Date The CEO.com

Eve made the excuse of being thirsty. She exited the hospital room and entered the hallway. A shiver went down her spine. She was thankful that she grabbed a hoodie before they left. The hospital was usually too cold for her.

A commotion from the nurse's station reached her ears on the way to the vending machine. 

"Is Mrs. Evangeline Spinster on this floor?"

She stopped in her tracks and spotted her dad. 

Russell Spinster was a man in his 40s. Despite his age, he maintained a subtle youth to his appearance. A stubble lined his jaw while his short dark hair stuck up in a spiky style. He wore denim jeans and a white shirt under a leather jacket.

The nurse spoke softly in response. He thanked her quickly and headed in Eve's direction. He halted in his steps when he spotted her. "Hey, kid. You feeling alright? Is your mom okay?"

"Hey, dad." Eve cleared her throat. "Mom's fine. The nurse is with her. Thought I could get a drink while waiting. How was work?"

"Uh, good, good. The big man in the casino pays well. They said I could take a few days off because your mom is about to give birth. Anyway," Russell babbled. He tucked into his jean pocket and pulled out a bill. "Here. Let me pay for that drink."

"Thank you," Eve replied, taking the money and dropping her gaze. "Would you like one?"

"I don't think they serve alcohol here."

It was a joke but Eve knew better. She could smell the alcohol underneath his cologne. Holding her breath, her lips stretched into an awkward smile. She pointed over her shoulder. "The nurse might leave soon. You should keep mom company."

"Right, right. I'll get going then."

Eve let out the breath she held after he walked past her. She didn't know when it started but things had become tense recently. Suddenly, her dad worked late and even on weekends sometimes. She didn't want to be suspicious of him. 

But she found it hard to let go.

"Coffee and tea can't go together in a drink," Eve heard her dad say when she entered the room. She held two bottles in her hand. One had water in it while the other had soda.

Her mother snorted at Russell. "If that was true, coffee and matcha drinks wouldn't exist."

"Matcha is not real tea, my dear."

"It's ground tea leaves. It counts." Evangeline turned her head when Eve appeared at the corner of her eye. She smiled. "Hey, find anything?"

"I got you some water."

"Thank you, Eve. What about your dad?"

Russell shook his head, waving his hand to brush it off. "I'm fine, dear."

"If you say so." His wife shrugged and drank from the bottled water. "Will you be in the delivery room with me?"

He snorted. "Is that even a question? Of course, I will."

Evangeline shifted her attention. "Will you be okay waiting alone outside, Eve?"

The corners of her eyes drooped. She was grateful to have her whole family present for this occasion. But, it pained her to think Eve would only be outside. Only one person could be in the delivery room with her. She wished it could be two people.

Eve placed her soda on the night stand and gave her mom's hand a squeeze. "I'll be fine, mom. Just focus on getting these twins out. They want to see the world already. Don't let them down."

Her words came true in a matter of an hour. Evangeline was wheeled to the delivery room, Russell holding her right hand. Eve held the left one and did her best to keep up with the pediatrics. She eventually had to let go when they reached the doors of the delivery room.

Even then, her mother put on a brave face. She mouthed the words, 'I love you', before the doors closed and cut their connection off. Eve retreated to the bench. She became its only occupant. Her heart clenched from anxiety. 

'They will be alright. They have to be,' she chanted in her head. Evangeline was no weak person. She had endured many things throughout her life. Early pregnancy, dealing with odd jobs, keeping the house clean—she was a superwoman and no one can change Eve's mind about it.

Eve rested her head against the wall and closed her eyes. She focused on steading her breathing pattern. Her imagination filled her thoughts with screams from her mother like the other women who gave birth in movies. Their pained expression transferred to Evangeline's face. 

How could people bear giving birth?

She could barely handle her period pains.

"Hey…, Eve… wake up."

Eve frowned, noticing her closed eyes. She felt someone shake her shoulder and she jolted awake. In front of her stood her dad. Russell's brown eyes crinkled at the corners. "Your mom wanted you to know right away that you're a big sister now."

"They're okay?" Eve grabbed his arms. "All of them?"

