Everlastingly Loving You - Chapter 124
Louis turned around and entered Marcus’ suite. He had dealt with enough of Eleanor’s behaviour.
He had already put up with all her insults – regarding how he ruined her son’s life and made him sin. How he wouldn’t be here if he never met Louis, or how Louis was the devil.
‘It was her way of dealing with this,’ Louis had reasoned with himself.
‘She’s lost all her sense of rationality what with her son previously in critical condition.’
‘Marcus nearly died, how could she be alright, she needed someone to blame for everything,’ he also thought.
And at the same time, he didn’t know how to feel, or how to talk to her even.
He never had a mother. She’d died before he was old enough to get to know her.
His father? He was non-existent throughout his son’s entire childhood.
He sat by Marcus’ bedside, glancing at him every now and then.
He hadn’t gotten much sleep and was fatigued; Louis hadn’t the time nor the place to put up yet another round of Eleanor’s insulting.
‘I’m here to be by Marcus’ side, and only that,’ Louis thought to himself while he forced himself to stay awake.
His eyes drooped down, but they shot wide open seconds later.
‘Must… stay… awake,’ he said to himself.
He knew he couldn’t leave Marcus’ side.
Eleanor had proven incapable of watching her son, she was more bothered by the colour of his bedsheets, or the quality of his treatment, even the brightness of his suite.
Clarisse was on a date with Blaine so she knew nothing of this… and neither did Sophia.
It wasn’t long before they discovered Louis had stayed at the hospital; Sophia was having none of it.
“Have you even eaten?” She asked her brother worriedly over the phone.
“Just come to the palace for a wink of sleep and a meal,” she coaxed.
“You’ve got to take a break and slow down, Louis,” she said.
She refused to take no for an answer from him.
“There’s no need to get all fussed, I did get some sleep.”
“And have you eaten?” Sophia asked.
Louis’ stomach grumbled.
He was famished.
“I thought so,” Sophia said.
“I’m having Guillermo arrange for some food to be sent to you.”
“I know you won’t leave the suite even if I tried convincing you too, so I’m having some food sent to Marcus’ suite,” Sophia said thoughtfully.
Louis began, “Sophia–”
“There’s a reason breakfast is the most important meal of the day.”
“I’ve got somewhere to be, toodles!” Sophia hung up.
Louis sighed.
He would’ve been fine with the food the hospital provided but it seemed his sister had other things in mind.
Louis was startled when two whole carts of Beldovian delicacies were brought in the hospital suite.
Sophia had gone completely overboard. Was this her definition of breakfast?
Louis stared at Marcus guiltily.
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Sophia hung up the phone.
“Calling your brother first thing in the morning, you must be really worried, huh,” Nicholas said to her.
Sophia shrugged, “I just made sure Louis was eating well since he stayed at the hospital overnight.”
“Ah,” Nicholas said, a look of fathom plastered across his face.
“You’re not only an amazing girlfriend but a wonderful sister.”
“Then again I shouldn’t be telling you things you already know.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere,” Sophia said.
“On the contrary, flattery will get me everywhere,” he said cheekily.
He kissed her on the lips.
The best way to greet her good morning, he figured.
“The perfect start to the best morning,” Sophia said, chuckling.
Nicholas looked at her, “How funny, I was about to say the same thing.”
Sophia smacked him with her pillow.
He and she burst out into laughter.
“Alright, I’ve got to go now,” Nicholas said to her.
He reminded her, “We’ve got to start packing for Sanguis, remember?”
Sophia smiled, “Right.”
“Olivia’s birthday,” she added.
“I completely forgot.”
“We’re leaving tomorrow,” she said to herself.
“You could stay here, I’d understand if you chose to,” Nicholas assured.
He knew he’d miss her but it was understandable. Of course Sophia would choose to stay in Beledovia. She’d been shot by Bartholomew in the gardens of what used to be his house. Who wouldn’t be terrified of returning, what more staying there?
Her brother’s… friend was in the hospital, and Clarisse was lonely.
“What with Louis and–”
“Phones exist in this world, and besides, Olivia’s counting on us,” Sophia said.
“You sure?” Nicholas asked.
Sophia nodded, “Of course.”
“They’ll do fine on their own.”
The next day…
“It’s for three days,” Sophia said to Clarisse.
