Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Isabella's pov;

I came to Mr Martinez's house.

When I entered the main door, I spotted Mr Martinez talking on the phone so I started to climb the stairs quietly.

"Wait!"

I heard Mr Martinez asking someone to wait. Who is he saying to wait? Is it me? I turned and looked at Mr Martinez. He signalled me to come down. Why is he calling me? I climbed down the stairs and walked to him.

He asked me, "Why are you late?"

"Huh?" I looked at the time on the clock. It's 3.30 pm and I continued, "This is my usual time to get back home. When I have basketball practice, it may take up to 4.30 to 5.30 pm."

"Well, when will you be having your basketball practices?"

"It's on alternate days but I don't go to each and every class. I only attend when I'm interested and if there's a match I'll go to the court for practice."

He gave a nod and said, "Fresh up and come downstairs."

"Okay, Mr Martinez."

I ran quickly upstairs and walked to my room. After entering my room, I kept my bag aside and removed my school uniform to get a shower. After a nice hot shower, I changed into an outfit and I came out of my room and headed downstairs.

Mr Martinez wasn't there. Where did he go already? While I was looking around the hall, Rose directed me to the dining room saying that he's eating in the dining room.

I sat opposite Mr Martinez and waited for my food.

When I looked at Mr Martinez, who was opposite to me, he was eating his food.

"Where's Ethan? Why couldn't I see him around the house?"

"He said he has some important things to do. Why not ask him? I'm not a messenger."

"Sorry, Mr Martinez."

Did I make him upset? Think before asking anything to Mr Martinez.

"Why are you apologising?"

"Because... I made you mad..."

"I'm not mad."

Not mad? Then what's with that face?

"Um... You're early today. Usually, I see you coming home on or after six but..."

Before I finished, he said, "The meeting ended early."

"Okay. Um... Mr Martinez, I'm going to a study camp the day after tomorrow so..."

"Study camp?"

"Yeah, we hangout together as a class and have fun while studying outdoors."

"Where?"

"Mount diablo."

"It's pretty far from here."

"Do you know that place, Mr Martinez? Have you gone there?"

"No, I've heard about it. Did you go to the hospital?"

"Yeah, before I came here, I visited my mom."

"How was she?"

"She hasn't woken up since the surgery. The doctor said she's in a temporary coma which patients face after their surgeries. I was shocked when I heard about that, later he explained what it was and made me feel relieved. This is the first time she's been lying on the bed without doing anything and taking rest. Since I knew it, my mom would always go to work and come back home late being tired. She wouldn't even sleep properly. Even though she worked hard, she never forgot to take care of me. She always cooks food for me even though she's tired. I never felt alone in my house since she was there all the time with me taking a break here and there from her work. Do you know something? She got fired from some of her jobs since she's taking a lot of breaks. Even after that, she didn't stop taking care of me. That's why I went to work part time to decrease some of her worries. That's why I play basketball, and got a scholarship for my school." I wiped the tears from my eyes and continued, "I'm sorry. Sorry for making you hear my worries and for crying."

"It's fine. I know you love your mother. Well, did you pack your things for the camp?"

"What should I pack for the camp?"

"The things you need to stay there.*

I smiled and said, "All I want is toiletries and two pairs of clothes which I already have with me. And I travel light so It's not a big deal to pack them."

"Aren't you buying new ones?"

"Why would I need new ones if I already have those with me?"

"After Mr Johnson arrives, go with him and buy things for the camp."

"But I already have them."

He finished eating his food and stood from the table saying, "Go with Mr Johnson." And left.

I turned to Rose and asked, "Was he always like that?"

She let out a chuckle and said, "Yes, Ms Garcia."

I let out a sigh and started eating the food.

"Where do you live?"

"Me?"

I nodded and waited for her answer.

"Farren street. Two blocks away from here. Why are you suddenly interested, Ms Garcia?"

"I just wanted to know. Is it wrong to know your place?"

"No, Ms Garcia."

"I wanted to ask you this. Does the chef cook an everyday meal like this?"

"Like what, Ms Garcia?"

"Like sweet, delicious, yummy..."

"Can I call the chef? You can ask him by yourself."

"No, no, it's fine. He may be busy in the kitchen."

"Okay, Ms Garcia."

A butler came and informed, "Mr Johnson is here to pick you up, Ms Garcia."

"Okay, inform him that I'll be in a minute."

"Yes, Ms Garcia." He nodded and left.

I finished my plate quickly and came out of the dining room.

Big brother was waiting for me in the main hall.

"Sorry, was I late big brother?"

He shook his head and said, "Shall we go, Ms Garcia?"

