The Royal Contract

After a while, a tap on her shoulder woke her up. She gradually opened her eyelids, putting her hand above her face to block the light, allowing her eyes to adjust to the brightness inside the room.

“Excuse me, Miss Blake, but I think you have not eaten since this morning. There is a cafeteria downstairs. I can look after your grandmother for a while. Try to eat something first.” The nurse that woke her up had concern on her face.

It took her a while to understand what she was saying. Then, she remembered she had pretended to be her friend’s granddaughter. So, she could remain and accompany her while she waited for her actual family member to arrive.

“Just call me Amelia.” She introduced herself, uncomfortable using her friend’s name in her facade. “Oh, how is Angela?” She quickly shifted on the sofa and sat, finding her muscles protesting from the uncomfortable position her body injured while sleeping.

Her eyes darted to the patient who lay on the bed, still peacefully sleeping with the monitors steadily beeping in time with her heartbeat and breathing.

“She is fine and sleeping. Hopefully, she will recover and wake up soon. So, you better take care of yourself and eat.” The bubbly nurse smiled at her as she moved to take Angela’s vitals.

.....

“I am glad to hear that.” She responded, stretching her arms and legs to get the cramps out of her stiff muscles.

She grabbed her bag to check on her phone, but her battery must have died down as it failed to open after several tries. She quickly hid it away, thinking it did not matter at the moment.

“I am glad to learn that Angela has another grandchild who takes care of her. I kept telling her that she should not live alone in that apartment of hers. But she would not listen.” The nurse continued, replacing her bag of IV fluids.

“It was fortunate I came to visit when she had an attack,” Amelia explained, not wanting the nurse to think she was living with her.

“Yes, it is a lucky break for her. I kept telling her that she should also ask her grandson to come over and take care of her or go and live with him, but she is a stubborn old goat.” The nurse reprimanded the sleeping lady as if she could hear her.

She sat more comfortably as she listened to the nurse tell her more about her new friend and her family, which only consisted of his grandson, so it seemed.

“You should have informed his grandson about her condition.” Suddenly she bit her lips, hoping that the nurse did not notice her slipped up. She did not want her to suspect her lie.

Pretending to be her granddaughter, she should know who her grandson was. She should be the one to inform him herself. But in her defense, his grandson should be checking on her condition. Not living life as if he had no family.

“Once, I called her grandson, finding his name on her emergency list, he quickly flew to see her. A real handsome man.” The middle-aged nurse said dreamily. “A sweet boy too.”

She continued telling her about the great qualities of the man who took care of his grandmother.

“He would not leave her side even for a minute, just like you. Afraid that something might happen to her while he was gone.” She narrated as she finished her last check on the apparatus attached to her patient.

“Then, when Angela woke up, she was fuming at me for calling him. She said he would drop everything he was doing to be with her.” The nurse’s face turned solemn as she remembered those moments.

“He would even leave his successful life in another country just to come home and take care of her. She did not like that.” The nurse kept telling her.

“I suggested she should at least live in a nursing home so that she will have company. But she also refused that.” The nurse shook her head.

She disapproved of Angela’s point of view or her grandson. Although, she understood her for not going to a nursing home. She had such a lovely home that leaving it would be hard.

However, she would forego everything to be with her and take care of her if she was her real granddaughter. She would not care about her successful career outside this city as long as she was with her.

She would have done the same thing for his father if he was not as cruel and selfish. But at the moment, she would rather stay here and take care of someone that was not her flesh and blood than go home to be with her only family.

“But maybe you should talk to him and convince him to check on her. I still have his number.” The nurse took out a piece of paper. “I know Angela only has one grandson and no one else.”

The nurse tapped her on the shoulders before walking to the door. It seemed she knew all along that she was faking it.

“Just holler if you wish to take that break, and I will happily take over for you for a while.” She offered again, leaving her alone.

It seemed her acting might be good, but they would never fool that woman.

She stared at the piece of paper in her hands, debating if she should call this man and tell him about Angela’s condition. But what would she say to him? What about Angela? Would she be mad at her for meddling with her affair?

But her stomach finally growled, reminding her that she had not eaten anything since yesterday, except for the sandwich that one of the nurses handed her last night.

She grabbed her bag and walked over to her friend. She took her hand and gently squeezed it. “I will be back.” Whispering as she planted a soft kiss on her temples.

She walked out of the room and informed the nurse that she would be by the cafeteria to take a break. With the number safely tucked in her bag, she thought it was not wise to decide on an empty stomach.