Chapter 180
Bailey could be called a real whizz at domestic chores. He used to whip up meals for me quite often.
It had been a while since I last tasted his cooking I guess trying it again wouldn’t hurt.
“All right, my folks will be back soon. Why don’t you start cooking so we can all eat together?” I set down my cello, stretching my stiff shoulders and
orms.
Bailey nodded and headed downstairs to cook while I went and had a relaxing bath, looking forward to a good night’s sleep after dinner.
By the time my parents returned, Bailey had prepared a few homely dishes that smelled delicious. My mom invited him to join us, but he declined.
“You should head home and get some rest then.” I said.
“Okay” Bailey looked at me, seeming like be wanted to say something, but ended up just sighing helplessly before leaving
I’ve been feeling pretty laid back recently, lazing around doing nothing much. After dinner, I went upstairs to bed, picked up a book, and began to read.
It wasn’t until Alicia appeared at my bedroom door that I thought I was hallucinating.
Alicia came in, shutting the door behind her and locking it.
“Ali, what brings you here?” I tossed the book aside, asking in surprise.
“Neil’s been injured. Stella called your driver to let you know. Didn’t you get the message?” Alicia sat down by my bed, “She and Mitch are at the hospital now, too scared to inform Neil’s parents, and they can’t let the media find out”
I was taken aback, “Neil is hurt? Is it serious?”
“It’s pretty bad. That’s why I came to tell you,” Alicia sighed heavily, “He’s got a head injury and needs hospitalization.”
I was shocked. How did Neil end up getting hit on the head?
But telling me wasn’t going to help. I was no doctor.
“Then he should rest and stop drinking so much” I replied.
The problem is he’s still drunk and refuses to cooperate with the doctors. Otherwise, Stella wouldn’t have asked me to find you. We all don’t want any more issues between you and Neil Alicia seemed a bit puzzled, “Is Neil always this stubborn?”
This wasn’t him being stubborn; he was just upset with himself
I didn’t want to go to the hospital. If Neil had insisted on tormenting himself like this, it was not going to be the last time, and I couldn’t always be there to help
Just then, Alicia’s phone rang It was Mitch. He spoke a few words and then asked me to take the call.
“Rena, could you do me a favor? Right now, it seems like you’re the only one who can get through to him. He refuses treatment and won’t take his medicine or get his shots.” Mitch pleaded desperately, “I understand this may cause you trouble, but we really don’t have any other options. I don’t dare to inform his parents right now”
Stella chimed in coldly. “It’s his own damn fault.”
Mitch hurriedly added, “Rena, please do this for me. Neil and I have been good friends for many years. Seeing him hurt like this really breaks my heart.”
Hearing Mitch’s pitiful tone and remembering how I stood Neil up a few days ago…
“I’ll come over soon, but Neil’s drunk out of his mind right now, I can’t guarantee if my words will have any effect.” I rubbed my temples, feeling a bit troubled
“Great, we’ll discuss further when you get here!” Mitch responded with relief.
After hanging up, Alicia watched me get up and change my clothes, then asked, ‘Are you still planning on going? Why can’t you just cut him off completely and not care about anything?”
I made a bitter face, “I stood him up a few days ago. This is one of the indirect reasons he’s been drinking heavily. Plus, Mitch seemed like he was about to burst into tears. I guess I’ll go
Alicia frowned, looking concerned about my future.
When Alicia and I came downstairs, we found Sean there too, chatting over coffee with my parents.
They seemed to be getting along quite well.
“My boyfriend suggested me and my friends go out for a late–night snack; he promised he’d make sure Rena gets home safe” Alicia told my parents.
My parents hesitated. If I were to go, there would be Stella, possibly Mitch too, and wouldn’t Neil be there as well?
Sean chimed in at this point, “Don’t worry, there’s another friend of mine going with us too, the four of us together. It’s completely safe”
Hearing that it was just going to be the four of us, my parents immediately relaxed, “All right, Rena, make sure you come home early”
“Okay” I agreed.
Then I left with Alicia and Sean. Once we got in the car, we headed straight for the hospital.
Neil was lying in a single room, with Mitch, Stella, and Cooper standing guard. There were quite a few blood stains on the white hospital bed. The smell of alcohol mixed with the scent of blood was pungent.
His wound was at the back of his head; he was lying on his side with blood flowing onto the pillow, staining it a bright red.
Reno, you’re here!” Mitch’s eyes instantly lit up.
Neil seemed to stir a bit when he heard Mitch’s words.
I walked straight over to the bed. After carefully examining his wound, I asked, “How old are you? Still getting drunk and getting into fights, you’re the only son your parents have. Do you want them to outlive their child?*
Neil’s eyes were tightly shut, dried blood still stained his long, thick eyelashes.
He pretended not to hear and didn’t respond
Drunk men can be so exasperating, he was even playing possum now.
Seeing this, Mitch quietly led Stella and Cooper out, shutting the door to the room behind him.
“All right then, since you won’t listen, there’s no point in me staying here. Just be careful.” I turned to leave.
Neil lifted his hand to grab my wrist, his voice still a bit rough, “I’m listening”
That was more like it, it saved me some time.
I immediately called out to the doorway, “Stella, get the doctor!”
Soon the medical staff came and took Neil to be examined and treated. Before he was wheeled away, I was going to head home, but Mitch and Cooper blocked my way
Especially Cooper, the guilt was practically pouring out of his eyes, “Irene, Neil still values you the most. I was so foolish before, thinking he didn’t really like you. But today it was you who saved the day. If he had continued like this and something happened, the Whitmore family would have been done for.”
“Yeah, can you hang on a bit, let him patch himself up, say a few words, then split?” Mitch was definitely Neil’s good bro. The birthday gift Neil gave him wasn’t for nothing.
Stella was shooting me the stink eye, and she knew how much of a doormat I was in front of Neil before.
Alicia and Sean were just on the sidelines and didn’t feel it was their place to comment.
I was talked into waiting a bit longer by the two of them. While waiting, Cooper clued me in on why Neil got into a scrap today.
The one who had a beef with Neil this time was Raymon, the guy I met when I was helping Oscar look for a job before.
After the last time Raymon got his clock cleaned, he was cheesed off, but he knew he couldn’t go toe to toe with Neil
So, he roped in some people to invite Neil for a drink as an apology. During the apology, they got into another argument.
“Where’s Raymon?” I asked. The guy was pretty tough, daring to lay a hand on Neil this time.
Cooper answered, “He’s still in ICU.”
