Amy and Stella froze in their little moment. The former slowly moved up to face the older woman who stared at her with a hint of shock. Stella could not believe it, she never thought a moment like this would come. Did Amy really just call her 'mom'? Her face started to light up from joy when she heard it again.
"Mom."
But Amy's lips didn't move. She saw the disappointment in the older woman as they broke the embrace and finally turned to find an irritated Nora staring at them.
"Mom, what do you think you're doing?"
"What now, Nora?" Stella let out an exhausted sigh.
"Did Dad put you up to this? Dad!" Nora snapped in her father's direction.
Richard stood up and went to his wife. He bent down so his face was inches away from hers. "I'm going to get some coffee", he told her to which she nodded before kissing her forehead.
He went to pat Amy's head leaving her to feel a little funny from the gesture. She wiped away her tears as she watched Nora follow after her father.
"Dad! You can't ignore me like this! This conversation is not over!"
Once the door was closed with Nora still shouting after her father, Amy looked at Stella for answers. The older woman shook her head. "Don't mind her", she said.
As buffled as Amy was, she dropped the matter. If Stella didn't want to tell her, that's fine. But she could not help the curiosity as to why Nora would suddenly act like that. Amy looked further and finally took in the older woman who was Nora's Aunt Lily. She still had the black tear stains on her face.
"What? You have something to say?" She snapped.
Amy was taken aback by her attitude. Is she like this to everyone even strangers? Stella sighed when she saw this.
"How are you feeling?" Amy asked Stella completely ignoring Lily.
"Stella your friend is rude! She just ignored me", Lily grumbled. She didn't like this person whose name she didn't even know.
"I'm getting there. Did you eat before coming here?" Stella responded in her weak voice yet full of gentleness.
"What the heck? Are you both ignoring me?" Lily's expression grew ugly as she glanced between the two.
Amy's heart warmed up and she smiled as she nodded in response. This was the second time someone worried about whether she had eaten today. She wondered what Zach was doing in that very moment. It was Sunday after all, so how is he spending the day? She mentally slapped herself for letting her thoughts stray when she should be focused on the person before her.
Amy found Stella staring at her with a knowing gaze and smile. The young woman abruptly turned away and walked to the nightstand where a jug of water and glass lay on a tray.
"Would you like some water?" She asked as she hid her red cheeks and ears.
Stella chuckled, "Of course dear. Don't forget the straw."
"There's a whole third person over here!" Lily pointed at herself in irritation.
When the two continued to ignore her, Lily huffed out a breath in annoyance as she stormed out. But she had only opened the door when a shriek was heard!
"Arrrrrrrggggghhhh!"
"Arrrrrgggghhh!" Lily also shrieked in shock!
"What the heck? Did we get the right room?" Someone spoke when the shrieking died down.
Amy and Stella looked at each other. The former went to get the door and opened it wide. Standing before her, were all the ladies from the book club.
"Oh! I guess we got the right room!" Adrianne spoke when she saw Amy behind Lily.
The women shuffled their way in as they gave Amy cheek to cheek kisses whilst ignoring Lily by the door.
"My gosh! That gave me a fright!" Emma patted her chest.
"Did you guys hire a clown to entertain our patient?" Sylvia asked.
"Oh! I love these! Do a trick!" Anastasia clapped excitedly.
"Do you do birthdays as well? My nephew's birthday is coming up in three months", Meredith asked excitedly.
"But your makeup is not that impressive. Even if you're just starting in this business, add in a little effort in your looks. I know someone who could help", Dorothy analyzed as she made to touch Lily's chin.
Lily slapped Dorothy's hand away and she was breathing hard as she glared at the women.
"My gosh! What's with that look? So rude! Stella you should get a refund! What kind of a clown is this?" Dorothy spoke in disapproval.
"I'M NOT A CLOWN!" Lily shrieked and her hands shook from anger. "I'm her cousin from New Jersey, Lily! DO I LOOK LIKE A CLOWN TO YOU?"
The women took in the middle aged woman who was fuming in anger. They started whispering among themselves as they pointed at Lily's face. The latter huffed out a breath in annoyance and walked out. She had barely taken a step out of the door, when:
"Hold it right there!" Adrianne spoke from behind her. "Did you say Lily, Stella's cousin from New Jersey?"
"Yes, why do you ask?" Lily turned around and crossed arms against her chest assuming a haughty stance.
"I wonder what you thought Richard would see on you that would make him think you're Stella!" Adrianne mocked her with her eyes as her lips curled in disdain.
"Oh! My gosh! That's her? The difference between you two is like day and night!" Emma commented.
Lily could not believe Stella had told everyone about that.
"Ugh!" She marched out without stopping in a fit of anger. The moment she disappeared out of the door, the women roared into laughter. Amy and Stella looked at them all confused.
"We met Nora outside with Richard. She said Lily was a headache", Adrianne explained.
"Do you think we went too far with the clown thing?" Emma asked with a sheepish smile.
"No, that was perfect!" Stella chuckled in her weak state and Amy gave the ladies a thumbs up.
"How are you feeling?" Emma came forward and went to Stella's side.
The women bombarded her with questions asking about her healthy as some put down the flowers and the containers and flasks of food they brought. No wonder Stella stuck to this group, they were loyal friends. But as she took in this scene, her phone vibrated and her smile slowly disappeared.
It was from that person, the CEO of Greco Pharmaceuticals. Only three words stared right into her face as she looked at her phone:
I dare you.
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