83 His Charm

Jerome parked his motorcycle in the parking area of St. Mary's Hospital.

They entered the hospital's entrance and were heading towards the ward where Thelma was currently being treated.

When they entered the room, Thelma saw Jerome instantly and waved at him, her smile was broad and sunny.

Catherine saw her mother's reaction when she saw Jerome. He really had a positive effect on her mother, she thought sadly.

They reached her mother's side in no time.

Jerome took Thelma's hand and pressed it on his forehead as a sign of respect.

"Auntie, I heard you were being hospitalized, am worried of you, so am here to visit you."

Thelma continues smiling at the young man standing beside her daughter.

"You really look good together!" Thelma enthused.

Jerome pretended to cough, but then he was feeling happy inside that Catherine's mother really adored and approve of him for her daughter. Now that the wedding was canceled he will continue pursuing her.

Catherine rolled her eyes upon hearing her mother's suggestive remark.

"Where is Caroline, Mother?" she noticed that her twin sister was nowhere in sight.

"She went to the canteen to buy some soda because she was feeling thirsty. She will be back soon," said Thelma.

"Mother, what did the doctor said after his round this morning?" asked Catherine.

Thelma looked at her daughter in the eyes. "He told me that I am alright and can now go home this afternoon. He instructed me to not forget taking my medication daily to avoid this same incident happening ever again. He also told me not to think of negative emotion too much. Especially to avoid getting angry or upset because it will damage my health." She put more emphasis on her last sentence.

Catherine grimaced, of course, she knew what her mother was trying to tell her.

"Jerome, you can visit our home anytime you want. My daughter's wedding was canceled and she won't be marrying anyone anytime soon. I would like you to visit us often in the coming days, only if you are not busy with your work." Thelma laid her cards on the table.

Catherine shut her eyes, she suddenly had a pounding migraine. Her mother was now shamelessly offering her daughter to Jerome.

"Mother, stop talking about nonsense things!" she protested.

Thelma and Jerome just smiled at each other in a conspiratorial look.

"Ah, here's Caroline. We can start packing our things now and get discharged order from your doctor," said Catherine.

She walked out of the room followed by Jerome.

"Is that your twin sister?" he asked.

"Yes, why?"

"She exactly looked just like you, the same body built and the same appearance, only you have different hair color."

"That is what they call identical twin," she gritted her teeth. "Are you interested with her? I can play cupid for the two of you together," she blatantly said.

Jerome laughed. "Nah! I like you better. It's you that I want and love and not your sister. And from the look of things, Auntie Thelma like me for you. I already have your mother's blessing, all you have to do is say yes and I will marry you anytime you want," he said grinning from ear to ear as if he won a lottery.

Catherine smiled sweetly at him. "Really? Why don't you marry my mother instead?" she joked.

Jerome laughed at her suggestion, she laughed along with him.

Done settling the hospital bill and finished packing their belongings, they loaded their things in the taxi and went home. Jerome was trailing them from behind aboard his motorcycle. Allan was also following them a few meters away.

Twenty minutes later they arrived at the rented home, they settled comfortably inside.

"I'm glad to be back home!" Thelma gushes.

A few moments later, the kids and Grace burst inside...bringing some mouthwatering desserts with them.

The kids hugged their mother. Thelma was smiling feeling happy to see her younger children.

'How are you feeling Auntie?" said Grace hugged her Auntie.

"I'm feeling good," Thelma replied.

Jerome exited the house to buy some cold cola in the store nearby.

The entire family along with Jerome enjoyed eating the desserts Grace brought with her. Catherine saw her mother's happy countenance partly due to Jerome's presence. She sighed.

...

Time to report, Allan called his boss.

John was in his office, already seething of anger while waiting for Catherine's reply on his text messages. Until now she hasn't checked her mobile device? Impossible!

He answered Allan's call.

"Allan...what's the new development?"

"Sir, I trailed Catherine from her home all the way to the hospital and back to her house right now. Her mother was finally discharged from the hospital and resting home. Grace and the kids are also here....and..." he was hesitating to mention the other guy.

"...and what?"

"Jerome was also here, he seemed to be visiting Catherine's mother."

Just the mention of Jerome's name darkened John's eyes instantly in jealousy.

Allan avoided mentioning that Jerome was with Catherine practically since morning so as not to anger his boss further and not to rub more salt on his already wounded heart due to the canceled wedding.

"That's all Allan-?"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Okay, continue monitoring them and report to me any suspicious activity between Catherine and that Jerome guy!" he barked in a loud voice.

"Copy Sir!"

He ended the call and focus his attention back to the work at hand that needed his attention. But no matter how hard he tries he can't focus on his work!

Agitated, he exited his office from the 13th floor and ride the elevator towards the 15th floor. As soon as he entered his flat, he went straight to the swimming pool area and stripped all his clothes, he dived into the pool completely naked.

What the heck is that Jerome guy doing in Catherine's house? Is he trying to win Catherine's attention once again?

And what is wrong with Catherine today? She was not replying to his messages. He was furious to discover that when he wakes up early in the morning she was already gone without saying goodbye. He thought they already settled their conflict last night and they were back to normal? But why does she left without saying goodbye? Until now she has not replied to his messages...

Not yet able to fully recover from the pain of his canceled wedding and now that Jerome guy is back in the scene to steal his woman! This won't do!