Chapter - 125
Rick's eyes narrowed as he stared at the pale blue screen in front of him, his lips turning upwards in a smirk. A choice had presented itself, sothing he was waiting for. It had been a while since he encountered a prompt, and he sighed in relief as he read through the sentences. The system was not dead yet.
[
1. Make sure Olivia's comfortable, take her back to her house. ( 10 Temptation)
2. Offer Olivia shoulder. ( 5 Temptation)
3. Mind your own business and stay away. (-10 Temptation)
]
Rick's attention shifted to Olivia, who was sprawled out on the cold, tal chairs in the waiting room. His dad sidled up, speaking in a low voice, "Olivia hasn't set foot at ho for days. She has been here, right by Emily's side, the entire ti. She hasn't changed her clothes or taken a mont for herself."
Rick ran a hand through his hair, a worried crease forming on his forehead. "Dad, I've noticed. She's been a rock, but she is pushing herself too hard. She can't keep at it like this."
Dad nodded knowingly, "I have tried telling her, but she is not budging. Thinks she has to be glued to Emily's side every minute."
Rick kept his eyes on Olivia, his concern deepening. "I get it, Dad. Emily ans the world to her. But if Olivia crashes and burns, she won't be any good to Emily. We have got to get her to take a breather, even if it's just for a little while."
Dad sighed in agreent. "I am totally with you, Rick. But getting her to see reason? That's the tricky part. She has got it in her head that she can't leave Emily's side, no matter what."
Rick let out a thoughtful hum, the solution playing out like a neon sign in his mind. "Dad, it's crystal clear. We've got to make her see that it's perfectly fine to take a breather. Emily needs her at full tilt, and that ans getting so shut-eye."
"Maybe we can help her in this, you know? Take shifts being with Emily so Olivia doesn't feel like she is ditching her, leaving Emily alone," Rick proposed.
Dad nodded, a glimr of hope in his eyes as he processed his son's idea.
"I will talk to her, Dad. We've got to make her understand that looking out for herself is as crucial as being Emily's rock," Rick declared, determination etched on his face.
In theory, the idea was golden, but Rick couldn't shake off the feeling that convincing Olivia might be an uphill battle. And who could bla her? It was her daughter hooked up to the machines in the hospital room. But determined, Rick strode over to Olivia, dropping to his knees in front of her.
Softly tapping her shoulder, he leaned in, his face inches from hers. The hum of the ventilator from the ICU provided a delicate background noise in the waiting room, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Rick's gaze lingered on Olivia, peacefully asleep on the uncomfortable, hard tal chairs.
After a few taps, Olivia jerked awake with a suddenness that almost resulted in her bumping her head with Rick's. Confusion and surprise painted her wide-eyed expression as she quickly sat up, scanning the room with a mix of concern and alarm, bouncing her gaze between Rick and his father.
"Is everything okay? How's Emily?" Olivia questioned, hastily pushing the thin blanket from her shoulders and straightening up.
Rick, ever the calm presence, placed a comforting hand on Olivia's shoulder. "Everything's okay, Olivia. Emily is fine," he reassured, his voice gentle and soothing.
The tension in Olivia's features began to loosen, and a relieved exhale escaped her lips. Yet, the sleep-induced fog still lingered in her eyes, making her appear slightly disoriented.
"Emily is really okay, Olivia. She is resting now," Rick reiterated, aiming to dispel any lingering worries. "But speaking of rest, there is soone else who needs a bit of downti right now."
Rick's dad took a big inhale, gearing up with Rick to convince Olivia gently. "Hey, Olivia, seriously, you have been holding yourself in this waiting room for days now. You haven't even gone ho for a quick recharge or a change of clothes. You have gotta take care of yourself too, you know?"
Olivia glanced at Rick's dad, her worry all over her face. "I can't just bail on Emily. What if sothing goes south when I am not around?"
Rick edged a bit closer, his concern matching the worry in his eyes, as he took Olivia's hands in his, "We totally get it, Olivia. You are Emily's mother, you care about her the most. But you're not doing anyone any favors running on fus. You need a break, even if it is just a short breather."
She shook her head, eyes glued to the closed ICU door. "I can't just relax when she's in there, fighting for her life."
Rick pressed on, "Olivia, we are not saying abandon her. Just a temporary handover. Take a break, catch so sleep, and let us take care of her for a bit. We will be right here, and if anything cos up, you will be the first to know."
Rick's dad let out a sigh, "We see you, Olivia. Emily lucked out with you in her corner. But taking a quick pause doesn't an you are slacking. It ans you're making sure you can keep rocking it for her in the long haul. We are not going anywhere, and if there is any change in her condition, you will be the first to know."
Olivia hesitated for a beat, eyeing Rick as if she could see right through his words. But Rick, wasn't giving up.
"Co on, Olivia, you are not alone in this. We are here to back both of you,'" he said, a serious glint in his eyes. "Standing with you, does not an just for the sake of saying it. It ans looking out for each other too. I promise, nothing is going to happen to Emily on our watch. And you will be back by her side before you know it."
Olivia, however, wasn't buying it. Her shoulders were doing a slow, uncomfortable creep up to her ears. "Rick, seriously, it is not that simple. Anything can happen, and Emily needs glued to her side right now. I appreciate the offer, but I can't leave her side."
Rick sighed, throwing in a nod for good asure. "Like seriously, we are not banishing you to the land of no return, Olivia. Just a quick breather, you know? Shower, have a warm al, take a small nap. It will be like hitting the reset button, I swear."
As if on cue, a ping echoed in Rick's head, and Rick's eyes darted to the blue screen once more. The system, had given him two options as well.
[
Assure Olivia of the hospital staff's capability. Downplay the urgency for her presence. Help her understand that taking care of herself is vital for Emily's recovery. (Temptation 5)
There is always Reverse psychology. Tell Olivia that she can do whatever she wants to. They are no one to tell her anything. She is a strong, independent woman. She can even look like a ss in front of Emily when she wakes up. (Temptation 10, Ero Points: 5,000)
]
"Olivia, I understand," Rick began, as he sighed, "You are a strong woman with independent thoughts. We are no one to tell you what you should or should not do. You can even be a ss in front of your daughter. Not like we care."
And it struck a bone. Olivia looked torn, the struggle evident in her eyes. Rick's words have left her trembling.
After a brief hesitation, she nodded reluctantly, agreeing to take a short break.
As the decision settled, Olivia turned to Rick's father, a weariness present on her face. "Can you take ho, John? I just need a change of clothes, and I will be back soon."
Before his father could respond, Rick interjected, "Olivia, I will take you ho. It's not a problem." He turned to his father. "Dad, do you have any issues staying at the hospital for a bit longer?"
Rick's father appeared a bit confused by the unexpected offer but agreed. "I can stay. You take care of Olivia."
With a nod of gratitude, Rick turned his attention back to Olivia. Without wasting a second, he gently helped her to her feet, providing the support she needed. As Olivia gathered her belongings, Rick helped her carry her bags and guided her to the door.
"I will be back soon, Dad," Rick reassured his father. Olivia followed him as they left the waiting room.
As they made their way out of the hospital, Rick kept a comforting arm around Olivia's shoulders, guiding her through the corridors. She turned to him, a genuine appreciation in her tired eyes. "Thank you, Rick. I don't know what I would have done without you."
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