Few minutes later, Anabel got to the hospital and made her way down the bright hospital hallway. She was carrying the fruit salad she had bought for Vanessa. She believed it was what she needed and that it would help her recover faster.
It was a way of showing how concerned and how caring she was. The few staff members that saw her the other day were confused. Some were assuming she was the billionaire lady look-alike, while others were believing it was the same person.
When she reached Vanessa's hospital room, she hesitated only briefly before pushing the door open. She had grown comfortable enough during her visits to skip knocking. Besides, she was her cousin's girlfriend.
When she stepped into the room, the sight that greeted her made her pause in her tracks, her brow furrowing in confusion. Vanessa was sitting on the edge of the bed. Her legs were dangling loosely, and she looked more comfortable than she had expected from someone who had surgery the previous day. She wasn't expecting someone who did surgery to be sitting down comfortably.
The frail, weak demeanor she had witnessed the previous day was gone, and was replaced by a posture that almost seemed… normal. Both Sylvester and Vanessa were taken aback when Anabel walked in. At this point, they needed to find a way to defend themselves.
"Anabel, you are here already." Sylvester went to welcome her. "I was expecting you to come by at six pm."
"I decided to rush after closing work." She walked up to Vanessa, who was not calm. She was trying to tried switch back to acting mode.
"Vanessa." Anabel said slowly, stepping closer to her. "You are sitting up?"
Vanessa gave her a small smile. "Yes, the doctor said I should sit down a little, that it will help with the healing process." Vanessa managed to say, hoping it would be enough to convince Anabel.
Anabel turned to Sylvester. "Is that what the doctor said?"
"Yeah, that is what he said. She won't be sitting for a long time. Just for a few minutes. If you were quick enough, you would have met the doctor. He just left now. He said she will sit for some minutes, then lie back down on the bed.
"I see, but… are you sure this is okay? I thought it would be dangerous to sit down so soon after surgery."
"We asked the doctor and he said it’s fine as long as she doesn't sit longer than ten minutes." Sylvester replied.
"But does it hurt?" Anabel asked Vanessa, and she hesitated for some moments before answering, "Yes, but it’s manageable. It's quite uncomfortable, but I can endure it."
"Anyway, I brought you something as I promised. I'm sure you will like it." She placed the fruit salad on the small table beside the bed. "It's a fruit salad."
"Thank you, Anabel. I'm lucky to have you close to me. Even though you are pregnant, you still care for me. My cousin made a very good choice. I promise to help you take care of our baby." Vanessa said, and Anabel smiled at her words.
"Your cousin is a good man as well. I'm lucky to have him and you. I hope you get better soon so that I can take you out. I will take you to places you have never visited before."
"Wow, I can't wait." Vanessa said, and Sylvester took the container and handed it to Vanessa, who carefully placed it on her lap. Anabel pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down, watching as Vanessa opened the lid. Vanessa’s movements were deliberate, almost exaggeratedly slow, as she picked up a piece of fruit with the plastic fork.
"It will help you recover fast." Anabel and Vanessa nodded, chewing quietly and glancing briefly at Sylvester, who was standing behind Anabel with his arms crossed. He gave Vanessa a subtle nod, as if to signal that she was doing well. Vanessa continued to eat at a measured pace, occasionally pausing as though the effort was taxing.
"Anyway, I’m so glad to see you sitting up." Anabel said after some moments. "Yesterday, I was so worried about you. Seeing you like this today—it gives me hope that you will be back on your feet in no time. And it also showed that the doctor did a very good job."