SWNOVELS Chapter 2
Chapter 2
William and Vanessa found a café not far away.
After sitting down, William ordered coffee.
Vanessa handed the document file with her information to William.
She got straight to the point. “Thank you for helping me out earlier. The main reason I went on the blind date is because my father is sick and may not live much longer. I want him to be at ease. Of course, I am at the age where I should be getting married”
William nodded in understanding and talked about his situation. “I went on blind dates as I want to get married.”
The woman he had been in a relationship with for the past six years had gone abroad just like that and in the way he hated
the most.
Well, his bride could also be someone else.
He could end a six–year relationship and start a new one in just six minutes.
Vanessa said. “My family has bigger concerns. My father is sick, and my brother is attending a special needs school. If we get married, I will still want to take care of them. But you don’t have to worry as I will not use your salary on them.”
Blind dates do not involve love, so it was better to clarify things beforehand.
William nodded and said, “I get it. You can use my salary on them. Like I said before, if we get married, your parents become mine too. We can get the marriage license anytime if you’re good with it. Shall we exchange WhatsApp contact
first?”
He didn’t know much about her, but at the very least, she was nice to her family.
Being nice was a precious moral value.
How bad could she be as a woman who supported her father and brother alone?
On top of that, he could afford to take a bet on her.
“Okay.” Vanessa was quick to agree. She took out her phone and added William on WhatsApp.
Wasn’t this what blind dates were like?
Two strangers who felt they were compatible in various ways would decide if they would take the next step
Besides, she was also here to find a life partner.
and get
married.
She just added William on WhatsApp when her phone started buzzing. It was a message from her little brother. “Vanessa, I got Dad discharged from the hospital.”
Vanessa’s heart skipped a beat. She was so nervous that her fingers were shaking as she quickly typed. “How could Dad be discharged when his illness is severe?”
Danny was born deaf, and he couldn’t speak. But he was smart and had been going to a school for the deaf for several years. He was good at typing and knew sign language very well.
Danny answered. “Dad insists on being discharged from the hospital. Vanessa, let Dad leave the hospital, okay?”
From the last sentence of his text, Vanessa could sense his despair and helplessness.
She understood. She understood what he was feeling very well.
Whether it was her dad or Danny, they felt like they were dragging Vanessa down.
Danny returned home with his backpack last month and refused to attend school.
Vanessa’s noge twitched. She immediately called her dad.
The phone was quickly answered.
Henry Sanchez’s voice came through, calm and warm. Because of his illness, he spoke slowly as well. “Vanessa, what’s the matter? It was my idea to be discharged from the hospital, don’t blame Danny for it.”
“Dad, can you please stay in the hospital?” Vanessa burst into tears as she pleaded.
She tried to hold back her tears since she is in a public area, but she couldn’t do it.
“Vanessa, honey. This illness is incurable, so let’s not waste money. Dad promises you when I’m back home, I’ll rest properly. I try to live a few more years to see you walk down the aisle and have children…”
“Dad, your illness can be cured. It’s just that it’s chronic and will take longer to treat. Dad, the treatment is not expensive. It’s affordable, and we can be reimbursed through medical insurance. Dad, don’t leave the hospital yet. I’ll come over now.” Vanessa’s eyes were red.
Chapter 2
She wanted to persuade her father to stay in the hospital no matter what.
“Vanessa, you don’t need to come to the hospital. Danny and I are on our way home and will reach soon.”
“Dad… I’ll go home now,” Vanessa choked, her throat tightening.
She was very anxious and had a nagging feeling that her father knew what illness he had.
His voice seemed to carry a strong sense of restrained despair and reluctance.
“Okay, take it slow and stay safe.” Henry laughed on the phone before hanging up.
Listening to Henry’s laughter, Vanessa felt her heart spasm again.
She held her head up slightly, trying to hold back the tears in her
eyes.
But tears rolled down her cheeks.
When Vanessa hung up the phone, William handed her a tissue.
“Thank you! Sorry, 1 have to go back.” Vanessa took the tissue, turned her head, and wiped away her tears quickly. She didn’t want William to see her in this embarrassing state.
William comforted her, “Life is long, and there will always be difficult times. I’ll give you a ride.”
“There’s no need for you to do that. I can go back by myself, thank you!” Vanessa picked up her bag and walked to the counter to pay.
William took the lead. “It’s on me!”
“You paid for the coffee before.” Vanessa insisted as she prepare to pay.
It was not her practice to owe anyone.
William grabbed her wrist, pulling her away from the counter. He paid and said, “You never have to pay
Vanessa looked at the hand gripping her wrist.
“Have I been trying too hard in the past few years?
“Am I too fragile?” she wondered.
She felt that having a husband who respected her would be pretty good.
William completed the payment before letting go of Vanessa’s hand.
Vanessa tried to perk up and said, “Let’s stay in touch,” before leaving the café hurriedly.
She walked to the roadside to hail a taxi.
A Chevrolet stopped in front of her a short while later.
William lowered the car window and shouted, “Get in. I’ll give you a ride.”
“It’s fine. My taxi is arriving soon,” Vanessa did not want to trouble William..
with me around.”
“I happen to have some free time. I’ll give you a ride. You’ll have to wait a while more for a taxi,” said William.
“Thank you then!” Vanessa was rushing home, so she opened the car door and got in.
William leaned over to help Vanessa fasten her seatbelt.
Vanessa tensed up.
William focused on driving after helping her fasten her seatbelt.
Vanessa breathed a sigh of relief.
She glanced sideways at William. His fingers on the steering wheel were attractive and caught her attention.
They were slender, with distinct finger joints.
“Where do you live?” asked William.
Vanessa immediately said her address. “Clovervale Residence.”
They had rented this house.
Once upon a time, they had owned a house too.
When her dad realized Danny was born deaf, he sold the house to raise money for his treatment.
But her mom took off with the money from selling the house.
She was 11 years old that year while her brother was two.
Chapter 2
With the money gone, Danny’s treatment got delayed as well.
Back then, they were still living in Estain City.
After she graduated from college two years ago, they moved from Estain City to Lantric City. Since they were renting, it doesn’t matter where they lived.
But bad luck never showed mercy to those who were suffering. She and her dad painstakingly saved 34 thousand dollars for her brother’s cochlear implants. However, her dad got sick and was diagnosed with liver cancer.
The doctor said the cancer cells had spread and surgery wouldn’t do much. He suggested conservative treatment. A combination of cancer medication, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Vanessa had been keeping the diagnosis a secret from Henry. She said that he was suffering from over–exhaustion and that he would get better if he remained in the hospital for treatment.
As for Danny’s cochlear implants, she said she wanted to save up more money to get him an imported model, which would be a bit more expensive, and they would need to wait for another year for it.
Soon, William arrived at the entrance of the residential area. “Do you want me to go upstairs with you?” he asked.