"You look thinner," she said, looking him up and down.
He chuckled embarrassingly and scratched the back of his head. "Well, I was so busy working, I didn't really have the time to eat more. "
"Nel, you should learn to take care of yourself more," she chided, sounding like his mother.
Before he could reply, she started talking about her summer break experience, telling him of the beautiful beaches she visited while in California, and of the luxurious yatchs she partied in. While she talked, he listened attentively as he always did. They began walking inside when she ventured into fashion and outfits and told him of all the fashion accessories she wished to get.
" Ohhh, that reminds me I have something to show you," she said excitedly. "Taadaaa! You like it?" She asked, with a big smile on her face.
She showed him a picture of a beautiful bag with tiny studded pearls on it. Below the picture was a description of the bag. It was the latest Tiffany's Collection bag.
"Baby, it's beautiful but it looks expensive," he replied.
"Well, I do have high taste and it's not that expensive, only $50,000."
He nearly choked on air at the amount Evelyn called. "Evie, I don't have that much to spare at the moment".
"What do you mean by that?" She asked in a snobbish manner. "You said you've been busy all summer working."
"I have," he agreed. "However, that's to cover for the remaining 50% of my tuition."
He could see her face fall at his declaration. "I knew you'd be unable to," she muttered. Before he could say something to ease her, the loudest honk he had ever heard from a car was heard.
The extremely loud music blaring from its speakers was an announcement to it's owner. It was Troy, and he made all heads turn as he stepped out of his obviously new exotic looking car.
Troy Anchor could be said to be BrainWhite University's sweetheart. No, he wasn't as academically sound as Nelson but his father was the famous Maximus Anchor, the richest business tycoon in all of New York and Troy made sure to live up to his reputation as his spoilt rich brat of a son. His father was also one of the biggest donors to the school making Troy practically untouchable and school royalty. He was also the biggest bully in school and would never miss an opportunity to put Nelson down in front of others.
"Hello, beautiful angel," he greeted Evelyn, flaunting his newest gold plated Rolex wristwatch while winking at as he took her hand up to his lips and kissed it.
This act angered Nelson but he was never one to lose his cool. Ever since they started schooling at BrainWhite University, Troy had always hit on Evelyn, getting her expensive gifts but she always turned him down. However, this time, Nelson noticed that she didn't reject Troy's advances at her. "I got you this," he said, handing her a pink package.
"Thanks," Evelyn replied with a smile, collecting the package from him.
Nelson could not believe his eyes. Evelyn had always turned down Troy's gifts. He wondered what had changed this time.
He watched Evelyn open up the package to see the same bag that she had told him she wanted, barely three minutes ago and not just one, but two of it in different colours.
"Oh, Troy, thank you!" She threw herself at him in a tight embrace and Nelson decided he had had enough.
"What's going on here?" He asked, confused.
"What does it looks like, pauper?" Troy mocked. "Obviously, you couldn't get it for her and so, I did."
"Well, Troy and I became quite close over the summer holiday and I had told him about wanting this bag as well. I honestly didn't think he was going to buy me not just one but two of it," Evelyn replied.
"That's because you deserve double of everything beautiful, just like you," Troy replied, then kissed her on her lips.
Watching the two of them felt like seeing his world shatter before his eyes. He was so shocked, he just stared as Troy strolled inside, holding Evelyn by her waist.
As the first tears rolled down his eyes, he felt the vibration of his phone from his pocket. Thinking it to be from his mum, he quickly wiped his eyes then answered.
"Hello, is this Nelson Baristan?" The person on the other end asked. Confirming it wasn't his mum, he answered.
"I'm calling from Good Hope Hospital. Is Victoria Baristan your mum?"
"Hello, are you there? I asked if Victoria Baristan is your mum,'' the female caller repeated.
Already, Nelson could hear his heart beating wildly. He desperately hoped for the best before he answered.
"Ye- Yes, she is. Is there anything wrong with her?" Even as he asked , he had a feeling his world was about to collapse more than he thought possible.
"Okay, I'll need you to get here as fast possible. Your mum was involved in a hit and run situation but you'll get more details when you get to the hospital."
Nelson couldn't believe his ears and could no longer hold in his tears. The caller from the hospital heard his sobs and sought to comfort him.
"Mr Baristan, your mother is currently in the emergency room and the doctors are doing all they can to keep her stabled. You'll just have to hope for the best. However, they would need your presence before being able to go further with her treatments. Your mother needs you to be strong right now and the first way is by being present at the hospital. Can you do that for her?"
Nelson knew she was right. He needed to be strong for his mother. "Alright. I'll be there soon," he said and the caller on the other end hung up.
Nelson started sprinting immediately the call ended, to the nearest bus stop to take a bus that would take him to the hospital. He normally didn't board vehicles unless he absolutely needed to as he saved money that way but this time, he didn't think about the costs. He just wanted to get to his mother.