Stand for Love Ch. 06

"She barely survived but she's a fighter." The doctor smiled. "The poison is really dangerous but for some reason it didn't spread to the rest of her body or rather it was slow for some reason."

The people were happy that it had happened but one thing was all in their minds. Who had poisoned her? That question was ringing through each one of them.

"Do you have any idea who had poisoned her or..."

"Yes," Jake said softly and diverted her eyes at Adrian. "I think Adrian can answer that question."

Adrian was caught by surprise. To say he was scared would be an understatement. He was trembling and his strength left him. He had been quiet since he heard that the soup he had cooked was poisoned. He had even been trying to figure out how or what happened.

"What?" Adrian said angrily. "Me!"

"Yes," Jake folded his arms on his chest. "Yes, you,"

"What are you saying," Adrian asked.

"You were the one who made the soup for her so if there is anyone who should the answer to that it should be..."

"Enough!" Nicholas yelled angrily.

He couldn't hear Jake utter a word against Adrian. Just because Adrian had made the soup doesn't mean he poisoned it. Adrian wouldn't even hurt a fly, right?

"I don't want to hear this no sense against Adrian." Nicholas warned, angrily pointing his finger at Jake.

"But, Nic..."

"I said, not another word." Nicholas warned. He was furious. "How dare you accuse my Adrian?"

Adrian's eyes watered from that accusation. How could Jake do this to him? He grabbed every opportunity he got to try and make him feel bad. Adrian had no reason whatsoever to kill his mother in law even though she was hell bent on separating Nicholas and him. He'd never do that to Nicholas' mother no matter what she had done to him.

"I'm sorry, my love." Nicholas said as he brought Adrian closer to him.

He wrapped his arms around him and brought his head to his chest. "I'm so sorry,"

Adrian still had his eyes on Jake who was fuming. Yes, Jake loved Victoria but that didn't give him the right to question Adrian. To be honest Adrian was scared. He was really scared. Come to think of it he had prepared that soup and many people would blame him too. He was just happy that Nicholas stood by him no matter what Jake said.

"So what's next, doctor?" George asked.

"She'll be out of the E.R in a few minutes," The doctor smiled.

The family was happy but Jake still had his eye on Adrian. Adrian really didn't care what Jake thought. What was important was that his husband trusted him and that was enough. There was nothing that matter the most.

****

Nicholas watched his mother lying on that bed. She was looking peaceful but the thought that someone had tried to kill her couldn't leave his mind. Sure, they didn't have a proper investigation but once they all go home Nicholas will bring all the maids for questioning maybe one of them did it. His Adrian couldn't have done something like that. He was too nice, too sweet and too caring. There was no one who was like his Adrian in that house.

"I can't believe someone tried to poison mother," Arianna muttered.

"I can't believe it either," Emily said as she stared at her sister who was lying in that bed. She was so peaceful and so quiet.

"I think whoever did it should be thrown in jail," Clara said softly. "Noah will be back tomorrow. He'll come and bring mother to the house. I just wish we'll be able to find out who did it and their motive for it."

Adrian was quiet. He couldn't utter any word. He knew he was innocent and that was what enough was. Nicholas believed in his innocence too and that's what matters the most. He could see from Jake's eyes that the guy was blaming him for poisoning Victoria.

"Can we please be quiet," George begged. "What matters is that we are all together. We'll talk about this issue once we are together at home. Let's allow her to rest. We'll ask her if she knows anything when she wakes up."

"Yeah," Emily said softly. "There is no point asking each other those questions."

"Well if you ask me...."

"Jake, please," Nicholas said hoarsely. "Stop accusing Adrian. He can never do such a thing."

"Yes," Emily smiled brightly at Adrian. "I trust him completely. He cannot do that."

Adrian was happy that his husband and Aunt Emily trusted him so much. He really loved them a lot but he couldn't help but feel uneasy. He knew most of the people were gonna question him.

He had that uneasy feeling. Looking at Victoria she was safe but Adrian was worried.

He buried his head further into Nicholas' chest and felt his grip get tighter. Man, he really loves Nicholas. He just hoped his mother in law would be better by the time she wakes up.

****

"Where...where am I?"

