"Yeah, the doctor did a great job." Sylvester spoke up. "I was afraid I was going to lose my cousin sister. Thank God it was successful." Anabel smiled at him and rubbed on Vanessa's shoulder. "I'm happy nothing happened to her."
Anabel stayed by Vanessa’s side, gently asking her questions about how she was feeling, whether she needed anything, and what the doctor had advised for her recovery. Vanessa answered slowly and carefully. Her every movement was slow and gentle. Just like someone who wouldn't be able to kill an ant. Starting from the way she adjusted her blanket to the way she leaned back against the pillows.
For a while, the three of them chatted lightly. Desmond joined in occasionally, offering a few comments about how Vanessa needed to focus on resting and not push herself too hard.
Not long after, the door creaked open, and the doctor stepped into the room. He was carrying a clipboard and had a stethoscope around his neck. He gave a polite nod to everyone in the room before walking over to check on Vanessa.
"Good morning, my friends," He greeted them as he walked towards Vanessa. "How are you feeling today?" The doctor asked, and Vanessa responded with a faint nod. "Better... a little better."
The doctor gave her a reassuring smile as he made a few notes on his clipboard before turning his attention to Anabel, who stood up to address him.
"Thank you for taking such good care of her, doctor," Anabel said and extended her hand. "It’s a relief to see her resting and recovering."
The doctor shook her hand and replied with a polite smile. "It’s our duty to provide the best care possible. Vanessa has been responding well to the treatment, and with some patience, I’m optimistic about her recovery."
"I’m so glad to hear that. And I'm sorry about the way I talked to you the other day. I was scared that something bad may happen."
"I won't blame you. You are caring for her. So you don't have to say sorry. I'm doing what I'm paid for. It's my priority to make sure she's fine." The doctor said.
"Thank you."
After the doctor finished his fake routine check and left the room, Anabel spent a little more time with Vanessa and Desmond. As they talk, both Sylvester and Vanessa were careful to maintain the illusion of her condition.
Eventually, Anabel glanced at her watch and realized it was time for her to leave and get back to her company for an important meeting. She stood up and smoothed down her skirt. "I should get going, but I’ll come by again soon, and I'm going to get you something refreshing." She said and Vanessa nodded slowly.
Sylvester stood up and walked her to the door. "We really appreciate your support, babe. It means a lot to Vanessa."
"You don't need to thank me, babe. I took her like a sister. Take good care of her. She needs people like us by her side right now."
As Anabel walked down the hallway, the door closed quietly behind her, leaving Sylvester and Vanessa to exchange glances, silently relieved that their charade had worked for another day.
He let out a long breath of relief and turned back to Vanessa, who was already dropping the weak, fragile demeanor she had been maintaining for Anabel’s sake.
"Where is my food?" She asked, and he walked over to the cabinet in the corner of the room and pulled out her food flask.
"Here," Sylvester said as he handed the food to Vanessa. "You can eat now."
Vanessa, with a sigh of frustration, pushed herself up from the bed, shedding the pretense of her earlier weakness. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and took the food flask from Sylvester. "Finally," she muttered under her breath, pulling the lid off the flask to reveal a hearty serving of rice and stew. She picked up the spoon Sylvester handed her and began to eat.
Sylvester sat down in the chair nearby, watching her eat in silence. She no longer looked like the frail patient Anabel had just visited but more like herself. Though she was not happy. As she ate, she began to grumble.