Chapter 3

Payment

A loud ring deafened my ears. I don't fully understand what my friends are saying. I can see their mouth moving but I can't hear a word they're saying. I became aware of myself being supported by the three of them and from there, my hearing gradually became clearer.

"Oh my god, Almene!" I heard Julienne scream.

Julienne the Avery held both of my shoulders. The two's cheeks were full of tears.

"W-What did you say?" I asked trembling. I can no longer fully balance myself.

They both looked away while Nathan tightened his jaw staring at me. I can see pity in his eyes. I tried to get out of their grip and was about to leave the church to go to Francis' family.

Avery held me back that's why I turned her hand away in annoyance.

"What?!"

"Almene..." they said with difficulty.

"T-Tell me. W-What happened to F-Francis?"

I glared at the three of them and didn't stop until someone broke the silence.

"He had an accident on his way here," it was Nathan who managed to break the news to me. "He is in critical condition and is in the hospital now."

I was stunned again and couldn't move from what I heard. No... That can't be true.

"You're lying," I whispered weakly.

I took a step back and almost lost my balance. Nathan rushed to my side and held me. I flipped his hand again after finding the balance.

"A-Almene," Julienne wailed.

"Where is he? I want to go to him," I replied decisively.

I marched towards the exit of the church. There was no one else but the four of us. My eyes immediately looked for Nathan's car which I also used as the bridal car.

I heard the hurried steps of the three of them following me. Nathan held my shoulder and made me face them.

"Take me to him, please," I begged and said. I couldn't stop crying again. Just now everything I heard poured into me.

He had an accident... His condition is serious... Oh my god.

"C-Calm down, Almene please."

"How do you expect me to calm down?!" I was crying out loud. "Take me to him, please." I fainted softly.

Avery and Julienne help me into the car. Nathan went straight to the driver's seat. My chest is tight and I can't rest. My face is full of tears.

"Aunt Dehlia?" I asked trembling.

"They were there first. They couldn't say goodbye to you because they were too worried. They said they would call you when they arrived at the hospital and that we would be the ones to tell you," Julienne responded calmly while rubbing my back.

I tried to calm myself and silently prayed for Francis' safety. I don't think I can handle it if something bad happens to him.

Oh God, please save him...

I immediately got out of the car when I got to the hospital. I couldn't wait for my friends who keep calling me while following. I immediately went to the emergency room. I wiped my tears in haste so as not to have trouble finding Francis.

I first saw Aunt Dehlia and Uncle Solomon with Jade. They were both looking at a particular bed. I slowed down as I looked at the man lying on that bed and the doctor and nurses were trying to revive him. His white suit and hands were stained with blood.

My eyes widened and my heart stopped at the sight. I know the suit he is wearing very well. I tried to deny what was happening recently but now that I see Francis' bloody body, I froze.

I got even stiffer when the nurses and doctors busied around while treating him. I heard Aunt Dehlia's scream. But no voice came out of my mouth. I just stood there, shocked and dumb.

"Twenty joules, charged!"

"Clear!"

As time goes by, things slowed down. I realized that I was already sitting on the floor while continuing to cry. I can't even feel the support of my friends.

Francis was rushed into the operating room for an emergency operation. The only thing I heard was that there was internal bleeding in the part of his brain that was completely crushed by the accident.

Aunt Dehlia came to me and hugged me while crying so hard. I couldn't do anything but cry again. I don't care if I look like a crazy person. I badly want to see him. And I badly wished this was all a nightmare.

"Almene, eat first. You haven't eaten yet," Avery said with tears and worry on her face.

I smiled weakly and reached for the food she brought. She sat next to me and put her arm around me. Somehow I felt better.

"Nathan and Julienne went home for a while to get dressed. I also told them to get clothes for you and some other things that will be needed here."

"Thank you, Avery. You should go home, too. I know you're tired too."

She just smiled and tapped my back.

"What are you saying? It's okay. I just can’t leave you here. Everything will be fine."

I looked away when my eyes started to sting again. It's really good that my friends are here. I don't think I can do it alone.

Even though I'm used to supporting myself without help from others, it's still a different feeling to have someone to lean on when you can't. And I am so grateful to have met people like them.

