Chapter Two

~Agathe~

"Where is my mother, doctor Farah?" I inquired as soon as I arrived at the Snowflake Hospital fifteen minutes later.

I almost forgot to pay for the cab. Good thing the cab driver knew me and let me off the hook. 

Sprinting inside the hospital's premises, I was an utter mess. Still in my waitress uniform and my long, wavy reddish locks were disheveled all over my face.

A runny nose and dried tears adorned my cheeks but I couldn't care less. I was shaking like a leaf, utterly frightened that something unacceptable happened to my mother. 

"For now, she's stable, Miss Capucine."

Thank god. 

"We did everything to stabilize her condition. But, I'm afraid that one final attack and your mother won't make it again." 

I unconsciously dropped my knees on the floor. I sobbed, crying my heart out. Bawling like a wee child. Shoulders trembling from too much weeping. 

"She was at her limit. Her fragile body can't take the medications anymore. The surgery she needed cannot be performed here and you know that. We must transfer her to a much more capable and larger hospital." 

I suddenly remembered my mother's application for Silvestri Medical Hospital's sponsorship program. I hoisted myself up, clinging my hands to Dr. Farah's arm. 

"What did the Silvestri Medical Hospital say about the follow-up for my mother's application, doctor? Please, I beg you. Tell me they had eventually approved it." 

Looking disheartened, Dr. Farah shook her head. "They didn't. They rejected your mother for the fourth time." 

That was the only substantial time I ever deciphered how unfortunate my whole life had been. I felt so hopeless, wrecked, and devastated. 

How am I going to live my life without my mother? If she dies, what will happen to me? 

That was one of the most dreadful thoughts rushing into my head as of the jiffy. It was compelling me to go berserk. 

"This won't do." I wiped my tears indignantly, halting myself from crying more. I have to execute something if I desire to lengthen my mother's life. 

"I'm going to Stonewood City myself and negotiate with the Silvestri's."

I am well acquainted with the fact that traveling into a city I know nothing about was downright perilous. High risk and fraught with unwanted danger. 

Mainly because I have been living here in Snowflake Village for the past twenty years of my life. In spite of that, I am very much inclined to undertake everything just for my mother's well-being. 

"Can I see my mom now, doc? I'll just bid her goodbye." 

"By all means, Miss Capucine. Take your time." 

Unbolting the door on her ward, I saw my mother lying pitifully on the bed. She seemed like she was in so much agony. Painful tears fell from my eyes again. 

I can't even give her the most high-priced room in this teeny hospital. I strutted towards my mother and sat beside her bed. 

"Mama. ." 

I thought she was fast asleep, but my mother tried her best to open her eyes just to greet me and acknowledge my presence. "Agathe, sweetheart. My darling. ." 

My mother lifted her hand and caressed my tear-stricken face. 

"Ohh, mama. Forgive me." Every fiber in my body was hollering in sheer affliction while glancing down at her. She doesn't deserve this. 

"Darling, don't be. As long as you're here, I couldn't be any better."

She uttered those words bit by bit, at a slow pace, taking her time. I couldn't kick up a fuss because her soft voice strengthened my battered soul. 

"Please, don't leave me again inside this prison cell." 

That I could not promise. We barely see each other because I was too occupied working my ass off ever since she was diagnosed with her disease. 

I kissed my mother's forehead as gently as possible. "I won't, mama. I promise." 

I lied. I hated doing that. Falsifying my own words because I unequivocally don't have the privilege to stay here and do absolutely nothing. 

When my mother dozed off again, I stood up, my heart aching so much. 