Nicholas quickly opened his eyes. He had heard a weak voice but he didn't know where it came from. He tried to move and felt someone pressed on his chest. He looked and saw Adrian. He smiled brightly and gave him a short kiss on his forehead. He was sleeping peacefully on his chest.

Nicholas looked aloud and took a glance at the clock on the wall. It was already 7. Am and he was really hoping for his mother to wake up.

"Where...am I?" Nicholas heard that voice again.

He looked at the bed and saw his mother's eyes wide open. His heart was immediately filled with happiness. He was really happy and had no idea how to express it.

"Mom," Nicholas gushed as he slowly moved his body. "You are awake."

Nicholas had his hands on Adrian's face, slowly shaking him to wake him up.

"Adrian, baby,"

Adrian quickly opened his eyes and Nicholas smiled brightly.

"Mom is awake," Nicholas said quickly.

Adrian quickly moved his head from Nicholas' chest and he yawned and stood up. He followed Nicholas to the bed and saw his mother in law slightly opening her eyes. She was looking kind of pitiful and a tear was running from her eyes.

"Mom," Nicholas smiled, reaching for her hand.

"Nicholas," Victoria said in a low weak voice. "How..."

"No, mom," Nicholas said excitedly. "Don't talk. You're not well. I'll call the doctor."

Nicholas left as soon as he said that. Adrian looked at his mother in law and she was lying weak and helpless on that bed. His heart went out to her but he couldn't help but wonder who had poisoned her. All that was making him feel uneasy and he had a bad feeling about something. He just didn't know why he was feeling like that.

Maybe it was probably because he had prepared the soup. Jake was blaming him and he had no idea about the others. It was just too confusing to take all in.

He heard her whimper and groan weakly.

Adrian tried to say something but his mouth just opened and no word came out. It was like his voice was gone. He couldn't just utter a word.

"Mother," Adrian heard Arianna gasp.

She quickly came near the bed and held her mother's hand close to her face and cried. Adrian moved away from the bed and watched as Arianna cried holding her mother's hand tightly. It was emotional to see Arianna crying but there was nothing he could do but watch.

By the time Nicholas came back all the other family members had already woken up and they rounded the bed.

Nicholas held him tightly and brought him closer to the bed. He was feeling really uneasy. His instincts were trying to tell him something but he couldn't put his finger on it. He breathed softly and he felt a bit calm.

He looked at Nicholas and he was smiling. There was nothing as beautiful as that smile. It warmed his heart and made him feel over the top. The previous night had been bad for his husband so seeing him in that situation was making him overjoyed.

Nicholas watched as the doctor examined his mother carefully. He had a huge smile on his face but deep down he was worried. His mother had just been poisoned and he was gonna find out who did it. Whoever would be guilty...well Nicholas was gonna figure it out once he gets back home.

"How is she now?" Emily asked, hoping and praying for her sister to be fine.

"Well," the doctor said as he removed the stethoscope from his ears. "Her pulse is normal and her vitals are normal." He smiled. "She's responding to treatment but we have to keep her under observation for at least...48 hours."

"There'll be no need for that." Nicholas heard a voice holler from the door way.

He looked behind and saw his brother rushing in the room. He was looking worried and he was sweating. Guess he was as worried as everyone else.

Noah rushed to his mother and held her hand tightly. Seeing her lying in that bed made him feel so much anger. Someone had tried to kill his mother and he was gonna find out who and then...that person would rot in jail.

"I need my mother out of this hospital today." Noah commanded. He was wearing a serious face and his eyes were red. He had probably not slept since the previous night.

"I'm sorry," the doctor apologized. "I can't do that. I need to keep her under observation for..."

"I'll do that," Noah said, his eyes fixed on his mother.

"You don't understand," the doctor said. "She seems fine but in the next 48 hours anything can happen?"

Noah raised his head and looked at the doctor. He went back to look at his mother and said, "Nothing like that is going to happen. I'll take care of her and I'll also get to the bottom of this."

Nicholas could hear from his brother's voice that he was mad. The way he answered the doctor was kind of rude. Nicholas was mad, worried and scared but his brother was furious. He could hear it from the tone of his voice.

"Its fine," Nicholas said softly. "He's a doctor. He'll take care of her."

Nicholas saw his brother and sister holding their mother and he got emotional. She hadn't uttered a word since she woke up and a tear was running down her eye. He just wanted her to be alright.

