CHAPTER 2 FAREWELL JAMES

(Rhio POV)

The sun was setting down when we went home. But before I reached my room, my father’s stopped me.

“I never blamed you for your mother’s death,  Rhio. Nobody wished for it to happen…so don’t blame yourself anymore.”

His face was clear of all the hints of pain he has shown earlier. I stood wordless as I watched him retreat to his study room with a smile on his face. How that day went on has felt so eerie, like the calm before a storm. Like something tragic is about to happen.

Sya, the maid I grew up with, approached me cheerfully. She’s a big woman in her fifties and has been a mother to me.

“Master James rarely had his time off work. It’s good you two had bonded. I heard he’ll be going abroad again tomorrow.”

Noticing how her words made me sad, she patted my hair in a mess and gave me a hug.

Something tragic did happen indeed.

I have lied to myself for so long that my father will still regain consciousness. He’s been ‘dead’ the moment he was declared brain dead. There is no in-between. I have only spoken to him for a few hours in a year and could only recall our few moments together. How abrupt all of it happened was just unacceptable. I suddenly remembered his words that day. How everything would be so hard when he’s gone. And I am already going through so much hardship.

Dad had lost so much weight in the hospital. Bones jutted there and there; he was barely recognizable. I felt a little shame that I still haven’t found the girl I could spend the rest of my life with and introduce him to before he goes to the grave. I might not be able to keep the promise we made. But someday, who knows, there might just be a girl that would suit perfectly well with what my parents wished for me.

I held my father’s hand and bid the last words I have thought of. It might just be the right time to finally let go. “Tell mom my greetings. I love and thank you both,” I whispered. Patients in comatose still could hear.

The creased document that Eriez gave me earlier stared from the trash bin like a nightmare. My hands still trembled as I gathered enough courage to take it.

“Rest in peace dad,” I leaned in closer to him before finally signing the paper.

(Dr. Eriez POV )

The door to the hospital room creaked open. Elthon and I both stared at the folder Rhio was holding as he approached us. His eyes went from me to the other doctor with us. Although he went back to hiding his emotions, sadness still escaped from his eyes.

“Do whatever you want,” Rhio muttered as he handed me the folder.

The faint beeping of the machine from inside the room sounded like a requiem already.  As we expected, Rhio didn’t want to be there at James’ passing. He’s walked solemnly down the corridor without turning his head back at us even once.

I couldn’t help but look at the white walls and be reminded of James and Rhio once more. Like those walls, both had seen deaths more than anyone was allowed to before their hearts break from the pain.

“That kid had been through so much,” Elthon said to no one specifically.

I agreed and opened the file in my hands. His neat signature caught my sight first. Then the dried tears made some of the printed ink bleed on the paper.

“Do it,” the doctor nodded at my words. Several people went in with him.  Elthon did too but I chose to be left outside the room. Before the doors closed, I caught a fleeting glimpse of James and got lost at the sight of white walls again; a thing that has gotten too familiar to me my entire life as a doctor. I went back to gazing at the ticking hand of my wristwatch.

“Time of death…” I heard the muffled announcement from inside and decided to walk down the corridor after Rhio.  

“Farewell James,” I whispered in the sterile hospital air.

( Rhio POV)

The glittering flashes of the camera looked like stars on land that late afternoon. People stared from the lobby and some more crowd looked when I exited the hospital. Reporters littered around and swarmed me to possibly get my statement.

My mouth felt too sore to even talk and all the flashing lights around invaded the privacy I wanted for myself after my father had just died. My men formed me a barricade and it was only at those times that I was able to appreciate their presence.

The visit hasn’t held a secret to the people. My life was too newsworthy for social media to ditch. They are actively on the watch for something big to happen.  They are constantly waiting to reveal a flaw that could taint my family’s reputation. After my father fell into a coma, their secret lenses followed me wherever I go. At that moment, I was also vulnerable to death. Security was heavy throughout the vicinity in case an attack is attempted against me. Amid all the clamor and questions, all I wanted was some peaceful place to go.

Deo, my secretary, squeezed in through the crowd to escort me back to the hospital. I’ve been careless enough to have gone right through the main exit.  He led me and the rest of our guards to the hospital’s backdoors.

“Your keys,” I ordered. Deo handed them to me without questions. He knew too well that people are familiar with all my cars and I really didn’t want any mass attention at that moment.

My valet opened the rear car door but I stopped him and insisted I would drive instead. He tried to express concern for my safety but nobody could ever stop me from doing what I wanted. I need to be alone.   

“Nobody is coming with me! Make the media believe I was still stuck in the hospital if that’s the least all of you could do for me.” My voice sounded commanding in pretense for my shakiness. I can no longer hold back the tears I kept from welling up in front of the crowd.

I should not be seen in my weakness.

Not by the people who see me as their prey or by the people who knew me as their faultless boss.

I turned on the engine and went off at full speed until I was out of sight. My heart was so heavy that I really don’t care where those wheels would take me. Anywhere quiet will do. All I want is some respite, maybe just for a few moments, from my otherwise troubled life.

I hadn’t wished for all of this. I didn’t wish to be a Zel Cantheliz.

@DEATH WISH 

Thank you so much... @Kimberly (Alpha King Checkmate) for dropping comments!

PLEASE HAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW! 

Thank you for supporting my Novel! Also follow me at F******k page: International_Pen Books

 You may also read my complete Novel, (hmmm... while waiting for an update)

Title: 

TAMING THE DANGEROUS CEO

THE DEVILISH BILLIONAIRE

FATED TO MARRY THE DEVIL

ALPHA KING CHECKMATE

NINE MONTHS

Thank you so much!

Want to hear your review! THANKS, A LOT!

(By the way: If you can understand Tagalog, I have so a lot of Tagalog novels for you to read. Please visit my profile where you can see my works. Thank you so much!)

Sena Mangampo Copyright Property