He Is A Wellington
Same time in another hospital run by Dr Andesh, she had received the straw used by Jason in sipping his drink. She picked Jason's saliva from the straw and used it to run a DNA test to confirm if he was indeed the missing boy from twenty-four years ago. She did what she needed to do and was now waiting for the results. She put in everything to have the results ready within twenty-four hours.
Back in the hospital where Fiona was on admission, Mirenda had returned to her ward downcast. She sat by Fiona's bed watching her sleeping face. Mrs Haward after scolding the guard for giving her unnecessary panic now decides to look for her daughter whom she thought she saw a while ago but has now vanished into thin air.
"Excuse me, excuse me, I am here for Mirenda. I know she is not a patient but I was hoping.." Mrs Haward began but the receptionist who overheard her conversation with the guard cuts in already feeling sorry for Mirenda for having such a person as a mother.
"She is not a patient but she did the kindest thing. She saved a life. She brought someone to the hospital and she is taking care of her. That is an act of someone human, right?" the receptionist said and Mrs Haward was not sure what she meant by her statement.
"Where is my daughter?" Mrs Haward said through gritted teeth not ready to listen to some nonsense from a low-class receptionist.
"She is with a patient now and only one person is allowed in. So please wait for her to come out and you can see her?" said the receptionist realizing the woman before her, may just create trouble if she allows her to go into the ward.
"Do you know who I am?" Mrs Haward asked sounding angry.
"No, I don't but I do know where I am. A hospital where the patient's health is our top priority. So ma'am our rules are meant to protect our patients well being. If you will kindly wait, your daughter will see you once she is out. Please excuse me, I have to attend to some other people. Thank you," the receptionist said and turned her attention to the next family who had come in to visit their relative.
Mrs Haward stood there shocked. She is a Haward and people should revere her.
"How is it that this little pest in uniform dares to speak to her the way she did, just now?" Mrs Haward looked at the receptionist scornfully as she thought.
The receptionist was also attending to other people with smiles on her face ignoring Mrs Haward's angry expression.
"Let's go home," Mrs Haward said not ready to be ridiculed by a common receptionist.
"Ma'am but what about Ms Mirenda?" inquired the guard with concern.
"You saw her, she is fine and she brought a patient here. She is not the patient. So let's go or you prefer losing your job?" Mrs Haward said sternly and the guard nodded leading the way out of the hospital.
Back in the Paradise Hotel, Peter went up to Jason's office so they could complete the assessment for the day before closing as office work will be ending soon but the Hotel remains open for night guests. It was past 8 p.m. and Peter and Jason were almost done with their assessment and reports for the day.
"Great work for the day," Jason praised and got up from behind his desk and entered the room in his office.
Just like his office in the Haward's company, he had created a bedroom, living room and a dining area in his office space. He made use of the washroom in the room and returned to the main office where Peter was still waiting.
"Do we have everyone ready for the night?" Jason inquired.
"Yes, the receptionist for the night shift arrived at 7.30 p.m. and has already taken over at 8 p.m. She will leave at 5 a.m. and the next person will take over," replied Peter.
"Everyone is supposed to work a maximum of eight hours make sure their schedule is well planned for employees' safety and also no one works beyond eight hours," Jason instructed.
"Sure, can we go home now?" asked Peter.
"No, I will spend the night here," Jason replied.
"Work shift has ended, right? So I can talk about nonwork stuff," Peter said and Jason frowned knowing what he was going to talk about.
"If it is about Julia, save it for another day when I am doing nothing," Jason replied and moved towards the sofa and sat down.
"Sir, you know she loves you right?" Peter went ahead anyway and Jason decided to move his gaze to the centre table in the living room setting in his office.
Yes, he does know that but he doesn't like the fact that the only reason he wants her is because she is scared of him. He wants her to be free.
"So why are you punishing her this way?" Peter said and Jason lifted his head at Peter's statement.
"Punishing?" Jason repeated wondering how he was pushing Julia.
"Sir, pushing away someone who loves you and you equally feel the same way is punishment?" Peter explained walking towards him.
"It is?" Jason repeated wondering if what he felt for Julia was love and Peter was surprised.
"O dear, this man knows nothing about love. Well of course how can he when he spent his entire life shunning women," Peter thought.
