CHAPTER 13

Author's Note:

 Happy New Year, everyone! This is my first update for 2021, and yeps, it's kinda long. I enjoyed writing this chapter, and the fact that there is something for Zhanaia at the end of this chapter, it went far.

 I wanted to thank everyone who gave and will give this one a try. This is my first ever English novel, I know I still need to improve a lot and I am more than willing to learn. And by the way, I wanted to give everyone a heads up; I am not from Zurich, and I haven't visited Switzerland even just once (though I hope, someday, I can). I am from the Philippines. Some have been asking me, 'Why set your novel in Zurich, Switzerland if you haven't visited the place yet?' And I always say, just because I haven't been in this place, doesn't mean I can't write something about it, right? There's the Internet, youtube, and travel websites. Though I know it would be better if I have seen it myself. I am just trying and exploring, there's nothing wrong with that, right? Writing is learning. Writing is exploring. And yes, I will continue writing this one, and no one can change my mind. I know some people believe in me, and they are enough reason for me to continue.

 Links of the references that I used for the info of the places that Dion and Zhanaia visited in this story will be attached at the end of the book, together with the acknowledgment. I hope you'll stay with Zhanaia and Dion until the end, but if you don't find this story worth reading or you didn't like it, you can just simply skip it or remove it in your library. I accept fair critiques because I know it will help me grow and improve. Once again, Happy New Year, everyone! Keep safe, always wear face masks (and face shield) if you are going outside. Practice social distancing and proper sanitizing. Enjoy reading!

*****

CHAPTER 13

 "I... I'm jealous."

 Another deafening silence followed. Only the erratic beats of my heart are the only thing I can hear, the noises coming from the busy street vanished.

 Dion's right hand that is caressing my cheek suspended in the air, his mouth slightly parted, his body froze, his eyes stared directly at me with an emotion I can't name for my mind is wandering in the wonderland as well.

 "You're jealous," he mumbles. "Does that mean..."

 "Diii— oh my god, what the hell is this?!"

 Our gaze turned to where the voice came from, we faced Janice whose mouth is wide open, her eyeballs almost jumped out of her eyes. Behind her were Caroline who's smiling from ear to ear and a tall foreign man who has the same expression as Janice.

 I glanced at Dion and realized that we are too close to each other. So this explains Janice and the tall foreign man's priceless face. And why is Caroline smiling like an idiot?

 As if she managed to read my mind, she whistled, "My ship is sailing!"

 Janice who finally realized what was happening threw a glare at her before walking towards us, pulling Dion away from me and snaking her arms to his, making my heart sank. I fought the painful fang in my chest and the urge to show how much affected I am.

 I heard Caroline grunted, "And here comes the bitch ugly shark trying hard to make a hole for the ship to sink."

 Janice's deadly glare shifted to her, while the foreign man arched his brows as he looked at Caroline. Meanwhile, my best friend rolled her eyes and went beside me.

 "I am here to be your partner, Zha."

 "Partner?" I blurted.

 She nodded. "Mmm. The ugly shark here and that bastard," she pointed to the tall foreign man. "they used their connections to join Dion on his tour, with you. Lady Maya called me and assigned me to be your partner."

 My mind wandered for a while. Janice and the foreign man used their connections to join Dion's tour, Lady Maya called Caroline to be my partner because starting from today, it's not just me and Dion anymore. But Dion, Janice, the foreign man that I still don't know who, and Caroline, and I as their tour guide.

 Which means...

 Dion and I won't have the chance to talk like we used to do before, we won't have the chance to talk about some things— about ourselves as a way of getting to know each other while touring him around.

 Because starting today, we would be with Caroline, the foreign man, and Janice... his best friend and his first love.

*****

"Wait, wait, wait!" we stopped on our tracks as we heard Francis' voice— the foreign man I am talking about.

 Before we go earlier, he and Janice introduced themselves to me, since Dion and Caroline already knew them. The three of them run in the same circle, they're from rich families in America.

