Don't toy with me: sexiest man of the year

SICK BED

“It has been two days now, yet Lady Angela has not left her bed. She's been crying all day. She won't even come out of her room. I had brought her food and water, and all the cosines that the dietitians recommended for her but she wouldn't eat or drink at all. She was wasting away, her eyes sunken and her skin pale. I am afraid of what might happen, My lady.” Courtney sighed. Angela must be crazy, how can she skip meals? She needs food to fill back her energy. “Is Antonio aware of this?” She asked the maid in front of her. Devia shook her head, her eyes downcast. “I am afraid to tell young master Antonio, he won't spare me, thank heavens he has not visited Lady Angela for days now or he’d find out by himself”. Courtney sighed again, she knew she had to do something or Angela's condition would be worse than this. “Please, Lady Courtney help me, I will be in trouble if anything happens to her, I tried to talk to her but she won't give me a listening ear, the doctor is not happy with her present condition too”. Devia pleaded in tears. Courtney sighed again deeply. "I'll handle it, you may leave”. The maid stood up and bowed. “Thank you Lady Courtney”. Few minutes later. Courtney set out to Antonio's mansion. She climbed the stairs to Angela's room, unsure how to convince her but determined to give it a try. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer. “Angela, it's me Courtney”. She knocked again but there was no answer. She was about to walk away when she heard Angela from the inside. “Come in”. Angela's voice came slow and unsteady. One could tell she has no energy left for long talks. Courtney took a deep breath and opened the door. The room was dark, the curtains drawn but she could still make out Angela's form on the bed, curled up in a ball. "Angela?" She said, his voice soft. "I need to talk to you." There was no response. She took a step into the room, slowly, carefully, as if approaching a wounded animal. “Angela”. She sat on the edge of the bed, his hand reaching out to touch Angela's shoulder. Angela flinched, her body tensing. "Please, don't, my body aches," she whispered, her voice hoarse. Courtney withdrew her hand. “How are you doing?” “Well I am still alive..”. She scoffed and sniffed. “You have been crying for days now, Angela, you just woke up from a coma three days ago, and you are punishing yourself this way? Please, you have to eat. You have to get better.” Angela said nothing. “You need to eat". Courtney said again. There was a long silence, and then Angela turned, her eyes red and swollen. “I am not hungry" she asked, her voice barely audible. Courtney took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I know you're not happy here," she said. "I know that you miss your family. And I want to help you feel more at home." Angela looked at her, her eyes searching her face. "How?" she asked, her voice raw. Courtney thought for a moment, and then she said. "Let me take you home." Angela's eyes widened. "What?" she said, her voice breaking. "You want me to go back to my family?" Courtney nodded. "I know that's what you really want," he said. "I know it's not easy for you here," Courtney continued. "And I know that you're homesick. If you went back home, even for just a little while, it might help you feel better and recover faster". Angela was silent, her mind racing. "But what about my contract with Antonio, you don't think he will let me go, do you?" she asked, her voice barely audible. Courtney cursed inwardly. “You are right but I also think Antonio would like to do anything to help you recover faster". Angela shook her head. “No..no you don't understand. Antonio told me that I am not allowed out of this Mansion. I shouldn't even talk to anyone except the maidservants”. Courtney sighed. “That's rough”. "I don't know what to do, I am sick and tired of being his toy..I want to go home," she said. “You can..but only if you eat enough food to give you strength..I will talk to Grandma, I am sure she will also talk to Antonio”. “You don't understand..at this rate I don't think Grandma can change his mind..” Courtney was surprised and curious. “What made you say so?” Just then Angela's phone rang interrupting them. She took the phone from her bed side and answered the call. “Hello Angela..we are so worried about you! You didn't pick your calls for days” Jace cried. ”I am sorry I made you worry, how are you doing sweetheart?” She asked, her heart aching. “We've been good" Jace replied, his voice sounding hopeful then he added. "I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing, we haven't heard from you in a while, you don't have to worry about us..we are doing just fine, also your friend Dorris visited." “Dorris?” “Yeah, she said she's been trying your line too, so she decided to pay us a visit to check on us”. Angela sighed. “I am glad to hear that..Bless Dorris”. “Kerry has been away since we returned from the hospital”. “She…she will never change, what about Liya and Lia?” Angela asked with concern. “They are doing great," Jace replied. Angela smiled, picturing the two little girls running around and causing mischief. “Can I speak with them? I’ve missed them..a lot”. “Sure of course!” Jace gave the phone to the twins and Angela spoke to them, their little voices chattering away. They told her about their latest adventures, and she felt her spirits lifting as she listened to their sweet, innocent tales. They made her feel far away from the worries of Montero's world, and she felt a wave of relief wash over her. "I love you, Angela," Lia said, her voice muffled by the phone. "I love you too, sweetie," Angela said, her heart melting. "I wish I could give you both a hug right now." she sobbed. “Are you coming home soon?” Liya asked. Courtney and Angela exchanged glances. “Yes baby…I can't wait to meet you two again”. She replied. “Will you bring your husband too?” “No… honey he is busy, I will come alone”. Angela snapped tightly. “That's sad..he is really fun, I want to meet him again and he is so handsome like a real life prince”. Angela rolled her eyes in frustration and slapped her forehead. “Of Course you will..okay..? Let's stop talking about him”. As the conversation drew to a close, she found herself feeling more relaxed than she had in the last days. Jace took over the phone. “So we are expecting you?” He asked impatiently. “I am not sure Jace..you need to take care of the twins for me please”. “Sister, we need you here, please visit us again, I am trying my best please, it's nit been easy”. Angela pressed her lips, getting a bit emotional. “I will..honey I will..visit, I promise okay?” "I have to go now, I love you," she said, her voice full of regret. She hung up and covered her face to hide her tears. I need to get the hell out of here as soon as possible, she thought. “Are you planning to run away?” Courtney cuts into her thoughts.