Christopher had a strange ability to calm me down. I had always felt safe with him around. Even if the world was coming to an end, as long as he was with me, I would not be afraid.
Perhaps, to me, he was invincible. I truly believed that he was capable of anything.
I leaned in Christopher’s arms while stroking his haggard face, being hooked on an IV drip after I was sent to the hospital. I could also feel the stubbles on his chin. Obviously, he had not shaven in a few days. I rubbed his chin a few times, loving the familiar feeling. I was reminded of a time when Christopher had also taken care of me when I was not feeling well. At that time, he also had stubbles as he did not have the mood to shave. Even though his stubbles felt prickly against my face, not only did I not mind at all, I had even taken a liking to his rugged look.
“Chris, maybe you should consider changing your name to Omnipresent instead.”
“Is it because I always appear whenever you need me?” Christopher asked in a hoarse, yet gentle voice, while rubbing my face lovingly.
“Yup, to me, you’re omnipresent, just like God. Whenever I think of you, you’ll always appear right next to me. Or… are you actually a mind-reader?” I joked.
“I’m not a mind-reader. A handsome man like me is probably more like your angel, guarding you. I don’t mind being your hero as well.” Christopher laughed.
“Yup, you’re my angel, and my hero.” I laughed along.
My fever was pretty bad this time around. I rarely fell sick, but once I did, it was always quite serious. The fever caused me to drift in and out of consciousness, and I was just stuck to my bed, unable to go anywhere else.
My fever only subsided the next day. Tobey had come to visit me once, but as I did not wish to see him, I told Christopher to send him away. I received a call from Isabelle after I woke up. As she was not aware that I had fallen sick, she had requested that I attend the shareholders’ meeting at Goldstein Corporation, asking me to support her. It was only then that I remembered that I was still a shareholder of Goldstein Corporation, and had the right to attend the shareholders’ meeting.
“Yvonne, the meeting at three in the afternoon today is very important to me. I don’t care where you are right now, just come to the company immediately. Remember, no matter what others tell you, you should only listen to what I say. If voting is necessary, you just have to vote for me.”
“Mom,” I said helplessly while tapping my head a few times to feel more awake. “So sorry, I don’t think I’ll be able to attend the shareholders’ meeting today.”
“Why can’t you attend? Even if you’re upset with me, it’s not the time to act recklessly. We can talk after the meeting. Stop acting like a willful child,” Isabelle chided.
I could tell that she was angry but had tried to keep her tone under control as she needed my help. I noticed that Christopher’s face had already completely darkened, and he looked like he was ready to snatch my phone away. I shot him a reassuring look at once and said anxiously, “Mom, I’m in the hospital now. I had a fever the night before, and my lungs have been infected. It’s quite serious. My fever is not completely gone yet, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to leave the hospital.”
“Are you really hospitalized?” Isabelle asked, feeling annoyed. “Why do you have to fall sick at such an inopportune moment?”
Can’t she tell that my voice is hoarse, and I sound so weak? I let out a bitter laugh and replied, “If it’s really that important, I guess you can vote on my behalf since you’re my mom. I don’t think anyone would object to that.”
“That won’t do. Proxy voting is not allowed. Why don’t I go pick you up now? You just have to show your presence,” Isabelle suggested anxiously.
“… Sure then. Let me pack up first.” Just as I was about to sit up after the call ended, Christopher pushed me back onto the bed. With a stern expression, he said, “You should focus on recuperating. Let me handle the rest.”
“No!” I grabbed his hand. “Please don’t be mad. She’s my mom after all. I guess, if it isn’t really urgent, she wouldn’t have offered to come here and pick me up.”
“Is the shareholders’ meeting really more important than your health?” Christopher let out a cold snort. “She didn’t even ask anything about your health.”
Previously, it was always Christopher who tried to comfort me, saying nice things about my mom. However, it was currently the other way round.
“My mom has lots of secrets, and she needs to gain power and take care of her own interests. She’s always very anxious when it comes to times like this. We’ve been apart for so many years, and this is the only thing I can do for her. Even though I am a little disappointed and upset as well, I’m still happy to be able to help her.”
