Chap 4
“I didn’t do anything. Flavia was standing earlier but suddenly collapsed.” Gladwin answered as he lifted Flavia’s tiny body and took her into Abigail’s room, which Abigail had opened previously. He laid the weak body down and quickly went to his room to get his medical equipment.
Abigail rubbed Flavia’s forehead, which was starting to sweat coldly. She unbuttoned the top two buttons of her shirt to make the girl more comfortable and not suffocating when Gladwin returned with his medical equipment and started checking.
“He’s exhausted.” He muttered, but it sounded clear to Abigail’s ears. Gladwin looked for the IV drip he always carried in his bag. He was looking for a place to change it before attaching the tube and needle to Flavia’s arm. “What’s wrong with her? Did something happen?” He asked without taking his eyes off Flavia’s pale face while controlling the drip of the IV fluid. Then, inject something into the IV tube.
“Who did that question come from? Doctor Gladwin, Uncle Gladwin, or a man named Gladwin?” Abigail asked teasingly.
Gladwin looked up. His gaze turned sharp. “From one human being to another human being on humanitarian grounds.” The answer was curt.
Abigail pouted. “Ah, Uncle, your answer disappoints me.” The answer is honest.
Abigail covered Flavia’s body with a blanket up to her chest before leaving the room to let her rest. Gladwin followed him from behind.Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.
“A disaster has just hit our cafe. That’s why Via is exhausted. She’s taking on all the problems alone.” She answered when they were in the kitchen area. “Drink?” Abigail offered, to which she shook her head.
“Hungry,” Gladwin answered while sitting at the bar table.
“Soon. I ordered food online earlier. Be patient.” Abigail answered casually.
He poured the syrup into his glass and added sugar before steeping it in hot water. Just as Abigail was about to put in the ice cubes, the apartment bell rang. “On time,” she muttered to Gladwin. “Our food has arrived. This time, I will treat you; later, it will be your turn.” She answered casually.
Gladwin winked. “Anytime, Moana.” He answered as he walked towards the door. A man wearing a jacket and helmet with a restaurant courier logo was standing, carrying two bags of food and drinks from a restaurant Gladwin didn’t know.
“Ms. Abigail’s apartment?” Asked the motorbike taxi driver, to which Gladwin nodded. “Five packages of chicken, two burgers and three colas.” The man handed the package to Gladwin. “Don’t forget the value.” Then, the motorcycle taxi driver politely left.
“Three people but ordered up to five chickens, aren’t you wrong?” Gladwin put the parcel on the table, which Abigail immediately opened.
“This is Via’s favorite food. Who knows, maybe she might have an appetite. She’s had trouble eating for the past few days. She’s already quite thin; if she continues not eating, she could become even thinner.” Abigail complained worriedly. The girl had yet to answer Gladwin’s previous question.
“So what happened to the cafe?” Gladwin started to shove the burger into his mouth. And the taste of chicken made his appetite increase.
“One of the cafe branches experienced a fire. There were no casualties. And the losses weren’t that big. We can still handle it. It’s just that, by going back and forth to the police station to make a report, the shop owner’s demands and also thinking about the fate of her employees made Via don’t get enough rest.
“Not to mention, she still doesn’t know what caused the fire. Whether it was a pure accident or a deliberate factor, the police are looking into it. Uncle knows it’s an alleged insurance game. And that’s what makes Via’s mind drained. Uncle knows what she’s like.”
Gladwin was silent. Flavia does have a personality that is inversely proportional to Abigail, and therefore, they both complement each other.
If Abigail is a typical optimistic person, then Flavia tends to be a pessimistic person. If Abigail always thinks about the best possibility, Flavia thinks more about the worst side. If Abigail is someone who doesn’t care about people’s opinions, then Flavia is someone who cares about what other people think about her.
Sometimes, it isn’t easy, but there are some positive things about it. Flavia is a very caring person and cares for others. Easy to help and love without discrimination. She’s friendly, she’s tough, and what’s more, she’s also beautiful.
Yes, Flavia is beautiful. His father’s Italian blood was powerful. Her face was a female version of her father. Flavia has bright and beautiful brown eyes. And if Antony’s body size is big, like a giant child, Flavia is the opposite version. Her body is petite, even smaller than Abigail’s.
For American beauty standards, it can’t be small. It’s just that for mulattoes, who are usually tall, 160cm is considered short. Compared to Abigail, who has a body of 175cm. And again, if Abigail is a brave girl who tends to be shameless, Flavia is a shy girl who tends to have low self-esteem.
And Flavia’s shy nature made Gladwin even more fond of teasing her.
But that was before when the girl was still a teenager. Meanwhile, now, Flavia has become an adult girl. Apart from her age and mindset, her maturity was visible from her body shape when Gladwin examined her.
But is Flavia still shy now? Gladwin didn’t know. They last saw each other almost five years ago, and that’s a short time to change someone’s character, right?
Gladwin had quenched his hunger by eating two chicken pieces and two burgers. Abigail just looked at him with eleven eyebrows raised, a mocking smile on her gaunt face. “Greedy.” She muttered, only to be answered by Gladwin’s laughter. The girl cleaned up the leftovers and washed the dishes she used. “Go to sleep, uncle. So that when Via wakes up, she won’t be surprised again.”
“What does it mean?”
“I mean, it could be that the reason Via fainted earlier was because she was shocked to see an undead walking in front of her. Just look at your appearance.” She said mockingly, looking at Gladwin’s appearance from top to bottom. “Not neat at all. And eye bags.” Abigail drew a line under her eyes. “More like a panda that doesn’t sleep during the winter.” She taunted, which made Gladwin laugh even louder.
“It seems you were right, Moana.” He said while looking at his appearance in the mirror near the entrance. “I’d better sleep and get rid of the jetlag first. Wake me up when it’s time for dinner.” He ordered as he walked towards his room.