Nadia's POV

I woke up to a heavy arm wrapped around my waist holding me down.

I froze and dragged my eyes up to the owner suddenly all last night's, and this morning's, memories came flooding back.

I felt my body heat up and I clenched my slightly sore thighs together.

True to Mateo's word, we used all the condoms. All I can say is, this man knows how to satisfy a woman.

I don't think I've had so many orgasms in one night. From one man in fact.

I checked the bedside clock and it was currently 6:54.

Replacing my body with a pillow, I left the room and walked to the kitchen. The morning breeze hitting my legs reminded me that I'm still in Mateo's shirt.

I walked to the kettle and put water in it for tea. I turned it on and walked to the living room.

I saw my bag laying on the floor next to the couch and I realized that I didn't check my phone.

It's probably dead by now.

The kettle had boiled so I made my tea and left it to steep while I put my phone on the charger.

Picking up the warm mug, I took a long sip while I pressed the power on button.

My heart sank as the screen lit up.

37 missed calls
20 unread messages

All from Grace.

I frantically opened the messages and my worst fear came true.

Cassandra fainted at school.

They rushed her to the ER.

They're running tests but we don't know anything yet.

You need to get here.

NADIA PICK UP FOR GOD'S SAKE.

My eyes started blurring up and the mug slipped from my grasp. The hot tea must have burnt my feet but I couldn't be bothered by that now.

My airways started constricting and hot tears began rushing down my face.

How could I be so negligent? I left my phone, all alone for hours on end. By the time of Grace's texts, it must have been when Mateo and I started-

Oh god, I'm a terrible sister.

"Nadia, are you okay? I've been calling out to you for the past three minutes. What happened?"

Mateo questioned with his hands on my shoulders. I couldn't even see his facial features clearly through the tears but I could tell he was worried by the tone of his voice.

I mean, I'm standing in the middle of the kitchen with shattered ceramic and tea at my feet while hyperventilating.

I managed to get my thoughts into coherent words and let out the one thing on my mind.

"I need to go back home. Now,"

With that, I hurried to my room and began throwing my belongings erratically into my luggage.

"Why? What happened?"

Mateo asked trying to understand my frantic mood but I broke down instead.

I sat on the carpeted floor and cried into my hands. Mateo rushed to me and pulled me onto his lap, rubbing soothing circles on my back. We remained like this until I could get myself together long enough not to cry again.

I explained to Mateo what had happened and how I felt while he just listened. He would occasionally wipe my tears that just kept running down my face.

"You aren't a bad sister Nadia. You do all you can for Cassandra, I'm sure she knows that. I'll call Justin to get the plane ready so we can leave as quickly as we can," with that Mateo got up from the floor and left me to pack while talking to Grace.

She said that they did scans and were waiting on the results. Cassandra was given pain medication because she was complaining about a headache. She was currently asleep but stable.

Grace tried her best to reassure me that she was okay but I could tell she was just as doubtful as I am.

No longer than five minutes later, Mateo entered again and told me that the plane will be ready to leave by the time we were done packing.

Twenty minutes later, we were on the road to the airport. Mateo had called his parents to tell them that we were leaving. We were supposed to have lunch with them today but that won't be happening anymore. Our plan for today was to relax and enjoy Santorini before leaving tomorrow morning.

They said they'll meet us at the airstrip and they were already there by the time we arrived.

We boarded and took off. I was seated next to Julia and she tried to calm my nerves a bit.

"It's going to be okay dear. You can only control so much in life,"

She rubbed my hand but I couldn't believe it. This time feels different, it feels like the end.

I managed to fall asleep after I had some tea that Julia made for me.

I looked around the dark hospital corridor. My legs started moving me in the direction of a door with a bright light shining through. I peaked inside the room and there she was, sitting up on the bed swinging her legs.

The blue hospital gown matched her fuzzy blue cloud socks. They are her favourite pair of socks. Not a winter has passed where she hasn't worn them for two weeks straight. I got them for her as a Christmas present two years ago.

I walked into the room and she lifted her head up at me. She looked so happy. She looked like her old self.

"It's good to see you're happy again,"

I walked closer to her and I stopped a few steps away from her bed.

"I'm going home. I finally get to go home,"

I was confused by this statement before realization hit me. I stepped closer to hug her but a force pulled me away.

"Don't go yet, please,"

"I have to,"

I was startled back to consciousness and gasped for air like I wasn't breathing for a while.

I was in a room. I remember falling asleep in my chair, not in this room.

Just when I was looking around the door opened and Mateo entered.

"You're awake, how are you feeling?"

"Tired, it's like I didn't sleep at all," I replied and it was true.

I don't think I've been asleep for long. That nightmare took a toll on me.

"We're about to land in fifteen minutes. Do you want to freshen up or will you do that when we land?" He sat down at my side and took my hand, rubbing it before placing a small kiss on my hand.

Cassandra was my first priority when we land and I need to focus on her right now.

I withdrew my hand from his hold and looked down at my lap. I can't look him in the eye right now.

I know he reassured me but I still feel guilty about not being by my phone last night. I know it's not his fault, I'm blaming my emotions. I don't know where my senses went last night but I let my guard down a bit too much.

"I'll freshen up. I need to leave and get to the hospital as soon as we land," I replied in a small and cold tone.

"I called Henry, he'll be waiting to take us when we arrive," Mateo answered in a slightly hurt tone.

He left me after that. I felt a small stabbing sensation in my chest.

I ran my hands down my face before getting up from the bed.

The bathroom was just as beautiful as the bedroom i slept in. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, emptied my bladder and left the bathroom.

I fixed the bedsheets before returning to my seat next to Julia. Just as my butt hit the seat, Justin spoke.

"Please take your seats and buckle up. We will be landing soon,"

I looked out of the window and the familiar landmarks started coming into view. My heart rate picked up as I waited anxiously to touchdown. 

"It's going to be okay dear," Julia spoke while putting her soft hand on my leg. I hadn't even realised that my leg has been bouncing until she did that.

I offered her a small smile as I braced myself for the plane to land. Once it did, I was the first one to grab my carry-on and descend. I greeted Henry and entered the car, Mateo entered after I did.

I called Grace and spoke to her while Henry sped us to the hospital where Cassandra was.

"She's still in operation. It's been 5 fours and we don't know anything yet,"

My heart dropped with that news. The dream I had started resurfacing and I started choking on tears.

"I'll be there in five minutes. Text me the room number and floor," I managed to get out after I pulled myself together.

Henry pulled into the Marigold hospital parking lot and opened my door. I ran into the hospital and to the elevator. I heard the receptionist calling out to me but I couldn't care less.

The doors slid open and I stepped inside before pressing the tenth floor. A hand stopped the doors before they closed and Mateo stepped in.

I could feel him staring at me but I kept my gaze on my feet until the doors opened again.

I stepped out of the elevator and I immediately ran to Grace and Jess. They engulfed me in a hug and I almost broke down there and then.

Just as I was about to ask for any updates, the operation room door opened and a doctor came out.

"Anyone here for Cassandra Matthews?"

I rushed to her and she pulled me to the nearby empty seats.

Her next words tore my heart in half.