Another morning came and Cris took another leave from the office so she could personally monitor and care for Brix's mother again. Cris was trying her best because she did not want to part from Brix so she was willing to do anything that would make Brix's mother approve of her.

  She and Brix arrived at the hospital together and when Brix left for work Cris stayed in his mother's room.

  "Don't you have to go to work?" Lenny asked Cris when she did not leave with Brix.

  "I took the day off, Madame," Cris answered with a smile and grabbed the paper bag that contained all the things she had picked up and brought along.

  "You will get fired if you keep taking day-offs like this, Cris. Well, Kenzie might not fire you but other employees will think that it's unfair that you're getting so much privilege. I'm already doing fine and I have a personal nurse to look after me. Go to work instead and help Kenzie and Brix with company matters," Lenny instructed with a furrowed forehead.

  Brix asked Cris for her hand in marriage in front of everyone at the Inauguration so Lenny did not want any negative impact on the management if Cris continued not reporting to the office because of her.

  Cris gulped, thinking that maybe she was overdoing things and so she agreed, "Alright Madame. I have brought you some more books in case you want to read." She scolded herself for stammering.

  Lenny shook her head and could not help but voice out loud, "I really appreciate your efforts and your attempt to get close to me, Cris, in spite of the fact that I haven't shown you the slightest kindness ever and I do recognize your efforts and how hard it must be for you to face me and take care of me.

  Right now, I'm still picking myself up so if possible I want to be alone but that doesn't mean that I'm driving you away, Cris. But I need time because I'm a work in progress at this point, so please don't misunderstand my request."

  Cris smiled and said, "I understand Madame. I will take my leave now."

  "Thank you, Cris," Lenny answered and Cris left the room. Cris was feeling uneasy since Brix's mother was not referring to Cris' promise to leave Brix. She felt like she was waiting for a sentence in a court that would be delivered any moment.

  Meanwhile, Lenny heaved a sigh as she looked at the door when Cris left.

  A few minutes later, the door opened again and Lenny saw her brother-in-law Jack enter on a wheelchair with Kenzie pushing him in.

  "Geez, look at you? Are you so jealous of me slacking on work that you got hospitalized yourself?" Jack good-humouredly commented with a smile.

  Kenzie informed him about what happened and he was glad that Lenny survived and was doing well. When Jack came to know that Lenny was in the same hospital, he insisted on going to see her.

  Lenny smiled and said, "I'm sorry. Jack, I was unable to visit you."

  "Oh, it's alright. Kenzie told me that you were busy attending meetings abroad for the company. I feel really bad that I have you working so hard even when I know how fragile your health is now. Ah, my brother will definitely scold me for doing this," said Jack as Kenzie positioned his wheelchair beside Lenny's bed.

  "You're looking good now. I guess you will be leaving the hospital soon," Lenny commented.

  "Yes, I will be discharged soon. We are both old and sick now. We must enjoy life and our future grandchildren instead of working. It's a good thing that you have agreed to let Brix handle everything since he has grown up into a responsible and reliable man.

  You too must also recover well and stay well so your son can get married soon. Ah, do you know that your son has a girlfriend and that it's Cris!"

  Kenzie coughed and signaled her father to stop by squeezing his shoulder a bit.

  Jack looked at Kenzie and then at Lenny and burst out, "Why? Does Lenny not know?"

  Lenny smiled and said, "I'm aware of it. And honestly, I'm against it. That's why I almost had a heart attack when Brix proposed to her at his inauguration in front of everyone."

  Jack looked at his daughter with questioning eyes on why she had missed telling him such an important matter.

  Lenny chuckled and said, "Kenzie didn't tell you so you won't stress out about it. And think too much like I'm sure you're doing now."

  Jack chuckled and said, "Well, you're right. But it was a good announcement and Cris is a nice woman and very smart in every way. Like I said, we are old now so we should let our kids do what they want, especially if this would make them happy."

  "Dad," Kenzie whispered.

  "Okay, fine! I will not say anything more." Jack mumbled with a pout.

  Jack heaved a long, deep sigh and held Lenny's hand as he whispered, "I'm really glad Lenny that you survived this. Get out of the hospital soon and this big brother of yours will let you enjoy life. I will give you a nice gift and a long vacation that you can enjoy with your friends. So hurry up and recover okay."

  Lenny felt a lump in her throat. Why hadn't she ever considered how good her brother-in-law was to her and Brix all this time. Why was she so clouded with wanting more? Her brother-in-law wanted nothing but to give her and Brix everything he could to support them and yet…


  Tears welled up in her eyes and she whispered, "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry Brother Jack…"

  She was now sobbing hard which made Jack worried and say, "Please, Lenny, stop crying. I will not nag, scold or say anything to you about Brix or Cris anymore. I won't be a busybody, so please try to calm yourself."

  Kenzie sighed because she knew why her auntie was feeling sorry and she was glad that her auntie could now realize all her wrongdoings.

  "I will listen to you from now on. I'm really sorry for everything," whispered Lenny as she continued sobbing.

  Jack patted the back of the hand which he was holding and said, "Alright. It's alright. Hush now and don't get too emotional about it. Ah, this won't do good to your heart."

  Jack turned and looked at Kenzie with a scolding stare and his lips silently moved to say, "It's your fault. Why didn't you mention the incident so I would not have brought up Brix and Cris."

  Kenzie only shrugged her shoulders. She had good news for Cris. This was definitely good news! If her Aunty Lenny promised that she would listen to her father then that meant she would no longer go against Brix and Cris.