CHAPTER FOURTEEN

LEILA

Jake and I shared an ice cream float. The ice cream float has bananas and strawberry syrup. We also ordered pancakes with vanilla and blueberry on top.

While we were eating, he told me about his family. When his parents met, his father was the school nerd while his Mom was a cheerleader. Their friends were not supportive of their union but his Dad made his first million when he was twenty-one, and he quickly increased his fortune by going from company to company and offering his company's IT services.

"So you beat my Dad," Jake told me, smiling. "You had your first twenty million at the age of fourteen and my Dad had his first million at the age of twenty-one."

"I'm not keen on beating anyone, or competing with anyone. I just want to build planes. Offering cyber security services is just something that I can do. That's the only IT service I want to offer. I don't want to divert from my dreams."

Just then, a group of teenagers came in, laughing and chatting. Jake's face broke into a wide grin and he stood up to call them over.

I felt bad that our few minutes of sharing was over. I don't like mixing with other people. I looked quietly at them as they came over.

They were Jake's neighbors from his posh, exclusive rich neighborhood. Jake introduced them one by one.

There were two ladies; Amanda, with thick, black hair and Carla, a curvaceous blonde. Amanda had false lashes on. She was wearing pink top and maong shorts while Carla had minimum makeup but has long, pink nails. They were both wearing heels.

The guys had more casual outfits. The guys were all in jeans. Luis had a white collared shirt on, the other two just wore tshirts.

They all sat in our table and gave their orders

"We don't see you anymore, Jake, Amanda pouted, touching his arm. Too familiar, too possessive.

Carla smiled at him somewhat adoringly. "Yeah. We thought you died or something. When did you come back."

"Just three weeks ago. Sorry guys. Been busy with classes starting, and taking over Pop's business."

"And her," Amanda pointed at me. "You haven't introduced her. Who is she?" I'm sure she watched the news. I was on three different channels last week.

Jake put his arm protectively around my shoulder and introduced me proudly, "This is Leila, my new daughter."

They all laughed except Amanda. Carla told him, "She's too old to be your daughter. Maybe your mistress." They laughed again.

"Jake's my boyfriend," I told them softly. They laughed again.

Christian, the tallest of the guys said, grinning, "your daughter has the hots for you, man"

I took out my diamond pendant and showed it to them proudly, "He gave me this for my birthday."

They all gasped. They were all impressed with the size and brilliance of the diamond. The diamond was clearly very expensive. The two girls looked at me enviously. "In all the fifteen years we have known you, you never gave us jewelry."

I smiled at them triumphantly. Give him up, Ladies! He's mine.

Jake patted my shoulder affectionately. "Leila's my Baby, you're not."

I smiled at him for defending me. I allowed a few more minutes of chitchat. Then I said, "Jake, I'm tired."

He stood up as if in cue. "We'll see you around, guys."

"Leaving us too soon, Carla said.

But Jake ignored her comment and went at the back of my wheelchair. He gave them a wave and we headed to the door. I still could hear them whispering behind us.

"Wow, how much do you think that pendant cost?"

"Maybe a million."

"You think so?"

"Yeah."

"Lucky bit*h."

"She looks like a mummy."

"What did he see in her?"

We got out of the restaurant. "Sorry for that, Leila."

"It's alright. I'm just tired and sleepy."

Jake started wheeling me back to the hospital.

"Can we buy a cake before we return? You didn't buy a cake for my birthday."

"Well I gave you the pendant. What do you want, cake or pendant?"

"Both." I smiled at him mischievously.

"I'll buy your cake tomorrow. I think we need to return. And you're tired."

So we went back. The nurses placed me back on my bed just to make sure I don't get injured.

"Do you want to sleep?" Jake asked.

"I'm a bit sleepy but I don't think I'm going to sleep."

"Are you in pain? Do you want some painkillers?"

