BONUS STORY: TANYA & ENZO.

NINE:

Enzo's POV:

She was gone. Without a word.

I didn't know how I missed it especially since we were together last night, fucked like rabbits, cuddled, and talked a bit—even though she avoided saying what was truly on her mind and kept deflecting by teasing and taunting me.

I let her be, just for the night, hoping I'd get to speak to her before she left. It didn't have to be anything serious. Maybe end things on good terms as friends, promise to keep talking… anything.

But she was just… gone.

I knew her flight was a night one, imagine my surprise when I learned she'd left before noon.

I guess it was better this way.

She made it easier for the both of us and I shouldn't make it complicated. If I could, I would thank her for it. It was time to follow her lead now. No more stalking or obsessively thinking about her. 

I'm a grown man, I could do casual flings without making a big scene.

I'll forget about her and our moments together, it was only a matter of time…

~     ~    ~  

Tanya's POV: 

It had to be done.

It was the only way I was going to feel better. The only way to get him off my mind and never look back. 

No need to exchange goodbyes.

No small talk.

Nothing.

He didn't even know what time I was leaving and I made sure to keep it that way.

Luckily, a driver was assigned to take me to the airport. 

Time to face the real world, and real life. I still haven't said yes to the schools I'd gotten in and maybe it was time to do so that would distract me enough.

~     ~    ~ 

JUNE: TWO WEEKS LATER…

“Hello?” I said into my phone.

“Ms Jones?” A female voice reached my ears. 

I frowned, setting my pen down. “This is her. How may I help you?”

A deep breath. “I'm calling from St Paul Hospital… It's about your mom.”

Panic crashed in as I shot to my feet, almost forgetting to breathe through my nose. “What happened to my mother?”

“She was brought in from work, you'll need to come over for more information.” 

Before I could digest her words, she hung up. I stood in the middle of my room, my phone trembling in my hand as I stared at nothing.

‘Calm down, Tanya. The nurse didn't say she was dead.’

That was a good sign, right? Maybe she hurt herself at work or something. Nothing too serious.

Yeah, that was it.

~    ~    ~ 

“Pneumonia?” I gasped, repeating what the doctor had just said to me.

The elderly man nodded, “Yes, Pneumonia. It has worsened over time since she neglected it but there's still hope she can overcome this.” 

I thanked the doctor and returned to my mother's bedside. Rachel Jones, an older me with dark brown eyes and an inch or two shorter. 

“T-Tanya?” She was breathless, her face deathly white and she looked too weak.

It was scary.

I dropped into the chair beside her, taking her hand in mine.

There were a lot of things I wanted to say but I held back, she was too weak to respond anyway so it was pointless.

I knew deep in my heart that she'd pushed herself too hard to get here, it was why I wanted to make money for myself, move to college, and not be a burden to her anymore. Watching her work like a horse every year, hardly at home, barely sleeping… It made me feel so broken, so sad and angry but there was nothing I could do except make her life easier.

“D-do..n't b-be..at… y… your…yourself… up, hun,” she slurred, her eyes nearly falling shut.

“I'm not.” I squeezed her hand gently.

She couldn't speak further due to fatigue but I could tell she knew I was lying.

~   ~   ~

JULY.

Two days after that interaction that day, she was placed in an ICU for over ten days. Turns out the infection was worse than the doctor had suspected.

Let's just say the past month has been hell for me. The constant back and forth between staying at the hospital, and doing other stuff was telling on me. I was constantly exhausted, hungry, scared, and angry.

Found out she knew about it but she thought she could manage her illness until whenever. 

Who does that?

I'd been so furious until she'd eventually gotten so bad she had to be sent to the ICU. Worse, I felt guilty when I went through her things and discovered the letter and money she'd set aside for me.

Apparently, she found my acceptance letters and was trying to save up money for me to go. It was thoughtful, a great sacrifice and dedication.

But did she honestly think I'd willingly sacrifice her life? That I would be able to watch her die? 

Now, look. We've got hospital bills piling up. 

Yeah, we've got no insurance, it was back to square one.

Some days I'm just numb. At this point, I might have to dance in the club forever before I could be able to save enough.

Today, she's been sent from ICU to the general ward for bed rest. All I could see were dollar signs even though I was relieved that the worst of it was over.

I was helping her into the bed after she came back from the toilet when the doctor and the nurse came in. 

“Hello Doctor,” I greeted with a smile.

“Ms Jones,” he greeted in return. “How are you?” 

“Doing great sir.” A stretch but not entirely a lie. Mother was out of danger, that was a win.

“Good, good,” he nodded and then turned to mother. “You recovered quite fast, you should be proud.” 

Mother smiled. “Thank you.”

“And please, do take care of yourself. This could have been avoided if you came earlier.”

“I know that now, thank you, Doctor.”

He turned to leave and then said to me, “Ms Jones, a word.” 

I followed him and the nurse out and what he said next was a surprise.

“Ms Jones. You do not have to worry about the hospital bills, it has been cleared.” 

I gasped. “What?” 

He smiled. “A good samaritan helped pay it in full, even her drugs and follow-up care have been paid for. Also, your mother will be moved to a VIP ward in minutes.”