Chapter Five

Alyssa nose flared at her sister's disrespectful words. “ Alexia Algernon have you  no respect for me? Where are your manners? Do you have to talk back to me at every chance you get?” She said her voice higher than she intended. She had already forgotten that Quinn was also in the room.

“ Then let me ask you Alyssa Algernon, why should I  respect you? It's not like you are even my sister” She said the last part under her breath.

“ What? What do you mean” Alyssa asked, her body trembling slightly as she clenched her fist tightly. Her wound reopened but she didn't care a bit.

Alexia stated at her sister with little interest then noticed another presence in the room. Her jaws dropped with her eyes wide open.

“ You....I know you” She shouted. Her tone visibly softened with a sweet girl charm in it. “ You're Quinn Winters, Tina Walkers boyfriend. I've been a very huge fan of hers and also try my best to buy every of the products she advertises even if they are fake...hehe” She giggled lightly. Alyssa's muscles tensed . How could she have forgotten that Tina was Alexia's role model. She had always hoped to be a professional model like Tina.  She bit her lips and stared at Quinn's unreadable expression.

“ Sorry for not introducing myself. I'm Alexia Algernon, fifteen years old soon to be sixteen” She proudly informed him with her eyes shining in delight.

“ Of course I know who you are ” Quinn said calmly. “ I heard your sister mention your name during your little exchange” Both sisters exchanged glances and then looked away with a red face. They were both blushing out of embarrassment.

“ Actually, I'm not always like that. I was only mad she didn't show up for about three months that's all. ” She said as she lowered her head in shame.

“ It's okay. I also fight a lot with my brother when we were much younger” Quinn said trying to ease her and it worked. Alyssa also turned to look at him. She had never had anything about his siblings except Wendy but then again, She has not have a proper conversation with him.

“ Really? I have never heard about your brother before. I only know about your cousin Wendy Winters” Alexia said staring at him with keen interest. Alyssa's ears also perked up. She was stunned to find out from her sister that Wendy was only a cousin to Quinn. Her sister even knew more about the Winters than she did.

“ That's right. He likes to keep to himself and doesn't want to be the center of attention. He is probably in the countryside growing herbs. His goal is to become a divine healer” Quinn mused and his eyes trained on the bouquet of flower that seemed to have just been placed there.

‘‘ A nice flower you have there ” Quinn commented as he bent to take in the scent.

“ I know right. It *ranunculus*, my favorite flower. ” Her eyes twinkled in excitement. It felt nice to talk to someone about her favourite flower.

“I can't sleep without it by my side so Mason always changes it whenever he drops by. He said it suited me best since I'm very gentle ” She said bashfully.

Alyssa's ears twitched as she glanced towards Quinn, an amused grin etched at the sides of his lips.

They talked for a while before Quinn left for the meeting that needed his presence at work. Alyssa decided to accompany her sister for a while so Quinn promised to pick her up in the evening when she's done.

“ Why are you looking at me like that?” Alyssa asked as she handed the peeled Apple to her sister.

Alexia took a small bite and chewed loudly. Her eyes strangely looking at Alyssa.

“ Do you think it was a mistake that Quinn Winters entered my ward? I mean what will a big shot like him be doing in a place like this. He is way more than that” She took another bite this time bigger than the previous one.

Alyssa's hand that was peeling another apple stopped before continuing. She had never thought he would be uncomfortable with it. Well he didn't show any sign of having any problem when he was in the room.

“ Why didn't you chase him away since you think it was a mistake? ”

“ Why would I chase him away? He is my role model's boyfriend. I have to treat him gently with respect” She grinned happily and continued munching on her Apple.

Alyssa didn't say anything, she too quietly began eating her apple.

“ If...if someday you find out Mr. Winters is married but not to Tina Walker what will you do?”

Alexia gave her sister a strange look, ate the last bite of her Apple and collected her sister's half eaten one.

“ Well....it's hard to say. I will feel really bad for my role model. And also hate Quinn Winters wife.”

“ Why so? What if she was forced into the marriage? ”

“ But at the end she accepted right? Even after knowing he is in a sweet relationship with Tina. ” Alexia shook her head .“ Why are you even asking me the impossible? Quinn Winters obviously cannot get married to another girl. Their engagement ceremony is next month.” She said confidently. Leaving Alyssa to ponder on her own.

If she had not made a very little mistake, the engagement party between Quinn and Tina would still hold. She felt terrible thinking about it and couldn't help but pity Tina for the pain she had to endure.

A nurse came in to check the IV drip attached to Alexia’s hand.

“ Can I take her out for a walk?”

“ Yes. You can but make sure she isn't out for too long ”

In no time, Alyssa was pushing Alexia in her wheelchair. They walked in silence till they got to the  hospital park and quietly watched some children playing, adults discussing. Alexia  looked enviously at them. She long to also play like other kids but her weak health won't allow. Even as she was seated, a thick shawl was placed over her.

Alyssa noticed her envious stares at the children playing.

” Don't worry, very soon you would also be able to play like them okay? I know you're a strong girl ” She patted Alexia’s inky black hair.

“ I hope so too” She stared at her sister with her usual strange look when she wants to ask something serious.

“ Don't give me that strange look and ask whatever you want to”

Alexia licked her lips and wriggled her hands. Alyssa attentively gave her warm water from the flask in her bag. She drank the water and mouthed a thanks surprising her sister. It seemed her mood already improved greatly.

“ Well...I gave it some thoughts and finally came up with a decision ”

Alyssa's heart skipped a bit. She had left the decision making in the hands of her sister. Any reply will determine how Alexia's life will be.

“Quinn Winter's didn't appear in my room by mistake. You must be acquainted with him. He even patted your hair” She said enviously. Her head thrown backwards to glance at her sister.

Alyssa released the breath she had unknowingly been holding. She huffed and walked to her sister's front and then sat on the lush green grass.

“ So what are you driving at?”

“ How did you end up to be friends with him? ” A thought occurred to her and her eyes shone bright in suspicion. “ Don't tell me you offended him and offered me as a sacrificial lamb? ”

Alyssa rolled her eyes and laughed at her. “ Judging from your health, you probably won't worth much so hurry up and recover to worth a lot of money when I sell you”

The two sisters laughed heartily at the little joke Alyssa made. They  smiled at each other then directed their gaze at the kids playing happily without any care in the world. Alyssa stole a glance at Alexia who was still stating enviously at the children. Her heart ached terribly for failing to protect her sister just as her Father told her to. From young age Alexia had been hospitalized even before the demise of their father. She knew it even though Alexia didn't tell her, it was obvious from her eyes that she longed to visit anywhere aside the four walls of the hospital that had become her home.

*“ What are you doing put there”* Mason yelled from where he was. He was panting like he ran for his life. He walked closer and saw Alyssa looking at him.

“ You're here? I thought she was all by herself” he said as he plopped down on the grass.

“ I'm already a big girl. I can move around on my own”

“ That's right. I basically forgot you are already fifteen ”

“ fifteen plus” She corrected him playfully.

“ Really, you just clocked fifteen five months ago and you're adding a plus to it. It isn't even half a year yet” Mason mused.

“ That doesn't matter. The fact remains I'm almost sixteen!!”

Alyssa couldn't help but chuckle. She had missed their playful banter.

“ Hmm...sweet sixteen ” He said and stared at Alyssa. He had met her when she was just sixteen years old. He had just moved to the neighborhood with his parents when he saw her heavenly smile that revealed the only dimples on her cheek–her right cheek.

Alyssa understood his stare so she met his eyes and smiled at him.

Alexia tapped Mason on his shoulder,he looked at her with a smile.

“ Guess who I met today?”