CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE:TAMARA

"She has you wrapped around her finger, too," Mr Kingston whispered as his grandfather looked at him, disappointment visible in his eyes.

"I thought Sarah and I raised you better than this, I didn't raise such a disrespectful child, or is it because you're the CEO of such a large company that you no longer respect your family members and wife?" 

"It's not that grandfather; I just think mother isn't well enough to have visitors yet," Mr Kingston stated, hoping to persuade his grandfather, but as he turned to face me, Mr Zane didn't look the least bit interested in his explanation. 

"Tamara and I will go see your mother, and please refrain from visiting until we are done. I don't want her to be stressed over this, do you understand?"

Mr. Kingston remained silent while Mr Zane spoke. It was amusing to see him get scolded by Mr Zane; this was karma for what he said to me; he always thinks he is above everyone else and could do no wrong.

"You know how I don't like repeating myself," Mr Zane said, locking his gaze on Mr Kingston, awaiting an answer, but he remained silent. "DID YOU HEAR WHAT I JUST SAID, DAMIEN?" 

"Yes, Grandfather, I won't visit until you guys leave." Mr Kingston answered with a frown, but it wasn't too noticeable; either Mr Zane didn't notice it or chose to ignore it.

"Now, if you'll excuse us," Mr Zane said as he turned to address Miss Adele, who was looking at him with concern, "Adele, please put together a lunch bag for us before we leave; I'm sure Sarah would appreciate a home-cooked meal."

"Yes, Mr Zane, I will get right on it." Mrs Adele responded before leaving the kitchen to retrieve something from the pantry, and Mr Zane departed the kitchen without saying anything to Mr Kingston.

When I tried to go after Mr Zane, Mr Kingston grabbed my arm and pulled me back, preventing me from leaving the kitchen. His displeasure about the situation was obvious in his eyes. 

"I don't know what you told him, but this is all your fault." Mr Kingston said as his grip on my wrist tightened and its started to hurt, "But Tamara, you will pay for this, mark my words," 

"Let go of me," I whispered, pushing my hand away from his grip as I massaged the part of his body he was holding, which was sure to bruise, "I didn't tell him anything, he reacted that way because you were acting like a spoiled brat who had just been told to share his favorite toy."

He began to say, "I did not do such a thing," but before he could finish, Mr. Zane poked his head through the kitchen door. His eyebrows were raised as he studied Mr. Kingston with suspicion and asked, "Aren't you coming, Tamara?"

"I'll be right with you, Mr Zane; I was just getting my handbag," I said, taking my bag from the stool beside me and walking over to Mr Zane, leaving Mr Kingston alone in the kitchen.

Who is he to threaten me? What an asshole, I thought as Mr Zane escorted me to the car that was leaving for the hospital with Adele following behind us with the bag of food for Sarah.

When we arrived at the hospital where Sarah was being treated, I realized it was the same one where my mother had been treated when she was still alive, so I had conflicting feelings as I stepped out of the car; I wanted to turn around and run home, but Sarah needed me, so I had to be strong for her.

When we walked into the hospital, Mr Zane and I took the elevator to the oncology department; when we got out of the elevator, Mr Zane approached the front desk and said to the nurse, "Hello, I'm here to see Sarah Kingston." 

"Welcome Mr Zane Kingston, I will lead you to her room," the receptionist replied with a smile, and we were led to her room a few minutes later after he signed some papers. When Mr Zane and I entered Sarah's room, she was laying in the bed, looking fragile and feeble, much like mother did whenever I came to visit after school. 

I took a seat beside Sarah as her attention fell on me, a small smile appeared on her lips as I took her hands in mine, she looked thinner than the last time I saw her which made me concerned. Sarah had been battling cancer for years, and her condition had worsened a few weeks ago while we were on our honeymoon, according to what Mr Zane told me on the way here. 

"I'm so happy to see you two," Sarah said as she smiled at us. 

"It's good to see you too, Sarah, how are you?" Mr Zane inquired, but he wasn't looking at her; his gaze was fixed on the ground; he didn't want her to see him worried, Mr Zane was a paradox, he cares a lot but hides his emotions because he believes they make him weak, just like Mr Kingston does, I wondered if all of Kingston's men were raised in this manner.

"I'm doing well, Mr Kingston; I hope Adele is looking after you guys."

"That old hag and Tamara nag me all the time like you do, so don't worry about me, just get better" Mr Zane stated as he finally looked up at her, and I could see the pain and worry in his eyes, no matter how hard he tries to hide it

"I will try Mr Zane," Sarah said 

"Can you tell her to back off now?" Mr Zane asked Sarah, making her smile.

"We nag you because you never listen to us when we tell you to take your meds on a daily basis, Mr Zane."

"I don't like them because they make me sleepy."

"You have no choice, you need them," I said, making him pout and Sarah laugh, but she began coughing a few seconds later from pushing herself to hard from laughing

"It's alright," I said as I helped her sit up and drink from the cup of water on the bedside table.

"Thank you," Sarah whispered, turning to face Mr Zane, his armor was back-up, his face emotionless. 

"I'm going to see the doctors, I'll be back," Mr Zane said as he walked out the door, leaving me alone with Sarah.

"Now, Sarah, tell me how you really feel." I asked, my concern for her clear in my tone.

"Nothing gets past you, huh?" Sarah chuckled gently and squeezed my hand lightly. "Everything hurts, but I'm hanging in there, sweetie," 

"I wish I could help ease your pain." I said

"It's okay, dear, I can handle it,". 

"Adele made some food for you, so if you're up for it, I could feed you."

"I don't think I can stomach anything solid, dear; maybe later I can have my nurse feed me something," she explained. 

"OK then," I replied. 

Mr Zane then entered the room. And, to my amazement, He came over to the bed and kissed Sarah on the forehead.

"I don't like seeing you like this, I prefer you nagging me," Mr Zane replied, his concern visible on his face again; what did the doctor say to make him behave like this?

"I miss you too, Mr Zane," Sarah said with a smile, not bothering to ask what the doctor said because, judging by his expression, it had to be bad news. 

Mr Zane nodded and then turned to face me. "I know your husband can be difficult to live with at times," he continued, "but he's a good man. He loves you, and he was only trying to protect his mother, but he chose the wrong way to handle things.

"I knew he was going to cause trouble when I asked to see you," Sarah said, letting out an inaudible sigh before continuing, "He's in pain right now, Tamara, so please forgive him for anything he did to hurt you; he didn't mean it."

"I know he's hurting; my mother was in the same situation before she died; I understand, so I don't blame him for acting rudely." I said, and I wasn't lying, that I understood his behavior; I was only pissed that he threatened me.

"Thank you dear, my son can be stubborn and act stupid despite being very smart," Sarah remarked, making me giggle.

"We all want you to get better soon, so please fight." 

"I will try, dear"

"Try faster, so you can get that old hag and Tamara off my back for not taking my meds," Mr Zane said, making Sarah laugh out loud, but she started having trouble breathing, it took a few minutes to get her breath back but by then Mr Zane had already walked out, I didn't blame him for walking out, I'm sure it was because he couldn't stand seeing her in pain.

When I returned my gaze to Sarah, she had a sad smile on her face as she tightened her hold on mine.

"Tamara, I want you to promise me something," Sarah murmured, looking up at me, as I gave her all of my attention, wondering what she wanted to say.