"Yes, they're fine. Your mom will be taken back to the room soon."

"Oh, thank goodness!" She threw herself forward and wrapped her arms around him. Russell froze for a few seconds, surprised by her reaction. He patted her back. A genuine smile spread across his face though his daughter couldn't see it.

Hours later, Eve stayed awake. She visited the baby room but the curtains were closed. It didn't matter. The fact that her younger twin sisters were on the other side of the window warmed her heart enough. She couldn't wait for them to come home. 

But before that, she needed to learn how to tell them apart.

"Eve," a voice spoke after the elevator doors opened nearby.

She twisted her neck towards it. 'Dad."

Russell sprinted in order to close the gap between them. His hands went to his knees as she struggled to catch his breath. Eve waited patiently. Then, her father gripped her wrist and straightened his posture. 

"Listen, I have to go," he said in between breaths.

Eve widened her eyes. "Where are you going?"

Her body had gone stock-still. This… This couldn't be going where she thought it was going. She didn't need this right now. It had been a while since he was around for this long. Her mother had just given birth for goodness' sake! 

Whatever it was, it could probably wait!

Even just for tonight!

"I still have to work in the morning," her father said. Blood boiled in her veins. "I have to get home and get ready. Maybe catch up on some sleep."

"But you just said you had a few days off—" Eve began to point out but he cut her off.

Russell patted her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes. "Take care of your mother, okay? I'll be back as soon as my shift is over. Here's some money for food. It should cover enough."

"Dad—!"

"Thanks, kid. I knew I could rely on you."

Eve exhaled out of her mouth. She blinked at the wall to her left, clenching the money in her hand. Her dad had taken off before she could say anything else. The hallway became empty once more. She had never felt more alone. 

So what if she'd be eighteen soon? Her mother was right. She was still a minor. This was too much responsibility to bear. In the end, she had only followed instructions given to her. If Evangeline wasn't as sturdy as a rock, she would have panicked for every second that passed.

A few minutes later, Eve reluctantly turned the knob on her mother's hospital room. She glimpsed over at the bed before walking inside. She had hidden the money in her pocket when she got inside the lift.

There was no need for her mother to be troubled right now.

"Hey, sweetie," Evangeline greeted as she opened her hazel eyes. Her voice was as melodic as the sea inside a conch shell. "Were you able to see the twins? They're beautiful, aren't they?"

Eve sat on the chair beside her bed. "No, they already had the windows closed."

"Ah, that's okay. You'll get to see them tomorrow morning."

"I know." A yawn stifled her throat. It had been a long day. Why couldn't her sisters wait for Saturday after she had a good night's rest? The school week had exhausted her with all-nighters. She had looked forward to the weekend for some sleep.

Except, the twins had other ideas.

They needed to arrive before Friday ended. 

Her mother caressed the top of her head. "Get some sleep, Eve." 

"But you might need something."

"Then, I would ring the nurse in."

"Can't you let me help you for once?" Eve groaned. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. "I'm fine, okay? This is nothing compared to what you've gone through. You should be the one sleeping."

"I'm not sleepy though," her mother pointed out.

She curled her bottom lip inwards and bit it. "Do you want to chat then?"

Evangeline squinted her gaze. She knew about Eve's late nights. They only had one bathroom and she often heard someone use it when the sun had risen up yet. It could be just mother nature calling but the bags under Eve's eyes proved otherwise. 

"How about I sing you a lullaby?" Evangeline challenged her daughter. "If you fall asleep, you're tired. If you stay awake then, I won't force you to sleep."

"Deal." Eve yawned again.

Her mother chuckled then cleared her throat. 

The first notes flowed out of her lips.

```

Hear this song as you dream,

As the unsettling silence became the melody,

With grace and poise, the maiden danced,

Yearning for the love she won't have,

Tip toe, there she glides,

As the hope in her heart slowly dies,

Tip toe, she spread her arms and bend,

Like the promises made that will come to an end.

But as the evening comes and the moon rises above,

Alone, the maiden waited,

For a lad who's already gone,

Her feet showed scars, her legs went numb,

Yet she keeps twirling and spinning all around,

Dancing 'til the sorrow stops.

```