Veronica-Spending a few hours playing games, Andrew wore himself out. Helping him to bed, I was just finishing with tucking him in when Lyrek arrived. During the time Andrew and I spent together, I told him a little about the trial.He made me promise that I would let him be included when Lyrek came to talk to me about it. The look on Lyrek’s face didn’t seem concerning, so I didn’t see a reason to step into the hall with him beforehand. Settling myself on the side of the bed, I motioned for Lyrek to come in.“Andrew and I discussed it a bit and I think it should be okay to talk about the trial in front of him. Unless you still don’t have anything about it yet?” I spoke.“Actually, that was the exact reason I came up here. I learned more about it, so I figured I would give you the details. Dr. Nelson, the one leading the trial can explain in more depth later. I told him to wait until after I discuss it with you before I called him up.” Lyrek said before sitting on the bottom corner o

Veronica-Not wanting to get in anyone’s way, I kept the rolling chair I was sitting on away from everyone’s work area as they prepped my brother for surgery. Not wanting Andrew to be afraid, I made sure to keep within his line of sight. He might have put on a brave face, but the moment he was swarmed with people, I could see the alarm in his eyes.Wanting to distract him, I thought about something I could do to keep his mind off what is going on around him. I was also feeling stressed, so I wasn’t sure what to say or do. So, I decided I would just ask him.“Hey Kiddo, what do you want to talk about during surgery?” I asked, but he didn’t seem to hear me.Looking to Lyrek for some clue as to what to do for him, I saw he was busy with getting his workstation set up. He must have felt me looking at him because he glanced up from what he was doing. His head leaned over to look at Andrew and it was clear he also saw the fear in his eyes.“Do you know any fun facts?” Lyrek asked, his atten

Veronica-A few days have passed since Andrew had his surgery. He has been doing great and recovering nicely. They moved him back into his own room this morning, which had made his day.Other than when Lyrek forced me to take a break, I stayed by Andrew’s side the entire time he was in the intensive care unit. We ended up playing games, mostly by driving the interns and nurses crazy. I hadn’t been a big fan of it at first, until Lyrek told me it was good for them.It helped boost their morale after a long and tiring day. After seeing the way everyone responded to Andrew, I lightened up and allowed him to have his fun. He kept things to a minimum, since he understood there were other patients that needed to be cared for as well.He mostly sent them on wild goose chases, by asking for something, only to change his mind. Mostly he did it with one or two of the interns that were assigned to monitor Andrew. In the beginning, the interns had freaked out, thinking they were doing something w

Veronica-It was hard not to stare at the ring that was now on my hand. It was beautiful, although it was far more extravagant than what I am used to. For the rest of the date, I asked him about his life in California.There wasn’t much I got off him, besides that he tried to stay under the radar and focus on his work. Being one of the top neurosurgeons in the world, I imagine it wasn’t easy to do. I became more curious about him the more we talked.He wasn’t at all like I imagined him to be. Most rich people I have come across were stuck up and thought everyone was beneath them. Lyrek had to be the most real person I have met. He was thoughtful, kind, funny, and he cared about others regardless of their status.After Lyrek took care of the check, we were making our way out, when I overheard some whispers coming from some of the guests. “Isn’t that Lyrek Cole? His family owns half the country. Who is that girl with him?”Trying to ignore the whispers, I stayed close to Lyrek’s side. H

Veronica-“As you know, I want my grandson to get married, but this…” Mr. Cole paused as if he were searching for the correct phrase. “Let’s just say this has put us in a rather difficult bind. The tabloids are going to ruin everyone involved.”“What can I do?” I leaned forward in the chair, giving him my undivided attention.“I need you to be completely transparent with me. If we are going to have any luck getting ahead of this, then I need to know more about you. I was informed that you are the reason Lyrek has agreed to stay. While I am grateful, it isn’t going to look good to the world.”As he spoke, he opened the laptop he had put aside. After a few clicks, he paused to scan the computer screen. I wasn’t sure what he was looking at, but I knew I would soon find out.“Your brother is sick with an incurable brain tumor, which Lyrek has agreed to help you with. It says here that you adopted your brother, and your parents are no longer in the picture. You work four jobs and don’t hav