Not his mother

Ricardo was certain, Alana getting sick wasn't a coincidence. He asked Mrs. Marks back home if Alana ate anything bad or had said anything about getting sick. And Mrs. Marks explained everything which transpired before she left.

The doctor told him, it was either food poisoning or she ate something she was deathly allergic to. All of it led to her fellow employees. He called three of them to his office. They knew any better than to lie to him.

Brigitte was relieved to hear what happened wasn't her fault. Ms hart who normally baked pies for her fellow employees had stated exactly what happened.

It turned out the supervisor was busy making the pies; hence she entrusted Eva with the task. Eva admitted to making the pie and adding peanuts. But she defended herself and said it wasn't intentional. That she had no idea that Alana was allergic.

“It's not my fault, okay… I didn't know she was allergic to peanuts,” Eva said defensively, she only told the boss what happened. Brigitte was busy making a mountain out of a molehill.

“You were there when Alana said she was allergic to peanuts…but you still went and put peanuts in the pie…since when,” Brigitte spat out disdainfully, she didn't trust Eva one bit. Although, Eva was let off the hook after she cried and pleaded with the boss. Brigitte still felt that Eva was hiding something.

“O only baked what I like…it's not my fault that woman can't take it,” Eva said cheekily and wiped her face. She had cried a lot just to keep her job. She didn't poison Alana, nor did she do it intentionally. Alana was new to the company, everyone was getting to know her. So, no one would know what was bad for her.

“She's the boss's wife now… I wonder if you are going to bully her because she's above everyone else," Brigitte said lazily, and Eva saw the sarcasm in Brigitte's eyes. Of course, no one saw it coming. Alana was the boss's wife. And it seemed he was attracted to her.

“I don't care…she's not better than me…she's just a worker, a secretary, okay… I'm above her,” Eva said bitterly and stormed away furious. Brigitte couldn't help but let out laughter as she watched Eva stomping her feet until she disappeared down the passageway. It was good Alana's husband was the boss.

That way, no one would say she was a bad woman. Thinking up to here. Brigitte knew she owed Alana an apology for doubting her. But truth be told. When she saw Alana using the boss's card. She doubted Alana and thought she was having an affair with the boss.

It turned out they were a couple. Brigitte smiled and proceeded to her desk. She was going to work and then see Alana later on. The boss left, which meant he went to see Alana.

___

“Alana sweetie, you should take care if you're… Why did you let that man treat you like that,” Marcela said calmly, immediately Alana woke up, and the doctor left the room? She felt terrible. Her body seemed to be on fire and her chest was hurting. When she regained consciousness, she tried to sit up. Unfortunately, she couldn't.

Marcela came in with Santiago and told her she ate something she was allergic to. Alana guessed the pie she ate from Brigitte was at fighting.

“He didn't…he didn't do anything wrong,” Alana muttered breathlessly. Even talking too much to her. The inside of her chest felt like blades slicing her flesh.

“Calm down…don't move too much,” Marcela coaxed and helped Alana to sit up and placed a few pillows to support her back. “Here, drink this,” Marcela headed Alana a glass of water, and she took it

“I'm fine, don't worry…it's nothing,” Alana whispered and took a sip of water. Her throat burned from dryness.

“The doctor said you have to stay here for another day… Ricardo is on his way,” Marcela informed Alana, nodding, although she didn't agree. She was eager to leave the hospital. Alana glanced at where Santiago was sitting. He seemed carefree and busy drawing. It looked like it was all he did.

“Is there a way… I can see he's intelligent and aware of everything. He even spoke to me,” Alana muttered when Marcela noticed she was looking at Santiago. It surprised Marcela to hear that Santiago spoke to Alana. Of what she knew, Santiago was like that. Only Erin could make him talk in the past. But after some months, Santiago grew distant. He stayed by himself and didn't talk to anyone.

“He must like you, he never talks, unless he likes you… I hope you are not burdened,” Marcela whispered and walked to Santiago and ran her hands through his silk hair. Alana watched Santiago carefully, he didn't react. It was like he was disconnected from this world, and he was in his.

“That nurse…she isn't good for him,” Alana remarked, this was the perfect opportunity to tell Marcela about that vile nurse. Alana was shocked at how the nurse had turned into a Saint. She acted sweetly and never shouted at Santiago. But Alana was aware the nurse was a bitter woman.

“Are you certain… I recommended her because she used to look after my friend's grandkids?” Marcela said with narrowed eyes, Alana blinked a few times and understood why Ricardo trusted that nurse. Marcela must have forced her.

“She's not good for Santi…can you find someone else…,” Alana asked Marcela, hoping she would agree? Marcela didn't know what Alana meant, but she trusted her. Before she could reply, they heard footsteps outside. Both Alana and Marcela waited and shortly after, the door creaked open, and it was Ricardo who walked in.

Alana felt a sting in her heart, not sure why she felt so uncomfortable seeing Ricardo.

“Great that you came… Alana regained consciousness," Marcela said happily and Ricardo nodded and shifted his gaze to Alana.

“Take care of her, I'll take Santi home, and you stay here with Alana," Marcela added and shoved Ricardo to the bed, Alana saw how tired he looked. His necktie was loose, and his hair was messy. What exactly happened, he looked as if he had a rough day. "I'm serious Ricardo. Alana is in so much pain... you need to stay at her bedside and look after her," Marcela said this time sounding more serious, Alana wanted to protest seeing how bothered Ricardo looked but the man surprised her.

“Sure,” Ricardo muttered and moved away from the bed.

“Santi, say goodbye to mommy,” Marcela said with a smile while getting Santiago off the chair. Not just Alana, but Ricardo was shocked by what Marcela said.

“See you, champ, once I'm out… I'll bake your favorite dinosaur cookies,” Alana coaxed and ran her fingers in Santiago's hair roughly. The boy didn't look at him, but lowered his head.

“He's shy, we'll get going now,” Marcela said cheerfully and took Santiago's hand and led him out of the room. Alana was still smiling awkwardly until the door closed when she realized Ricardo was still standing in front of her.

“It's best if you don't approach him like that, you are not his mother,” Ricardo said coldly, Alana glanced up at him and she was surprisedat his harsh words, he didn't seem happy.

“Don't worry, I'm not going to do that because...I'm not worthy, to be called his mother” Alana whispered with a faint smile and fiddled with her hands. It was awkward, but Marcela was the one who said it, not her. Why was he so grumpy?

“Is everything okay… you look bothered,” Alana asked after some time of silence in the room. Ricardo nodded and prepared to leave.

“I won't stay, I'll have Dennis guard outside… call him if you need anything," just like that the man said and stormed out of the room. Alana remained seated helplessly. What was she expecting? But why was she expecting more from him? She had stayed in the hospital for two days, and he hadn't said a word to her.

“Dennis!” Alana called out to Dennis since Ricardo said he was outside the room. She thought he was not, however, immediately, the door opened and Dennis walked in.

“Hello madam, how are you feeling? Do you need anything?” Dennis asked sincerely, and Alana felt even more confused. Dennis asked how she was feeling, why didn't Ricardo ask, he didn't bother, or he just didn't care. Shaking her head to brush the thoughts away. Alana smiled.

“I'm fine, tell me…is something wrong with your boss,” Alana remarked, hoping Dennis would tell her something. However, seeing how hesitant Dennis looked, Alana guessed something serious happened.

“N-no, nothing is wrong,” Dennis said nervously, and Alana knew something was indeed wrong. Was it related to the company, Alana fiddled with her hands trying to wrap her head around what could be happening in her absence.