Chapter 11- Per-cutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)

After an hour of waiting, it was finally their turn to meet Dr. Valentine. They both entered the chamber and sat down opposite him.

Dr. Valentine greeted them with a wide grin "Hello Miss Holmes and Hello Mr. ...."

"I am Carl Black."

"Hello, Mr. Carl Black."

Dr. Liam Valentine was a very cheerful person. He always wore a wide smile on his face. He was a young and famous heart surgeon in 'X' city of around 33 or 34 years of age. 

After checking all the information about Mark Holmes, he started saying, "OK, the thing is that Mr. Holmes has 70% of blockage in his heart, and it is quite alarming. We can perform PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting. The choice is yours." As usual, he was grinning widely staring at Lisa.

Lisa was dumbfounded and asked, "PCI?"

Dr. Valentine Chuckled and explained, "Well, Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is nothing but a coronary angioplasty. It is a nonsurgical procedure. During this process, we will insert a catheter tube in the heart to improve blood flow. Another method called bypass grafting is a surgical procedure."

"Which is the safest one?" Carl Black asked indifferently with his cold sexy voice.

"Both are safe. But I suggest PCI."

Lisa was somewhat lost and asked warily, "How much will it cost?"

"We prefer PCI, doctor." Carl Black said without caring what she asked.

"Hmm ..... Good. I am glad. But I think Miss Holmes wants to say something." There was a slight frown on his face. His eyes were still focused on her.

"I decided on behalf of Lisa." Carl Black’s voice was stern.

"The decision should be made by family members. May I ask you what is your relationship with Miss Holmes?" 

Dr. Valentine let out a soft chuckle. He was looking straight at her without sparing a glance at Carl Black. This made Carl Black a little annoyed and his eyebrows knitted gradually. Lisa moved her eyes to Carl Black, only to see him looking at her.

"He is my fiance."

"She is my fiancee."

They both said at the same time.

Dr. Valentine’s smile disappeared and disappointment spread in his eyes, but quickly he returned to his normal cheerful appearance and said shortly, "Oh."

"Now I think you don't have any objection if we decide to do PCI." Carl Black’s tone was cold and indifferent.

"Well, then that's settled. I'll let you know the available date soon."

After thanking him, they both left the chamber and went to the ward. Dr. Liam Valentine's face turned gloomy as soon as they left. He kept staring at the door from where they left.

Mark Holmes was talking something with Linda Holmes in a low voice. When Lisa and Carl entered the ward, they stopped talking immediately and turned to look at them. Mark Holmes smiled at Carl Black and said, "Oh Carl, you came. I am glad to see you."

Carl Black went near him and asked, "How are you feeling now?"

"Oh, I am good."

"Mr. Black we are happy that you came here. Please take your seat." She smiled and made a gesture to show the chair beside the sickbed.

"We talked to the doctor. They will perform PCI on you." Carl Black sat on the chair. 

Linda Holmes asked with surprise, "What is PCI? Is it risky?"

He glanced at Mark Holmes and then looked at her. "It's a nonsurgical procedure and very safe. There is nothing to worry about."

Mark Holmes reached out to hold his hand and said, "Carl, I have a request."

"Please tell me how I can help you?"

"I am getting old and now this illness. I am very worried about my daughter. Now that you both have agreed to this marriage already, I don't want to wait till next month. I hope you get married next week on the day of the engagement." He squeezed his hand, looking hopefully at him.

"Dad, please." Lisa felt tightness in her chest. Her eyes stung as tears welled up.

Mark Holmes looked at her and said coldly, "I am now talking to Carl."

Lisa lowered her head immediately. He shifted his gaze to Carl Black and asked, "Do you have any objection, Carl?"

Carl Black glanced at her briefly, then turned his gaze to Mark Holmes. "As I have already agreed to this marriage, so you don't have to worry. Whether it is one week later or one month, my decision is not going to change. But as of now, you should concentrate on your health. Stop worrying. You are going to be fine soon. Once you recover, we will talk about the wedding."

Mark Holmes released his hand, sighed deeply in dismay, and said, "If you say so." 