"Before that, Big brother, can you please talk to Mr Martinez?"

"About what?"

"I already have things for the camp but Mr Martinez said to buy new things for the camp. He didn't listen when I said that to him. Can you please talk him out of this?"

"You can't take the things which you use at home to the camp. The environment in the camp is different. Mr Martinez said you're going to chenzu mountain. Do you know how it'll be up there? So using new things will only protect you from getting sick."

"Really?"

He nodded and asked, "Shall we go now?"

With a not so convincing mind, I said, "Okay."

We came out of the house and got into a car.

After I got into the car, I asked Mr Johnson, "Why aren't we getting in Mateo's car?"

"Mr Martinez made Mateo pick and drop you at school so he'll be only driving for you."

"You sound like I'm some VIP, big brother."

"Well, do you have any place to buy those things? Let's go there."

"My mom is the one who buys those things for me so I don't even know how to choose."

"Okay."

Big brother said a place to the driver and the car started.

After some time, the car stopped in front of a big mall. I saw it through the window while sitting inside the car. It looks so enormous. I bet whatever in that building is going to be way too expensive than other malls.

"Get down." He opened the car door for me.

"Can we go somewhere to buy those things?" asked while being in the car.

"Why? Don't you like this place?"

"No, no, it's... It looks so expensive."

He chuckled and said, "Get out of the car."

I held to the seat and said, "No! Let's go somewhere!"

"Do you want me to drag you out of the car?"

"No! I'm not coming out! Driver, Start the car!"

"Even yuyang is better than you."

"I know what you're trying to do here. I'm not falling for it, Big brother." said to the driver, "What are you waiting for? Start the car!"

The driver looked at Mr Johnson and me and gave a confused look.

"I know what to do." And left.

Where is he going?

Big brother came and shoved his phone in front of my face. I blinked my eyes because of the sudden exposure of light and saw his phone. Mr Martinez was on video call.

Mr Martinez said, "Go and buy."

"Yes, Mr Martinez."

Big brother took his phone and talked to him.

After he finished talking with his brother, he said to me, "Shall we go now?"

I got out of the car and said, "That was totally not good. How could you do that to me, Big brother? You're so bad."

He held the back of my collar and said, "Go inside. We have things to buy." And pushed me forward into the mall.

After we came inside the mall, my eyes almost popped out with the structure and decorations of the inside view of the mall.

Big brother patted me and said, "Let's go inside."

I walked behind him watching the place I'm in.

"What shall we buy first?"

"I don't know. I have everything."

"What things do you need for a camp?" He asked the girl at the counter.

She listed out some things which he noted in his notepad.

He said to me, "Let's buy clothes for you."

"But I already chose what to wear and packed it for the camp."

"I didn't ask you. I informed you."

I pouted my lips and followed him.

We went to a dress shop. He took some pairs and asked me to give it a trial.

"I have clothes, Big brother."

"Go and wear it. Otherwise we would end up buying the wrong size." And pushed me into the trial room.

In the trial room, I removed my clothes and took the pair which Big Brother took for me. When I looked at the tag, I came to know that it's so expensive. I shouted to Big brother while being inside the trial room, "Big brother, it's so expensive."

He didn't give a reply. I bet he was giving me silent treatment.

I came out of the trial room with the new clothes.

He looked at me and commented, "It's good and it looks like a big size for you." He turned to the worker and said, "Can I get a smaller size in this outfit?"

"Yes, Sir." And left.

She came back with an outfit and gave it to him. He handed it to me.

I let out a sigh and changed into that dress.

"It looks good. Let's buy this." Turned to the worker and said, "Show me the outfits in this size."

He bought a lot and came to me saying, "Let's buy the toiletries now." And smiled at me.

"You like teasing me, right?"

He let out a chuckle and led the way.

I followed behind him and we finished buying the things needed for the camp.

When we came out of the mall, the sky was painted with the darkest shade of blue. We got into the car and started at Mr Martinez's house.

After sometime we got to the house, i walked into the house like my soul left my body.

Mr Martinez made a smirk and asked me, "How was the shopping with your Big brother?"

I gave a stare at him and then realised he's my boss so I forced a smile on my face and said, "It's good, Mr Martinez. I enjoyed it very much. Um... Can I go to my room? I feel so sleepy."

He gave a nod so I left for my room.

Even though the bed felt comfortable, it's difficult for me to go to sleep everyday where I couldn't see my mother before going to sleep so I slept late at night. Temporary coma? I never heard or seen any of this condition before. I want mom to get treated well and be healthy. I want to look after her like how she took care of me since my father left both of us. Thinking about my mom, without my knowledge, i felt asleep.