Chapter 5 NEW DAY NEW LIFE

Nella's POV

I spent the night staring into space and trying to get some sleep on the chair I was given, but the harder I tried, the farther sleep seemed. I couldn’t wait for it to be morning already. I kept pondering on what I had just agreed to. Everything felt so fast and unreal. It felt as though I had stepped out of my own world into someone else’s and forgotten how to go back into mine.

By morning, I was still sitting in the hospital chair, my brother asleep on the bed beside me. I looked up as the door opened softly. Nick.

He walked in, composed and calm, like nothing had happened the day before. Well, maybe nothing had happened. It was purely business for him and I was the one overthinking my choices.

“Good morning,” he said.

“You came,” I said, offering him the chair I’d been on. He shook his head curtly and I went over to stand by the window.

“I told you I would,” he said.

I nodded simply and I saw him come closer from the corner of my eyes.

“Hey,” he said, tapping me lightly on the shoulder. 

I turned to face him, hoping he wouldn’t notice the tears in my eyes.

“Don’t beat yourself over this. You made the right decision, trust me. You’re my friend, Nella. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you, I hope you know that. I want you to trust me. Remember back in school? All the jokes, our friendship and everything, Nel, nothing changed. You’ve always been one of my closest friends and that’s till the end of time. I’m sorry if this situation seems messed up and feels like I’m taking advantage of what you’re going through, I honestly thought of it as perfect for both of us.”

I could see the sympathy in his eyes as he said each word and the tears ran freely down my cheeks. He was right, anyway I tried to look at it. If this is the chance I have at saving my brother, so be it.

He reached into his pocket and gave me a handkerchief.

“Thank you,” I said, forcing a smile.

The conversation with the doctors happened faster than I had expected. Too fast, if you were to ask me. Before I could process anything, Nick had already spoken to them, reviewed reports, and asked questions I didn’t even know to ask.

“We’ll be transferring him to New York.”

I blinked. “Transferring to New York?”

“To a facility in New York,” he continued. “They’re better equipped to handle this stage.”

“Woah woah woah! Calm down. What?” I said, my voice rising. “You didn’t tell me anything about New York. He’s supposed to transfer to the neighboring town. Not New York!”

I turned to face the Doctor. “How am I just knowing this?”

The doctor who was now confused with this whole exchange but trying to be professional. “Nothing has been finalized, Miss Dupree. Your fiancé here only mentioned it as an option. You of course, have the final say.”

Fiancé, right.

"Can you please give us a minute," I said, smiling sweetly at the Doctor as I pulled Nick to the side.

“What?” I asked, trying to keep my voice as low as possible.

“It’s the best option for him,” he said calmly.

“For him or for you?” I snapped.

“For all of us.”

“I’ll be back to finalize the paperwork, Miss Dupree,” the doctor said as he walked out the door.

I turned back to face Nick. “You didn’t say anything about me leaving. What about my life here? My job? Josh’s school? Everything.”

“For this to work it has to be believable,” he said. “You can’t stay here while I’m there.”

A knot formed in my stomach. “So… I just uproot my entire life?” I asked.

“I’ll take care of everything. Josh’s schooling, his treatment, your living situation, you don’t have to worry about anything.”

“That’s not the point,” I said, my voice shaking slightly. “You don’t just decide for me.”

“I’m sorry, Nel. I just want everything to work.”

I thought for a while before speaking. “We should finalize with Dr. Rob. He must be waiting.”

Josh was sitting with his head rested on the pillow when we walked into the room. His eyes looked tired and mine were starting to fill up. I realized I’d do this again if I have to, just to see my baby live.

“Hey,” I said, moving closer to his bed and touching his hair gently.

“Hi,” he said calmly.

“I’m sorry for not noticing you weren’t good. I’m sorry for being so caught up with things. I’m…” I couldn’t hold the tears any longer.

“Sis, it’s okay. Don’t cry. I don’t blame you for any of it.”

I sniffed and wiped my tears with the back of my palm. I noticed Nick was standing there and watching. I forgot he came in with me.

“Silly me, I haven’t introduced you two. Josh, this is Nick. He’s a college friend.”

“I remember him,” Nick laughed a bit. “He used to come by the house.”

“That was fast, unlike some people,” Nick said, looking in my direction.

“Come on! I recognized you immediately I looked closely.”

“That’s typical Nella,” Josh said, nudging me lightly.

I went over the few details I could with Josh. Not too much, the engagement, the move, the hospital and everything. I however didn’t mention it was fake.

Josh seemed excited for me and about the move. 

“I could do with some fresh air” according to him.

The drive home in Nick’s car was filled with Josh and Nick’s talk about cars, video games and football. I tried to chip in sometimes. The car parked in front of my house and I helped Josh inside and got him in bed before coming out to speak to Nick.

“We’ll be leaving tomorrow,” he said.

“So soon?” I whispered. I had no idea how to say goodbye.

The cafè was the hardest. The familiar scent of brewing coffee and freshly baked cakes wrapped around me as I stepped in the next morning.

“Nella,” my boss said smiling. “You’re early today.”

“I’m leaving, Frank”, I said, playing with my fingers to avoid his eyes.

His smile faded. “What?”

“I’m moving,” I said, trying to steady my voice. “I know I should have given a couple of days notice, but everything happened fast. I’m truly sorry.”

He stared at me for a moment and sighed.

“Well, you’ll be missed. You’ve been one of my best workers. Take care, kiddo,” he said, tapping my shoulder.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

Jess didn’t let me escape easily. She dragged me to the side immediately.

“Okay, what’s going on?” She whispered. “And don’t try to lie.”

I hesitated. Then I lied anyway.

“We’ve known each other for years from college. We’ve been talking for a while now.” Her eyes didn’t leave mine. “He’s in New York,” I continued. “He wants to take things seriously, so I’m going there.”

Jess was stunned. “Like seriously seriously?” I nodded. She stared at me for a few seconds. “Are you sure?” She said softly. I forced a smile, “yeah.” She didn’t look convinced, but she nodded.

“Well, I’m happy for you,” she said pulling me into a hug. “Just don’t disappear on me, okay?”

“I won’t,” I whispered.

Everything moved fast after that and before I knew it I was standing in the new place I’d call home. The apartment was beautiful and Josh settled in quickly. Nick left to check some things out at the office and I was still trying to settle my thoughts when the doorbell rang. I frowned slightly, walking towards the door. 

The moment I opened the door my heart stopped. It was him. The man from the cafè. My grip on the door tightened. “What the hell?”