We all turned when the light went out outside the operating room. It's a sign that the operation is over. We all stood up together when the doctor came out from inside.

Aunt Dehlia rushed to the doctor while Avery and I followed to find out what the result of the operation was.

"We managed to save your son from the worst madame but we still have to monitor his condition and his body's reaction to the operation. There were a lot of complications especially because there was bleeding on the left side of his brain due to the impact of the accident. There is a high possibility of the patient falling into a coma if his brain does not respond after 48 hours."

"C-Coma?" Aunt Dehlia said trembling.

Even I seemed deaf to what the doctor said. This must be a joke.

"Oh my God," Avery gasped beside me.

"D-Doc, save my son please..."

I looked away as a new set of tears fell from my eyes. I can't believe what I'm hearing. I don't want to believe it.

"We'll do everything we can, madame."

We all seemed to be paralyzed when the doctor finally said goodbye. Francis will be transferred to the ICU and only a limited number of people can enter. A few moments after the surgery, Nathan and Julienne arrived. Avery talked to them while I changed into comfortable clothes. We waited for a while until Francis was properly transferred to the ICU.

"You should go home first, dear, and rest. We'll take care of it," said Uncle Solomon after Francis was moved.

"It's okay, Uncle. I want to stay here," my voice cracked.

He just nodded and tapped me on the shoulder. He was the next to enter the ICU after Aunt Dehlia went out. I requested to go inside the room, too.

When it was my turn to enter, my chest was booming. I have mixed emotions. Fear, pain, bereavement. I don't know what to feel.

And when I saw him, I burst out in tears again. His face is swollen. Various devices are attached to his body. There are many monitors around. It hurt so much to see him in such a state. This is not the image I expect on the very day of our wedding.

"B-Babe," my voice broke. I held his hand tight like I'm holding on to my lifeline too.

"Y-You can hear me, r-right. Fight back, please... I-I don't know what I'm going to do if... if you're gone. Y-You know that. Y- You're all I have. I love you so much," I couldn't stop crying.

My only wish for those moments, when I glanced at him again was that his eyes were wide open and staring at me smiling. That way I would feel assured and secure. That no matter what happens, he would always be there for me. That everything will be alright as long as we're together.

"I'm sorry. I thought about you badly when you didn't come earlier. I should've been more patient. And I shouldn't have given up on calling you. I'm sorry."

"We'll get through this together, okay? Promise me you'll come back to me, hmm?" I whispered while holding his hand tightly.

I didn't want to go home and spend the night in the hospital but eventually, my friends and Francis' parents persuaded me. I felt like I was floating on air when I got home. I immediately threw my body on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

I was so tired that I gradually fell asleep. Thinking everything would be fine tomorrow, I drifted off to sleep that night. I just forgot when the sunlight hit my face. I slowly got up from bed when I heard a commotion outside. I heard Dad's voice and someone else's I didn't know.

I briefly went into the bathroom to clean my face when I remembered what happened yesterday. Tears welled up in my eyes again but I stopped them immediately. I have to be strong for both of us.

While getting ready to go to the hospital, the voices outside became clearer to me. I was startled when I heard the fall of something big from the outside. My father's voice became even more evident which shocked me even more.

I fixed my face as I strode my way outside. Just to be shocked again to see Papa being held by unknown people. They are all wearing formal suits and clearly, they are not police so why are they arresting Papa?

"I'll pay, I promise! Just give me some time!"

"Dad!" I shouted in shock.

All their eyes turned to me. My face hardened as I tried not to show them that I am afraid. Who knows if they have guns? It's still early so there aren't many people passing by yet. But I also saw a few neighbors who were curious from their windows.

"What's going on here? Why are you arresting my Dad?" I asked hard.

"Almene."

From the men, I shifted my gaze to my father to look for an answer. He just stared at me in frustration and bowed.

"Is she your daughter?"

The biggest man asked him while staring at me. Later he came to me. As a reflex, I took a step back.

"If you're his daughter then you should be the one," the man sighed and took a glance at my father.

It is not unknown to me that Dad got into debt when he was gambling. But what does that have to do with me?

"So?" I asked brows furrowed.

"You know, your father owes my boss a lot. And as payment, he promised to give you to my boss."

To be continued...