Chapter 3

In another part of the busy city was a black Audi A8 followed by a white 2025 Mercedes Maybach S-class, which was driven down to the entrance of a five-star presidential suite.

Four huge muscled men in black suits stepped out heavily from the Audi A8, lined up in a two by two formation waiting for their master.

A middle-aged man came down from the front seat of the limousine and quickly ran forward to the back seat door.

He opened the car door and a manlike figure who stood at approximately 6’2 tall came out. His navy blue suit could be recognized as one of luxurious materials.

His lustrous black hair complimented his piercing ocean eyes, sharp broad shoulder, and perfectly traced thin lips with a jawline.

Anyone could feel intimidated by his mesmerizing appearance. Each of his steps into the suite was followed by his bodyguards alongside his secretary.

His powerful aura called for the attention of the people in the reception. Everyone could feel goosebumps as he passed by.

“Hola, Sr. Johny, por favor sígueme.” A middle-age Spanish man led them to a remote area.

Translation: “Hello, Mr. Johny, please follow me.”

The ambiance of the interiors in the space was one of a kingdom. In the room was a discussion with a grey-haired man who looked to be in his late 50s, the discussion led to Johny's signature on a document.

“Gracias por darnos esta oportunidad, no te defraudaremos.” The man said as he shook hands with Johny but, unfriendly Johny didn't return the gesture.

Translation: “Thank you for giving us this opportunity, we won't let you down.”

He stood up and arranged his suit well then stepped out, followed by his men who almost couldn't catch up with his walking pace.

“Sir, you have a meeting scheduled in 30 minutes.” His secretary said, his tone was wavy and hyper as he was unable to keep up with his boss walking pace.

“Cancel the meeting, I'm going somewhere in a few minutes' time. Book a table at Casa petra restaurant.” Johny commanded as he checked his wristwatch which revealed the time to be 1:20pm.

His expression was emotionless, nobody could read him.

“Yes Sir!” The secretary exclaimed.

“The file I asked to be printed?”

“It's here with me sir.”

Johny nodded in satisfaction.

They left the hotel and headed straight to the restaurant. Amidst their journey there, the secretary had successfully reserved a quiet spot for him.

They arrived there at exactly 1:35pm, fifteen minutes earlier than the scheduled time. Everyone that works with him knows him for his time consciousness.

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BACK TO ARIEL

The taxi driver wheeled around as quickly as possible. Headed towards the hospital route.

In a few minutes she arrived there, hopped out from the taxi and paid for the service, turned to the hospital entrance without looking back for her change. Her gaze was fixated at the hospital entrance.

The world became silent and empty to Ariel.

Not even the commotion of the clicking heels and shoes of the passer-by and cars horn blaring nearby could make her flinch.

A bead of sweat slid down her temple despite the cool breeze piercing her body.

She continued staggering forward barely able to keep her balance.

She was neither walking or jogging. Her step pace frantically increased as she sighted Mrs Garrett (her son's teacher) and some other teaching staff.

“What happened to my Max, where is Max!?” Ariel bombarded them with questions and walked forward to barge into the emergency room.

She pushed aside the teachers who were trying to calm her down.

“Mrs Richmond you need to calm down right now, nobody is allowed to enter at the moment.” One of the teachers said.

“I am his mother, I want to see him!” Ariel groaned aloud.

She was almost successful with her intention however, she was stopped midway by a nurse.

“Madam, please leave the room, you're not allowed in here, have your seat in the hallway.” The nurse said.

Ariel turned back respectfully and stood in the hallway. She almost couldn't feel her legs. Thus, she wobbled.

The teachers quickly approached her to give her support.

“Mrs Richmond please calm, Max will be fine I'm certain.” Mrs Garrett said, hoping to comfort Ariel.

“What exactly happened to my son!”

“He slumped at the playground while playing with other kids.”

“Max is a strong and healthy boy, how–” Ariel's statement was stuck in her throat upon hearing the sound of the emergency room being opened.

A doctor came out.

Ariel rushed forward, eager to know the situation of her son.

“Doctor, how is my son, what happened to him?”

“Madam, we need to sit and talk about it. Kindly follow me to my office.” The doctor requested.

Ariel obediently followed the doctor from behind.

“Please have a seat.”

“Doctor, what is the problem? What happened to my son?” Ariel impatiently questioned the doctor as she sat down.

“Madam I'm sorry to tell you that your son is diagnosed with a complex arrhythmia disease which resulted to the need of surgery as early as possible.”

“What….what did you say?!” Ariel asked not wanting to believe what she heard.

“You heard me right Ma'am.”

Ariel stood up, her expression became cold and unlively, her eyes started twitching uncontrollably, and welled up with tears.

