I knew he felt relieved but what surprised me is the fact that I felt relieved by the news too. Yes, I was angry at him for what he did to me and although it was an accident, I can't help but feel a little bit of rage when I look at him. Because of that accident, I won't be able to work and save up for a cheaper apartment. I'll miss the opening of the university too and I have to walk in a cast for two months. I would be lying if I didn't feel any anger towards him, but deep down a part of me says that he’s a kind person.
Just like what he said, he went home when the visiting hours ended. We were silent the whole time while watching the news. It’s awkward to be honest, but speaking or talking about it last night will make things more awkward for the both of us.
It was so awkward that I just pretended to be asleep until he decided to leave. I’m sure that he won’t be coming today because of his court appearance. I’m debating whether I should watch out for the news.
I have no phone as of the moment because it was severely damaged in the car accident. Jace told me that Jonathan’s manager already tried to have it repaired but it’s a lost cause, but fortunately, they were able to retrieve my files.
A nurse entered, holding a food tray with her. Great, hospital food again. She unfolded the hospital bedtable beside me and placed the food there. I have no choice anyway and I’m really hungry. Jeanny cannot visit me today because she’s preparing for the start of the semester.
The nurse smiled at me and I smiled back at her.
“Good afternoon, Miss Suarez.”
“Good afternoon.” I replied.
She’s inclining my bed.
“Did you watch the news today, Miss?” She asked as she took my blood pressure before I eat.
I know exactly what she meant. She’s asking if I’ve heard the verdict regarding the accident. Honestly, I don’t want to know. Not yet. I’m scared and I don’t know why.
“Uhh, I’m really not fond of watching the news.” I said politely and smiled at her. She nodded her head and just smiled back.
After she’s done taking my blood pressure, she helped me take out the plastic cover from the tray.
“Just push the table to the side when you’re done eating. I’ll come back to collect the tray later.” She said with a smile before leaving. I just nodded at her.
I spent the whole afternoon watching some cartoons, trying to avoid the news. For sure, he’s in every tabloid in the city, and the whole world. I guess it’s better that I don’t have my phone with me.
I woke up to the smell of the food. The first thing I saw was the wall clock hanging on the wall in front of me. It’s seven in the evening.
I slept for six hours? That’s insane, especially in the afternoon.
I saw a movie playing on the TV. Did i forget to turn it off before I dozed off earlier?
I looked at the table and saw an enormous amount of food. No wonder I woke up. I always wake up when I smell food.
“I’m sorry, did I wake you up? I promise I tried to be as quiet as possible.”
I squealed when I heard a man’s voice.
I turned to my left side and saw him sitting on the couch.
“You scared me!”
His eyes widened.
“I-I’m sorry.”
I sighed.
“It’s okay. What are you doing here anyway?”
He scratched his head and looked away. “I brought food.”
Oh, so he brought those. Nice timing.
“Are you hungry?” He asked.
I thought for a moment and eventually said yes.
He prepared my hospital bedtable and started unpacking the food he brought. While he was doing that, I noticed that the food are in bento boxes and tupperwares that looks like they were cooked from home.
“Did you make these?” I asked as he was settling down on the couch.
“Like cooked these?” He asked in return. I nodded my head. “No. My mom did.”
My lips formed into an ‘O’. I didn’t ask anymore questions because it might make things more awkward than it already is. The food’s actually good. I haven’t had home-cooked meals in a long time. Jonathan is sitting quietly on the couch while watching a movie.
When I finished eating, Jonathan put all the food away as well as the bedtable. He went back to watching the movie after that.
The whole room was quiet and the only sound you could hear was from the TV when his phone suddenly rang and he went outside to answer it. I took the remote from the table beside me and started switching channels. Jonathan just entered the same time I switched to a random channel which ended up showing late night news.
“Breaking News. As announced from court earlier, Jonathan Chase Rodrigo from The Wildes was found not guilty of reckless driving resulting in physical injury. However, the court charged him with maintenance negligence for his car as he failed to check if the automobile was fine. Rodrigo was given a bail of a hundred thousand dollars, in which the young star paid in full after he left the court this morning. This means the case is closed, and the car manufacturer is being charged for their negligence in their products causing a car accident that injured one person. On the other hand, Rodrigo released a hand-written letter of apology and posted it on his social media to apologize to his fans and to the victim. According to BlueStone Entertainment, Rodrigo is currently on an official hiatus and will not be joining his band in their upcoming album promotions.”
The whole room became more quiet. Quieter than before. It’s awkward that I don’t know what to say, or if I should break the ice or something.
