After a few hours, Olivia slowly opened her eyes. As her vision cleared, she saw Carl's blurry figure sitting at the table, staring at her.
When she tried to sit up on the sofa, Carl hurried to her side, gently helping her.
"Hey, easy, easy," he whispered, supporting her as she moved.
Olivia looked at Carl, his features becoming clearer as she regained her focus.
"Carl..." she said weakly, her voice barely above a whisper wrapped up in Carl's arms.
Carl gave her a reassuring smile.
"I'm here," Carl whispered gently to Olivia. She looked around, and her gaze fell upon Tara as she approached with a gentle smile.
"Hello, Liv," Tara greeted warmly.
Olivia's eyes shifted between Carl and Tara. "I passed out again?" she asked, her voice slightly unsteady.
"Yup," Tara replied with a bright smile. "But you're doing much better now," she added. Olivia nodded slowly, taking in her surroundings.
"Kalvin called me as soon as it happened," Carl explained, his hand still resting comfortingly on Olivia's. "He was quite worried about you."
"Same Kalvin that you didn't like much "Tara chuckled lightly. Olivia's lips curved into a small smile.
"You owe him a thank," Carl added.
" He's been keeping a close eye on you since you passed out. I think he was relieved when I arrived to take over."Tara said handing Olivia a glass of water.
Olivia's gaze softened as she thought about Kalvin's actions. "I appreciate him, and you both, more than you know."
Carl squeezed her hand gently. "We're just glad you're alright, Liv. That's what matters most."
Olivia nodded, feeling the comforting presence of her two closest friends. With them by her side, she knew she could weather any storm that came her way.
"Where is him now?"Olivia asked curiously.
"Ah, don't worry, I'm here. You couldn't have chosen somewhere else to pass out without giving me trouble," Kalvin complained, but there was a gentle smile on his face.
Olivia's gaze shifted towards the control panel, and she saw Kalvin turning around. Carl and Tara smiled, taking his comment as a joke, while Olivia stared at Kalvin curiously. Kalvin knew what she was asking with her narrowed eyes and questioning expression.
"Did you tell others?" The unspoken question was clear on her face. Kalvin shook his head slightly, indicating "no."
Olivia closed her eyes, relief washing over her for a moment.
"By the way, Liv, you never told me about this," Tara said, turning to Olivia with a curious expression. Carl's attention also shifted back to Olivia.
"Umm, yeah, I never told anyone except Carl. It's not a big problem, just a rare genetic disorder. I've only had it twice in my entire lifetime. Mom told me it's nothing to be concerned about," Olivia said, hoping to stop Tara from asking more questions.
"Oh, if Madam Elsa said so, we have nothing to worry about. She's the best doctor and medical scientist Octagon Veranda has ever had," Tara said with a smile.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
"But be careful enough not to put yourself at risk like last time in the sea," Carl said, his voice filled with care.
"Yup, I'll be Mr. Worried," Olivia said joyfully, leaning in to kiss Carl's cheek. Tara turned around, clearing her throat and making a playful show of being flustered by their affection.
"If the show is over, I would like one of you to remind Melvin about my dinner," Kalvin said in a playful tone.
"I didn't forget it, though," they heard Melvin's voice as she entered the room. Melvin walked over to Kalvin, a smile on her face.
"I cooked it myself," Melvin said, opening the box and placing it on the control panel.
"Good to hear," Kalvin said, returning her smile with a warm expression. Seeing his sister show genuine love towards him after such a long time made him genuinely happy. The barrier that had stood between them for a long period had suddenly disappeared after the poisoning incident.
Tara and Carl exchanged a glance, quietly observing the heartwarming interaction between the siblings. Olivia watched the scene unfold, She was grateful to see Kalvin and Melvin reconnecting, knowing how much it meant to both of them.
" So when are we entering the Bermuda?" asked Carl curiously.
"There's still an hour left," Kalvin said taking a bite of the sandwich.
"It's strange that they even included Bermuda inside the cover," Carl said thoughtfully.
"Yeah Octagon Verenda has a huge sea area, the sea area is even bigger than the island and a part of the Bermuda Triangle is included"Kalvin explained.
"Why did they try to cover a sea area? it's crazy right?" Crl asked curiously.
"Who knows 78 years back then scientists might have seen some importance in the Bermuda" Tara said lost in thoughts.
"Importance? I haven't heard a thing about it except all the flybats*, spacecrafts and ships lost in there" Kalvin said in a complaining tone.
"Anyway. I think we need to prepare" Tara said getting up from the sofa.
"You all need to be here in 30 minutes, That's what the council said," Kalvin said having another mouthful of the sandwich.
"We will come with others" Carl said helping Olivia stand up.
"Slow down, no one's going to steal your food," Melvin said, slapping Kalvin's hand as he tried to reach for another sandwich. Kalvin smiled, staring at his sister's cheerful face.
"I bet it's not your cooking. You can't even come close to it," Kalvin replied lightheartedly.
"No, it's Grace's cooking," Melvin said in a playful tone, watching her brother's face.
Kalvin coughed as the food got stuck in his throat. Melvin giggled. Carl and Olivia turned to leave, smiling, while Tara had already departed.
"Grace?" Kalvin asked through his coughing.
"Yup," Melvin said in a teasing tone.
"I'm done eating," Kalvin said, pushing the box of food away.
"Oh, come on, I watched her cook. She even ate one herself, it's not poisoned," Melvin complained, pushing the box back towards Kalvin across the table.
"She's a gold digger," Kalvin said, his tone unsatisfied.
"So are you," Melvin said, without caring.
"I don't date for money or positions," Kalvin complained.
"You don't date for love either, so you date for advantages," Melvin said, her tone more like a joke than a rude complaint.
"Advantages? I haven't slept with any of those girls I've ever dated," Kalvin tried to defend himself.
"Oh, good to hear, virgin boy, but sleeping is not the only advantage. Even those sexy kisses count," Melvin complained, and Kalvin let out a breath, feeling uncomfortable.
"What's wrong with some harmless pleasure? Love is dangerous. It costs a lot of time, effort, and money, and eventually, it's going to leave you with chaos. Maxwell's dad lost his life drinking over a girl, remember?" Kalvin explained.
"But everyone's not like that. Some consider love as something pure. As I can already see, you don't play your stupid games with gold diggers like Grace. You go for people who really make an effort to be with you," Melvin said firmly.
"They want to take advantage of my position, money, and power," Kalvin disagreed.
"Not all of them some really believe in love, and now, eat!" Melvin said, putting a sandwich in his mouth, realizing this conversation was going nowhere. Kalvin made a complaining sound, his mouth full.
Melvin giggled again. "Last few minutes before Bermuda," she said, looking out the window.
"I'm sorry for bringing you here with me. I was just mad at everyone, angry back then. I was tired of getting bullied, and all the mistakes you made, made me even angry," Melvin said, her voice frustrated as she looked back at Kalvin.
"I'm sorry about those things I did. I killed that man, got Dad killed, made you an orphan, and spent a playful life, but I always cared for you, you know that, right?" Kalvin asked, looking at Melvin emotionally.
"I know, you're a good brother," Melvin said, letting out a breath.
Kalvin stared at her. "I'm sorry if we die here in Bermuda," Melvin said emotionally.
"It's okay. I'd rather die happy and united with my sister than live a broken life," Kalvin said, letting out a breath.
"I feel sorry about Bell and Maxwell," Kalvin said a voice full of sorrow.
"Me too, and Daniel," Melvin said, closing her eyes.