BIT

Chapter 22

Rebecca’s eyes widened as she nervously swallowed. “What? You’re just joking, right?” she replied, half–laughing, but Nicholas didn’t smile at all. “Oh, come on, this isn’t the right time for jokes. Shouldn’t we be discussing the best treatment for you?” Rebecca tried to change the subject.

Nicholas turned his gloomy face away, staring down the empty hospital corridor. “Becky, I’m at stage three glioblastoma. I doubt there’s much chance of me living much longer.

“Nic! Stop, okay? There’s always a chance to recover completely! I know many cancer survivors; you just need to believe and trust that your efforts will yield good results,” Rebecca insisted, squatting in front of Nicholas and holding both his hands.

Nicholas sighed deeply. “I can’t face all this alone-”

“You’re not alone! Hey, I’m here! We’ll get through this together, okay?” Rebecca nodded, assuring Nicholas that she meant every word.

Nicholas‘ eyes lit up. “Then let’s get married! At least once, I want to feel what it’s like to be loved by someone I love. My life may not last much longer, and I don’t want to die with regrets…”

Rebecca was taken aback. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, at a loss for words. “Nic, we’ll talk about this later, okay? I’m going to meet with your doctor to discuss the treatment you’ll undergo,” she said, standing up.

“Don’t! I mean, I already discussed it earlier with her.” Nicholas grabbed Rebecca’s hand, stopping her.

Rebecca frowned.

“Olay and?”

“I’ll undergo periodic chemotherapy at home. There will be a nurse and doctor visits to assist me,” Nicholas answered, nodding his head.

“Okay then, I promise I’ll be there whenever you need me. And shouldn’t we hire a caregiver, you know? Just in case-”

fine! You know what? If you don’t want to be with me, you don’t need to “No! I’ll be make me look like a dying patient by hiring a caregiver to take care of me! You’d better go back to the hotel. I’ll drive you!” Nicholas stood up, his face reddening with anger.

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Chapter 22

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Rebecca ran her fingers through her long hair, confused. She sighed deeply and matched Nicholas‘ pace. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you, it’s just-”

“It’s just you don’t want the hassle of being with me through this crisis. Well, that makes sense! You’re a rising star right now, and I’d only hinder your career,” Nicholas ranted, walking quickly.

“Nic, come on! I never thought that way! I will stand by you through all of this, I promise! But marriage isn’t a solution,” Rebecca said desperately, facing a difficult choice. She had just felt relieved to be free from her unhappy relationship with Nicholas and was afraid of falling into the same trap again.

Nicholas stopped in his tracks. “At least stay with me. I’ll really need your presence,” he pleaded with a sad face that touched Rebecca. They stared at each other in silence for a few moments until Rebecca finally responded, “At least give me some time to think, this is all very shocking for me too.”

“I know, I’m sorry.” Nicholas released her hand and continued walking with a sullen

face.

“Let me drive.” Rebecca snatched the car keys from Nicholas and jumped into the driver’s seat. Nicholas didn’t protest and remained silent throughout the ride back to his apartment.

Minutes later.

“Give me your phone,” Rebecca snapped after parking Nicholas‘ car in his apartment’s garage. Nicholas frowned in surprise, but before he could say anything, she had already grabbed it.

“You just need to press number one if you need me, okay? And number two if you need 911, Rebecca instructed while quickly setting up speed dial on Nicholas‘ phone.

Nicholas looked at her in surprise and then nodded twice.

“Alright, I’m heading back to the hotel now. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow and remember, I’m just one call away! Okay? I’ll order healthy food for your dinner, so you don’t need to cook. Good night, Nic!” Rebecca waved her hand and jumped out of Nicholas‘ car, walking casually out of the parking area.

From inside the car, Nicholas stared at the woman he admired without blinking. His feelings for Rebecca were more than just ordinary love; there was a strong desire to

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Chapter 22

possess her that he could never shake off.

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By the roadside, in front of Nicholas‘ apartment building, Rebecca stood waiting for an empty cab to pass by. After several minutes without getting a ride, she walked along the still–busy sidewalk. She glanced at her watch; it was 8:00 p.m.

“Shit, I’m starving,” she whispered, rubbing her flat stomach. After passing two blocks, she saw an Italian restaurant she used to visit with Harvey when they were together. She clearly remembered how Harvey was crazy about the Ravioli Al Pesto they served. She shook her head, trying to push Harvey out of her mind.

“Buona Sera! Dine in or take out?” asked a host who greeted her at the entrance. “Dine in and delivery–order,” replied Rebecca, she intended to order delivery for Nicholas.

“Okay, this way, Ma’am!” The host in white and red attire led her to a small table for two in the corner near the window. After ordering her favorite food, Rebecca sat at her table, staring blankly at a sunflower in a water–filled vase in front of her.

‘What’s wrong with my life? Why does Nicholas have to get sick just when I’m about to break free from him? I have every right to ignore him, but he’s helped me so much, and shouldn’t I do the same?”

While she was busy debating with herself, a waitress approached her.

“Ma’am, would you mind sharing your table with another customer? All tables are full,

So we-

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Rebecca nodded, “Yeah, no problem. I’ll just eat and then leave anyway,” she replied, shrugging indifferently.

“Great! Thank you!” the waitress exclaimed before walking away. While waiting for her order, she took a piece of warm welcome bread and dipped it into the balsamic sauce on the table.

“Yummy, it tastes the same,” she muttered, slightly cheered up by the warm focaccia bread melting in her mouth.

As she reached for her second piece of bread, she saw the waitress who had spoken to her earlier approaching with someone behind her. The closer they got, the faster her heart pounded. She put her focaccia back in the basket, her back suddenly tensing.

“Harvey? Are you stalking me?”

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Chapter 22

Harvey looked just as surprised as she was. “Becky? Why are you here?”

“Sorry, you guys know each other?” the waitress interjected.