He was slightly disappointed. Truly speaking, last night's incident had shaken him deeply. When he saw Lisa with another man, he became furious, so he wanted to advance the marriage to avoid calamities. He was worried thinking that if Lisa took any decision hastily, there would be no place to hide his face. But he also couldn't go against the wills of Carl Black and force him for the wedding. Now he could only wait until he recovered fully.

……

The day ended and darkness covered the city. Linda Holmes insisted on staying at the hospital and asked Lisa to go back home.

When they came out of the hospital, Carl Black insisted, "Please stay at my place tonight. You shouldn't stay alone. I don't feel safe."

Lisa was stunned and denied quickly, "No, no, I-I can stay alone. Don't worry."

"I'll not allow you to stay alone."

"Mr. Black, I am an adult, and this is not the first time I am staying alone. When my parents were away I stayed alone many times."

He placed his hands on her shoulders and said, "I can't sleep at ease if you stay alone." His tone was pleading.

He was really worried about her safety. How could he allow her to stay alone? He was trying to convince her but sometimes situations don't turn out as we wish. The same thing was happening to him.

"But......"

He interrupted her, "If you don't feel comfortable staying at my place, I'll stay at your place, but you are not going to stay alone."

Her jaw dropped in shock. She refused hastily, "That can't be..... Mr. Black, please don't force me. I really can stay alone. You don't have to worry at all."

"OK, you win. But promise me, you will call me immediately if you need something." He was helpless and sighed deeply.

"Thank you for understanding me."

On the way back, they didn't talk much. Very soon they reached her apartment. When they got off the car, Lisa turned around to leave. Just then, he held her wrist and said, "Be safe and don't forget to call me."

He pulled her into his embrace and rested his chin on her shoulder. 

She stiffened her body, and her breathing hitched up. The shock was written all over her face. She was not prepared for this and swallowed hard. She heard him saying huskily, "Wait for a while."

She didn’t dare to move and stood still in his embrace. Her heart was hammering rapidly inside her ribcage. 

"Good night." Finally, he let go of her. 

"Good night."

She waved him and left. After taking a few steps, she halted and turned around, only to see him staring at her earnestly. Pressing her lips into a thin line, she thought something, and asked, "Mr. Black, will you have dinner with me?"

Carl Black was very happy in his heart. He smiled and said, "Sure."

Once they were inside the house, she went to the kitchen hurriedly to prepare dinner. Seeing this, he asked her, "What are you doing?"

She turned to look at him. "I am going to prepare dinner." She sounded surprised.

"No need. I'll order some takeout."

She stood there for a few moments, staring at him dumbly. After a long pause, she said, "Then I'll show you the guest room first. You can freshen up there."

"OK."

After showing the guest room to him, she went to her room.

He took a bath very quickly and ordered some food. After that, he laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He thought about the things that Mark Holmes told him at the hospital. He was pulled back to reality by a soft knock on the door. He opened the door and saw Lisa, holding a cup of coffee.

"I made coffee for you.”

"Thank you." He took the cup from her.

"Um... I am in the living room. If you want anything call me."

"Sure."

Lisa turned around and rushed to the living room. She was feeling very uneasy in front of him. Her heart was beating very fast. She sat down on the sofa placing a hand on her chest. Her chest was undulating up and down visibly. Her breathing was erratic. She leaned back on the sofa, closing her eyes.

"Are you alright?"

She was startled by the sudden voice coming from the top of her head and jumped up frantically, only to see him staring at her curiously.

"Is there any problem?" He frowned deeply.

"No, no.."

He placed his hands on her shoulders and asked, "Are you worried about your Dad?"

She swallowed her saliva, looking bashfully at him, and stuttered, "Um.. no...I mean yes."

"Come sit down first."

He pulled her down to the sofa and asked, "Now tell me what is bothering you?"

Ding... Dong.....

"It may be the delivery boy." He stood up and opened the door.

As said the takeout was delivered.

"Let's have dinner first." He smiled, and she nodded.

When they had almost done with the dinner, she slowly asked, "You didn't ask the doctor how much the PCI will cost?"

He looked up at her and said, "You don't have to worry about that."

"But I don't know whether Dad's medical insurance will cover it or not."

"Lisa... We are a family now. Your problem is mine too. Let me handle it."

She was speechless. She lowered her head and finished her remaining food quietly. She knew she couldn't win arguing with him.