"I'm warning you Blake. Go home right now or I will go there and drag you home myself" -Enrique  

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BLAKE's POV

After eating, we decided to go to the hospital. The nurse said that they would only allow one visitor to go in my mother's room to avoid stressing and tiring her out. The doctor said that we must avoid her getting upset or getting too much excited and happy. She must always relax. When I opened the door, she instantly smiled when she recognized me. There were some tubes connected to her here and there but she looked a lot better now than the last time I saw her. I approached her and kissed her forehead.

"Hello mom. How are you feeling now?" I asked as I put the basket of fruits I bought before coming here then sat on the chair next to her bed. She forced a faint smile and moved her hand slowly to reach for me. I held her hand.

"I-I feel a lot better now than before. I think I'm fine now. Thank you sweetie" She said with a weak voice. I suddenly felt relieved and happy hearing her say that. In the past few months, I really thought that I would lose her. I didn't give up doing everything I could to find help and money but my effort wasn't enough. Until Enrique came. Even though I hated him, I couldn't deny the fact that he was the one who made everything possible and helped me with my problems. Well, I don't know if I can call that 'helping' though.

I mean, he used my problems to blackmail me and as much as I want to really hate him, I couldn't. Seeing my mom alive and better, I could feel the relief and happiness in me and I didn't want any negative emotion to cloud my happiness right now. My mom's voice took me out of my reverie.

"Sweetheart, tell me the truth, where did you get the money for my operation?" she asked with a worried expression. I forced a reassuring smile and kissed the back of her hand.

"Don't worry about it mom. Everything is fine and don't stress yourself. I didn't do anything illegal" She touched my cheek and smiled at me but her eyes were still unconvinced.

"Okay. Let's talk about it when I get my strength back. The doctor said they need to observe me and make sure that everything is fine before they could allow me to go home" She said with a faint voice. My lips pursed with a tight smile. Aside from the things that happened these past few days, I am happy because she is fine. She is the only family I have and I don't want to lose her.

"I'm sure that your recovery will be fast. Knowing you, you're a strong woman and I knew you could overcome this"

"It's all thanks to you sweetheart. You didn't give up and lose hope" I sighed and lean my head onto her stomach lovingly. She stroke my head with her hand. I closed my eyes and felt her warmth. Nothing could really beat mother's love. It can make your worries go away just like that.

"Is there a problem? You look sad" She asked and I cursed myself for being so transparent and making her notice. I don't know how to feel about what happened between me and Enrique last night but one thing is for sure, he irritates me but then he's making me feel these strange feelings and emotions that I've never felt to anyone before, well except for Quen. I felt a sudden pain in my heart as I remembered Quen, my first love. I thought that I wouldn't love again but now, Enrique came and I was afraid that I would fall for him. I sat up straight and forced a smile, to show her that everything is fine.

"Of course mom. I am just tired" I lied and I felt guilty in an instant. I never lied to my mom.

"Is it about work?" She inquired again which made chuckle. She really doesn't give up with her questions.

"Yes mom. Don't think about it. I can handle it. I am just stressed out. Do you want to eat fruits? I brought apples and oranges. What do you want?" I asked trying to divert the topic as I stood up and went to the small table.

"Just one apple and an orange" she requested which I happily obliged then I feed it to her even though she protested at first. After that, I had to go out because the nurse said that she needs to rest. When I went out of her room, Kelly and Jake were still sitting in the visitor's lounge.

"How's your mom? I hope she's doing fine now. I want to go and see her but maybe some other time when she can receive visitors" Kelly said.

"She's doing fine. She's still weak but the doctor said it was normal because of the surgery she'd been through". Kelly just nodded while Jake stayed quiet.

"So, where do you want to go? Maybe let's go shopping to relieve some stress" Kelly suggested and Jake's face became sour.

"C'mon Kelly. You know I hate shopping" Jake whined which made me laugh and Kelly rolled her eyes at him.

"It's your choice cousin. Come with us to the mall or go home instead" Kelly said with a teasing tone.

"Fine. I'm coming with you" He resigned which made Kelly laughed triumphantly. They never changed. They love to tease each other and usually it ends up with Kelly being the winner. Jake is a little bit on the sensitive side and that's why Kelly loves to make him angry.

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Kelly was busy selecting for clothes and Jake and I were just watching her. I have money but I'd rather keep it. I need to be thrifty and I can't afford to buy stuff I don't need.

"Why aren't you buying anything?" Jake asked me.