Nicholas moved to Adrian and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead before extending his hand to his brother's shoulder. His brother looked up to him and gave him a faint smile. He smiled back and tapped on his brother's back. He knew it was affecting his brother a lot.

"Mother," Arianna cried.

"I'm fine," Victoria said weakly as she tried to move her body.

"I'll take care of you." Noah said, slowly rubbing her hand. He looked at the doctor with a serious face. "I need her out of here."

The doctor sighed deeply. "Well, since you've said you are a doctor I'm good with it." He smiled. "I'll have her released in just an hour."

"Thank you!"

"But may I suggest something if you don't mind?" the doctor said, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Sure," Noah said as he stared at his mother.

"I don't think what happened was an accident. It was done deliberately."

"We know that," Emily sighed.

"That's why I..." The doctor paused and gave a gloomy sigh. "...I think it'll be better if you report this to the police. You still don't know whether..."

"No," Emily hollered, slightly moving her head. "I don't think that's necessary. This is kind of confusing but it's also our family here. We'll be..."

"No, aunt," Noah said softly. "I'm sure someone saw something. I don't want to point fingers. As the eldest child I'll question everyone once we go back home."

Emily nodded in agreement. She really wanted to know who exactly had tried to have her sister killed. She could be stubborn at times but she was still her sister.

Adrian hadn't uttered a word. The mood Noah was in just didn't seem right. He was furious and Adrian could see that. He understood him. He was also curious to find out whom exactly had Victoria poisoned.

Adrian caught Jake looking at him and vibrating. He knew that the guy was almost sure that he had poisoned the food. It didn't matter to Adrian because he knew he was very much innocent. Jake's suspicions were not right at all.

***

"Come out," Nicholas said to his mother as he extended his hand to hold her.

It was already afternoon, around 5.pm and his mother's condition had improved. She had gained some energy and was able to speak clearly. What was left was to completely heal.

"I'm fine," Victoria said softly.

"No, mom," Nicholas said as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "The doctor said you don't have your complete energy."

Victoria smiled softly and she held on to her son's shoulder as he carefully led her into the house.

Adrian saw his husband slowly and carefully taking his mother in. He had not driven with him because he didn't want to upset Victoria in her current situation. He had driven with Arianna and Clara. They both seemed quiet the rest of the way home. He understood them because he knew what was on their minds.

"Careful," Nicholas said, holding him mother tightly.

He led her to the living room and made her sit on the couch slowly. He was really happy she was recovering. The poison hadn't done any damage to her vitals. It was a really good miracle.

"What happened?" Granny rushed into the living room. "What did the doctor say? I hope she's fine."

"Food poisoning," Noah said hoarsely. "Someone poisoned my mother."

"Food poisoning," Granny gasped. "But why...how...how did that happen?"

"I don't know," Noah said as he quickly moved his face towards everyone. "But I'm going to ask everyone and I want everyone to tell me what happened."

Adrian's hands suddenly shook. He had no idea why he was shaking but he hid it by shoving those hands in his pockets. He felt them get warm and he somehow felt calm. He was standing there alone and staring at Victoria who looked ordinary without any makeup on.

"Can someone tell me what happened?" Noah said as he stared at everyone's faces.

Jake crossed his arms on his chest and sighed. "I think Adrian might know the answer to that question. He was the one who made the soup after all."

Adrian felt a cold wind hit his face. That cold wind travelled to the rest of his body and it made him quiver. He felt like he'd been hit by something hard. Jake kept on insisting that he did it and that hurt a lot.

"Yes," Adrian said softly. "I made the soup...but..." he sighed softly. "...I'd never poison her. What would be my reason for doing that?"

"I don't know." Jake said angrily. "Maybe you hate her for not approving your relationship with Nicholas. What other reason would you have? You wanted..."

"Enough!" Nicholas yelled angrily. "Stop all this. Adrian can never do that. I trust him a lot."

Adrian almost cried from those words. It was all so clear. It felt so good knowing you have a man who'd stand by your side the rest of the way.

"Of course," Jake said angrily. "You trust him but this is not a matter of trust. We are talking about your mother's life."

Nicholas was speechless. He couldn't say anything anymore. He was right. It was his mother's life and that was the reason why he couldn't say a thing. He still believed Adrian was innocent though.

