Scarlett opened her eyes slowly but shut them again quickly. The lights were so bright leaving her to wonder where she was at the moment. She tried opening them again, doing so very slowly this time. "You are awake," a gentle voice said beside her. She turned to her side to see Nick's mother, Mrs Perez seated beside her with a soft smile on her face. "Where am I ?" She asked the woman."You are at our family clinic," she said to her. "Our doctors are going to attend to you until you recover, so you do not need to worry about anything."What am I doing in a hospital?" Scarlett asked again, still puzzled at everything that was going on. There were machines connected to her, and their beeping was getting her nauseous. She was feeling lightheaded and it was as if she would throw up."You were rescued from the sea and brought here," Mrs Perez said to her."You could have just allowed me to die," Scarlett said as a tear slipped down her eyes."Do not speak that way," Mrs Perez said softly
Scarlett finally decided that it was time for a new start. She was going to take Mrs. Perez's advice and figure out things for herself. In a matter of a week, she was discharged from the hospital. She wondered how something that could be a whole hospital could be regarded as just a family clinic. It showed that the Perezs indeed ruled Singapore. She did not want to go home, but at the end of the day, she had something to look forward to. Singapore had been indeed an experience, not just because of the wedding but because of everything that had transpired. She was going to have a conversation with the two men and tell her about the decision that she had come up with. Alex was the first person she decided to have a conversation with. He had gone back to the city the same day he had come to see her in the hospital. His mother had finally talked him into taking up part of the family business, and he had some things to settle first before he would come to Singapore.He was at home when
Paris was like a breath of fresh air to Scarlett. She had never been on a solo trip before and Paris felt like one. After her discussion with Lucas, Daphne had not been happy about it and had to cut her honeymoon short. Nick had to go back to work too so they had made a joint decision.When Daphne came to her house the week before she traveled, she looked bubbly. Nick was doing his duties as her husband well and it was evident in the way Daphne went on and on about it. Scarlett wanted to think that it was the giddiness that came with being a newly married couple, but there was something about theirs that seemed different, something about the adorable family Nick was from. She talked at length with Daphne about her reason for requesting a divorce. She had strong points, but Daphne had been a bit reluctant to accept her decision.However, she urged Scarlett to have a nice time in Paris and treat it like a solo trip. Scarlett thought of it as more than that. She saw it as her first st
Scarlett was quiet throughout the rest of the food tour in Africa. She had been so reserved that people began to think that she was a different person from whom they had seen in the news when she was in Paris. She was either forcing a smile or becoming absent-minded at every little opportunity.Raymond had noticed her moodiness. She was barely eating anything and he was getting worried about her. He had refrained from asking her about it so he would not be crossing his boundaries with her. He did not want to abuse the great platonic friendship they shared.It was when she did not say a word throughout their entire trip back to their hotel rooms on the last day of the tour that he decided to take the bulls by the horns."Are you okay, Scarlett?" He asked her. She had encouraged the first name policy between them as she felt it would aid their work relationship. "I'm fine," she replied curtly as though she was not just the one staring out of the window in a devastated manner."You know
It was already dark when Alex had finished collecting her medications. Scarlett was already weak at this point and could barely walk to the car. The nurse offered to go get her a wheelchair so she could get to the car easily. Alex asked her not to bother and in a twinkling of an eye, he carried her up in his arms, taking her by surprise at first.When she looked at his face, he did not seem to mind at all. He was carrying her with so much ease, his face contoured in concern for her. She leaned her head on his shoulder. As he walked out with her safely in his arms, everyone turned to stare at them. The doctor shook his head with a smile. He had known Alex since he came to the city. He was indeed a good man.Alex drove her home and helped her to bed just after he had made her eat something and take her medications."You had somewhere to be today, why did you stay?" He asked her as he helped tuck her into bed."You are my friend and that's what friends do for each other," he said to her
Alex called Scarlett for the tenth time that morning. He called her every day since she was diagnosed to check up on her. She usually answered on the first or second ring. If she did not answer, she would send him a message to tell him that she was busy.It looked a bit awkward that she was not answering. He did not want to suffocate her by always being around, so he refrained from going to her house. But on the other hand, at the thought of something bad happening to her, he grabbed his keys and headed over to her house. He pressed the doorbell continuously, but it would not open. He decided to use the fingerprint sensor to open the door. He had not told her that he had access to her house, but at the same time, he had no intentions of abusing that access."Rose!" He called out sharply as he headed into the house. "Are you there, Rose?!" He called out again. There was no response and it got him worried.He ventured into her bedroom but her bed was perfectly laid. It could only mean