"It's okay. I don't need new clothes for now" I answered him truthfully while my eyes were on Kelly. She was talking to the sales lady. I saw from the corner of my eyes that Jake went to the women's dress section which is full of different dresses, at the other side of the store. I frowned when I saw him picked a beautiful fuchsia dress then he approached me with the dress in his hand.

"This dress suits you for sure" I scowled at him.

"Don't tell me you're going to buy that for me?" I questioned him while scowling at him.

"Yes. This is my gift for you"

"No! I don't need a new dress Jake. Just buy yourself a t-shirt or anything. Don't worry about me" I assured him. I felt like he was pitying me and I hated it. It's not like I have no money to buy myself a dress. It's just that there are more important things to be considered than spending on useless things.

"Don't get me wrong Blake. It's not that I feel sorry for you or anything. I just want to buy you this one. Please accept it as a friendly gift" his eyes were like begging.

"Why would you even do that?" I asked exasperatedly.

"You know why Blake. I like you and I just want to make you happy. I thought that I could see your smile if I give you this dress" I heaved a sigh and looked at him. I thought I already told him not to expect something from me.

"Jake, I already told you that I am not ready yet for a relationship right now. I have a lot of problems and being in a relationship is the last thing in my priorities. I hope you understand me" I explained it to him with a gentle tone, not wanting for him to get hurt. I consider him my friend and I don't want to ruin that friendship.

"I know that Blake and as I already told you before, I can wait for you. Please accept this. It's my gift to you" he insisted and I sighed in resignation. I reluctantly took the dress and that made him smiled.

"Thank you Jake" I mumbled but enough for him to hear it.

"It's my birthday next week and you are invited. I hope you can come" he said with eyes full of expectation.

"I'll see about that"

"Hey guys! Are you done?" Kelly asked enthusiastically while approaching us. She bought quite a lot. Sometimes I was wondering why she buys a lot of clothes. Jake went to pay the dress which made Kelly giggled.

"Oh my God Blake. Jake really is into you" She teased but I just ignored her. I heard her sighed.

"Don't tell me you haven't moved on yet? It's been 5 years Blake" She reminded me and that made my heart tightened. Just remembering that it has been 5 years made me sad and the longing I've been feeling was back again. I tried to forget about him but it really was hard.

"I don't know Kelly. Blame my heart who can't forget about him" I laughed humorlessly.

"I know you really loved him but I think it's time for you to move on. I bet he really hates you until now and if he really does still care, he would have searched for you" She said. I bit my bottom lip to prevent myself from crying. I heard her sighed again and hugged me, trying to comfort me.

"I know, why don't we go watch a movie?" She suggested with a forced happy tone. I just nodded my head in agreement. When Jake came back, he was frowning while looking into my eyes. He must have noticed my sad face but he didn't say anything.

As what Kelly suggested, we went to the cinema and watched a romance comedy movie which I ended up liking. Not long enough, we were laughing and that made me forget my sadness. After the movie, it was already 6 pm.

"Let's eat before we go home. It's my treat" Jake offered which made Kelly squealed with excitement. She really is childish sometimes.

"Of course we won't turn that offer down, right Blake?" She asked me while smirking and I agreed because I didn't want to go home yet and see Enrique. We went to a Japanese restaurant and soon we were eating. Jake's eyes were fixed on me and I felt uncomfortable around him all of a sudden. First, he confessed to me again and now the way he stares at me. I felt my phone vibrated in my pocket and I reached for it from my pants pocket. It was an unknown number. There were also 10 missed calls which made me wonder who it was. When I was about to answer it, it stopped. I decided to call back, maybe it was something important, I thought. It rang 2 times before it was lifted.

"Where are you right now?" His baritone voice sent shivers throughout my body. The moment he opened his mouth, I instantly recognized who it was. I gulped audibly. 

"I-I am with my friends" I answered him as I cursed myself inwardly for stuttering. I don't usually stutter talking to people but Enrique makes me feel weird but delicious feelings which I don't understand why.

"Go home" His voice was commanding and I didn't like it. He was like talking to a toddler.

"I'm already a grown up and I can go home whenever I want" I said while gritting my teeth. The nerve of this guy!

"I'm warning you Blake. Go home right now or I will go there and drag you home myself" He threatened which made me want to yell at him. If I was alone, I would've have screamed at him because of anger. I huffed, trying to control the urge to retaliate to him. Kelly and Jake were already staring at me curiously.

"You are not my freaking father to dictate me what to do" I said whispering with annoyance. I heard him cursed expletives.

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