Hidden Passion
Chapter 40

Nester stood in akimbo as the doctor talked to her and Nathaniel's mother about Nath's quick recovery and how amazing it was for all the doctors who did the surgery. "It is really miraculous that someone would become conscious after that kind of surgery. It's all thanks to God," the doctor said. "During this recovery period, please do not talk to him about something that can unnerve or shock him. You can do this after he is fully recovered."

"Thank you so much, doctor. Can he recognize faces now?" His mother asked, eager to know if her son's illness had been cured.

The doctor nodded and smiled. "He will start recognizing faces that he sees now. You don't have to worry about that. He needs a whole lot of rest, so we won't be allowing you into his ward all the time. The visiting hours for him will be shorter than usual. I hope you understand."

"Yes. Thank you so much," Nester replied with a smile. Her phone dinged with a message and she brought it out of her jean pocket to check it.

'When will you be here? I have her,' the text read.

'Are you sure it's her this time? I didn't know how foolish you could be when you can't tail someone properly,' Nester typed and sent before putting the phone back into her pocket. "Nester?" She heard her name and looked up at the caller. "Yes?" she answered.

"Let's go," Nath's mother said and they both walked out of the hospital. "Have you heard from Lillian? She's been gone since morning and it's late now and I haven't heard anything from her."

Nester made a serious face. "Lillian is not the type that really jokes with her work, so she would have gone to work since she's managing her mother's company. Plus, today is her birthday. I don't think she'll come here today or tomorrow or any other day."

"Oh..." the older woman exclaimed. "I didn't know today was her birthday. Well, she really needed to get some rest. She didn't sleep a wink throughout last night."

"It is. And by the way, she's not very close with my boss, so don't mention her to him," Nester said.

Nath's mother narrowed her eyes at the young lady. "Oh... Are you saying that they are not on good terms?" She asked. Why did she feel suspicious?

"Yes. She is actually very rude to my boss, so he doesn't like her nor does he like talking about her. And according to what the doctor said, it could unnerve him. I hope you understand."

"That's because he doesn't recognize her," his mother muttered to herself. "Okay, then. I understand. No problem," she assured as they entered into Nathaniel's ward. "My son is awake."

"Mum?" His voice was strained and more of a whisper as he recognized his mother's voice. "What are you doing here? How'd you get here? Oh, my God! You're very beautiful. It's so good to see you clearly."

His mother smiled. "Is that how you're going to welcome me?" She rolled her eyes. "And were you expecting me to sit back at home when I heard you were sick? If so, then sorry to disappoint you." Nathaniel smiled faintly, more like just spreading his lips. "I'm sorry about that. At least I complimented you." He turned his head and looked at Nester, giving her the same faint smile. "Uhm... You're..?" Nester smiled and pointed to the mole on her face.

"Uhm... You're mole?" Nath joked and Nester laughed. "You're Nester, right?" He asked and when she nodded her affirmation, he added, "How are you doing?"

Nester smiled. "I should be asking you that question."

"I am doing good as you can see. Well, not very good," he gave a faint smile again. "I can't believe I have a very pretty assistant."

Nester blushed. "It's really good to see you joke around like this." She got closer to him and sat down beside him on the bed. "I missed you."

His mother narrowed her eyes at that before looking away. "Do you need anything? Are you hungry?"

Nath shook his head. "No, I am fine. Uhm.. Where is Lillian?"

"I haven't seen her since she left this morning," his mother replied.

"She left a while ago," Nester chorused at the same time as Nath's mother.

Nathaniel looked from his mother to his assistant and then back to his mother. "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

Before his mother could start talking, Nester interjected, "She left in the morning, but came back this evening. She could not stay long enough to see you or your mother because she received an urgent call," Nester lied, talking about Linda. Nathaniel nodded. "Okay. I don't know why, but I am feeling sleepy again."

Before long, Linda walked in wearing a shirt and black trousers. She smiled as she walked closer to Nath's bed and sat down after acknowledging the presence of his mother and Nester who frowned at her.

"You're not supposed to be here now," Nester mouthed to her, but she only smiled and glanced at Nathaniel.

"It is really a great relief to see you made it. Thank you very much for fighting for your life," Linda said and pecked him on his lips briefly, making Nathaniel's eyes go wide and Nester gasped.

"Umm...You're Lillian, right?" Nathaniel guessed. No one else would have greeted him that way other than her. But it seemed as if there was something he was missing, he just could not lay a finger on what it could be. He kept having the feeling that he was missing something, but he could not say what?

"You've always wanted to call me Lilly," Linda said and grinned, holding his hand.

Nath smiled but somehow did not feel like calling her that name, so he didn't and said nothing.

A nurse came in and told them that the visiting hours are over, so they all went outside the ward while Nester suggested to drop Nath's mother at home.

After taking the woman home, she left the house in her car with Linda who had not said anything to her ever since she arrived at the hospital.

"What was that all about?" Nester suddenly said, still keeping her face on the road.

"What was what all about?" Linda asked, pretending not to understand what she actually meant. "I don't understand."

"What you did in Nathaniel's ward, what was it all about? You were not even supposed to be there. You were supposed to be where the guys are. Why did you even kiss him?" She ranted with jealousy that made Linda laugh. "So, all of this was because you're jealous-"

"I am not jealous, Linda. Watch what you say."

"Of course, you shouldn't be because the man in question isn't yours," Linda retaliated, making Nester stop the car by the roadside abruptly.

"What! You know nothing. Nathaniel is mine," she said through gritted teeth. "And don't forget, you're paid to do this. Your job is to convince Nathaniel that he should move on and that you have someone you're in love with. Tell him to consider being together with me and-"

Linda smirked, making sure she saw it. She knew that would annoy her and she was right. "Fine. Let's go to where our puppies are. I was actually teasing you all along," she lied which only made Nester glare at her. "Don't toy with me or I will toy with your life," she threatened.

They got to an isolated building and both walked inside. They met with two huge guys who welcomed them while Linda winked to them and smiled. "These guys are trustworthy, right?" Nester muttered to Linda.

"I can't recommend freaks to you because I love my life," she said and smiled as they were led farther into the house to a dark room with only a faint light.

As soon as Nester sighted Lillian, she brought out a gun out of her pocket and pointed it at her.

"Nester, what are you doing?" Linda argued as Lillian and her friend started sobbing and begging for help.

"I just want to get this done without any more hesitation. And don't think you can stop me." She turned to Lillian. "You wanted me to put a bullet through your skull, right? Now, as your lordship pleases. Your will is my command," she added and cocked the gun, aiming at Lillian's forehead.

Lillian glared at her. "You can kill me if you want to, but Dorcas is innocent. Leave her out of this. Let her go," came her bravery talk when she was fidgeting inside.

Nester laughed. "As your lordship pleases."

Linda grabbed her hair angrily. There was nothing she could do. "What the heck is Nathaniel doing? Could anyone be dumber than this guy?" she cooed to herself before she heard a gunshot.

She turned around and saw a dead body with blood gushing out of the skull. Her eyes widened in shock.

"Nooo," Linda screamed and rushed to the dead body.