Chapter 2 - Story Of Nikki Lindsey

Nikki made gradual steps, headed to the end of this hallway. She wanted to glance at her mother before she went home to take a shower and prepares for work.

Lost in her thoughts, she felt a force that threw her on the side of the hallway. Someone bumps into her. 

However, she had no energy to argue nor confront this person. Quietly she resumed walking toward the elevator door and patiently waited for the lift to stop on this floor.

She guesses the person she bumped into was still here as she could feel a burning stare at her back.

If that person waited for her to apologize, she believes she was not at fault. She won't do it.

On the other hand, she already anticipates that this person will yell at her, and she's prepared to ignore him.

She hears nothing; she steps inside the lift once it empties after everyone comes out.

Pressing the 7th-floor button, she takes a glance between a closing door and catches a silhouette of a man leaving the elevator lobby.

Her forehead wrinkled, wondering if he was the person she bumped into just a while ago.

'Oh, well... whatever.'

She murmurs inside her head and shrugs a shoulder. Pressing her back into the wall, once again, she fell into deep thoughts.

She has to find someone sooner. Her mother cannot undergo a procedure without the blood she needed through her recovery, at least 3-5 bags of A- blood type.

Nikki sighed. She was getting desperate where to find this much.

Lucy Lindsey, her mother, is fighting for her life. She always had a seizure. That is why there is someone who must watch her 24/7.

Without Doctor Ben's expertise and the expensive medicines, she possibly died a long time ago.

Her parent's insurance is almost reaching its limit. Soon, they can't cover her mother's continuous medication after the surgery.

After then, she has to find ways to pay off all the hospital bills and medical costs, which won't be that easy.

"Nikki? Why are you still here?" 

Lucy asked her daughter after she saw her entering the room. She studied her face, seeing how exhausted she was but still hiding her tiredness behind her sweet smile.

She's been taking care of her at night, and then she would go to work full time during the day.

"Mama, how are you feeling? Auntie Maria texted that she would be late this morning as she needs to drop her granddaughter at her school."

"I see..." Lucy pushes a smile with her pale lips. "Nikki, I'm so sorry, hun."

"Ma? What are you apologizing for?"

Overwhelms, she pouted at her mother. She plastered a cheerful smile on her lips while meeting her mother's gaze. 

"I've become a burden to you, which you should enjoy your youth. Perhaps, find a husband to start a family and celebrate life, along with your children."

"Ma? Of course, you are not! You are my family. Why should I abandon you? I have no one left but you, then? I cannot leave you alone. I wouldn't be happy if I know you are suffering from—" she tried not to get emotional, but her voice began shaking, and teardrops escaped her eyes.

It is not the right time to cry. Instead, Nikki should show strength rather than her mother, who suffered between them.

Lucy reached for her daughter's hand, squeezing it, and smiled bitterly. "Don't worry. I will get better soon. You knew how strong your mom was. I don't want to leave you yet when I know you can't find your favorite purple dress, which just folded in your closet."

She laughed as it was true. Nikki could not live without her mother; she's the one who will tidy her things and even who washes her clothes.

Every time, even to a simple thing, she would still ask her mother if she saw her stuff or found something on the floor while cleaning the house.

She's not messy, but her habit is to leave her things around her bedroom to find them easily when she needs them, which her mother loves cleaning before she goes to the Shopping Center where they have a small space diner.

But one day, her mother just lost consciousness sometimes until it became frequent.

They made an appointment for a check-up, and Lucy's doctor began prescribing her pills to take every day.

After her complete laboratory tests, she was diagnosed with a rare illness that needed comprehensive treatment.

Now, they almost used up all of her parents' funds, and soon, she had to spend her savings. That doesn't matter, anyway. 

She will visit the bank tomorrow and inquire about a loan. Maybe there is a better offer she could pay for a long-term contract.

Of course, she would do everything for her mother.