“Oh…okay.” She unconsciously blurted, her voice almost unheard. She turned around robotically and went straight to her son.

Before entering, she came to a halt, wiped her tears-sticken face, and curled up her lips to apply a smile on her face.

“Mama…..mama…..what happened to me, why am I here?” Little Max wondered aloud.

“My baby, don't worry, everything is fine.” Ariel forcefully smiled at her child knowing things were not fine. But she didn't want to scare him or make him worry.

“Mama..”

“Yes my baby”

“Why do your face look like a tomato?” Max narrowed his eyes, looking for reasons behind his mother's redden face.

“New make-up sweetie.” Ariel responded with a bright smile.

“Mama, don't use it anymore, you look like a sad tomato.”

“Okay sweetie, mama will stop using it.”

Beside Max was a nurse who was inspecting Max's heart monitor.

“Can he be discharged for now?” Ariel asked the nurse.

“Yes ma'am…..but it is a high risk if no one is monitoring his daily life because of the stage of his illness.” The nurse responded.

Ariel nodded in understanding but it was written all over her eyes how miserable she felt.

Confused Max stared at his mother for clarification on what's going on but he could sense the crestfallen in her eyes.

“Mummy, am I okay?”

“Yes my love, you're okay, you just need some check ups and treatment to monitor your heart rate.”

“Do you feel discomfort anywhere in your body?” The nurse asked him.

“No.” He responded.

“Mama can we go home now, I don't want to be here.” Max uttered, shaking his head sideways.

“Soon……. we'll go home soon.” Ariel assured him.

Some minutes later Ariel signed for her son's discharge and took him home.

When they got home it was already 5:30pm, no guarantee that if she go to her intended destination before the unexpected incident, she would be favored.

“Surgery!?” Anya shouted upon hearing the treatment for Max's illness.

“Keep your voice low, he doesn't know about it. I don't want him to get bothered.” Ariel cautioned her friend.

“I am doomed Anya, I don't know what to do. The doctor said as early as possible. I couldn't even make it to my interview.” Ariel lamented as she buried her face in her palms.

“You didn't go for your interview?” Anya asked in disbelief.

“Yes……I was on my way there when I got the call.” Ariel lamented and exhaled sharply.

“Oh my God, what are we going to do now?” Anya asked in a concerned tone.

“I don't know…..I can't even think straight at this point, I don't know why life as been f*cking with me these days. I am tired.” Ariel grieved.

A thin layer of tear flown down her cheeks, obviously a silent sobs in her heart.

“Girl…I think you should try calling the line to explain why you couldn't make it there. Who knows? You might be favored.” Anya suggested. She is always best known for her tenacity and optimism.

“Are you sure about this? I don't think anyone would tolerate excuses, it would be easily taken for unseriousness.” Ariel muttered. Her tone was one of distress and distruct.

“I always tell you to try, you never know until you try.” Anya exclaimed.

“Don't think in such way, you need to try, always try even if it looks futile.” Anya added.

This time Ariel summoned her courage from nowhere and frantically dialed the contact. She unconsciously lifted her chin up and locked eyes with her friend's eyes.

The stare could be classified as one of looking for hope, mixed with nervousness and uncertainty.

The line rang but no one answered, she dialed it again with the same result. She dialed it one last time nothing changed.

“I think I've missed this opportunity.” Ariel murmured in disappointment. Her voice was almost unheard.

“Then you need to go there, let them see that you're serious, it's just an unexpected messy mishap that didn't allow you to prove yourself.”

Anya said as she leaned forward to gaze intensely at Ariel to show how serious she meant what she said.

“You might be lucky. A one rare chance in a million chances is all you need, and trying is what would make you get that.” Anya added.

Her expression is one of compel yet calm.

Ariel didn't say a word but pulled Anya closer and wrapped her hands around her. The hug was a sign of agreement and gratitude for her friend's encouraging advice.

Anya responded with a soft rub on Ariel's back for comfort.

Suddenly a growling stomach sounded which was loud enough to burst earlobes.

“Hun?...is that your stomach, oh no you haven't eaten anything today!. Let me go prepare something for you to eat.” Anya said and rushed to the kitchen.

In the kitchen Anya was busy making a meal for her friend when the sound of their doorbell rang.

“Coming.” Anya responded and rushed to answer the door.

Upon opening the door she froze at the sight of the life threatening figure standing in her front. She subconsciously staggered back and ran to Ariel's room.

Pushed open the door hastily.

“Ariel, you have a visitor.” She said. Her tone was wavy and thought provoking.

“A visitor, who is the visitor?” Ariel asked in confusion.

“I think it would be better if you go see for yourself.” Anya murmured with a serious look, stared frighteningly at her friend.