Lucas could not believe that Cole still had a hand in this. He felt like he was to be blamed for what had happened to Scarlett and Raymond. He could not even bear to go into the hospital with them when Alex drove them there.Instead, he took a cab and headed straight for the police station even though it was almost dark."Is there another problem?" Daniel asked as he came to meet him."I need to see Cole right away," he said. "But you cannot see inmates at this time," Daniel was adamant. Lucas brought out the phone and transferred some money to Daniel immediately who received the ping of the credit alert with an exaggerated gratification.He let Lucas in after that and into a private room so that other officers would not know what was going on.Lucas waited for close to an hour before Cole appeared. He had thought of going home and returning the next day, but he felt like if he could pay good money for it, then it was worth waiting for."What brings you here?" Cole shot at him immed
Scarlett decided that she would have to see the doctor again, not because she was going ahead with the plan they had put in place, but because she was feeling the weight of the illness on her shoulders.She felt dizzy at any slight instant and there was always some kind of sharp pain in her chest at any slight stress she underwent.It had affected her job so much. She had turned down two deals, even though Raymond reassured her that he could take care of them. She just wanted to be extra careful because he had just graduated culinary school and did not have much experience in the outside world. It was not like she doubted his capabilities. He had been a smart student from school, but there were a lot of things she didn't want to take chances with and that included her culinary career. She thought that no one would do it better than she would.She called Raymond in the morning and told him not to bother coming to work. He had managed to get a small apartment for himself and only staye
Scarlett decided that it would be a good option for the entire crew to return to Santorini. She had cut short their trip the last time, and when she suggested it this time, Alex was in full support. They sent out invitations and made arrangements. Scarlett added George and Daniella to the list and after the entire planning, it looked so promising.Daphne and Nick arrived the night before the trip."Left for me, I would have suggested that you both went on your honeymoon alone but since you want us in it as well, I can't decline," Daphne said as she settled in Scarlett's room.They had agreed that Daphne would spend the night with Scarlett while Nick and his brother would share a room as well. "Let's just say I wanted to do it as compensation for cutting short the trip the other time, and we all deserve a break from the cruel life we have gotten over," Scarlett said. "That reminds me," Daphne said as she took out her makeup from the dresser with some wipes. "What did Lucas say to yo
"If it's not the bride," Daphne began excitedly as she opened up the door and barged into the room where Scarlett was ready to get into her wedding dress."Daphne!" Scarlett called out as she went ahead to hug her best friend. "I thought you were not going to come anymore," she added. "Of course, you know that I will not miss your big day for anything," Daphne said. She had been a bit incapacitated the whole time of the preparations, because of the pregnancy and Nick had insisted that she stayed back and allowed the doctor to attend to her. Daniella had managed to squeeze out time out of her busy schedule and away from George who seemed obsessed with her every day. She saw the way they had their pictures all over social media, and they were equally successful chefs."Is Lucas coming?" Scarlett asked."I tried to talk to him, but he said he does not want to be here," Daphne replied."But he has signed the divorce papers already, right?" Scarlett asked. "I don't like the way he is ma
Scarlett stopped by Alex's house on her way back from a contract job. The hospital incident had taken a toll on everyone, especially Alex. He had gone into hiding, away from his house and away from his office.When his parents finally decided to give him space, they went back to Singapore along with Nick and Daphne. They all had no idea that the incident would take a toll on him that much, and Scarlett seemed to think that he was overreacting, but she could not help but think that it was all her fault.She had finally gone to Africa for the contract, but every day, she kept thinking about Alex. Raymond had urged her to enjoy herself and do her job well, but she could not help it. She called him and sent him messages every day, but he would not answer or reply. She had made a call to his housekeeper who told her the exact time he usually came back to the house. She had told him that Alex now had empty beer and whiskey bottles in his study. Scarlett knew that he was not a drunk. He ba
"What do you mean you would not carry out the procedure anymore?" Alex raged as he followed the doctor out of the surgical ward, alerting his family members.They rushed out immediately to see what was going on."Doctor Ezra, you have to give me a good explanation for all of these," he continued. The doctor stopped and turned around to face him."I think Scarlett and your mother would have a better explanation for this," he said. "I think that my work here is done," he added and walked away.Alex turned to his mother, not knowing what to expect."What is he talking about?" He asked her. His mother fidgeted a little before she finally looked up at him. "Scarlett would be in a better position to explain things to you," she said. "Can you all just stop pointing fingers and tell me what is going on?" He asked. His mother was silent. His father and Nick were as lost as he was as they were still trying to fathom what was going on, but grateful in their hearts that Alex was still alive.
