He drove him home and pulled his brake when we were already close to the mansion gate. So I didn't have to call Andrew.

    "You are really not upset with me?" He asked me again just as I was about to get off his car. I shook my head and forced a smile.

  "Alright, bye dear" He said and I watched him drive away before entering the gate. 

Robert sighted me before I could even click on the gate bell.

    "What happened to Andrew?" He asked as he let me in.

  "I didn't call him because..a colleague drop me off.." I lied to Robert. " But I would let him know" I said.

 "What happened to you?" He asked, looking at my face.

    "Not...thing" I replied already walking into the house.

 I didn't bother saying Hi to Helen whom I knew that she was in the kitchen..as usual.

    I ran upstairs till I got to my room.

 Immediately I entered, I rushed to the mirror to look at my lips.. suddenly the whole scene recapped into my head that I didn't know when I let out a very loud scream.

     Mark and Helen ran inside my room.

 "I didn't know that you were at home Mark" I forced a smile as if all is well.

    "And I didn't know when you came inside the house" Helen retorted.

  "Why did you scream like that?" Mark asked me.

    "I... I don't know" I said laughing weirdly and they were gazing at me as if I was not alright.

  "Dr. Mark, don't you think Eve needs a medical check-up?" Helen told Mark and I shot her a hard look.

    "I am fine Mark; just saw random flashbacks" I said.

"Hmmmn it better be.  How is Liam doing?" Mark asked me.

  "Liam?" I said... and I could see Liam's face, his smile..him walking towards me.

    "Yes Liam" Mark said, waving at my face to get my attention.

  "Liam is fine" I said and laughed hysterically again.."Hahaha"

    Mark gave me a funny suspicious look then he left my room.

    "You are not normal Eve" Helen said.

  "I know right" I said as if I wanted to cry.. and she gave me a stern look too and exit.

    "I'm not normal at all" I shouted and threw myself on the floor.

  My heart was still beating very fast, the whole scene of him kissing me kept appearing that I even saw myself smiling and pouting out my lips for him to kiss.

 I suddenly remember the time he pulled off his clothes and dive into the swimming pool...it suddenly feels like he did it for me to show me his s*xy abs, six-packs blah, blah, blah.

    "Oh My God" I exclaimed..then my phone buzzed.

    I reached out for it, only to see Liam on the home screen.

    Liam everywhere... 

    "What have you done to me Liam?" I took a very deep breath and then let them all out before picking up his call.

    "Hey" He said.. this voice..geez! My poor pondering heart!

   "Hello" I muttered;

  "Eve I know you are still upset about the kiss.."

    "I am not upset. I... I just don't feel good probably because it was unexpected " I confided... No, I actually feel good; it may heart that is cooking up a whole wrong idea.

    "Okay. That's good to know.." I knew he was about to hang up the call...so I cut in quickly.

 "Liam, do you still love Clara?" I asked him. Yeah it seems like he really does.

   "No, not at all" He responded.

 "Are you saying no only to force yourself that you do not?" I asked again...

    "What are you saying?"

 "You still like Clara" I blurted.

    "I do not" He said.

  "Hmmm Okay" I said.

    "Why did you ask Eve?" He asked me.

 "I... I don't know. I thought we were now best friends like you proposed; so I just thought you should let me know..." I tried not to stammer.

 "Oh Okay...see you in the office tomorrow right?" He said.

    "Yeah, Bye"

  We disconnected the call. This whole best friends thing is not working out for me... I don't want to agree with myself that I want more than just a best-friendship. But Liam, on the other hand, seems not to notice it and he keeps lying to himself that he is over Clara obviously he is not.

    ***

    During Dinner time;

   When I, Mark, and Mr. Maya gathered as usual while Helen the cook decided to mind her own business in her room. She already said that she won't join us in the dining room unless she's invited...

    Mr... Maya dropped his cutlery, drank some water, and ask;

    "How is my son?" 

 I didn't say anything because he didn't specify whom he was talking to or which son he was referring to. And ever since Liam left the house, Mark hasn't been cool with him.

    "Which son?" Mark asked him though.

 "Liam. I am sure he is forever gonna stay at his place, living a bachelor's life" Mr. Maya said.

    Funny how Liam's name makes my heart skips a beat.

    "Why are you asking after Liam if this is all you have to say?" Mark almost yells.

  "And I wasn't talking to you Mark" Mr. Maya retorted.

    "You should have been more specific " I mumbled.."Liam is fine" I told him.

