8. Accidents and Meddling Paparazzi

“Somebody, help!” I yelled my guts out. I went down on the floor and held mum’s chin. She was really scaring me, you know.

“Mum, mum. Please stay with me, mum. Don’t go, please,” I told her. Her body was shaking terribly. I couldn’t even made out what happened and why there was so much blood.

“Elea—” she tried to say but she didn’t finish up. I felt her body grow limp in my arms.

That made me spring up. I carried mum on my back with all my might. I hastily took the bag I brought in and carefully walked back outside.

Mum’s light weight was still on my body as I ran like someone the devil himself was chasing.

“Please…” I cried out again. By the time I reached the road, I called a cab.

“Hospital.” I told the driver as I dropped her inside the cab, entering with her.

“Mum, please stay with me.” I muttered nervously. She was all I had left.

I couldn’t lose her.

Not this time?

Not when everything was becoming to fall in place?

“Please, mum…” I trailed out again, with my head on my knees. I held her hands, warming it up.

…

“What happened to her, doctor?” I asked him hurriedly. The minute we got to the hospital; they had taken my mum to the emergency unit.

“Your mum got involved in a domestic accident which was very severe. She cracked her skull which almost affected the crucial part of her brain.” He spelled out.

“And?” I asked immediately.

“She survived the injury but would recover so slowly. And, when she does, there might be effects like slight memory loss or even dyslexia. But in all, I must say this is a good sign.” The doctor told me.

Thus, I held my chest in relief.

Thank goodness! She wasn’t going to die. That was all that mattered to me, right now.

“Is she awake? When can I see her?” I asked him.

“I’m afraid not, my dear. Like I said, she’s recovering slowly. I’d advise you to go home with no worries, she’ll soon wake up.” The doctor said.

“No, it’s ok.” I said.

“I’ll stay back. You see… I’m the only one she has left.” I continued.

“Ok, then.” He said. I watched as he left my sight, heading to his office.

                         ===

“I came as soon as I heard what happened. What caused this?” Chloe asked, after hurrying into the room I was in.

“C-Chloe, you’re here.” I said.

“Off course, I am. Is she ok?” she asked.

“Yeah, the doctor said she’ll be needing time to wake up though.” I told her.

“It… It was all an accident that happened at home. I-I even blame myself for not being around.” I gushed out, with tears spilling out my eyes.

“It’s all my fault!” I added.

“No, Eleanor. It’s not. You were out working for you both so don’t blame yourself.” Chloe encouraged.

After a while, she rested her hands on my shoulder for support.

I really hoped everything would go back to how it was.

I thought.

                                ===

It had been two weeks since that accident had happened. There had been a change. Mum had woken up. When I had asked her what happened, she said she couldn’t remember any of it. I wasn’t surprised as the doctor had mentioned that she was going to have memory loss of some things.

One thing I appreciated was that she didn’t forget she had a daughter. I wouldn’t even know what to do.

Today was the day we were moving. Myself and mum were going to the house my new company gave us. Like Margaret said, Pink Moda was willing to invest a fortune in me because of the first impression I gave on Hollywood fashion magazine.

They had also been working on increasing my popularity. It was shameful that everything happened so fast.

“Is everything complete?” I asked the people that Margaret paid to assist us in carrying our things.

“Yes, Miss.” One of the men replied. I then went inside to bring mum with me.

“Let’s go, mum.” I said.

“Ok, dear.” She slurred out. We then entered the van.

The van rumbled as the driver zoomed off. Just as we arrived the building, my phone rang.

“Hello?” I called out to the receiver.

“Where are you? The shoot's about to start.” It was Margaret. I was sure she was starting to become pissed by my action of not showing up.

“I’ll be there soon.” I said.

“You better—” she tried to say but I immediately hung up the phone. Mum watched me through where she sat. I smiled back at her so she wouldn’t suspect that anything had gone wrong.

The reason why I was with her was that I feared that something might happen if I wasn’t there.

Just as the moving agency packed the last item, I escorted mum inside the house. As we got in, I took note of our new apartment.

Its walls were painted in mostly white. There were also artifacts and unique paintings there too. I had specially asked the interior designer to reserve a place for her to knit. Oh, she was so going to love this!

“Wow, Eleanor. This is so beautiful!” she let out, intensely surprised.

“I know, mum. I’m glad you like it.” I voiced out, still leading her inside.

“Here is the kitchen.” I told her. The kitchen was the size of our previous house. I knew this was a step forward.

“Come with me, mum.” I told her, dragging her hands. I was going to show her the room reserved for her. Next, her knitting spot I prepared specially for her.

“Ta-da!” I said after opening the door to her room. I could see the exclaimed expression on her face. Her hands moved to the sides of her mouth as she looked at me.

“So, do you like it?” I asked her.

“I don’t like it, dear. I love it.” She answered me.

“Love? We've just started. Wait until you've seen this.” I said, pulling her along with me again. We halted right at her knitting spot. But off course, she didn’t know since there were no materials there.

“Mum,” I called.

“Here is your one and only knitting space.” I told her.

“Goodness gracious me! Thank you so much darling. You've just made me proud, love. So proud.” She said.

I breathed in relief as she pulled me into a hug.

I'll have to make it to Pink Moda as soon as possible.

I thought.

                   ¶¶¶

Just as I highlighted from the cab, a swarm of paparazzi surrounded me. I didn’t expect any of this and in fact, they had come from nowhere.

“Miss Nikki, Miss Nikki.” They called out, flashing their dangerous cameras at my face.

“Tell us about your relationship with Liam.” One said.

“Are you going to get engaged soon?” Another asked.

“How did you guys meet?” Another asked me again.

I really hated crowded places. Ever since a bad incident from my childhood happened, I had been scared of crowds.

And, right now.

It was like they were choking me up.

I mean, I wasn’t even really dating Liam.

Just when I thought I’ll pass out, I felt a strong arm snake around my waist. That alone made me feel secure and special.

“Oh my God! It’s Liam James!” I heard someone yell. From the expensive cologne I smelt, I knew that was definitely Liam.

What was he even doing here?

I was handling everything just fine.

“He came to save his girlfriend, Cinderella.” A female paparazzi dreamily said.

“That’s so romantic.” Another added.

“Kiss, please.” I heard.

That brought my eyes to abrupt shock.

“Yes, kiss.” Another added.

“Kiss, kiss, kiss!” They began chanting together.

“Kiss, kiss, kiss…” They continued. My eyes drifted to his. I did all my best to signal to him not to do it.

Liam immediately placed his soft lips on mine.

Oops, seems I was too late!

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