 Dion and Francis' family are hospital owners, while Janice's family owns a Real Estate Company.

 And even after knowing that Janice is from an upper-class family, Caroline didn't stop bitching her. She even cusses at her secretly, and she only does that when she is annoyed and dislikes the person to the core.

 "What is it?" Caroline asked bored.

 Francis smiled, showing the set of his white teeth that will surely pass as a model of toothpaste.

 "There are girls in our destination, right?"

 My brows met, what?

 "Seriously? You wasted our time just to ask that?" Caroline.

 He grinned. "Yes."

 "I just want to remind you, mister, that we are here for a tour, not for some nonsense personal reasons. There are a lot of bars and night clubs in Bahnhofstrasse area, you can go there tonight and mingle with girls."

 They all looked at me, I saw Caroline's lips formed into a smirk.

 Since we left the coffee shop, I was silent and only talk when Caroline is asking me something. Only a few words were coming out from my mouth, sometimes, just a nod.

 "Uhh... o-okay." Francis awkwardly chuckled.

 I nodded and walked again. I heard Caroline fast footsteps, catching up with me.

 "Zha!"

 I hummed as a response. She nudged me teasingly, making me glance at her.

 "Acting cold huh?" she teased.

 "I'm not acting cold. It's just that I suddenly felt tired, I felt the consequences of not sleeping and just spent my night crying."

 She breathed heavily. "Is it because of Dion and Janice?"

 I nodded. There's no way of hiding it from her, she'll know anyway.

 She took a quick glance at Dion and Janice, still clung to each other's arm. I did the same, taking a glance at them. My chest feels heavier whenever I see them together.

 "If you weren't just in denial at first, or if you weren't just too innocent and hesitant with what you feel, do you think it would turn out like this?" she asked, making me shrug.

 "Don't know, but can you blame me? You know I haven't felt this way before, this is the first time. Plus, I have a hunch the very first time I felt this but think that it's just too fast for me to feel that way."

 "As I've told you, love works mysteriously. I thought you already know that because you love reading books, and in every novel, they always say how love works."

 "They do, but still, I wasn't expecting it works like this. I mean, hello? We just met a few weeks ago and then hello, strange feelings! Hello fast heartbeats, hello butterflies in my stomach, hello blushing Zhanaia, hello love!"

 The good thing is we are few meters away from them that's why they can't hear what we are talking about. Plus they have their conversation too.

 Again, Caroline sighed.

 "You know, aside from love works mysteriously, it is also about your bond and your closeness with the person you are in love with. Like for example, his personality. Spending time with him, getting to know each other and his personality can help you develop your feelings for him."

 I smiled. "I think that's how exactly my feelings developed for him."

 "Really?"

 "Yea." I nodded. "Of course, at first, I feel awkward. But as time passes by, as we talk more and get to know each other more, I feel comfortable with him. Especially when I found out what he is going through. You know, any moment, he can bleed and that might cause his death. He wants to live more and dream, but couldn't because of his condition. Only the medicines he takes are helping him to prevent the bleeding. And of course, being away from stress. And if he will think of his condition, he will be stressed, so what he did is... he accepted his fate already. He already accepted that he'll die soon so he is living his life to the fullest."

 "He is pretty cool with his condition, Caroline. One of his dreams is to travel the whole world, but he knows he couldn't do that any longer. So he decided to travel Zurich because this place is special to him." my voice cracked. "Before he goes, he wanted to finish this Zurich trip."

 Caroline smiled. "I think I know now, Zha. You are head over heels in love with those fictional characters who have been through a lot, like Romeo, the main male lead of The Fault In Our Stars and you are in love with Jack Dawson of Titanic too. You are in love with those characters who have been through a lot but still fought until the end. And Dion, from the things you have told me, he has been through a lot. And he is a tough one."

 My smile widens. Tears started to form at the corner of my eyes, I fought the urge when they are about to fall.