Sophia had everything prepared, her necessities packed; all she had to do was wish Clarisse goodbye. She’d told Louis everything over the phone, promised him she’d call him to fill him in as to what was happening as well.
“And you promise you’ll call?” Clarisse questioned. She doubted Sophia would bother calling her.
Sophia shot Clarisse a dry look.
“I don’t have to promise, I’ll do it,” she said.
“Oh alright,” Clarisse sighed.
She knew returning to Sanguis was a huge deal for Sophia.
“And you’re a hundred percent certain?” She asked her, seeking confirmation.
“Because if you’re not, I’m not allowing you to leave, girl,” she said insistently.
“I’m sure,” Sophia said before Clarisse went in to give her a hug.
Clarisse watched as Nicholas opened the car door for Sophia, as well as Sophia entering the car.
Once Nicholas shut the car door beside him, the car left for Sanguis.
“Oliver really isn’t going to attend his sister’s birthday party?” Sophia asked Nicholas.
Nicholas nodded.
Sophia looked disappointed.
“That’s the kind of guy Clarisse is going to be stuck with,” she said, placing a hand to her face.
“Why isn’t he close to Olivia anyway?”
Nicholas answered, “Because he was an ass growing up who only ever cared about himself.”
“Ah.”
“And a quick heads up we might encounter my parents since they’ll also be in attendance of Olivia’s birthday,” Nicholas warned her.
“Noted,” Sophia said.
She’d deal with his parents for Olivia’s sake any day.
“I doubt they’ll want to see my face anyway,” Sophia said.
Nicholas took her hand, “But it’s such a lovely face.”
“Now if only your parents could learn a thing or two from you,” Sophia praised.
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“Morning,” Clarisse greeted Oliver.
Oliver blushed.
“Oh, um, hi,” he greeted her in return.
He stared at her, wondering if Sophia had said anything to her, anything about his feelings and everything he’d told her. He was panicking.
“Sophia didn’t tell you anything, did she?” Oliver asked her.
Clarisse furrowed her brow, “Of course she told me.”
Oliver’s heart dropped to the floor.
“She did?” He asked her.
“Of course she told me she was leaving for Olivia’s birthday, why wouldn’t she?” Clarisse asked him.
“And quick question, why aren’t you going to her birthday party, she’s your little sister,” she reasoned with him.
“There’s no reason for me to come, she isn’t expecting me and we weren’t close growing up,” Oliver answered her coldly.
He was relieved Sophia hadn’t told her anything.
“Any plans with Blaine today?” Oliver asked her hopefully.
He hoped she’d say no.
Alas, she had plans with her boyfriend that evening.
“You know, you should go to your sister’s birthday party,” Clarisse said.
“In my honest opinion,” she added.
Oliver began, “But–”
“I know, I know you aren’t close.”
“Neither am I and my siblings.”
“I’m 25 years old. My siblings are both older than me. It’s irrelevant to the point I’m trying to make, but…”
“If I could turn back time, and if I could try things again, I’d fix my relationship with them.”
“They’re my siblings. We’re forever bonded by blood.”
“Nothing will change even if months, or years pass.”
“And, unless I’ve got my information mixed up, Olivia’s still at a very young age.”
“There’s still a chance – or an opening – to fix this.”
“And why are you telling me this?” Oliver asked her curiously.
It wasn’t any of her business but she still cared.
Clarisse chuckled, “I’m just telling you what I would’ve told my past self years ago.”
“Let me live vicariously through you,” she said, smiling.
Oliver raised his brow, “S-so you’re telling me attend her birthday party?”
“I am,” Clarisse nodded.
“Fix things before it’s too late, you’re fortunate you’re still able to,” Clarisse said.
Oliver pursed his lips.
“I’ll think about it,” he said to her.
“But… thanks,” he said appreciatively, shooting Clarisse a warm smile.
Clarisse took a sip from her glass of apple juice before she said, “Mhm, no problem.”
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Author’s Note: So, what do you think’s going to happen in the next chapter? Will Oliver attend Olivia’s birthday party? Will Sophia encounter any difficulties in Sanguis? Leave all your thoughts in the comments below, love you all so much!
xoxo Emmeline
P.S. I made sure this note wouldn’t cost you any extra coins, so don’t worry about it. 😉