Chapter 24: Chapter 24

After they were fully settled in and their things unpacked, Elizabeth prepared a meal for them all. It was just her, Clinton, doctor Ken and Cole. Clinton has locked himself indoors since after he snubbed his parents. Doctor Ken had tried to go and talk to him but it seems he didn't want to talk to anyone and wanted to be left alone.

Elizabeth wondered how he would listen to her if he wouldn't listen to his parents and even doctor Ken. Although she promised to try, but she won't drag it if he refuses.

She set the table and informed doctor Ken and Cole who joined her in the dinning room after which she went to call Clinton.

When she got to the door, she knocked gently and listened to hear what he would say.

"Please can I have my space? I told you already I don't want to talk to them! Let me be!" Clinton yelled from inside. His voice was so loud that Elizabeth was startled by it.

"Please can you open the door... I mean food is ready and you need to eat, your body needs it…" Elizabeth said quietly, still unsure if he would listen to her. Confused on whether to continue pleading with him to come out or to go away and let him be since he isn't a child and would definitely come out whenever he gets tired of sulking, Elizabeth decided to let him be that moment.

She was already on her way back to the dinning when the bolt of the door made a sound indicating that the door had been opened. She stopped and turned to see the door opened wide with Clinton in his wheelchair by the door.

"I didn't know you were the one…I.. I'm sorry to have yelled at you like that..." Clinton mumbled quietly.

Elizabeth was beyond surprised and did little to hide it. Why is Clinton all of a sudden being nice and cool headed with her. She understands she saved his life but she never expected that he would change so quickly. It happened so fast and honestly she just wasn't used to him being nice around her and the whole thing felt awkward to her.

"Errm, the food is set…"

That was all she could say before she awkwardly started to walk away. She could hear Clinton struggling to move his wheelchair towards the dining room. She contemplated on whether to go help him or not. Even though she really wanted to give him a hand, the type of awkwardness she felt a moment earlier with him wouldn't let her go on with it.

"Go help him." Doctor Ken ordered Cole to sighting Clinton coming.

Cole approached Clinton to help him but Clinton refused. "I am okay. No need for that," he said coldly.

Cole wondered why he was taking out his anger on him. He wasn't in any way his parents or responsible for his predicament, why then is he taking it out on him. Anyway, he just ignored him and sat down. That is how all of them are, all of them rich men. He is just a bodyguard after all.

"Are you going to reach the food while sitting there?'' Doctor Ken threw at Clinton, tired of his childish attitude. Clinton didn't even say a word in response to him and continued to create a space for himself in the dining table ignoring them all as they watched him in silence. He succeeded in creating a space and fixed himself there but he wasn't able to reach on top of the table to scoop food for himself as the wheelchair isn't high enough. He looked around angry and helpless, his teeth clenched.

Elizabeth couldn't stand the whole thing anymore and went to help him. At first he tried to resist her help but later allowed her. She helped him up into one of the seats in the dining room and served him.

"Thank you," Clinton muttered to her after she was done serving him. Elizabeth nodded and returned to her seat as they started eating.

After the meal, Elizabeth helped him back into his wheelchair and started to drive him to his room. While she drove him to his room, she pondered on what doctor Ken told her. If she is going to talk to him about it, then this is the opportunity for her to do it. She helped him in and helped him into the bed too. She made sure he had settled comfortably before she brought it up.

"Are you really not going to talk to your parents?" She asked gently, carefully choosing her words.

Clinton was quiet but Elizabeth could see a soft look on his face. She took it as a go ahead and continued. "I know you are really mad at them because you think they left you here but have you thought of why they haven't come to be by your side? Have you thought that what if they truly are doing all they can to come back? I mean don't you think you should hear them out first before you crucify them?..." Elizabeth paused and took a glance at Clinton to be sure he was listening to her or she was just talking to herself all these while. From his look, Elizabeth could tell he heard everything she said and was probably reconsidering things.

"I didn't mean to force you or anything. I just thought to tell you to reconsider your decision and think things through… I will be leaving now sir." She concluded, bowed slightly and walked out of the room.

"Gosh! Did I really do that back inside there?" Elizabeth said out loud, surprised at the act she pulled back in Clinton's room. She had no idea she had such great talking skills. Who wouldn't soften at the sound of a motivational voice. She smiled within her as she remembered how Clinton's face changed from indifference to regret and reconsideration. She could see him being remorseful. She was sure he would want to speak to his parents soon.

She let out a sigh in relief, happy the talking went well and not as she expected at first. She had earlier thought he would act like the Clinton Smith she knew. The Clinton that would have her punished for having the nerves to walk up to him to preach such things to him. Clinton that would rather breathe through his stomach than listen to just anyone, not even a maid like her and worst of it she in particular.

Now that Elizabeth has succeeded in talking to Clinton and he is on the verge of changing his mind, she knew she had another mission to fulfill which is to help Clinton get back on his feet. Hopefully his parents get back before then and sort out his eyes issues and then off she goes to figure out her life and think of what to do with her life, dreams and ambitions. A change of environment and work will do her a lot of good and she just can't wait. She had it all planned out and only hoped things would go as planned. She wouldn't want anything to delay her leaving the Smith's family and finding her path any longer.