 "Yes, Caroline. You are right. He is a tough one, he is a different one. He has been through a lot and he deserves everything that this world could offer. He already accepted that he won't live any longer but," I rested my clenched knuckled on my chest. "I, my heart wants him to live longer, to achieve his dreams, to travel the world. I want to give him a reason to live, Caroline."

 We shared a serious look for a while until she smiled.

 "Aww, Zha, you're growing. Look how in love you are!" she teased, making me smile.

 Few more walks and we entered the area of Münsterhof. Caroline and I shared the same look, a sign that it is time to do our jobs. I set aside all the things that are bothering me for a while before we faced Francis, Janice, and Dion with a wide smile on our faces.

 The three of them stop in their tracks as they look at us, Caroline cleared her throat because she will be the one who will start this trip. Just like me, she set aside her personal issues with Janice as an act of professionalism.

 "Okay, so, let's start this day!" she cheerfully exclaimed. "We already know each other so no need for another introduction of ourselves, let's get straight. So, for today's trip, as written on my partner's daily trip list, we have three destinations."

 "Münsterhof— the largest town square in Zurich within Alstadt, Alstadt itself— also known as the Old Town of Zurich, Grossmünster and Fraumünster— two of the four major churches in the city."

 "Presently, we are in the area of Münsterhof, the largest town square of the city within Altstadt, situated in the Lindenhof quarter in the historical center of Zurich, Switzerland. This place is a part of the historical core of the medieval town of Zurich, thus the medieval buildings surrounding the place."

 The medieval buildings that surround the Münsterhof include the Museum of Art. The town square is just within the vicinity when we visited the Art Museum but we didn't visit this one because we were scheduled to visit a few of Zurich Museums' first.

 Münsterhof is just inside the Old Town— where Dion and I met and to the footbridge where he confessed what he feels.

 I stopped myself from smiling upon remembering those things. I tried diverting my attention to Caroline's explanation, dodging the thoughts of how it all started.

 "Münsterhof is located in front of Fraümunter and then Grossmünster beyond which are the two of the major churches of Zurich. From here, you can see the equestrian statue of Fraümunster and of course, the twin towers of Grossmünster."

 She extended her hand to point to the buildings she has mentioned, together with the other medieval buildings surrounding the place, and that of course includes the Art Museum and several guild houses, like the former Kämbel Guild House.

 And when it was my turn to do the talking, I took a deep breath to calm myself—specifically my heart that is being wrecked because of the sight of Janice clinging to Dion's arm as they roam their eyes around.

 They look like a fine couple from abroad, probably traveling and appreciating the sight. I averted my gaze and focused, doing everything I can not look at them or I'll be dead.

 "During the prehistorical era, the area of Münsterhof was just a swampy hollow flooded by the river of Sihl, and was improved as the time passed by. The area was expanded along the eastern Limmat riverbank, the Lindehof hill was the core of the Helvetii and Roman Settlement or the Vicus Turicum in which the modern city has grown. It is said that during the 10th Century, wooden houses were built beside the Fraümunster Abbey by Zurich Citizens, while the mansions made of stone may have been built in the early 13th century."

 "Münsterhof was the only proper town square within the medieval town walls for centuries and through the middle ages onwards was served as a place to stage important political and cultural events for a larger audience. This is also where the German King and his retinue was formally welcomed by the abbess of the Fraümunster abbey."

 This place has witnessed a lot of important events, especially events from Zurich history. Just like the other places in the world existing for centuries now, Münsterhof holds a lot of memories. From happy ones to the sad ones, tragically or not.

 We roamed around the town square, Caroline was the one who did most of the explaining. And as usual from the curious, adventurous, and daring Dionysus, he asks questions about the place that Caroline and I answered as far as our knowledge can.

 One of the challenging parts of being a tour guide is when the person you are assigned to tour has the soul of the adventurer— a curious adventurer who loves discovering things and would throw you o that will challenge your knowledge as a tour guide. And Dion is one of those few people I've encountered in my entire life as a tour guide who has the heart of a curious adventurer. He's not here just because he wanted to see the beauty of our land and take a picture and flex it on social media, he's not here just to take pictures and brag to his colleagues that he went on one most beautiful and blessed land in the word. But he is here because he is a traveler.

