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.

sympathy welled up within Kathleen, her eyes prickling with unshed tears over Gemma’s

My brother will be

Kathleen pursed her lips.

Gemma was right.

was indeed very

family had always treated

after noticing the time. “Duty calls. I will catch

you around!” Kathleen

parting glance at Benjamin’s room,

Kathleen met up with Federick to finalize the

sorry, Frederick! A-About yesterday…” stammered

I completely understand.” Frederick offered a gracious smile while handing

“You’re willing to pay this much for

You still haven’t seen how much maestros earn from their work. Yours is good enough for a greenhorn starting

already far exceeded my

to complete your work within three

enthusiastically while signing

of the sum will be first transferred to you. It should be reflected in your

to treat you to lunch as

have to rain check. I still need to get some work

Whenever you’re free. I will

“Sure. Take care.”

with a faint smile plastered on her

and therapeutic as basking in the

the publishing firm, Kathleen was consumed by the thought

getting paid for the first time

it was a significant milestone in her life

barely suppress her glee from the mere

Macari! But Old Mrs. Macari has everything she needs. Even

thousand in her bank

that, she

joy as she entered the

selecting several items, Kathleen decided to call

Kathleen’s voice instantly

almost let slip a “Darling!” before righting herself

she answered