Chapter 8: A Smile Full of Lies

Chapter 8

Leah's P.O.V

He sounded amused, yet the mockery in his tone couldn't be ignored.

“So you’re really in the hospital. I thought you just called the teacher to give a fake excuse so you could stay at home,” he sneered.

Since he had seen me, I was no longer in a hurry to leave.

“Not everyone is like you,” I lifted my chin, feigning defiance. Since we were in the hospital, he couldn’t possibly harm me, could he?

“Talking back to me, huh?” he scoffed and inched closer, and I instinctively took a step backward.

“What? Are you scared?” he asked.

“I’m not scared—”

“I’ll take my leave now. I don’t have time to waste on ugly ducklings like you.”

He interrupted me, even before I could finish. Sky is such a jerk. One second he called me pretty, the next he’s calling me an ugly duckling. He even made it look like I was the one who was begging to start a conversation.

I don’t blame him, I blame myself for coming out. I went back to my ward, and luckily, mom was still asleep.

I made up my mind not to leave the ward, so when Mom wanted to go home to prepare homemade tomato soup for me, I reminded her multiple times to bring my phone and some books.

When mom returned, she brought my books and phone as I had requested.

And I was able to stay in the ward without being bored. Today was Friday, and school usually closed early on Fridays.

While I was busy reading my book, the door opened, and a voice called out, “Leah!”

I looked up and saw Melissa, my best friend.

“Lisa!” I beamed.

She entered, and three other girls who were also my classmates entered after her. I was surprised. They also brought my favorite flowers—roses and lilies.

“What a pleasant surprise,” I said.

“Yesterday, our homeroom teacher announced that you were sick, so we decided to come and visit you today,” Melissa said and beckoned to the other girls holding the flowers. “Keep them over there,” she pointed at the table.

She did?. No wonder Sky said something about me taking an excuse to stay at home.

“I’ll go to the temple with my mom tomorrow to pray on your behalf, okay? I'll pray specifically for you to get well soon, and cast out evil eyes!”

“Isn’t that exaggerated?” Claire, one of the girls said, and we laughed.

“Melissa, you should become a nun instead, so that your daily prayers can wipe out your bad luck,” another girl called Quincy said, and another round of laughter followed.

“You won't believe this,” Flora started excitedly. “On our way here, Melissa—”

“Hey, hey, hey!” Melissa interrupted Flora before she could finish. “I thought we were here for Leah. How come everything is suddenly about me?” she pouted and mumbled, “How embarrassing.”

“She slipped and fell for no reason,” Flora completed her sentence in one breath, and another round of laughter followed.

We chatted for some time before they left. They made my day in the hospital fun.

After they left, the ward became quiet once again. Then I realized something eerie—Mom was nowhere to be found.

Before Mom left over an hour ago, she only said a few words, withholding all information about her whereabouts. “I’m stepping out for a bit. I’ll be back soon.” Thinking about it now, Mom had been with me since yesterday. Wasn’t she supposed to go to work? She never misses a day at work — not even when she was sick, or when she had a life-threatening illness. How come she had time to keep me company? I would ask her about it when she returns.

Eliana's P.O.V 

“I’m stepping out for a bit. I’ll be back soon,” I said as I pat Leah’s hair. I needed to step out to clear my head. 

I went to a nearby coffee shop and ordered a cup. It was quiet here — just what I needed. From the minute I decided to go home to check up on Leah, I knew I would definitely be fired. Though I hadn’t called to hear from my boss, I already considered myself an unemployed lady. I stared at my phone screen, not sure if I should make the call, but before I could stop my fingers, it tapped the contact ID, “My New Boss.” Yes, it has been saved like that for two years now, but certainly this call will tell if the name should be changed.

For a moment, I thought the call would be ignored, until it was answered at the last ring.

“Hello—” 

“Come to the house to get your stuff. For old times’ sake, you’re lucky enough to get paid this month.”

And with that, the call ended.

It was my boss’ wife who had answered the call. Like she said, I was lucky. I didn't even expect she'd consider “old times' sake.” Throughout my two years of staying here, we didn’t have much interaction about some things that weren’t about work, so I can’t tell if she liked me or not. I don’t blame them for firing me just like that, because it was stated in the contract that if I defaulted from the many rules listed, I'd quit.

Tomorrow, I will go and pack my stuff, then start looking for a job after Leah is discharged. I left the café and returned to the hospital.

“Leah, I’m back,” I announced. 

“Mom,” Leah smiled.

I dished out the food I had bought and went to the chair by the bedside. I scooped a spoonful and directed it to her mouth, but she refused to accept it. She stared at me weirdly.

The smile on her face just a few minutes ago had disappeared, leaving behind a grim expression, which made me shift uncomfortably on my seat.

“What’s wrong, Leah?” I asked in a shaky voice.