His Beautiful Addiction

The doctor did some minor checks on her and confirmed she was fine.

''She's fine; she just needs to eat something and rest. '' the doctor said, and scribbled something on a book.

''where is he? Nicklaus, where is he?'' her voice shook as she asked, pain in her eyes. Diana swallowed painfully, but the last thing she wanted now was Tiana to know what was really going on.

''He stepped out for a while, he's fine, I'll call him now and tell him you're awake. ''

Tiana gazed at Diana as though checking if she was lying, but Diana was an actress, her lie was impossible to detect.

 ''Tiana? ''

The door creaked open and someone who looked like her stepped in; Diana didn't know Tiana had a sister until yesterday when she came. They looked much alike; the only difference was that Gwen had a more subtle and innocent look. It's hard to tell what she's thinking, unlike Tiana.

''Gwen? '' Tiana's eyes widened when she saw her, and a smile broke out on her lips; ''you came? ''

Gwen strode to the bed and embraced her in a hug; ''why wouldn't I come, I'm so sorry. ''

''I'm fine, how are you? Have you seen Nicklaus? ''

She was happy that Gwen came but she was happier because Nicklaus was alive, that was the only reason she tried to talk even when she was still weak.

''Nicklaus? '' Gwen asked, a light crease of her brows; ''he stepped out… he was here all day; he just went out to have dinner, he'll be back soon. ''

Diana had already told her what to say peradventure Tiana woke up; they would only tell her the truth when she was well enough to take it.

The doctor watched them pitifully but he didn't say a word; ''l will get someone to bring you something to eat, make sure you have enough rest okay? ''

Tiana nodded, she was eager to see him, so she agreed to everything the doctor said;

''have you called him? '’ she turned to Diana after the doctor left.

''oh, let me do that. '' Diana said, and quickly left the room before Tiana would ask to speak with him.

Once the door was closed behind her, she heaved a painful sigh and walked away from the room.

Her hands went around her torso, hugging herself as she walked to the glass window in the tall hospital building, her eyes peering outside.

She stared quietly outside the window, shutting every sound around her.

He was dead.

She couldn't still believe it. She remembered growing up with him, one beautiful boy who was older by a few years staying in the next room. He was so quiet, he didn't talk to anyone. She got to know her Uncle and his wife, his parents were killed and he was the only one that survived. She tried to talk to him but he never responded to her, not even a word.

She watched him grow up with them and the only person he talked to was his aunt, her mother. Soon she got used to his quietness. And then, years later, he took over the company, she didn't know he was capable of managing the affairs of the company until he increased the profit of the company in two years by 200%.

She admired him because he was strong, focused, calm, and brave. Even though she didn't want to think about it, between the two of them, Douglas and him, if it came to life and death, she wanted him to win.

But he was gone. Tears gathered in her eyes as the vision of the lights of the city blurred in her eyes;

He was gone. Evil won.

Her teeth bit her lower lip painfully. This was real life, no matter how bitter and painful it was to the ears, evil won most times, and only a fraction of the times, does good prevail and sadly Nicklaus was not among the fraction of the good that prevailed.

She didn't know what she would tell Tiana who was still waiting expectantly for him to come in; she could imagine the look of pain in her eyes when she finally told her, he was dead.

Diana gulped, taking out a hankie; she wiped her eyes thoroughly, not leaving any hint of tears on it. Breathing in severally, she turned to the room with a bright smile.

''Tiana, I just called him now, he went home to get some files, he's on his way.''

Diana smiled, and Tiana lifted her eyes to her, staring at her for a few seconds and she returned her eyes to her meal, eating some more but this time her excitement slowed after a few seconds, she spoke;

 '' where is my phone, let me call him? ''

She said her eyes searching around for her phone;

''Oh, it's at home. '' Diana said.

''Oh; '' Tiana thought;

 ''How many days have I been asleep? ''

''Two days and a half… '' Diana replied rather quickly, not thinking about her reply, and that moment Tiana stopped, she was eerily quiet for a moment then she turned to Diana.

''He's dead right? '' her voice trembled as she spoke, staring straight at Diana. Diana was caught off guard and her eyes glanced at Gwen who was sitting pitifully by the side;

''No, Tiana… ''

''You can tell me, I'm not going to die… ''

Diana's lips fluttered and she thinned them, slowly walking to Tiana on the bed and taking her hand;

''Tiana, he's not dead… ''

''He had an accident and fell into the river and in two days he's going home for some files, Diana you can lie better… ''

Tiana said, tears clouding her gaze, but she did her best to not let them fall. Diana's lips quivered;

''He's not been found still… he might still be alive… ''

''alive, where? In the river? ''

Diana's lips quivered and she shook her head painfully; ''I'm so sorry. ''

Tiana was quiet as though she was in a world of her own; after some time she spoke'

''Leave, I just want to be left alone. ''

Diana's eyes widened in shock and she turned to Gwen;

Was she planning to kill herself?

''I just need to be alone; I'm not going to kill myself. '' Tiana said as though she just read her mind.

That's exactly what someone who wanted to kill themselves would say. Diana thought but she still stood up from the bed.