All Too Late

Kathleen entered a restaurant and ordered herself a plate of vegan pasta.

After her meal, she soon left to visit Benjamin who was admitted to the nearby hospital.

Kathleen couldn’t help her rising concern as she observed the unconscious form of Benjamin through the window of his hospital room.

“My brother’s condition has been stable since early this morning,” Gemma uttered from behind Kathleen.

Kathleen turned to face Gemma, who was dressed in her nurse’s uniform and balancing a tray between her hands.

“When will your brother be regaining consciousness?” queried Kathleen cautiously.

Gemma’s expression darkened as she replied, “The doctor says that it’s still too early to tell.”

“Why not try consulting the opinions of other specialists?”

“It’s all right, Kathleen. There’s still time,” Gemma comforted. “By the way, how was your experience volunteering?”

“It was such an eye-opener! I learned so much from it,” Kathleen enthused.

Gemma smirked. “I watched your speech just now during my break. You were pretty amazing out there.”

“By the way, why the sudden interest in individuals with autism?”

“Well, my foster brother is autistic,” said Gemma grimly.

Now that is new.

“My foster parents come from pretty wealthy backgrounds. They adopted me as I had seemed pliant and obedient. Their hopes were that I would comply with their wishes to look after their son once they were gone. Their plan was for both of us to marry by offering me their inheritance as an incentive. They then threatened to disown me if I were to refuse,” said Gemma drily.

Kathleen was stunned speechless.

“I overheard all this when I was in high school. If I were to go against them, they swore never to pay for my tuition fees and daily expenses. Gaining admission into a university would have been a lost cause.”

“That’s preposterous!”

“Consider yourself lucky, Kathleen. Truly. I’ve gone through the worst of it all, and things barely faze me these days,” advised Kathleen with a wry smile.

Kathleen gripped Gemma’s hands anxiously. “What happened after? How did you make it out?”

“Thankfully, my brother was already a policeman back then. He located me and sponsored me all the way till graduation.” Gemma smiled fondly.

her eyes prickling

brother will be fine,”

Kathleen pursed her lips.

Gemma was right.

indeed

had always treated her with respect and

the time. “Duty calls. I will catch you

Kathleen added with a

at Benjamin’s room, Kathleen departed

Kathleen met up with Federick to finalize

sorry, Frederick! A-About yesterday…”

about it. I completely understand.” Frederick offered

she perused the terms. “You’re

how much maestros earn from their work. Yours is good enough for a greenhorn

already far exceeded my expectations.” Kathleen

you be able to complete your work within

while signing the contract. “I

that one-third of the sum will be first transferred to you. It should be reflected in your bank account shortly,” explained

to lunch as a celebration of

we’d have to rain check. I still need to get some work done.”

free. I will

“Sure. Take care.”

too. Goodbye!” Kathleen departed with a faint

was indeed as warm and therapeutic as basking in the spring sunlight after

publishing firm, Kathleen was consumed by

the

was a significant milestone in her life

her glee from the mere

has everything she needs. Even

received slightly less than fifty thousand in

she was

was veritably glowing with joy as she entered the

Kathleen decided

of Kathleen’s voice

a “Darling!” before

she