Mark scoffed; "See you acting as you care," Mark said to his father... who yawned and murmured " I do" He picked up his fork to continue eating but he dropped it and yawn again

    "Even with your nonchalant attitude, we are still doing fine and I hope you would realize that very soon" Mark continue talking...

    Mr. Maya suddenly began to snore...

  "What an act! Hahaha," Mark made fun of him.

    I was surprised to see Mr. Maya sleeping; I didn't even plan anything today because he didn't make any advances toward me.

    He rested his head uncomfortably on the chair and began to sleep.

    "Is he really sleeping?" Mark asked me.

 I looked at his face; "Yeah"

 "What the heck he isn't even done with his meal? Who sleeps off while eating?" Mark stood up and went to his father.

  "I would take him to his room now," He said..trying to wake the old man up but he kept snoring...

    Mark who wasn't cool with him earlier... pulled him to the floor and dragged him to his room.

    **

    "Helen" I hollered her name as I climbed the stairs.

 She heard me at once and opened her door... I held her hand and went back into her room.

 "What's the matter?" She asked me.

    "Did you drug him? Mr. Maya?" I asked her.

 "Of course" She replied.

   "Jeez! He slept off while we were having dinner... It was weird.." I rushed my words.

 "Then why are you panicking? He deserves it"

 "You know he just returned a few minutes ago from wherever he went to, he never even made any attempt to have s*x with me " I said.

    "Ohh...that's bad because the drug is gonna work for no reason" She giggled.

"Aside, it worked too early. What if Mark finds out? He is an acting medical doctor you know?"

    "Don't worry. He won't find out. Now stop panicking Eve" She said.

  "Listen Mr. Maya deserves whatever that is happening to him and who knows he might be planning to have you in his bed later today which might be too later for you or even me to do anything about it " She said; patting my shoulder.

    She absolutely succeeded in making me feel innocent.

    *****

    ****

Eve's POV

    "Good morning"

        Good morning" I waved at the other staffs as I headed to my office only to meet Liam standing there, with his hands on his waist.

I froze; as I recalled yesterday.

    "Good Morning " He waved to my face smiling.

  "Good...good morning " I stammered and I headed to my seat.

  "I was expecting you" He said.

    "Why?" I asked him.

  "Just because. Damn! You have a lot of work to do" He said whacking the books on my table. 

   "I would be expecting you in my office then.." He said and moved away when he got to his door.He turned back and said.

    "I just don't know why I love to see you around me" With that, he left.

   "Tell me you like me instead and stop joking indirectly with my feelings" I mumbled as I switched on the computer and began to work.

    Suddenly my phone beeped, I picked it up only to find out that it was from a strange number.

    ~"Hello" I said into it, after picking it up.

 ~"Am I speaking to Mrs Eve? I'm Doctor Thomas  This number was registered as the guardian of a patient here"

 ~ "What patient?"

    ~"Mr Joe. Are you Eve Joe?"

  ~"Yeah... I... He is my father. Why is he my father at your hospital?" I stood up panicking.

  ~"He has been here for a while but all of sudden, you stopped footing his bills...why?"

 ~"His bills? I stopped? I don't know what you are talking about what about Mr Maya?" I asked them.

 ~"I don't know who that is either but your father is in a critical condition, we stopped attending to him immediately we didn't get any response from the guardian"

~"Please" I bursts into tears, " Do not leave my father"

 ~"I'm sorry Mrs Eve. There are a lot of charges you need to pay for at the moment... And I'm sorry to let you know that the longer you do not show up with the bills, the earlier your father might need a heart transplant" the doctor said.

    ~"What?" I exclaimed; "What hospital?" I asked and he told me the address.

    ~"I'ld be there soon.." I flinched, I didn't know what to start with or pick up first.

    Liam came out of his office at the right time.

    "Liam...can you..can you..." I stuttered, breathing very fast and panicking.

    "Calm down Eve. What is it?"

    "My father. He is in the hospital. He needs me; he needs money.. I..i need to go see my father." I trembling.

   "I'ld drive you there" He said..

    ***

 We got to the hospital; one and a half hour, it was suppose to be close to there hours drive but Liam sped.

    The receptionist led us to the doctor's office. 

    "I am Eve Joe; I received a call from here.." I began to introduce myself before he could even ask.

  "Yeah, I was the one that called you" He responded giving me a sheet.

    I scan through it in a jiffy, I spotted my father's name and the bill he was owing. 

    "Can...I... Can I see my father now?" I asked him.

  "I am sorry Miss Eve, you can't your father is not in a good shape now" The man replied.