Alex stepped out of the ward and his father stood up immediately after he saw him. They stood and looked at each other for a while. There was no disappointed scowl on his face to suggest that he was angry. Instead, a beautiful smile was plastered to his face. He stretched out his hands just like he would do every day after work when they were little boys. Alex rushed at his father and engaged him in a big embrace. His father patted his back gently and Alex relaxed slowly. They soon sat down at a corner and his mother came to join them."Would you want anything to eat?" She asked her husband who looked up at her with a smile."Alex teaches us every day how to love," he said to her. "Our boy is so brave," he added as he smiled at her. "I don't want to be reminded further that my son is about to have his heart out and given to someone else," she said. "Where is Nick and Daphne?" Alex asked. He had not seen them since he came out. Just Lucas sat there with his face buried in his hand
"Time for what exactly?" Lucas asked when he saw that he was the only person that did not know what was being discussed. Doctor Ezra looked back at him, but did not say anything to him, but turned around and left. Lady Abbott looked at her son Alex and tears welled up in her eyes. She went ahead to engage him in a long embrace. "Can someone tell me what is going on here?" Lucas asked again, spreading out his hands and looking around. "In case you have not noticed, Alex has decided to donate the heart for Scarlett's transplant," Daphne said to him. Lucas has become such a pain in the ass and she was equally getting irritated."What is that supposed to mean?" Alex asked with an amused expression. Daphne looked at him unbelievably. He ignored her and moved to where Alex was standing."You think that you are the hero, right?" He asked Alex. "You went behind my back to see the doctor and agree to the transplant?" He continued. "I simply did what had to be done," Alex said."But you d
Alex rushed at her immediately while Nick picked up his phone immediately to call for help. Lucas turned on his phone too so he could make a quick call to Doctor Ezra about her current situation.If there was a right time to put aside their differences and work together, it had to be now. Nick looked at Daphne as he spoke to the pilot on the phone. He saw how she was visibly trembling and he knew she was highly terrified.He went over to where she was and put a hand around her in a comforting manner, rubbing her back gently in circles so she would calm down.Once she was calm, he held her close to him. "I am sorry about this but remember the doctor said panicking will increase your blood pressure, and it's not good for the baby," he said to her. She nodded and turned around to hug him.The medical team soon arrived with a travel bus and they collected an unconscious Scarlett immediately."I called Doctor Ezra and he said we need to bring her in immediately," Lucas said as they all fi
Scarlett stretched out her hand and touched him lightly. She watched him try to put himself together properly before he turned around with a big feigned smile on his face."What are you doing out here?" He asked her calmly. "You know it's cold out here," he added.She rolled her eyes. She was tired of everyone knowing what was good for her and what was not. It was all driving her nuts and she wished that they would all just give her a break. It irritated her more because he seemed to be having his struggles but was still looking out for her like she was a priority."Why were you crying?" She asked him. He looked up at her sharply."I was not crying. I just have a cold and it has given me a runny nose, but—""Oh don't lie to me," Scarlett cautioned him. "I know what I heard."He was silent for a while as he avoided her eyes. Thoughts of what he would say to her rummaged through his mind. An idea soon occurred to him."It's about my company," he finally said. "I think we might be runni
"What did you say to her in there?" Nick asked as he took Daphne back to where they were seated initially. "Maybe if you had not rushed in there like we were planning your murder, I would have had the chance to have even a normal conversation with her," Daphne said, sounding agitated."At the end of the day, Scarlett might probably start to request answers from you guys," she continued. "You are all doing a bad job at keeping a secret," she added. Just then, Scarlett passed by and went to take her seat. "Is everything okay?" She asked Lucas. "You all came to the restroom," she added in case they had not understood why she asked."We just wanted to make sure that you were doing great," Alex was the one that answered. He stood up afterward and headed out. If he had to lie to Scarlett one more time, he might as well end up spilling the beans.He had to walk away to prevent himself from saying anything. Nick excused himself and followed after his brother. They got into another compartm