"What? I didn't add onion to her food," Mabel panicked, fear gripping her. Her endurance deteriorated when her gaze met Loney's. It was obvious that he didn't believe her.
"Then who did? You cooked this food Mabel," Loney's tone was hard and bitter, his eyes emitted fire.
Mabel was on the blade, she froze in silence, not knowing how to defend herself in such a delicate situation. Warm liquid rolled onto her cheeks before she realized she had been crying. Awkward silence dominated the atmosphere
"I will be right back," Paul said, breaking the silence as he rushed to his room.
Loney channelled his gaze to Danica. He would deal with Mabel later. How could she forget a very important detail like this? He felt Danica's pain. She was suffering so much, he couldn't take it any longer. He pulled her close to him, she sat on his lap. He trailed his hands so gently, it was the feel of a feather, over the pale red bumps clouding her face to her neck. "Tell me, how are you feeling?" His voice was so tender, Danica would have been enthralled if not for what she was going through at the moment.
She wanted to speak but the words wouldn't come out. She couldn't catch her breath, it was suffocating. Her ears itched, her eyes were watery. The pale red bumps on her skin spread like fire. Her lips were swollen and heavy, she couldn't move them.
"I'm taking you to the hospital. Let me get my keys." Loney rushed up the stairs without waiting for her response. Mabel took the opportunity to come closer.
"I didn't put onions in your food," she begged Danica. She discerned she was on one verge of getting fired. Whichever way, Danica wanted to tell her that she believed her but her mouth wouldn't open. She only nodded as tears burned the back of her eyes, she let them fall. Daniella let out a slight smirk. It was so light, it went unnoticed. Her heart twitched when Loney showed her sister concern but it was quickly replaced with excitement, seeing her sister suffer
Paul returned with a box. He opened it eagerly and took out a syringe and a small bottle of Epinephrine. He filled the syringe with the content of the bottle and lifted Danica's dress a little. He was so eager to help her, he forgot to seek her permission.
"What do you think you are doing, Paul?" Loney growled, his eyes burned with rage, seeing Paul kneeling beside Danica with her thighs exposed. Even when he knew that Paul would never take advantage of Danica and was just trying to help, the sight was unbearable for him.
"I got this Loney," Paul said without lifting his head. He could not discern Loney's main concern at the moment. "It's going to sting a little," Paul warned Danica before emptying the content of the syringe into her veins.
"Mabel, get some water." He ordered. Within seconds, Mabel was holding a glass of water. Paul brought out a Benadryl blister pack, took out two and gave it to Danica. "It's an antihistamine. It will reduce the itching and swelling," he explained to her. Danica took it, instantly threw it into her mouth, and drank the water.
Paul picked another bottle from the box and poured a white liquid onto his palm, as he began rubbing it onto Danica's skin. "It's calamine lotion. These red bumps will be gone before you wake up tomorrow," he assured her.
"I will do it," Loney caught his hand midway and said. He couldn't withstand seeing Paul's hand on Danica, even when it was with good intentions. He trusted his best friend but when it involved Danica, he was selfish. Paul did not resist. He gave the content to Loney as he applied it onto Danica's skin.
"She will feel better in a few minutes," Paul assured, closing the box.
Danica's breathing began to even out, and the swell reduced. "Thank you," she murmured.
"It's nothing. I'm allergic to soy stuff so I keep these medications just in case." Paul explained.
"And it helped me," Danica smiled. Gratitude laced her voice.
"Mabel," Loney growled after he finished applying the content onto Danica's skin. He hadn't forgotten to deal with Mabel and now that Danica was better, it was indeed the best time.
"Her food was separate, Master, I didn't add onions, I swear," the middle-aged woman knelt and begged.
Danica was saddened. She knew that Mabel would never do this to her. The woman loved her as her own therefore, she only suspected one person. Her eyes travelled to her sister. She was the only one who appeared unfazed with everything going on.
"It's not her," Danica's voice was soft but Loney heard her clearly. Before he spoke, she added, "I will speak to my sister in private, if you will permit me please."
Why did she have to put him on the spot? What kind of man will restrict a sister from talking to the other? And even if he didn't want to, how could he say no from how she made her request with so much respect and humility? Loney might have given her so much but her respect for him never dwindled.
"Go ahead. I will wait right here."
"Thank you," she murmured and turned towards her room.
Daniella followed suit to Danica's room. "You were saved on time, sweet sister," Daniella mocked as soon as the door closed.
Danica was upset, having her suspicions confirmed. It was good she called her sister out in private because she would have denied it in front of Loney and caused problems for Mabel. "Why did you do that?" Danica didn't hide the fact that she was upset but she kept her voice calm. She never raised her voice no matter what.
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