"It is a punishment," Peter confirmed and sat down opposite Jason.
"Please, she will be more hurt if she feels she means little to you and she will feel that way if you make her work in a hotel owned by you as a waitress. You know her worth and you should give her her rightful position," Peter pointed out and Jason replied with a 'hmm'.
"Please think about it. I will be on my way now. Would you need anything in the morning?" Peter asked, standing up.
"I will be home by dawn," Jason replied and Peter nodded before exiting the office.
Jason sat down in deep thought.
Back in the hospital, Fiona had woken up from her sleep. Mirenda was still sitting by her bedside.
"I didn't know you were pregnant?" Mirenda began.
"I found out a couple of weeks ago. You know after the press conference, I couldn't stay in Florida as my image was destroyed. I decided to start a new life elsewhere but I couldn't because I found out I was pregnant," Fiona narrated.
"Why do you believe is James?" Mirenda asked.
"It was one thing he constantly asked of me. Even the night of the incident I made it very clear where I stand when it comes to sex in a relationship," Fiona explained.
"For someone, I was out on a date with, do you not find it strange, he never bothered to look for me after I mysteriously vanished from the restaurant after excusing myself to use the washroom. Again, for a man who will call me multiple times before the day ends, do you not find it strange, he never even called me once after that night all through another day till nightfall?" Fiona asked and Mirenda agreed she did have a point.
Knowing James, he was more guilty than innocent and Mirenda had already confirmed from her mother's conversation James was guilty as accused.
"So you wanted him to know he was going to be a father?" Mirenda asked.
"Every man has a soft spot for their own blood. I don't know how he will react to this news but that night, was my first. I was hoping telling him might change his mind," Fiona said in resignation.
Mirenda gave it a thought. Knowing James is someone who hates responsibility, she was not sure if this news could make a difference but she had one question in mind which had nothing to do with James.
"Do you love this child?" Mirenda asked knowing her mother didn't like her because she was a product of a one-night stand.
"Yes, this child is my blood too. I may not like James for what he did but it doesn't mean I don't love this child. This child is innocent. I am sure he/she, whatever the gender, would add more meaning to my life," Fiona said and rubbed her belly with an affectionate smile.
Mirenda wondered why her mother didn't like her if Fiona loved her child even though she was taken advantage of and she didn't like James.
"See, the feeling of having another life growing inside you is just beautiful," Fiona said with a smile.
"Well, there is the annoying morning sickness and all the accompanying discomfort especially when you are doing it all by yourself but you are bringing into the world, a friend, an angel and that is enough to make you endure it all. I wouldn't be alone anymore," Fiona said with a smile.
Mirenda was still comparing situations in her mind. Her mother was not alone so what did she do for her mother to dislike her?
"I am glad to hear that," Mirenda said and managed a smile but Fiona saw right through her.
"What is wrong?" Fiona asked.
"Is nothing?" replied Mirenda quickly not wanting to share her thoughts.
"I saved your life, remember?" Fiona reminded.
"That is weak blackmail you know that?" Mirenda said with a smile.
"Okay, let's rewind to the scene, only this time I will do nothing," Fiona joked.
"Thank God we can't rewind the event," Mirenda said and smiled.
"So tell me, what is bothering you? I get the feeling the questions you ask me are more about you. Were you conceived in a similar situation?" Fiona asked.
"Kind of. It was a one-night stand but my mum was drunk and slept with a man she rather wouldn't. She found out about me and before she could get rid of me, her husband found out and she couldn't. She had never liked me," Mirenda narrated and lowered her head.
"Well, we are talking about Mrs Haward here. She doesn't love anyone but herself," Fiona replied as consolation.
"No, she loves James so much to the extent that he can get away with everything. She is ready to lay down even her life for him," Mirenda replied.
"I see," said Fiona.
They continued their conversation deep into the night before Fiona decided it was time to go to bed. Mirenda spends the night with her not ready to go home and face her mother.
Back in another hospital, Dr Andesh went back to the lab to check on the results from the DNA test she had run. The corner of her lips curved into a smile reading the results
Her eyes moved from Jason's alleles called and that of Mr Wellington and her smile broadened with each number she read. She quickly combined the direct index and the number was 56,730,050,000. The probability of paternity read 99.99999999%.
"He is a Wellington," Dr Andesh whispered with a smile.