Sit
Sit
"Food poisoning." He still sounded weak as he replied. "The food here suck. I can't believe I landed in the hospital immediately I stepped my feet here. I'm sorry for making you worry. Just woke up and wanted to call you first."
"Oh goodness! How is it now? Do you feel better? It isn't serious right?"
"It isn't serious, and I do feel better. How was the competition? I still feel like a jerk for not being there to support you."
"We came second place. And you shouldn't feel that way. You were not there because you are pursuing your dreams which is important."
"Second place?" He sounded excited. "I am so proud of you! I knew you were going to make me proud." Truthfully, Mia wasn't happy about coming second place, but his praise made her happy.
"When are you leaving the hospital?" She asked.
"Soon, I guess. I don't even know how long I've been here. I borrowed a phone to talk to you. So I'll call you later when I have my stuff ready. So go to bed. I know it's late there already."
"Are you sure you'll be okay? Is anyone there with you?"
"Yes. There is someone here. You shouldn't worry so much. I will go now. Take care, I love you."
"Please be safe. Call me anytime, I'll take your calls."
"You should sleep now babe."
When the call got disconnected, Mia began to worry even more. She was so worried because she wasn't there to see for herself and feared he was probably lying that he was okay to make her less worried.
"I should just trust him." She decided. With that, she finally dozed off.
The next time they spoke was in the evening, the next day. He called her with another number and told her it was the number he would be using while still there.
He didn't give her a chance to say a word before he said, "I went through my phone and saw a video from Richard." He paused. "That... was you?" He asked. He sounded excited and nervous at the same time.
"Me what?" She asked in confusion. Maybe he was surprised because of the dress she wore, she had looked really pretty on it.
"I have a quick question and I am hoping the answer is a yes. Please Mia..."
"What is it?" She asked curiously. She didn't understand why he was sounding so anxious.
"Two years ago, you were also part of a street dancing competition?"
"Y..yes..?"
"You wore an all-black outfit and your face was hidden behind a heavy make up?"
"How did you.... wait! That's me?" She asked when she remembered the picture she had been looking at last night. "You took a picture of me?" She asked in surprise and began to look around for the album.
"Oh my god! Oh my fucking god!!!" He exclaimed. "Why am I just realizing that now? It was you? Always been you? Like fuck! I so want to hug you right now." He babbled. "Sorry for my language right now. I'm just too excited to keep it down."
"I... saw a picture—"
"Yes, yes! I made a huge frame of you."
Frame? She had only seen a small paper photograph.
Leo was obviously overwhelmed. He was so excited, they talked about it for a long time. Mia was astonished to learn she had been a part of Leo's life for a really long time and didn't even know. Maybe this was fate?
When he asked why her team hadn't been present during the prize giving, she explained how the lead dancer, Paul Edwards received a call to inform him his sister had just been involved in a ghastly car accident. He wanted to leave and as a team, they followed him.
Leo remembered Paul had told him when he approached him at the hospital, that his sister's health hadn't been good after getting involved in an accident two years ago. Benjamin had used that opportunity to take Paul's position until Leo ruined Ben's plan.
When he remembered Benjamin, he frowned. "Stay away from boys. Especially Benjamin."
'I think you should be more worried about your creepy brother.' She said in her head.
"Yes sir, I will."
They spoke for a long time until Mia began to doze off. Leo explained he would be working a lot from the next day and apologized in advance in case he wouldn't be able to keep in touch. Mia understood how much his job demanded from him so she agreed.
Just like he had said, they spoke less that week. Leo also spoke with Chloe once in a while so when Chloe asked Mia if she was able to speak with her brother lately, Mia realised he also wasn't calling Chloe much.
Living with Chloe wasn't as bad as Mia had thought. Since they were both introverts, they spent their times inside their respective rooms, reading. Sometimes, Mia cooked for the both of them while Chloe ordered some other times. The most shocking part for Mia was when Chloe mentioned something about working part time online. She didn't know what was going on with Chloe's family but she could see that Chloe was more open to Jeremy lately. Jeremy and Ellie visited a couple of times and most times, Jeremy brought them homemade foods. His conversation with Chloe was casual but Mia could see the improvement in their relationship.
The days rolled by normally until one Sunday evening, Mia heard a knock on the door. She expected it to be Jeremy and Ellie so she didn't pay much attention until she opened the door and came face to face with Leo's mother.
Mrs King looked like the typical rich woman with short hair and a modest gown with a low heel. Mia couldn't remember whether the woman's hair had always been short because really, she was too nervous around the woman to care about what she looked like.
Mrs King invited herself inside and went to sit on the couch.
"I know Chloe is here." The woman said without beating around the bush.
Since the woman was already aware, Mia couldn't lie. "She is not in now." Mia informed her honestly.
"I know." The woman said before pointing at the couch opposite her.
"I am not here to see her today. I am here for you. Sit."