Chapter 2 Once Again
1041 Words
Amber's POV:
"Are you done?" Sidney's low, raspy voice sounded right by my ear.
I instantly realized what I was touching, my face burning red as I leapt off Sidney, standing awkwardly to the side. "I-I didn't mean to."
Sidney clearly had no interest in my excuses. He snatched his phone back from me, his tone ice-cold. "Get out!"
I was kicked out of his room, and I heard the sound of him locking the door behind me.
A sense of doubt crept into my heart. Maybe I should just turn and leave, but I hadn't completed the task Sereina gave me, and that unwillingness to fail gnawed at me.
Damn it! I was so close—if it hadn't been for that little mishap just now, everything might have gone smoothly.
'Should I just leave? No... I can't give up like this!'
Gritting my teeth, I rushed back to the door, pounding on it as I tried to talk to Sidney. "Mr. Sidney, open the door. I have something to say!"
The only response was the sound of something heavy crashing against the door from the other side.
It was obvious—Sidney was rejecting me.
Sereina had said that if I could get Sidney to leave his room, I would pass the test and be allowed to stay.
But from the looks of it, I had utterly failed.
Without another opportunity to approach Sidney, there was no way I could convince him to leave his room.
No matter how unwilling I was, I had no choice but to accept the outcome.
After leaving the villa, I felt so defeated and lost. 'Without this job, what am I going to do?'
I hugged myself, crouching down on the ground in distress.
Just then, the phone in my pocket rang, interrupting my thoughts.
"Please come to the hospital as soon as possible, Ms. Lucas!"
'Curt! Did something happen to him?' My heart sank, and I couldn't think of anything else.
The children's hospital was filled with the cries of kids, but in the middle of the chaos, I instantly picked out Curt's voice.
When I pushed open the door to his room, I saw doctors and nurses gathered around him, administering an injection.
His sharp cries made my heart twist painfully, and I rushed forward, wrapping him in my arms.
He trembled slightly in my embrace, and I choked up, my voice full of regret. "Curt, I'm so sorry. I should've been here sooner."
I had always been by his side during his injections.
As soon as Curt saw me, he stopped crying and forced a smile, his voice soft. "Amber, it didn't hurt. I was just messing around with them, right, Dr. Samuel?"
Samuel's eyes showed a hint of emotion, and after removing the needle, he nodded in agreement.
I knew all too well that Curt had always been terrified of injections. He was only saying this to comfort me, to keep me from feeling sad.
The more mature he acted, the more my heart ached. But I didn't want to let his good intentions go to waste, so I held back my tears and kissed his forehead. "You're the bravest little boy."
Curt smiled and then asked, "Did everything go well today?"
His question instantly reminded me of the disastrous "interview." My expression stiffened, and I hesitated before saying, "Everything's fine, Curt. Trust me."
He didn't say anything more, but he suddenly squeezed my hand tightly, his eyes filled with a determination far beyond his years. "When I grow up, I'll make sure you never have to struggle like this. I'll protect you and take care of you."
"Alright, I'll be waiting for that day." I gave him a smile.
After settling Curt down to rest, the doctor motioned for me to step outside so we could talk. We left the room together.
"Thank you, Dr. Samuel." I thanked him, whether it was for comforting Curt or for taking care of him—he deserved my gratitude.
"I'm just doing my job," he said. "Curt's condition is stable for now, and he's cooperating well with the treatment, which is a good thing."
"But, Amber, I do need to discuss the medical fees with you." Samuel kept smiling, his voice gentle.
My heart clenched. "Of course, Dr. Samuel."
"You still have an outstanding bill of one thousand dollars. Curt's nephrotic syndrome requires long-term hospitalization, and the medication costs are high, including some tests and nutritional support..." He paused, seeming hesitant. "To avoid interrupting his treatment, the hospital hopes you can settle this p*****t soon."
One thousand dollars. But my entire savings amounted to just three hundred.
I clenched my fists discreetly, trying not to show my anxiety, forcing a smile as I struggled to speak. "Could you... give me a little more time? I promise I'll take care of it as soon as possible."
Samuel didn't seem surprised by my response. "Are you having trouble finding work?" he asked, his tone full of concern.
I felt a pang of guilt—he must have seen through my earlier lie.
Yet I could only nod in embarrassment.
"I understand," he said gently. "I'll arrange for you to have one more week."
"Thank you. Thank you so much!" I looked at Samuel, deeply moved, exhaling a sigh of relief as I thanked him repeatedly.
"Hang in there, Amber." He made a fist in an encouraging gesture.
I couldn't help but laugh at that, giving him a smile. "I will."
After seeing Samuel off, I sat on a bench in the hospital, staring into space. The pressure was like a wave, drowning me, making it hard to breathe.
'What else can I do?'
I was overwhelmed with regret about today's failure. If only I'd managed to complete Sereina's task, then all my problems would be solved...
'Wait... I can't just give up! Not for Curt's sake,' I told myself.
Even if it meant losing my pride!
Suddenly resolute, I pulled out my phone, found Sereina's number, took a deep breath, and sent her a message.
Amber: Dear Madam, I am truly sorry for failing your task today. But please, I beg you to give me another chance. I promise I will do better.
- Writer
