"Anabel, you are here." Vanessa said. She kept her voice light but carefully tinged with a hint of fatigue to keep up the pretense.
Anabel smiled and walked up to her, then set the fruit salad on the bedside table. "I was planning to visit you in the hospital before Sylvester called me to tell me that you had been discharged. How are you feeling today?"
Vanessa gave her a faint, appreciative smile. "I’m doing better, thank you very much. You have always been so supportive."
"You are my boyfriend's cousin sister. I take you as my sister. I will always be there for you." Anabel said and pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down. That was when Sylvester walked in.
"Now that you are home, don't work yourself out. Recovery takes time, so don’t push yourself too hard. Just focus on resting and getting your strength back." Anabel said, and Vanessa nodded lightly, doing her best to appear fragile.
"I will try."
"Yeah, you need to. I'm here to help and do the cooking." Anabel said.
"Cooking? Sylvester called you to cook?" She said with a concerned look as if she wasn't aware.
"Yeah, he said you don't have strength and I understand. I will help with the cooking for today." Anabel replied.
"Yeah, but you don't have to stress yourself. You are pregnant, and your tummy is getting bigger." Vanessa said, as if she cares. As if she was feeling for her.
"Don't worry about it. I can do it. Besides, Sylvester is around to help me." Anabel replied and looked up at Sylvester who smiled at her
"You are such a nice person. It means so much to me that you are here, Anabel. I really don’t know what I’d do without you." Vanessa said, and Anabel reached out and patted Vanessa’s hand gently. "You’d do the same for me, Vanessa. That’s what family is for."
"Thank you. My cousin is lucky to have someone like you." Vanessa said, and Sylvester stepped forward. "I think she needs to eat now and rest properly. So why don’t I show you to the kitchen?"
Anabel rose from her seat with a nod. "Of course. Let me get started. Vanessa, let me know if you need anything else, okay?"
"I will." Vanessa replied with a faint smile as Anabel left the room.
Sylvester moved to leave and Vanessa held him by the hand and whispered to him. "Don't stay with her. Show her what to cook and come back. I'm waiting for you." He nodded and left to meet Anabel.
In the kitchen, Sylvester walked Anabel through what they had planned for the meal, showing her the ingredients already laid out on the counter.
"Thank you for helping us out. Vanessa and I really appreciate everything you’ve been doing." Sylvester said, and Anabel smiled warmly, brushing off his thanks. "It’s nothing, really. I’m just happy to help. You both need to focus on her recovery."
Sylvester gave her a nod and turned to leave the kitchen, but Anabel stopped him. "Sweetheart, won't you stay and help me? You know I’m pregnant, and sometimes the kitchen work can be a bit much. Stay with me. At least we will be talking and doing the cooking together."
"Yeah, I would love to be around, but I need to look out for Vanessa. She’s been feeling a bit weak, and I want to watch her eat and make sure she’s okay."
Anabel tilted her head slightly, and her brows knitted in concern. "I understand that, but Vanessa is strong enough to eat by herself, isn’t she? She’s recovering well and fast. You’ve said so yourself. I’m sure she can manage without you for a little while."
"I know Vanessa is getting stronger, but I still need to be there for her. It’s important that I stay by her side while she eats".
"All right, Sylvester." Anabel nodded reluctantly. "If you think she needs you, go ahead. I will manage on my own."
"Thank you," Sylvester said before leaving the kitchen and returning to the bedroom, where Vanessa was waiting for him.