Invest In Me

“I’m finished anyway. Let’s go!” He took her hand and they went out on the terrace. It was facing the huge green yard with the pool in the middle. Crowds of people were speckled all over the place. Some were bathing in the clear blue water and others enjoying the sun’s warmth on their skins while lying on the lounges.

“You think the water is warm?” Thomas asked her and she shrugged.

“I don’t know really. The weather was cool these past few days, but the hotel may…” Her words were left hanging in the air when Thomas pulled her with him and ran toward the masses.

“What are you thinking? Tom?” she shouted before he swiped her in his arms and jumped in the pool. He was completely crazy.

Her ears, nose, and mouth filled with water the moment they splashed and dived inside. Her dress was soaking and she felt like a balloon. Moving her legs fast and spreading her arms, she finally swam to the surface and puked out all the spare water laughing. Her eyes found Thomas next to her. He, too, was having fun splashing his hands in the water and diving in and out of it.

“See? It’s warm!” he said swimming in her direction.

“You… You…” She was searching for the right words but was interrupted by his body that jumped on top of her, bringing her underwater with him.

They reached the surface again. Again all guests around were jealously staring at them, but Bella didn’t mind anymore. This was her day and she wanted to get the most out of it. She kissed Thomas passionately on the lips and he returned the kiss touching every part of her body.

If anyone told Bella that she would swim with the CEO of one of the biggest corporations in the state she would spit at them in the face. However, as much as it seemed unreal, Thomas Graves was with her, loving her. And this moment was only theirs to savor. No one else’s. They deserved that blink of happiness together.

Swimming on all sides of the enormous pool, they tried it all, from racing, splashing, tickling to lying on the water’s surface and touching the pool’s ground. Eventually, when Bella got really tired, they went out on the lounges and ordered two Bloody Mary cocktails. Life was beautiful.

“We ruined our clothes!” Bella smiled observing him lying next to her. His chest went up and down fast. He, too, was very tired.

“Who cares? I’ve never had so much fun in my life,” he said, putting his sunglasses on. The cocktails arrived right in that moment and Bella grabbed one of them. She emptied nearly half of the contents in one sip. It was stronger than she had imagined, but it was pleasant at that moment. Thomas followed her example.

“You’re a special person, Bella…” he suddenly spoke surprising her. “You have something so… Amazing and unique in you that brings joy in everyone’s lives. With you people make all kinds of unexpected things. Look at me! I sank my tuxedo in the water with you.” He chuckled reaching for her hand and fondling it.

“Should I take that as a compliment or?”

“I’m happy to have you in my life, Bella. And I’m very serious now. Please… Think about my suggestion, will you? Our marriage will solve all our problems and…”

He was interrupted by the buzzing of her phone. She read ‘Sam’ on the screen.

“I have to take this, sorry. It’s my roommate. Maybe something is up with the apartment,” she apologized, standing up from the lounge.

“Yes? Sam?” She opened the line.

“I-I have no one else to call. I…” Her voice was shaking.

“What happened? Are you okay?” Bella asked worried.

“Please… Help me, Bella,” Sam said from the other side. “It’s my sister. She… A car hit her and she’s… I’m in the hospital and the doctors don’t want to tell me anything and I don’t have any money.” She spoke all at once and Bella froze on the spot. She didn’t know that her roommate had a sister.

“Wait there! I’m coming. Which hospital was it again?” She rushed back to the lounges to inform Thomas that she had to leave. Once she heard the hospital’s name, she hung up and grabbing her purse ran out of the hotel after going up to the room to change. Thomas had offered to take her, but she had refused telling him that she would call him later.

She reached the hospital an hour later and found Sam sitting on a bench on the second floor. Her face was hidden in her hands while she was weeping. Bella sat next to her, embracing her. They stayed like that for a few moments, giving each other support until Sam calmed down a little.

“Did you see her? How’s she?” Bella asked and Sam shook her head.

“They won’t let me. They say that they’re still examining her. I… She doesn’t have any insurance and the expenses…”

“Don’t think about that. Now let’s see how your sister is. We’ll think about that later.” Bella told her and went to the room where the nurses were sitting.

“Excuse me? Can I speak with you?” she asked politely and one of the older nurses joined her out in the corridor.

“How can I help you, madam?”

“A girl hit by a car was brought here some two hours ago. Can you please tell us how she is? Her sister is worried sick over there.” Bella pointed at Sam.

“Oh, the girl is in an operation now. She had a few broken ribs and her lungs were pressed. I’ll let you know when the doctors finish the operation,” the nurse replied.

“Please do. Thank you so much,” Bella thanked the woman and went back to Sam. She explained the situation and her roommate cried again.

“She’s only twelve years old. What will I do without her?”

“She’ll be alright, Sam. Please calm down. She wouldn’t want to see you this way.” Bella consoled her, fondling her shoulder.

“You know, Bella, she’s the only one I have in this world. Our parents left us when we were very young and we grew up in the orphanage. I always kept her safe and sometimes I didn’t even eat so that she could have a bigger meal. I love her more than anything. But one day, when I turned eighteen, they found me the crappy apartment and chased me away. I was forced to leave her in the orphanage. I had no other choice. Damn me!” Sam hit the wall behind her, but Bella took her hands in hers to stop her from hurting herself.

“It’s not your fault.”

“Oh, it is. It is… I should have kidnapped her from there and run away…”

“You’re a good person, Sam. Don’t blame yourself. Sometimes destiny knows its ways, believe me,” Bella said softly.

“I came to the orphanage every day to see her. I knew to sneak into the backyard and hug her and play with her. I don’t know how this happened. And just when I was so close to getting the papers.” Sam wiped her tears.

“What papers?” Bella wondered.

“I started a procedure to take her as her guardian. To adopt her in a way. But because I, myself, didn’t have valid papers until recently I couldn’t do that sooner.” Sam sniffled.

“She’ll be fine, you’ll see. And you’ll save her from that damn place,” Bella spoke, spotting the nurse she had spoken to earlier approaching them.

“How’s the girl?” Bella rose on her feet.

“Mary is fine! She’s out of danger and will be able to go home soon,” the nurse informed them and they sighed in relief. Sam hugged Bella tightly.

“Thank you!” she whispered in her ear sniffling.

“I did nothing. Your sister is very strong. And Mary is such a nice and strong name,” Bella said, rubbing her roommate’s upper arm. The both of them had created an unyielding bond that afternoon.

Their relationship was the complete opposite of what Bella imagined it would be. At first, Sam seemed like a strange person that she would have no topics to talk with. Yet now she turned into a real friend in that huge city that scared her. She guessed that destiny truly knew its way with things.

“When can I see her?” Sam asked in a shaky voice. She was still very upset and that was totally normal under the circumstances.

“Shortly, madam. They’re bringing her to the room now. I’ll call you,” the nurse said, vanishing somewhere behind the counter in the middle of the corridor.