyes were deep, and dark. Barely readable, yet it held an indescribable force that made one quaver. She nearly succumbed to that pressure before she pulled her eyes away from his. 

“When the baby is awake later, I will take her back home with me” she answered his initial question. 

Hearing this, Declan frowned. “Let her stay here for a few days. She needs it” 

Not knowing why he cared, Elise shook her head, “no… I can't afford anymore extra cost. Since the doctor mentioned that I just need to be extra careful with her, I will do just that.” While she spoke, her fingers tightened around the package containing the prescribed medications. The little act did not go unnoticed by the man. 

While he could not decipher her reasoning, her thoughts were already glaring in her pained facial expressions. She lacked financial capability to carry out her maternal duties. 

“The cost will be covered” he expressed curly and the woman's eyes snapped back to him in shock. She opened her mouth and no words escaped them for a few seconds. 

Believing that he had not made himself clear enough, Declan proceeded to explain better. “You don't have to worry about the cost. It's been covered for your child to stay a few more days. It is better to have her watched for a few more days and ensure she's fine before rushing home” 

“I… I don't understand… why?” Elise expressions moved quickly from gratitude to astonishment. For all she can tell, the man must be way ahead of her league and bringing her and her daughter to the hospital was already a big favour. She simply could not understand why he would go out of his way to cover the hospital expenses for her. 

Elise would have refused the help, knowing that there are no empty favors in the world. However, she knew in her heart that she needs it yet, simple words of thanks cannot cover the indebtedness. Her eyes stung with unshed tears as she stared back at the man. He definitely does not appear to be a person who casually gives favors to a single mother and her child. 

“Why? I don't have anything to give in return and I don't know how to thank you enough…” she confessed for the umpteenth time. 

“None of these things were done with the hope that you pay back” the man uttered the obvious. “Neither are they favors either” he added. 

Elise dropped her head and balled her fingers into a tight fist. “What then can I do for you in return…” she voiced. 

Declan paused slightly, watching her resigned demeanor. His dark face remained expressionless. Not an iota of his thoughts could be uncovered, they were well concealed behind his cold physique. 

“I do have something I need your help with” the man uttered. 

Elise head snapped up and looked at him. Her inquiring gaze searched his eyes for an hint but she found none. Her heart was in a bit of turmoil, wondering what it could be that the man needed from her. What was more concerning was that they had only just met and a series of coincidence had brought them so far. 

Looking at the man whose stoic expression caused a pressure on her, she gave up trying to find out what it was that he wanted on her own and proceeded to ask. 

“We've only just met… what could I possibly help you with?” 

“This is not a great place to discuss. There's a place nearby. It's late already and needed of us have eaten. We'll talk over dinner” the man voiced. His domineering assertion left no room for refusal. 

Elise pressed her lips together, visibly contemplating for a moment. She surrendered a few seconds later and nodded. After all, she was already indebted to him. It was only right to reciprocate his kind gestures. 

“Okay,” she uttered. 

Together, they walked out of the hospital.