    "Then commence the treatment!" Liam shouted..

  "We can't start anything; until you pay up the bills at least the initial ones first" The Doctor said and Liam groaned..

    I opened my purse quickly and shoved out my card;

"There is a bank, down the lane; nearby" The Doctor said.

    "Start already. She's gonna go withdraw some money" Liam told him.

   "Hmmm" The man only hummed.

    ****

"I don't know why it's not working" Eve panicked; struggling with her debit card.

    "What do you mean it's not working?" Liam asked her.

   "It's showing that there is no money in the card" I said.

  "What? My Dad always have excuse money in his card" Liam said.

    I tried it again; but it's the same thing.

    "Oh My God what will I do?" I startled.

    "Come, let's return to the hospital" Liam said; holding my hands.

    **

 "She couldn't withdraw some money" Liam told the Doctor as soon as we returned to the hospital.

"I said; no treatment can commence if they is no money. If you can't pay the current bills, pay for the former ones.... This man has been here since.." the doctor repeated but Liam interrupted him.

    "I'll foot the bills. I'ld pay for both the current and the former bills. Will you commence the treatment now?" Liam asked him.

    "Liam... You will foot the bills? " It's a whole lot of money. My salary can't even foot the bills.

 "Leave it for me" He said and faced the doctor.. "I'll pay through your bank account details. Now be fast about it" He told him.

   "I'll inform my colleagues and the treatment will commence now. meanwhile you still can,'t see the patient... please stay outside" He said then walked away in a jiffy.

  "Thank you Liam" I said to him while we waited at the reception" .

    "Don't mention" He said wiping my tears and I sniffed.

  "Your dad didn't keep his promise. I left my father unto his care" I told him.

    "I'm sorry about that" Liam said.. "I'm gonna kill that man by the time I get home" He mouthed yet I heard him.

 "Or it could be my fault, I didn't bother to check up on my father. I wanted to but I was occupied with Job and all what I thought by the time I visit him, I'll be financially stable and he'll be happy to see me but..but reversed it is" I rushed my words and tears kept on flowing down my cheeks.

    "Any of this is not your fault Eve" He said.

  "The doctor said that the last time the bills was settled was last week; I signed the marriage contract last week. Is that why your changed towards me?" I asked him.

    "I....." Liam muttered and sighed heavily.." Eve I am sorry" He said again.

    "Why are you apologising?"

 "My father intentionally made you go through this pain"

   "And...and there is no money in the card he gave to me" 

   "He deducted everything"

    "What??"

   "I knew father was up to something, he won't wanna loose in a game of two" he pulling me to his arms.

    "So he decided not to fulfil any of his promises immediately I signed the marriage contract? "

"Yeah, knowing full well that you have no other choice but to continue to live with him. I saw this coming...now it's too late before I could tell you. I am sorry Eve" He said again.

    I'm duped... a fresh tears started to roll down my eyes.

    ********

    ****

   ***

    "He is awake" I told Liam.

 Ever since the doctor had permitted us to go into the ward; after the surgery was done... I have been staring at my father..and he just opened his eyes.

    "Eve" My Dad tried to speak and I held his hand.

 "You can't sit yet sir" Liam said to him  when he tried to sit upright.

   "Eve, how is your husband?" My father asked.

  "Don't call him my husband" I frowned.

 "Mr Maya.." He wanted to say but I interrupted him.

    "This is Mr Maya's son; Liam" I introduced.

  "Do you feel okay?" Liam asked him and he nodded.

 "I'ld excuse you and your father now" Liam said and left the ward.

 "Dad" I fondle with his finger as I began to weep again secretly.

 "I have not seen Mr Maya around, and how have you been?" He asked me.

    I wiped my face and forced a smile..

   "I am fine Dad, as you can see" I lied; "Mr Maya..he told son to come here with me. Mr Maya has really been a good man"

   "I told you, you won't regret getting married to him" My Dad said touching my cheeks.

  "Are you really Okay Dad?"

    "Of course.. I just need a little rest. I have been here for a very long time and they have been taking good care of...the doctor said he is not gonna release anytime soon" My father said.

  "Why?" I questioned.

 " Mr Maya told him not until I have full recovered"

  "Oh so Mr Maya did that yet he won't foot your bills anymore" I mumbled.

  "What did you say?" He didn't hear me.

 "Nothing. Then how come the Doctor doesn't know who Mr Maya is?"

   "He never come here himself, he always sends someone"

    "Oh!" How cruel Mr Maya is.

 I sniffed, so that I would not cry again..

