Broken Angel

by Janet Adeyeye

  "Few days? Doctor that's too far? Will she make it that long?"

  "We still need to gather together our best doctors from all over the country, Mrs. Morero. This isn't just any surgery."

  "Can't we move this forward? To tomorrow maybe?"

  "I have to get in contact with the doctors, Mrs. Morero. It depends on when they are available."

  "Can we move her?"

  "Whoa, Kayla. Slow down. What are you doing?"

  "Angel, your mom might not have too long a time to live anymore. Let's move her to another hospital where these facilities are readily available and the surgery can be done today or tomorrow."

  "No one knows her case like Dr. Phil, Kayla."

  "Yes. Besides, there is no other hospital in LA that can pull of this stunt except outisde of LA. India. They have the best specialist. And they are the only one I trust that can do this."

  "Then get her ready to be transferred immediately," I said like I hadn't heard other parts of what he said.

  "Kayla, are you sure about this?" Angel asked.

  "Yes. Elizabeth is your mother and she must not die. I'll pay for all the bills. Doctor, please. Can this be done right now?"

  "Yes, of course. I'll contact my men at the airport now. In an hour, she should be ready to be transferred."

  "Thank you."

  "Please excuse me,"the doctor added, then left the office. It was then and only then I was able to finally sit down.

  "Her treatment is going to cost a fortune, Kayla."

  "Her life is worth far more than that. I'm doing this for you, Angel."

  Then I decided to call Shipwreck concerning my mother's plan. I don't know why but he seems like the kind of man who would help me out. I excused myself from the doctor's office now and went out to call him.

  "Kayla, I can't believe you're calling." His voice echoed on the phone.

  "I need your help."

  "What is it? You know I won't refuse you."

  "Can you send me money?"

  "Sure. How much?"

  "$100 million."

  "Wow. Why? What happened?"

  "Nothing. I need it urgently. Can you send it? If you can't there is no problem."

  "No, no. I can. I will."

  "Right now? And please don't tell my mom about this."

  "Okay, I won't. But at least tell me why you need so much money."

  "I can't tell you. Please transfer it to my account." I hung up. I received an alert almost immediately. Yes! I hurried back into the office now. I met the doctor in there talking to Angel so I just joined the conversation.

  "Yes. Everything has been finalized and ready for movement."

  "How much?" I asked more concerned about the bill than any other procedures.

  "$150 million. She'll be transferred and treated accordingly. Then in a week's time, she should be back in LA."

  Angel and I exchanged glances, then Angel gave me the ‘I told you’ frown.

  "Let's do this," I said.

  "Kayla, we don't have $150 million."

  "I do and I want her transferred. Doctor, what are you waiting for?" I wore a serious look on my face. The doctor hurried up and we left together to pay the bill. In what seemed like another hour, Elizabeth was already on her way to India for her proper treatment. I felt more at peace now.

  Chapter 1 4

  Angel was able to convince me to go home with him to rest then wait for some news. I was even more surprised when I got home and met Alex there, but this time I knew for sure that I felt nothing towards him again.

  "I heard about mom from Zee. How is she?" Alex asked as we entered.

  "Fine. She has been transferred to India for treatment."

  "India? Why? What happened to Doctor Phil?"

  "They weren't able to perform her surgery today so Kayla convinced them to transfer her to India."

  He looked at me for a second. "But that would be very expensive."

  "She took care of it."

  "Who? Kayla? How?"

  "Can I talk to you alone, Alex? Please?" I jumped in and said.

  I didn't wait for an answer before pulling him away to the study. I couldn't risk him telling Angel how poor I was during college, because then Angel would start asking questions as to how I got the money.

  "How did you get the money to pay for her treatment?"

  "A friend. I borrowed it from a good friend of my mom."

  "A friend? How much? $10,000?"

  "$150 million."

  Alex was astonished.

  "What's important now is that your mom is going to receive the best treatment."

  "Why are you helping my mom? Because I know you hate her."