Noah sighed. "Not that I agree with Jake but..." He paused and took a deep breath. "Did anyone see you cook the soup? Were you with anyone at that time?"

Adrian nodded. "No, I was not with anyone."

"Did you give mother the soup yourself?"

Adrian nodded and said, "No, I actually gave it to one of the maids to take it to her."

"Really," Noah said as he got closer to Adrian.

Adrian nodded in agreement.

"Then, maybe it's time to ask the maids."

Noah rushed out of the living room and in a few minutes he came back with all the maids that worked in the house. They stood there with their heads dropped and were probably shaking.

Noah rounded them up and stared at them for a long time. Adrian knew Noah was probably hell bound on finding the one who had tried to kill Victoria but he was scaring them.

After that, Noah came back to Adrian and stood right in front of him. Adrian stared deep in his grey eyes and saw nothing but anger. He had no idea who that anger would be directed at. He really hoped all this was just a mistake or it would lead to a very bad situation.

"Who among them did you send to bring the soup to mother."

Adrian stared at Noah and then at the maids. He raised his hands and pointed on a blonde girl who he had given the soup to serve to his mother.

"Stella!"

Adrian saw the maid's body shaking as Noah went to her. He felt sorry for her but it was kind of an interrogation.

Noah went to the maid and stood right in front of her. He was staring at her and she was scared.

"Tell me," Noah said hoarsely. "Did you poison my mother's soup?"

The maid raised her face as tears ran down her face. Her eyes were watery, her body was shaking and she simply fell to the floor and knelt down holding her hands together.

"No," The maid said as more tears covered her face. "I'd never do that to a woman who has been so good to me."

"Really," Noah as he leaned down to look at the maid. "Do you perhaps have any idea who might have done it?"

The maid sobbed and nodded. "I only did what I was instructed to do." She cried. "I've been serving her for a long time. Why would I poison her?"

"Perhaps, one of the members of this family paid you to do so."

"No," the maid nodded. "Even if they did, I'd never agree to it. I'd rather lose my job than poison the woman who has been nothing but great to me."

Staring at her, Noah knew she was right. She had been servicing them for a long time. Why would she bother to poison her employer? But he was going insane. He needed something done before someone attempted to kill his mother again.

"Then who," Noah yelled throughout the house. "Who had tried to kill my mother?"

"Please, calm down," granny said. "It might just be..."

"It's nothing granny," Noah bellowed, furiously touching his head. "Someone tried to kill my mother and I want to know who it is. At this point my mother's life might still be in danger. I have to find out who the fuck tried to have her killed. I'll not rest till I find out."

"Please,"

"No, aunt, Emily," Noah yelled. "I know that this is a peaceful family but it was from this house that my mother almost died. You heard what the doctor said."

"I know that, but..."

"Who the fuck tried to poison my mother," Noah yelled. "Does anyone know anything?"

It was quiet. Noah looked all around him and it was fucking quiet. He was burning with anger and all he wanted to do was find out who did it so that he could have that person locked behind bars. He swore that person was gonna spend the rest of his life in jail.

"You are all quiet?" Noah yelled. "Well, guess I have no choice but to call the police. The police inspector will come here and..." he paused and looked all around. "...I'm sorry to say this but every one of you will be arrested."

"What?" Emily shouted. Her voice sounded surprised.

"Yes, aunt," Noah said. "I won't just sit down and watch while a killer is trying his best to kill my mother. Who knows if my mother is the only target?"

Jake furiously walked to the front and looked at Noah. "Why should we all be arrested? I think only Adrian and that maid should be arrested."

"What?" Adrian shouted. "I've told you several times that I didn't poison mother. Yes, I'll admit that I made the soup..."

"And then you poisoned it," Jake said as he furiously went near him. "I'm sure you did it. I even wonder if mother is the only target in this house,"

"For the last time," Nicholas yelled, getting closer to Adrian. "Will you stop accusing Adrian?" He was furious.

"What?" Jake snapped. "Mother never accepts anything he cooks. Now that she did, she ended up being poisoned. How would you explain that?"

"Stop it," Noah shouted, raising his arms furiously. "Arguing will not help. I'll call the police and all of us will go to the police station."

Noah furiously got his phone from his pocket and began dialing the number. He put it on his ear and was waiting for it to ring.

"Wait!" Noah heard someone stop him.