"I'm okay. I want to show you the plane I drew up." So I got her laptop for her from the cabinet. She downloaded a file. On the screen was a two dimensional airplane design.

"I didn't know you can do CADD."

"I just started learning it when I got this laptop. It took me more than a day to draw that design."

"What kind of plane is it?

"It's just an ordinary commercial plane. But better built. Faster. Lighter. It's a jet."

"Would you like to start a new airlines with me?"

"Too expensive, Baby Girl. Emzitech can't afford it."

"I'll be improving Emzitech's systems. That will pull more clients in. Increase your revenue."

"We lost a lot of money. We haven't recovered"

"Just leave it to me, Jake."

"Leila, I don't want another seizure."

"I can handle it."

"Leila…listen. You haven't recovered yet. You won't achieve your dreams if you become paralyzed or become a vegetable."

"For once, listen to me. I'm your Daddy."

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Daddy."

"Good girl." He patted and kissed my head.

I rolled my eyes again. I was silent.

Jake sighed. "I'm going to the office to check your software. It should have completely downloaded by now."

I ignored him.

He kissed me again on my head and left.

Myra came in after he left. She asked, "Do you want to go to sleep?"

I nodded. I don't want to chat, even though I felt lonely after Jake left.

Right now, he's my only family. It's natural that I will get too attached. His parents haven't visited me yet.

And I don't know why, I can easily remember my father. But I can't remember my mother. I can't even remember what she looks like. But thinking about her produces a great fear inside me that I can't even google her. I wondered about my grandma who visited me in California. I have hazy memories of her.

I can hardly remember my past. Maybe I didn't want to remember. I can't even remember my accident, what caused this much injury on my body.

I don't want to think, or I will get another migraine. I'm saving all of my energies for my work and designing my dream aircraft.

After another week, my doctors gave me a clean bill of heath and allowed me to go home, home referring to Jake's house. I haven't gotten another seizure or any tremors. Whenever they ask me if I get headaches, I lie.

The truth is I get migraines all the time, very painful ones. But I never tell anyone. I don't want Jake to stop me from working or studying. So I don't ask for painkillers when I have them. I just pretend I was tired and wanted to go to sleep.

I also didn't tell them about my nightmares. I have them a lot. I get continuous dreams of someone trying to kill me or hurt me. Usually, I get them at night, when Myra already left for the day and she normally leaves while I am sleeping. So she hasn't experienced seeing me having a nightmare.

My neurologist, though, couldn't understand why it was taking time for the brain clots to disappear. He also found another lesion that wasn't there before.

Ooops. Maybe Jake was right. I need to take it easy. Dr David kept asking if I feel any numbness, or difficulty in moving, or get headaches. I denied all of it, even though I experience them a lot.

So I got scared that maybe I won't get well. I convinced Jake to buy me those ultra vitamin shakes they sell on tv, and I google for other natural remedies. Then I hit the jackpot.

Acupuncture. It cures sixty percent of brain capacity that was injured through accidents or drug overdose.

"Jake, I spoke to him sweetly, "I think I need acupuncture."

He frowned, looking worriedly at me."Why? Do you feel anything off? Why do you want acupuncture?"

I lied, "I feel weak. And I'm always sleepy."

"What did the doctors say?"

"They said I'm good."

"Maybe we should consult other doctors."

He started packing my clothes

Jake asked me a few days ago if I want Myra to be my caregiver permanently.

I told him to get another one, someone who can take care of me, help me do therapy, and most important, someone who can protect me. And teach him martial arts and self defense.

Why do I need to learn martial arts and self defense?

"Because you're too rich. And you need to defend me when I become richer than you.

"I'm not we can find someone that talented." Jake was wondering why I had so many requirements when I was already well.

"Of course you can," I stubbornly insist. "You just need to offer a large salary.

That's what he did, offer an amount no one can refuse.

And we found Jayli, a young chinese martial arts expert who was also a nurse. Perfect! I guess God knows I would need her too. He knows the future more than I do.