  "I grew to like her. Is that enough a reason? Listen, I just want to help. Okay? Please let this stay between us. I don't want to worry, Angel."

  "Okay then, another reason I came was to ask you what you were doing in Las Vegas yesterday."

  "Las Vegas? I don't know what you're talking about."

  "I saw you Kayla. I called your name, but you didn't answer. But I saw you."

  I laughed. "You must be mistaken. It's not me you saw. I have never even been to Las Vegas."

  "Well, I saw you. I moved down to Las Vegas days ago and I saw you, Kayla. You were going into the chapel with some kids. I know what I saw."

  "It's not me."

  "Except you're a twin, because my eyes don't deceive me."

  I laughed again. "Twin? No, my mom would have told me if I were. Maybe you're just seeing things, Alex."

  Angel entered into the study. "Is everything okay?"

  "Yes," Alex said

  "No. Absolutely not. Alex here just told me he saw someone like me in Las Vegas yesterday. And I haven't even been there before." I answered walking close to Angel.

  Angel looked from me to him. "Kayla was with me all through yesterday. You must have seen someone else."

  "Her twin, for example?" Alex scoffed then walked out. We followed behind him. "Listen, I know who I saw okay? And if it wasn't Kayla, then it was her twin. I'll prove it to you. I'll bring her here."

  "There must be a mistake somewhere. I am not a twin. My mom never..." I kept quiet and thought about it a bit more. "I have to go see my mom. She has to tell me what is going on," I added.

  "I'm coming with you," Angel said. We left Alex standing at the front door as we drove to my mom's place. To say she was surprised to see Angel at her place would be an understatement. In fact, she was shocked, but she invited us in anyway.

  "Honestly, I'm surprised to see you here, child." My mom finally directed at Angel after a while of staring at him. She'd offered him coffee earlier, but he'd said no.

  "Mom, is there something you haven't told me yet? Something about me being a twin, perhaps?"

  She raised her eyebrow. "What...Where did you get that from? That's absurd." She laughed. Although, Angel and I kept a straight face.

  "Well, Alex. Angel's brother. Just told us he saw someone exactly like me in Las Vegas yesterday. And of course that's impossible since I haven't been there before. Well, except there is an identical twin of me out there somewhere that you happen not to know about."

  "You're insane." She got up from where she sat and started walking about. I knew she was nervous. I could sense her energy, and I knew she was lying. Something just wasn't right. Was I really a twin?

  "Mom, this is serious."

  "You are my only child. Why would I lie about something that serious?"

  "Mom." I stood up. "Look into my eyes and tell me I don't have a twin."

  "This is crazy." She tried walking away but I grabbed her by the hand. All my life I've had a twin and she never told me? Why? "Let me go."

  Angel stood up now and held me. I was losing it already. I have a twin out there somewhere? No, that's impossible. The pictures! The pictures I'd seen! I collected myself and ran into her bedroom, then came back panting heavily.

  "Mom, where are those pictures?"

  "What pictures? You're go
ing crazy. Angel, your wife is going crazy. Take her home."

  "I am not leaving here, Mom. Tell me."

  "Angel, take her home."

  I was going to yell at her again, but then I suddenly felt dizzy. My head became blurry then I started seeing two of everything around me. I staggered back, then I heard Angel's voice echoing in my head. I fainted.

  I woke up and found myself in the hospital. My head felt light and empty like I'd banged it against a brick wall. Then I tried sitting up on the bed a bit. Angel was just outside my door talking to the doctor. I smiled at him when he saw I was awake already. He entered into the room now and came to sit on the bed beside me. He kissed my forehead and took my hands into his.

  "What's wrong with me?"

  "It's just stress, Kayla. The doctor recommended you stay in bed all through today. But they are still running some test on you. The results will be ready soon."

  "Where is my mom?"

  "She was here a minute ago. But she left. Said she had to go take care of some things."

  "Did she tell you the truth? Am I a twin?"

  "I think you should give it a rest Kayla. Alex probably saw someone else. These things happen."

  "My mom is hiding something. I can feel it. First, it was the pictures. Now this."