 By the time we were roaming at the heart of the town square, it was already noon and time to eat lunch. Francis was the first one who groaned in hunger. Upon spending some time with him as we strode in the town square, I learned that just like his cousin, it was not hard to be close to him and have a good start for friendship. He is fun to be with and he knows how to cope up with the people around him. He talks a lot and cheers the mood up.

 While strolling in Münsterhof with them, Caroline and I didn't feel different because of Francis. We actually look like a group of teens strolling around, enjoying school vacation. It's just that Caroline and Francis wouldn't stop arguing and opposing each other's ideas, teasing each other, making them look like a silly couple in our group. From time to time, I can see Janice rolling her eyes at us, she didn't leave Dion's side for the rest of the time, and they too look like a sweet couple.

 Meanwhile, I watch them as we walk around, sometimes shaking my head because of Caroline and Francis' childish arguments. Although I don't have someone to tease me like the way Francis tease my best friend or someone whom I can cling my arm to like Janice to Dion, I didn't feel out of place because of Caroline. I know she can feel my uneasiness at first because I am stuck between them so she and Francis purposely involve me in their childishness. And I am thankful for that because if they didn't do that, I will surely look like a third wheel or will feel out of place.

 "Argh, I'm hungry. Let's go and eat, guys!" Francis groaned for the third time.

 Then there's Caroline again, "I wonder how many baby fats you are hiding under that shirt of yours, and oh, your exotic pets inside your tummy must be very hungry for you to groan in hunger like that."

 "Excuse me? Baby fats you say? Ha! What's the use of having daily proper exercise and being an athlete if I have baby fats? And if you are talking about intestinal worms, well, sorry to burst your bubble, babe, but I am too healthy to have those." he said, smirking.

 Knowing my best friend, she wouldn't let herself lose. And as expected, she retorted,

 "Proper exercise and athlete my ass! And nope, I'm not talking about intestinal worms, you're too old for that. Yours are probably snake!"

 "What, snake? Hell, babe, do you think I am capable of having snakes inside my tummy if it is packed with my hard abs?"

 "Hard abs? Absolute distilled water! Abstract painting!"

 I bit my lower lip and took a few steps away from them, aware that they will raise World War III at any moment. Some people who were also strolling around and vendors are looking in our direction, some are shaking their heads and some are suppressing themselves to laugh. I was expecting Francis to say another word to defend himself but then he stops walking, faced Caroline, and suddenly pulled the hem of his gray shirt upward, taking it off, leaving him topless.

 The people around us who witness Francis' sudden action gasped in shock, and I too was surprised, I put my palm to cover my parted mouth. Francis' body is on full show, and yes, he wasn't bluffing when he mentioned his abs. Indeed, he has a body that seems to be perfectly sculptured by one of the great sculptors from the old era.

 Muscles at the right place, flexible biceps, his well-built and toned chest that seems to be hard as a rock, and the abs he was talking about. I mentally counted and hell, six-packs! And Caroline is facing it with her eyes widening and mouth parted in shock!

 "Absolute distilled water and abstract painting, huh?" he smirked.

 A few moments and Caroline went back on her senses, she averted her gaze from Francis' body and I mentally chuckled as I saw a red tint on her cheeks.

 "W-wear your s-shirt!" she tried to sound pissed and annoyed, but yea, she stuttered.

 Francis on the other hand chuckled sexily, and if ever my heart was not in turmoil because of his cousin, I'm sure he'll sweep me off too. I saw Caroline blushed even more, and an idea came up in my mind, like a bulb that was suddenly lit.

 "Looks like, it's time to payback, dear best friend," I mumbled.

 I jog towards them and gently pulled Caroline who's cheeks are still as red as a tomato. I took a glance at Francis and motioned him to wear his shirt again. Chuckling playfully, he shakes his head before wearing his gray shirt to cover his body. Janice and Dion walk to us too, Janice is shaking her head while still clinging her arms to Dion while the latter has this annoyed look on his face.