I heard him clear his throat.
“So, uh, where’s the letter?” I asked while grinning awkwardly. Jonathan looked at me in question. “The news said that you wrote a letter to your fans and the victim, which I believe is me, and I don’t have a phone so I can’t check my socials.”
“Uh, I don’t have it with me. It’s at home.” He said nervously while trying to avoid my gaze. I just nodded and smiled awkwardly.
Another minute of silence and the door pops open revealing Jace, Jeanny, and Ms. Davis.
“Eunice! I miss you!” Jeanny squealed and lunged at me, enveloping me in a hug. “It’s so bad that you don’t even have a phone, we can’t message each other.”
I laughed as she hugged me and Ms. Davis waved at me. I saw Jace waving a bouquet of flowers in his left hand as he threw a black plastic bag to Jonathan who looked shocked by the sudden visit. He caught the plastic bag and took a peek inside. He looked at Jace in disbelief.
“Congrats on bailing out.” I heard Jace telling Jonathan sarcastically. Jonathan just shook his head at his cousin.
“Jace.” Ms. Davis called on her son with a warning tone. She then looked at me. “Don’t bother those two. They’ve been playmates and enemies since they were two.”
I just smiled at her.
“Hey, Eunice. Have you watched the news?” Jeanny suddenly asked. She looked at me for an answer but I was taken aback by her question. The room turned silent as Ms. Davis gazed back and forth at Jonathan and I. Jace just stood there while Jonathan looked down trying to pretend that he didn’t hear anything.
Upon noticing the quiet and awkward atmosphere, Jeanny tried to explain.
“Oh. Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything about that or the trial or the fact that Mr. Jonathan bailed –”
“Jeanny.” Ms. Davis called her. “It’s time for dinner don’t you think?” She asked, trying to change the topic.
“Right, right! Dinner time!” Jeanny said trying to look excited as if she didn’t open up an awkward topic. Jeanny really can’t read atmospheres sometimes, and I don’t blame her neither am I angry at her for it.
“Did you eat already?” Jace suddenly asked when he saw the pile of food containers on the table.
“Uh, yes. I already ate. He brought food.” I gestured to Jonathan. I saw him grin at his cousin while scratching his nape.
“Is that so?” Ms. Davis looked worried.
“It’s okay. I can eat again.” I smiled at Anna.
“Oh no. Don’t force yourself, Eunice. Indigestion is bad for a patient. But is it okay if we three eat here?” Anna asked.
“Yes, it’s okay. I’m glad to have some more company before this day ends. I miss being around the three of you.” I happily answered.
They opened the food that they brought and moved the table near me so that they could still talk to me while eating. They gathered around the table except for Jonathan who’s just looking at them while sitting on the couch.
“Jonathan, come join us.” Ms. Davis called him. “Come on, this must have been a stressful day for you. Let’s eat. I bet it’s been so long since you ate with your family.”
I looked at Jonathan who was looking wide-eyed at Anna. He looks like a surprised puppy. Jonathan slowly nodded and got up to join them.
There were a lot of conversations while they were eating. They gave me pieces of food occasionally which I happily ate. This was my first time seeing Jonathan laugh genuinely ever since we’ve met. It turns out that he really has a very close relationship with Jace and Anna. Apparently, before his family moved to New York, Jace and Anna were the closest family that he had.
From time to time, I can see Jeanny looking lovingly at Jonathan. I know deep inside that she wants to scream in happiness because she’s fangirling.
I am really happy tonight.
“Eunice, we’ll go home now. Tomorrow’s a long day for the restaurant again.” Anna said as she kissed my cheek and gave me a hug.
“It’s a long day of classes for me too.” Jeanny said and hugged me while pouting. “We’re supposed to start school together. But, anyway I hope you recover soon. I’ll visit when I’m not busy.” I hugged her back.
Jace waved at me. “It’s training and classes for me.” I laughed at what he said and rolled my eyes at him. “I’ll visit you again tomorrow.” He winked at me.
They all said goodbye, leaving Jonathan and I inside the room. He cleaned up some of the mess in the room and sat on the couch.
“So, uhm, what time are you gonna go home?” Jonathan looked at the clock on the opposite side of my bed, hanging on a wall. It reads 8:00 in the evening.

“I’m going now.” He said as if only realizing now that it’s already late. He stood up and fixed his things. I watched him pick up his things from the couch and the table looking really awkward and nervous.
He was about to head for the door when he looked back at me. “I’m sorry. I am really sorry, Ciara. Goodnight.”