Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

I offered her a gentle reassurance, "It's just a hypothesis, honey. Don't take it to heart. I guess I'm still jittery from that sudden curveball life threw at me. I've become fond of playing what-if games in my head, a way to brace myself, so I'm not caught off guard again."

She patted my arm in response, "I get it."

"When I first realized there was something wrong with my meds, I was in utter despair. It felt like my whole world, everything I believed in, had crumbled. For the life of me, I couldn't fathom how such a thing could happen," I said, offering Gevena a wry smile.

"I was stubborn, in denial, afraid to face it. But the one saving grace was that I could play possum, which gave me time to figure out what to do. And the only thing I could think of was that I needed to survive. Only by staying alive could I save myself."

"We've chewed the fat over this before. It's outrageous." Gevena blurted out with a hint of disgust, "How can you let that scoundrel Jaylan roam free after all that?"

"No rush on that. Just think, over the past decade, by handing over Medsafe Liyah Inc. to him, I had one simple reason I just wanted a quiet life. I thought he was my support, but he thought he was killing me. How could I let it go at that."

"True that," Gevena nodded, her mind heavy with thoughts.

"So I've concluded, being strong is the best comeback against him, against life itself."

Gevena gave my back a comforting pat, "You're right. Can't let him off the hook that easily."

I threw my arms wide and shouted skyward, "Bring on the storm, make it wilder."

And then we both laughed, our mirth echoing through the valley, lingering in the air.

On a whim, I tugged at her sleeve, "Gevena, if you can drop everything at home for a few days, how about we take a trip to Silverdale City to clear your head? There's a film premiere on Oldtown Avenue next Tuesday. Some big-name stars are going to be there. Fancy checking it out?"

Her eyes sparkled with excitement, "I'll see if I can arrange it. Actually, I just might."

"That would be amazing. It'll be a great surprise for Catherine." I said, bubbling with excitement.

I hoped a few days away with Gevena might provide her some respite.

Just then, Hannah called from the doorstep, "Ladies, dinner's ready."

I quickly ushered Gevena back inside, "I'm starving. How about a little drink?"

Gevena glanced over, "Are you up for it?"

"What a thing to ask. We've got the night to ourselves, let's be merry. If we get drunk, we sleep it off, and tomorrow's a new day."

I led her through the garden, "No more brooding, face problems head-on. No worries, all's well. Women can be sensitive and sentimental, but sometimes, you just gotta let loose."

She chuckled in agreement, "Idle hands, right? You're right, tomorrow is a new day."

That night we really did get plastered, especially Gevena, who was totally sloshed and couldn't make it home.

I was the one who called Noah to

explain, and he was so polite about it, apologizing for the trouble and

thanking me for my care. But an thanking

unexpected twist occurred during all this.

After getting tipsy, Gevena managed to break a bottle while trying to open it, slicing her hand. At first, I was terrified at the sight of her bleeding. I quickly pressed some tissues

against the wound.

But when Hannah dashed off to fetch the first aid kit, I sobered up quite a bit and managed to collect some of Gevena's blood samples. I discreetly instructed Hannah to send them to Serene Garden Homes, straight to Ronan's care.

Gevena didn't notice a thing, just kept laughing and insisting on having another drink.

Whenever we recalled that day, Gevena would call me a cunning fox. But that was a story for another time.

The next day, we woke up late, well past morning.

Gevena came downstairs, yawning, while I was just getting cozy on the couch.

The hangover wasn't pleasant.

She approached me, saying, "Haven't had a night like that in ages. Luckily the booze was good, with no headache. Otherwise, it would've been dreadful."

"We should relax more often. Can't always be wound up tight," I shifted to get a better look at her, "This is my first drink since getting sick. No headache, but I feel drained."

She sat next to me, "You're right, and we've been living like accessories for too long."

"Then let's live again," I said, tapping her playfully, "That drink last night really hit the spot."

We laughed together, so carefree.

Yet, clear as day, I knew that soon she'd have to face a heart-wrenching change.

Whether she could truly make it through would depend on her own resolve.