  "What pictures?"

  I looked up at Angel, then sighed casting my gaze down. "You're right. I should probably give it a rest," I said not wanting to keep on talking about it. But deep within me, I wanted to find out if truly I had a twin out there, and I knew I would.

  The doctor came into my room. Angel was still with me. But this time, it was a female doctor. And she was smiling. Why was she smiling?

  "Congratulations, you're going to be a mother."

  I opened my mouth in awe. A mother? What! I am pregnant? Angel also couldn't believe it.

  "There must be a mistake somewhere. I can't be pregnant." I shuttered

  "Yes, you are. You're two weeks pregnant. Congratulations!" She extended her hand to Angel, but instead of him accepting her handshake, he jumped on her and hugged her. Was I the only one who found this totally absurd?

  "I'll leave you two alone for a minute."

  I followed her with my eyes till she left through the door then looked back at Angel. "She's joking." I smiled.

  "Is anything wrong with you getting pregnant by your husband?"

  I read Angel's expression for a second "No. No, it's not that. I mean, we got married like a month ago. I can't be pregnant."

  "It's possible, Kayla. C'mon, you should be excited."

  "I am. I really am. I just can't believe it." I laughed now and touched my belly. "I am really pregnant. I am." Lukewarm tears started coming out from my eyes. I wiped them away now and smiled at Angel. "Tears of joy," I said. Then we laughed

  "I love you, baby," he said now looking straight into my eyes. Then he kissed me on the cheeks, then my belly.

  Chapter 15

  Getting pregnant is usually a thing of joy, right? It's a moment in one's life you ought to be happy because you're finally becoming a woman. But having this baby hasn't been part of the plan, it never was and as I sat on the couch in my mom's apartment that day, I still couldn't muster up enough courage to break the news to her. She'd totally freak out and even though we'd just had another argument about whether or not I had a twin sister, I still thinks she deserves to know.

  I looked at her now then sighed. My mom will explode. I know her. She might agree about us leaving the past behind and allowing the Morero clan go free, and that's because I was already in love with a member and also because that's what mothers do for their kids, but I know she'll never let me bear of child of that family.

  "You should sit down before you get dizzy again," my mom said with a frown, still not in the mood to talk to me.

  Maybe this is the best time to bring it up. "Angel took me to the hospital yesterday."

  "I know. I followed him there. The doctor said it was stress and you needed rest."

  "There is more, Mom. Something you haven't yet been told."

  "What?"

  "I'm pregnant."

  The look she gave me at first was the ‘you're kidding’ look. Then, the ‘are you for real’ look. "WHAT!!!"

  "I found out yesterday, Mom. I swear I didn't know. I didn't think I'd get pregnant."

  "You didn't think? You are not keeping this baby. It'd be over my dead body, I tell you."

  "Mom, Angel is excited he is going to be a dad. Please."

  "I said you are getting rid of that thing inside of you. Do you know how many years I worked as a slave in that..." She sighed, "You are not having that baby."

  "What am I going to tell, Angel? He knows I am expecting."

  "You are not telling him absolutely anything. You've been blinded, Kayla. My goodness, weeks ago you were brutal and mean, but now you're weak and emotional. I know that family is just looking for ways to get to me, to get me out of the way. I know they want me dead, and you're putting my life at risk. All of this should not have happened! The plan was get into the family, get your revenge and get out. How simple could that be? My goodness!"

  I told you she'd explode.

  "You are not having this baby, Kayla. I tell you, it is only if I am dead I'll allow you keep this thing."

  "Mom, please. This is your only opportunity to become a grandmother. Reconsider this."

  "We're going to the doctor's place right now for an abortion. Let's go!" She pulled my hands now then started marching out. My mom never steps out of this apartment. She has always been afraid that someone was after her and staying indoors was the only way to protect herself. I knew she was psychologically sick, even her doctor recommended she stayed home as well to keep anyone from getting hurt, but as she pulled me out now like she was suddenly not scared of dying anymore, I just couldn't find the strength to remind her about not being outside. She finally pulled me to my car and then asked me to open it and get in. I didn't want to. I want to keep this baby. I was begging her to reconsider when all of a sudden out of nowhere, two bike thugs drove past us, and then the next thing I heard was a gun shot.

