Chapter 7: The Call

(Kendall's POV)

Heartbroken, I stood transfixed in shock and disbelief gawking at the doctor as tears streamed down my swollen cheeks. Shivers ran through my spine and I wished the ground could open up and swallow me without remaining any part of my body.

"This is not what we need now. Mrs Hart. We didn't see this coming and it is so unfortunate that it happened to both of them at the same time," he rushed as concern etched on his face.

At every word he said, I took two steps backward, clutching my heart till I sank into the chair which he had placed in front of him.

I tried to speak and attempted to ask him how it all happened but words failed me. The more I opened my mouth, the more the words raced back to my stomach.

I was sleeping on the mat this morning when my phone's loud ringing tone jolted me upright. I was a bit taken aback when I saw that it was the hospital calling me and my heartbeats began to rise.

"Good morning." a masculine voice greeted me and I could sense the tone of uneasiness in his voice over the phone.

Before I could respond to his greeting and ask why he called, he interrupted me with a note of alarm.

"Good morning, Kendall, I am Doctor Jose from DeLove Private Hospital, in charge of taking care of your two children that were admitted here. You need to come over as soon as possible as this is a state of emergency which could cost their lives in hours."

"In hours?? What are you talking about, doctor?!" I exclaimed as my heart skipped many beats and I found it hard to process what he meant by his last statement.

Accidentally, my shout had woken Gabriella and Laura up and they gazed at me with worries outlined on their faces.

"You and I spoke two days ago and you still told me I had a month left to gather the money... What went wrong doctor?"

"This is not the time to lament or ask me questions, Mrs Kendall. We need you over here! Kindly do well to be here as fast as you can if you truly love your kids," he urged and cut the call.

On the spur of the moment, without taking a bath, I set to go the hospital. "What the heck?!" I cussed in tears when I remembered that I have no money left on me. That was even the reason why I trekked home yesterday.

I explained everything to Gabriella and without wasting much time, she headed to one of our neighbors - a racist who hated my kids and me so much because of our skin colors and particularly me, because of my American accent - to borrow money for my transport fare.

"We have to perform the surgeries for both kids in less than 24 hours," he added, squeezing my hands gently. Still, I was mute, bawling so hard.

"I know everything is tough on you but you have to save your children, Senora Kendall. The nine surgeons including I that will perform this cardiac operation on them are ready and we have to get all the medical equipment ready before 10 hours. Honestly, I wish I could help you but I have things to settle on my side too."

Finally, I summoned the courage to talk amidst hot tears. "How... How- how can I raise that amount within 10 hours, doctor? I do not have any work I'm doing. No one wants to employ this unkempt woman who has three children already."

"Mrs. Kendall-"

"Doctor, I have no one. What can you do to help me? If I can have sex with you right now, could you please help me do the surgery for my children? I can't lose them," I interrupted him with my cracking voice as I rose to my feet.

Without thinking twice, he broke free of my hand and I recoiled backward. The friendly doctor I once knew began to smell of pure anger and I regretted that I said something like that.

"What are you saying, Mrs Hart? Do you know this is against the ethics of my profession? Do you think I established my hospital to have this kind of relationship with my patients?!

"As much as I want to help you, I would tell you the truth behind the reason why you are here suffering, and it is because you do not know your boundaries. Why would you have unprotected sex that resulted in pregnancy when you are not ready to be a mother?"

Words failed me again and I cried like there was no tomorrow for me. Why was my life like this? Why did I have to suffer in life when I was born with a silver spoon? Why did everyone think that I was not ready to be a mother when I got pregnant?

Within a second, my life became a joke. I lost everything my parents so worked hard for because of love. If I had to be reborn into this world, I'd never love again.

"A hospital is not a place to cry. Your children are on the sick bed suffering, you shouldn't have given birth to them at all if this was the kind of life you wanted to give them."

"And the only chance you have to make it up to them for bringing them into this world to suffer is within 10 hours. As for me, if you had happened to be my mother, I would never forgive you!" he hollered.

I watched him pour out his disgust at me and I feel more dejected. If only I could bring myself out of this situation I am in today, I would never laugh or mock the pauper again.

The telephone on his table started to ring and he walked to pick up the call.

"Hello!"

"Okay. In a bit," he added and dropped the call.

He averted his gaze toward me and sighed. "I have some patients to attend to, Mrs Hart. I don't mind you using the door at this moment."

"I-I will do my best, doctor," I stammered and my legs faltered.

"That is left to you," he replied as I regained my stability and proceeded out of his office.

As I got out of the hospital, the only thought that appeared to me was to walk two kilometers down the lane and plunge into the water because there was no hope for me getting that huge amount of money within that time frame.

I inclined my head, dawdling down the lane that led to the river when Gabriella's tale about me being the stars, the moon, and the sun struck my head.

And as I raised my head, I saw a billboard that displayed the CEO of that familiar company.

It read, "What do you have to tell C. E. O Stephen DE La Cruz today? Call that number below and you will be amazed to talk to him personally."

"That scoundrel," I mumbled and I halted in my tracks after an idea popped into my head.

Yes! I took my phone and started to copy his number from the billboard and dialed it. To my amazement, the person picked at the second dial, and his deep voice came on at the other end.

"I am C.E.O Stephen De La Cruz of the DeLaCruz Group of Tech Companies. Who are you and what do you have to tell me today?"

"This is Kendall Hart and I want to inform you that I am ready to be your contracted bride."