"I would do anything to save you, mama. Even if it costs my life. And, my dignity." 

~~~

"We're here, lady. Silvestri Medical Hospital." 

It took me exactly six hours to arrive at my destination. I have used up all of my savings for this journey so I better not fuck up. 

I handed my last cash to the cab driver. As I stood in front of the extravagant hospital owned by the most influential clan in this country, I felt rather small and powerless. 

The hospital in the Snowflake Village stood no chance at all. Everything in this city hollers delicate grandeur and sheer elegance.

Wherever I glance, all I see are sparkling street lamps and shimmering glass walls. Everyone wears glittering dresses and perfectly ironed three-piece suits while I am still in my wrinkled pink, waitress uniform. 

It was already quarter to seven in the evening but this city still seemed so much alive. "Ouch."

Someone bumped into me but never uttered an apology. I bit my lower lip to suppress my tears.

I should be firm and unwavering in times like this. I kept telling myself again and again. With that thought in mind, I trudged toward the Silvestri Medical Hospital's main entrance. 

A staff nurse at the reception desk immediately eyed me from head to toe. She has this condemning look in her eyes. Silently apprising me that I don't belong there. 

"Excuse me." I greeted the staff nurse with a forced smile. "I'm here to see the one who owns this hospital, please." 

The staff nurse's lips formed a mocking smile. "You mean, Mr. Gunther Percival Silvestri?" 

"Yes, I'm here to speak with Mr. Silvestri. Where should I go?" 

"Do you have an appointment with him?" 

I was suddenly at a loss for words. How should I answer that?

"I don't but-" She cut me off. 

"If you don't have an appointment with the big boss, then you should leave, miss. It's a protocol. He's a busy man." 

I didn't budge at my spot. I won't go home without negotiating with Mr. Silvestri, whoever the bloody hell he was. 

On top of that, I couldn't go anywhere else.

God, please. Send me a miracle. I am so lost and so close to breaking down. 

"Dear me. Mr. Silvestri is here."

I heard the other staff nurses mutter to the one I was talking to. The staff nurse glanced behind me and gasped. 

"Hell's bells! I thought he wasn't going to work today?"

My eyebrows arched and moved my body to look behind me as well. I instantly came to a realization that this is my chance! God answered my prayer right away! 

However, when I perceived the man the staff nurses were talking about, my eyes widened in perturbation. I knew him! 

He was the same gorgeous, amber-eyed man who tried to hit on me from the restaurant where I was working as a waitress at the Snowflake Village. He is Mr. Silvestri? How come? 

The gorgeous amber-eyed man was casually strutting his way inside the hospital's premises like a regal king. His hands were placed inside his pants' pockets and his handsome face was stoic, void of any emotions.

He was surrounded by two to three bodyguards and goddam, they were bulky. Enough to wipe me off the map. 

In spite of that, I swallowed my gnawing fear and blocked Mr. Silvestri's way. He was as astounded as I am when his eyes glinted in recognition upon staring back at me. 

Baffled gasps from the staff nurses filled the air but I blatantly ignored them. 

"You? How fascinating."

Heavens. His deep voice is making me forget about all my suffering. 

"Hi. Yes, it's me. I know this is going to be weird given that I left you earlier at the restaurant. But, can I talk to you? It's about my mother's application for your hospital's sponsorship program for cancer patients." 

There. I said it. As embarrassing as it was, I begged. 

I didn't even breathe. I can hear my loud heartbeats inside my ear as I wait for Mr. Silvestri's response. 

One of his bodyguards held my arm. "I'm sorry, miss, but Gunther is feeling a little bit under the weather." 

"Wait. Hold on. I just want to talk, please. Please. Hear me first." 

I am almost crying, I fancied the marbled floor to devour me whole. I didn't like doing this anyway, but this is a matter of life and death situation for me. 

I never removed my gaze from the gorgeous amber-eyed man so did he. Until he grimly stared at his bodyguard and looked down at his grip on my arm. 

"Let her go, Calixto. I'll talk to her." 

The bodyguard named Calixto saluted Mr. Silvestri. "Aye, aye, boss." 

After that, the gorgeous amber-eyed man stared back at me. "Follow me." 

It was almost like an enchantment. I found myself obeying without any hesitation. 

I tagged along with him until we arrived in front of what looked like his own office, after a few turns and half a minute of suffocating ride on the lift. The capital letters C.E.O. was engraved on his office's door. 

My heart was racing when I stepped inside his workroom. Until he closed the door and sat on his swivel chair.

"So, what can I do for you?"

His dark amber eyes shimmered in menace, his lips curving in a dangerous smirk. Why do I feel like I entered a lion's den?