 "Don't ever do that again, Francisco!" Dion growled.

 He gave Francis a meaningful glare and his cousin just shrug his shoulders off, still chuckling. I shook my head before calling their attention, "There are restaurants and cafés here, I'm sure you saw them while we're strolling around. The choice is yours, you can choose among those restaurants so we can settle our lunch."

 They all looked at me, Dion's face softened as our eyes met, I immediately averted mine. Janice on the other hand, rolled her eyes when she looked at me and clung her arms even more to Dion, which made me look down as I waited for their answer. No one talked nor made a move. We just stood from where we are, I could still feel the eyes of the people around us because of what Francis did earlier, and when Dion scolded him. Suddenly, there's a building tension, the atmosphere around us changed. No one talked, we were silent until Janice broke it.

 "So, are we just going to stand here the whole day?" she asked sarcastically.

 Dion who has been staring at me for a while now, cleared his throat, Francis sighed, while Caroline and I remained silent. They decided to just eat in a restaurant inside one of the guild houses surrounding Münsterhof. If we are in a different situation, we will probably give fair critics to the restaurant's menu and its ambiance and style, like what Dion and I always do when it was just still the two of us. But the opposite happened as we eat our lunch. Janice keeps on talking about things that do not interests me, Dion and Francis were the ones talking to her while Caroline and I focused on our food. As much as I want to appreciate the ambiance inside the restaurant and my meal, I can't. I don't know why, I just can't. I can't even feel the food refilling my energy. Slowly, I can feel the exhaustion, even more, the lack of sleep.

 We took a few more minutes inside the restaurant after we finished our lunch before we decided to go to our next stop, Fraümunster. And as we headed to the church, Janice was the one who keeps on talking about random stuff, she's not clinging to Dion anymore, but too close to him. Meanwhile, Francis, Caroline, and I are silent as we walk, but I can see Francis taking glances at my best friend.

 Fraumünster is one of the four main churches of Zurich, Switzerland. Its English name is Women's Minster for it was built in the remains of a former abbey for aristocratic women, founded by Louis The German in 853 for his daughter, Hildegard. Though, Fraumünster's English name was often translated as Our Lady Minster. The church today belongs to the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Zurich, and it also serves as the parish church for one of the city's 34 reformed parishes.

 The church's choir abbey has five stained glass walls that were installed in 1970. It was called Chagall Windows for it was designed by Marc Chagall. Each window has dominant colors and each tells a bible story. On the northern wall, from left to right, were: Prophets, depicting Elijah's ascent to heaven; Jacob, displaying his combat and dreams of heaven; Christ, illustrating various scenes of Christ's life; Zion, showing an angel trumpeting the end of the world; Law, with Moses looking down upon the suffering of his people.

 The church also has this Crypt Museum, under the choir of Fraumünster Abbey. It was made public on the 19th day of June, the year 2016. It compromises an exhibition on the history of the Reformation in Zurich, on the architecture, and local history. The exhibit is assisted by a multimedia information system that illustrates the foundation fragment of the crypt, and how the church was rebuilt from its original Romanesque construction phase to its present Gothic appearance.

 Of course, just like any other tourist destination, especially if it is being preserved because it plays an important role in the city and its history, Fraumünster has developed a visitors management that started in June 2016, the same month and year when the Crypt Museum was made public. This is also because of the 500,000 visitors to the church every year. Visitors up to persons are admitted from June 20, only by appointment and defined time windows. Guided tours are allowed only in a "whisper" modus, and by accredited tour guides.

 Because Dion is a special client, according to lady Maya, our handler, we managed to get in Fraumünster. And as we roamed inside the church, I can see Dion taking a clear look from some angles. Probably, memorizing some part because he plans to paint them, just like what he always does. He's not fond of taking pictures, but painting.