  I froze at first. My mind was still trying to process what had just happened. And then I saw my mom slump slowly to the ground.

  "MOM!! MY MOM!!" I ran to her side. They’d shot her in her chest. She was losing a lot of blood. I felt like I was the one that got shot, or like a very dominant part of me had been taken out. I was confused. I didn't know if I should yell for help or cry. She came out because of me! I killed her! "HELP!! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!"

  In no time, the neighbours started gathering. Obviously, they had also heard the gun shot.

  "Call 911. Somebody get the fucking ambulance!" I yelled at them as they stood watching us. "Somebody, please. My mom is dying." My voice came out in a hush tone now like someone was purposely reducing the volume of my voice to only a whisper. "My mom..." I felt weak and blurry again. And then my eyes caught some blood on my skirt. Blood? Where is this coming from? I knew it wasn't my mom's because it was coming directly from me. Had I gotten shot too? "Somebody...HELP!" I used my last strength I had in me to scream. My mom must not die! I'd die too. I fainted.

  I opened my eyes slowly. Had it been a dream? Did I dream it all and my mom is still alive? Yes. Yes, that must be it. I must have been dreaming. I bet I'll wake up now and find myself in my room or something. I looked around me at the nurses in white, at Angel sitting on a chair in a corner, at the nurse beside my bed passing some medication into my body. No. No, this can't be. This can't possibly be happening. I must have dreamt it. I did, right?

  "Mom. Where is my mom!!" I struggled with the nurse trying to get up but she held me firmly to the bed. "Why won't they let me go? Where is my mom? Mom!" I yelled, then flash images of what happened earlier toggled in my memory. My mom was shot. The blood I'd seen. My goodness! "My baby! My baby is she alright?" I touched my belly. Angel was beside me already trying to calm me down, but no that's not what I want. Why is
n't anybody answering me? Where the hell is my mother?

  "Baby, calm down."

  "No! Where is my mom? How is my baby? Angel, where is my mother?"

  "I'm sorry, sir. But we'll have to sedate her." One of the nurses directed at Angel.

  "NO! Get me my mother! I want to see her. Angel? Angel tell me what's going on. Tell me." The nurse gently injected me with a sedative and within what seemed like a minute, I felt drowsy again. "My mom... Get me my mom." I cried on till I fell asleep again.

  By the time I opened my eyes, Angel was gone and so were the nurses. My head felt stiff and empty. I sat up on the bed now covering my face with my palm. Then the opening of the room door startled me to look up. "Angel?" But when my eyes finally fell on who'd entered, I sighed. "Shipwreck."

  "Oh darling, look what they did to you." He came to my side now and sat on my bed cupping my face into his hands. "I was afraid this would happen."

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Oh dear, they are slowly brain washing you. Your mother."

  My eyes flashed. "My mom? Yes, where is she?"

  "They killed her child. They killed her the way they killed your father and stole his company."

  "What? No. No, that can't be true."

  "Your mom was afraid for her life. She knew they would get to her soon too. But it's not too late to get your revenge on those scumbags."

  "They killed my mom?"

  "Yes, honey. But you won't give in will you? You are going to show them how strong and formidable you are. You are going to finish what you started off. I will help you destroy that family."

  "But why? Why did they kill my mom? No. I have to speak to Angel. This doesn't make any sense."

  "Exactly. It is exactly because of that. They know you won't believe they are behind all of this, but we are smarter, okay? They did it before. They will do it again."

  "Angel. I need to speak to him."

  "What are you going to tell him, child? Are you going to confront him? That won't bring your parents back, child. What you need now is revenge. Make them pay and feel twice as much the pain you are feeling now."

  "I can't. They are my family. I am expecting his baby."

  "Oh, dear..." He casted his gaze down