Chapter 27

Aleck



The others already knew what we were doing. Chris pulled a chair for her. “Have a seat” Mallory said to her

“Did your brother say anything to you’? I asked, “No Mr Cavanaugh. He just said you required my services”.

“How old are you and how long have you been a Nurse”? Nella asked

“I’m thirty-nine years old. I have been an in-house nurse for ten years Miss”.

“She will be here tomorrow. She is currently in a coma. You’ll get her personal records. You’re just here to make sure no one hurts her”. Dean said. I looked at the others, but they didn’t look offended by what Dean said.

Mallory told her what happened, and I could see the horror on her face. If she would be here, she would know. “Whatever happens and is said in this house should never be mentioned. Would you have any problem signing an NDA”? I asked her

“Of course, not Mr Cavanaugh”

I guess the others knew what I was getting at. “We have a polyandry Relationship. She is mine and my brother’s fiancé”. Dean said

She looked at us and smiled. “Mr Cavanaugh everyone is entitled to happiness whatever it is in life, be it relationships, your job anything, if it makes you happy and the people around you are happy for you then the world can go to hell. That is not a problem for me, or my business and I respect you and your brother’s family life” she said quietly.

“Okay then why don’t you follow me” I said standing up. I headed to the office, and she followed me.

“Have a seat”

“You’ll be paid fifty thousand per month for as long as we need you here. Our parents are here and are allowed to see her as they wish. It is only during the day when my brother and I return in the evening we’ll stay with her. You’ll have your own room, and your meals will be taken care of everything. It would be better if you stayed here rather than leaving and returning every morning”.

“Okay Mr Cavanaugh. I will need to speak to her doctor to get her medical records. Is she on a ventilator”?

“Yes, she is”.

“Okay. I will need to check the machine before bringing it home also the daily recommended doses of medicine that she needs” she said quietly. Was she really this efficient or is it because of who we are. I saw her smile.

“Mr Cavanaugh I am very thorough with my patients and their needs. I almost lost a patient because his family chose to do things their way. I’ve had two patients the same as her. May I ask her name”?

“Layla” I said quietly.

“It is advised that you speak to your patients. When she comes home, I will demonstrate it to you and your brother”

“Okay. I would prefer it if you stayed here this evening so you will visit the hospital tomorrow morning. If you need to get your stuff, I’ll have someone take you over”.

“Very well Mr Cavanaugh. I drove here, I will return soon with my belongings”.

“Okay when you return Hilda will show you to your room and prepare dinner for you. Tomorrow, we will formally introduce you to everyone”.

“Okay”

After we settled everything, she left. I headed back out to the patio. I looked at Dean and nodded.

“I went to visit Rea today she’ll be discharged tomorrow morning”. Chris said

“Andrew told me what you guys were talking about this morning. I told Nella. Look I don’t want to think Rea is lying nor do I want to believe Layla lied to Rea. There is someone else. Someone else is pulling the strings”. Mallory said

“That’s the problem. Mac can’t find any traces or clues. And the emails she received has me worried. This person is meticulous in their revenge. They took their time to email everyone she was worked with and worked for”. Dean said

“The only way we’ll get to the bottom of this is when she wakes up. Dean, Aleck I need a favour from you both” Nella said looking at us.

“Okay” I said

“Whoever, it is, they’re probably watching her, and they already probably know she’s not dead and they will try again. My point is When Layla wakes up do not tell any of us” she said hesitantly.

“What ….”? I looked at them.

“Look suppose they get me to Me, Mal or Rea and use us to find out if she’s awake and where she is? You’ll tell us without thinking anything about it so for the sake of her safety when I leave here tonight, I won’t come back her until she’s all better”.

I looked at her then at Dean.

“Look Nella Has a point. We’re not always together. At least until you figure it out. We say nothing not even between ourselves about this house. we don’t tell Rea either”. Chris said.

I looked at Mallory and I could she was agreeing with them.

“Okay then if that’s the decision you guys’ want to go with then we’ll accept it. If you need to talk to us, come to the company, they’ll know not to stop you guys”.

Everyone left around nine. When Marcella returned to the house, we introduced her to Hilda and our parents. That night I didn’t get much sleep. I know Dean wouldn’t sleep either. I woke up at four which was something I rarely do. I made a coffee and opened the door to the patio and sat there. Half an hour later Dean Joined me. We sat quietly not saying anything. I missed hearing her voice, hearing her laugh, Her smell, her smile everything. I needed her back to the way she was. Dean needed her too. We all did. At seven that morning we left for the hospital with Marcella. When we got to the hospital Doctor Ivan was waiting for us. We introduced Marcella to him and found out that she was the Nurse he recommended to our parents which meant that she was good at what she did.

After Marcella checked over the ventilator and everything we left separately. When we got back to the house, and she was tucked in we were about to leave hen marcella stopped us. She locked the door. Mom and dad looked at us. We just shrugged.

“Mr Cavanaugh, I said I would show you something today”

“Yes, you did” I answered hesitantly

“There are different types of comas. Now some comatose patients may hear however, many have normal brain-stem auditory evoked responses and normal physiologic responses to auditory stimuli. I have read her chart. Now I would like you all to watch the monitor. Look at her heartbeat and her blood pressure” she said gesturing towards the monitor.

“Okay”

She sat on the chair next to her bed and held her hands. And looked at us.

“What are your fist names Mr Cavanaugh”?

“I’m Aleck and he is Dean”. I said looking at my brother. What was the point of this.

She held her hands. ” Layla my name is Marcella James. I am your nurse. Your not in the hospital you’re at home with Dean and Aleck and their parents. There is only the five of us in this room. You can probably hear but can’t do anything”.

I heard the beeping and looked at the machine. Her heart was beating faster. I looked at Dean then Marcella.

“She can Hear us”? Dean asked her.

“Layla, can you hear our voices clearly? Don’t be scared you’re safe” she said patting her hands. The machine stopped beeping like crazy.

“Yes, Mr Cavanaugh she can hear everything. It’s okay Layla get some rest”.
She stood up and opened the door and walked out. We followed her out and locked the door.

“Why the hell didn’t the doctor tell us she could hear” dad asked her

“Because there is no telling how deep of a coma a patient is in. She can hear us now, in a few hours she probably won’t because she’s tired but now that we know she can hear you need to speak to her on a daily basis about anything at all to keep her brain active. Coma patients when their brain isn’t stimulated enough, they fall into a vegetative state. That won’t happen to her. Be careful of what you say around her, her body is asleep, but her mind is awake which means it may take a few weeks, but she will wake up. Mrs Cavanaugh could you please provide me with some clothes for her I’ll take care of her also her necessities all that the smell of her favourite perfume or lotion can activate the senses”.

“Of course, I ‘ll get that right away. You boys don’t worry she’s in good and capable hands with Marcella.

“Mr Cavanaugh you can go speak to her before you leave then I’ll take care of her”

“Thank you “. We walked into the room and stood looking at her.