 Our next stop is Grossmünster, in English, Great Minster, also one of the main churches of Zurich. The other churches are Fraumünster— the church we visited just a while ago, Predigerkirche, and St. Peterskirche (St. Peters). But only the first two were on our list. Grossmünster is a Romanesque-style Protestant Church, and its congregation forms part of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Zurich. It was a monastery church vying for precedence with the Fraumünster across the Limmat throughout the middle ages. And according to legends, Grossmünster was founded by Charlemagne, whose horse fell to its knees over the tombs of Felix and Regula— Zurich's patron saints. Charlemagne or Charles I, was the King of the Franks 768, the King of the Lombards from 774, and the Emperor of the Romans from 800. He was the first recognized emperor to rule western Europe since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The said legend helps support a claim of seniority over the Fraumünster, which was founded by Louis the German, Charlemagne's grandson.

 The Grossmünster is one of the most important sites in the history of the reformation and the birthplace of the Swiss-German reformation, with the changes and events that happened in this church that made a great impact in the history.

 Architecturally, the Grossmünster is Romanesque in style and thus a part of the first pan-European architectural trend since Imperian Roman Architecture. In keeping with the romanesque architectural style, Grossmünster offers a great carved portal featuring medieval columns with grotesques adorning the capitals. The church also has these twin towers which are regarded as perhaps, one of the most recognized landmarks in Zurich. The twin towers were first erected between 1487 and 1492, which were originally had high wooden steeples, which were destroyed by fire in 1763, thus the addition of present Gothic tops.

 The church also features modern stained-glass windows and ornate bronze doors in the north and south portals. The modern stained-glass windows were added in 1932 by a Swiss artist, Augusto Giacometti, while the ornate bronze doors were added by Otto Münch in 1935 and 1950. There was a carved image of Charlemagne on the bronze doors by Otto Münch.

 And as we take our time appreciating Grossmünster, Francis started throwing his comments about the church, especially to its Romanesque style architecture. According to Dion, his cousin has this love for old architecture styles, so, Francis' fascination with the church and the places we'll visit with the same architecture as Grossmünster, wouldn't surprise him at all.

 "He told me once that when the time comes and he's going to build a house for his family in the near future, he would be more than willing to pay a big amount of money just for the architect to draw a house similar to the old style of houses, as well as to the engineer just to build his dream house."

 "Sometimes, whenever he's being like that, I can't help but think, if reincarnation is real, then could be my cousin reincarnated from someone from the old times?" Dion joked as we walk around, and Francis is leading us like he knows the place so well. "I can't understand where his love for the old architecture style is coming from."

 He shakes his head with a smile on his lips, and then he looks at his cousin who looks like a child amazed by a clown doing magic tricks, and funny stuff at a party. And I too, can't help but smile. Dion and Francis are both elites, they came from a wealthy family, and if you are going to look at it, Caroline and I are too far different from them. We are no near elites, our family belongs to the middle class. And mostly, elites and middle-class people, or commoners, as they say, don't interact that much. But looking at the situation now, we managed to get this close to them. And although we are just supposed to be their tourist guide, they didn't make us feel different we look like a group of friends, just hanging around and enjoying our vacation.

 I noticed that Dion has been clenching his fist for quite some time like he's in pain. I can see him suppressing a wince, I got worried and wanted to ask him if he's okay like what I always do before when it was just the two of us. But I just don't know how to approach him at this moment. I know nurse Stell and Daniel are just around, they will surely rush to us if they know that Dion is in pain.

 The moment we stepped our foot outside the church, Dion held his head and screamed in pain. Immediately, we rushed to his side. I've seen him like this before, but I am still not used to seeing someone screaming so loud in pain while cursing, and I know that deep inside, he's begging for this pain to stop.

 "Argh, damn it!"

 "Dii!"

 "Dionysus!"

 "Oh my god!"