 "Mr Maya is such a good man. He gave me a job and I am doing fine at his place" I lied again, so that he will feel better.. it's really nice to see my father smiling.

    **

    After spending some time in the ward with Dad, I came out to meet Liam whom I left waiting outside.

  "Will you be able to go home ? Or should I wait here with you?" Liam asked me.

    "My father wants me to leave, he thinks I'm doing fine just because I told him that I have a job. I also lied to him so that it would trigger his ailment.."

 "Will you stay with him?"

    "I wish. I'll come back tomorrow to see him as early as possible"

    "I'll come with you" He said.

    I stopped walking and looked at him.

    "I'm really thankful for today Liam, I owe you alot"

    "You owe me nothing Eve" He said..

    "Right! Your father put me in this position" I retorted.

    "I am glad he never had you in his bed"

    **

    Liam drove into the gate; "I thought you just wanted to drop me off" 

    "No, I need to see my damn father" He said as he got of the car before me.

    "Liam, how have you been?" He asked. Liam smiled at him as went inside quickily.

    "Liam"  We met Helen and Mark  in the living room. They mentioned his name at the same time.

    "Is father at home?"

    "He didn't even go to work, he has been sleeping... He woke up only few minutes ago" Mark reported.

   "Oh good!" Liam remarked and moved to his father's room.

    "What are you doing Liam?" I walked faster to catch up with him.. 

    Mr Maya came out of his before Liam even got there.

    "Oh Liam. You are back to father's house" Mr Maya said.

    "What did you do Eve's father?" Liam confronted him.

    "What do you mean?" Mr Maya pretended not to understand 

 "You are wicked, and you know it!" Liam remarked.

    "Wicked how?"

    "Liam, what happened to Eve's father?"

"He is ill and this man here promised to take good care of him, that's one of the reasons why Eve agreed to be with him. But as soon as Audrey signed the marriage contract, he stopped footing the hospital bills"  Liam rushed his words..

    "What...?" Helen and Mark uttered at the same time.

    "So why are you making a fuss about it?" Mr Maya laughed, he didn't even show any sign of remose.

    "You are cruel and what did you do to her bank account?" Liam asked his father, he won't even calm down or let me talk.

    "My bank account?"

    "Father!" He screamed.

  "Oh My God Liam. I have missed you so much" Mr Maya said; "Now Listen, Eve is my wife. She has a job now, I mean she is working in my company, so she should be able to settle her problems and even Carter for her family. It's still an indirect help coming from me" 

    I couldn't believe my ears

    I stamped my feet against the floor as I ran upstair and Helen ran behind me to comfort me but I told that I wanted to be alone at that moment.

I knew I was already stucked in this marriage; I just wanna let go of everything and be single and free but no, I don't wanna go back to that poor background. I have had enough since he is not keeping his promising; the only thing that can help me going his the job and I haven't earned much; talk more of leaving the marriage... Once I'm good to go; I'll fly out of the country if it's possible.

 Or I might even need a better means of breaking the marriage contract I had with him because I know for sure that he won't just sign a devoice paper which can't be easy for me to get; I also know that he might treat me worst if I talk back at him. But somehow I was glad deep down that he didn't have his way on me and I hope that he is not gonna find out soon.

  I could still hear Liam even from my room, he was still yell at his father. Right! His father is at fault but I don't know why he keeps standing up for me...making he and his father quarrel whenever he is around. I think I'm a big burden upon this family and upon myself.

  "Are you okay now Eve?" Helen knocked on my door.

"Come in" I murmured, she did.

    "Are you Okay?" She asked me again.

 "He literally showed me an exact example of 'You can't eat your cake and have you'" I told her.

 "But you should be glad that he never had s*x with you in return" She said and I nodded slowly; "Liam just left, he said he'll come back to pick you up tomorrow morning" Helen said.

  "He followed me to the hospital. we are going backto check up on my father again. Thanks to Liam, he footed the bills" I explained to Helen.. and she was so surprised."I don't know what I would have done" I added.

    "I'm sorry about what's happening to you Eve. Trust me, you'll break over it very soon" She said, pulling me closer to give me a hug and I tried to put on a smile.

  "So Liam generously footed the bills. Is that all?" She asked me.

    "What do you mean?"

    "Uhm, nothing" Helen said, smiling at me.

Liam is so generous and..and..probably when my Dad has fully recovered, he'll occupy my mind again.. For now; I'm very much worried about my father that I'm now regretting why I didn't stay back with him at the hospital.

    *****

    ***