The Girl Named Mirage

It’s been a month already when Mirage succumbed to sleep again. It’s been 2 months since the tragedy happened. Her daughter Euphemia was taken to her once in a while to avoid too much anxiety build up.

Euphemia was comfortable enough with Nicolo that she always wanted to be by his side aside from her Mom. Or maybe she just misses her Dad? Who knows.

It didn’t matter, though. Because Nicolo and Euphemia are inseparable. He is the one who takes care of her while her mom is lying there in her hospital bed.

Nicolo was happy to take care of his niece. He was tired but he made sure she ate and slept well. Nicolo would do anything for her even if it meant giving up sleep. He would make time for her no matter how busy he was from being the CEO of a huge company. He doesn’t mind spending more time with her. In fact, he likes it! He loves seeing Euphemia happy and relaxed. It’s what makes him feel content.

She has grown so much over the months. She looks like her mother now, only smaller. And she definitely resembles him a bit now. She has brown round eyes, her dark brown hair that curls at the end and her facial features were definitely the same as her uncle . Nicolo can proudly say that his niece has his face, his personality and his genes.

He wouldn’t let anything bad happen to his niece ever. He knew that nothing would ever change between them. That there is nothing he could give up, except his love for her. That he’ll cherish every moment they spend together.

A knock on his door startled him out of his thoughts. He looked over and saw Adams standing behind it. He had been calling him several times.

” Sir Nick, it’s almost time to go to the office.” he said, smiling awkwardly at him.

He stood up from his seat. He grabs his suit and walks out the door without saying anything. Cris Adams closed the door of Nicolo’s office at home behind and followed Nicolo who’s already going down the stairs. They reached the last step but they abruptly stopped when they heard Euphemia’s cry from upstairs.

” Mommy! Mommy! ”

She’s crying in her nanny’s arms. Nicolo hurried back upstairs and took her from the nanny and she stopped crying altogether as if she’s just making an excuse to be carried by his uncle.

” Easy, baby, don’t cry now. Uncle is here. ” Nicolo said soothingly. Euphemia wrapped her tiny arms around his neck and lay her head on his shoulder.

” Mommy. Mommy. ” the baby said sniffling.

” Alright. We’ll go to your Mom, okay? ”

Nicolo said and then he turned to go down the stairs again. He passed by Adams who’s waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

” Cancel all my meetings today. Cancel all the contracts or terminate the deals with those who will complain. ”

” Yes, sir! ” Adams can’t hide his smile. He’s happy to see Nicolo behaving like this because of the baby. He’s totally changed. He turned 360 degrees from being a cold-hearted CEO to a warm and loving uncle for Euphemia.

They drove to the hospital instead of the office. They arrived at the hospital after half an hour. They met Dr. Travis at the elevator.

” Hi Euphy! Good morning! ”

But the baby turned away from him. Nicolo sneered.

” Ha! She doesn’t like you. ” he said, taunting the poor doctor.

” Poor baby, you’re teaching her to hate me, aren’t you? ”

” How did you know? ”

” Wow. Can’t you at least pretend you’re not? ”

And they reached Mirage’s room while bickering. They found the old man there and they were surprised. Mirage is awake!

They both approached her bed. Nicolo sat down beside her carefully and Euphemia immediately put her arms around her mother’s neck. She looked at her mom with her innocent eyes. Mirage gives her a hug and a kiss on her head.

” I’m really amazed with your mother-daughter connection. ”

Nicolo said shaking his head but smiling.

” She’s crying and calling you that’s why I brought her here. ”

Mirage smiles and thanked Nicolo.

” When did she wake up? ”

Dr. Travis asked Don Augustus.

” Hmm, more or less 10 minutes ago. ” the old man said, smiling. Relief is evident on his face.

” I’ve been out for a month? Is that true? ”

Mirage asked, still in disbelief. She looked at her daughter and gave her another kiss and a hug. Dr. Travis nodded with a sad smile.

” Yes. You’re here for a whole month already. Do you remember anything before you passed out? ”

” I’ve been thinking about it actually… ”

She breathes.

” I think I fell on the stairs. I don’t know why but I remembered falling. ”

Nicolo and Travis were shocked. Her memory was distorted!

” I haven’t told her anything. I don’t want to even ask. I’m scared that it might strain her again. ”

” I’m sorry for worrying you, Gramps. ” Mirage said apologetic.

” No, sweetheart, you don’t have to. You didn’t even do anything wrong. ”

Silence.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

” Please, help me not to pass out again like that. I don’t want to worry you and… I don’t really want to leave my daughter like that ever again. ”

Nicolo heaved a deep sigh.

” You know what, the real reason why you fell unconscious… ”

” Nicolo! ” Don Augustus is nervous.

” It’s okay, Gramps. I want to know. I’m ready to know. ”

Don Augustus glances at Travis asking for help. Dr. Travis just nodded reassuringly.

” You saw a photograph of your husband. ”

A fast beeping sound resonates in the room. It was her heartbeat monitor. But then, it suddenly slows down and returns to normal before they start to panic.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

” If that’s the case… maybe we shouldn’t really see each other, for now. Right? ”

Another wave of sadness filled the room.

” Let’s do that, for now. ”

Dr. Travis said.

” Have you found him already? Have you found out anything about him? ”

” We already know who he is. I’m just waiting for the reports about him. Do you want anything about his information? ”

Don Augustus asked. Nicolo kept silent. He’s analyzing the situation.

” Nothing. I don’t want any information about him. “