 Caroline, Francis, and Janice reacted when Dion screamed again, but this time, he fell on his knees while still holding his head— no, he's now pulling his hair desperately like it will lessen the pain. While the three of them are trying their best to console Dion even just a little, I stood frozen in my place, unable to move. I wanted to be by on his side so bad like what I did when his headache attacked thrice when it was just the two of us, but... Janice is already on his side. From my peripheral vision, I saw nurse Stell and Daniel rushing in our direction. People are also staring in our direction, shock was written on their faces with their mouths gaping, while some of them are looking at Dion with concern in their eyes.

 "Dionysus, listen to me, you are better than this, cous. You've been through this pain a lot, this is no new to you, you can do it!" I heard Francis trying to cheer Dion up.

 "Fuck, damn this pain! I can't take it, make it go away! Make it stop, please!" the latter pleaded.

 "No, no, cous, you can do it! You can do it!"

 While Dion is begging and screaming to make the pain he is feeling stop, his cousin is trying his best to tell him that he can do it. That he has been in that situation and he conquered that pain a lot of times.

 Nurse Stell and Daniel reached us. Nurse Stell did her job as Dion's nurse, while he's still screaming.

 "Dion, relax. You need to relax, it will help you ease the pain. Please, relax."

 "No! I can't! The pain won't go away! It hurts!" and again, he screamed.

 I can't bear seeing him like that for a long time, so I snapped and lost control. I lost my composure, I rushed to him, and I don't know how did I manage to push Janice away just so I can sit beside Dion and envelope him in my arms. I heard Janice gasp in shock at my action, but I don't have time to check or give a damn to her. Francis, Caroline, Daniel, and Nurse Stell looked at me in shock too, but again, I didn't mind them and give all my attention to Dion.

 "Dion," I called his name. "Dion, Dion, please, look at me."

 I gently held his head and made him look at me. "Dion, listen, you need to calm down, you need to relax."

 Finally, he looked at me and my heart sank when I saw his eyes covered with tears.

 "Z-zhanaia? Sweetheart?"

 I smiled, nodded, and started caressing his cheek with my thumb, while my other hand reached for his right hand and hold it tightly.

 "There, calm down. It will help you ease the pain." I softly said.

 "B-but it still hurts. It still hurts, it still hurts, sweetheart. It still hurts."

 He's starting to become aggressive again, trying to pull his hair hard, thinking the pain will lessen with that action, so I did my best to stop him and calm him down, with the help of his cousin, Nurse Stell, and Daniel. I whispered encouraging words in his ears while holding his hand tightly, and slightly caressing it using my thumb, as well as his cheeks with my other hand. Moments later, his screams lessen until I heard him sobbing softly, and silently, whispering that he's hurting.

 "Shh, Dion, it's okay, it's okay. You'll get through this, you can do it. You're strong."

 I keep on whispering encouraging words in his ears while Nurse Stell is doing her job. I was taken aback when he suddenly encircled his arms to my waist and laid his head on my chest, in a comfortable spot. I felt his hard breathing as he tightens his grip on my waist.

 "Sweetheart, don't leave me," he whispered, almost begging.

 Moments later, his breathing and his muscles relaxed. He fell asleep.

*****

 "Will he be okay?" Caroline asked as we watch Daniel and Francis went upstairs while carrying the sleeping Dion. Nurse Stell went up with them, of course, she's the nurse.

 We are currently in Dion's house. A rented vehicle picked us up, Francis' doing because unlike his cousin, he doesn't like taking a cab at all. The mini-van was enough to carry the seven of us. On our way, Nurse Stell is still doing her thing to Dion, checking him and all.

 "He will be alright." we turned to Janice who is comfortably sitting on the couch, but there's a glint of sadness and worry in her eyes. I suddenly remembered that I pushed her. "It's just normal for him to pass out after being attacked by a very painful headache."

 Caroline and I shared a look when we saw she was about to tell us more.

 "Those headaches he'd been feeling are the signs that he is getting worst. Day by day, Dii's condition is getting worst. The medicines are somehow helping him, but it doesn't change the fact that he's getting worst. The medicines aren't helping him to get better, it only prolongs the effect of not getting treated."

 She looked at me and for the first time, she smiled, though it is a sad one. And then her look shifted from me to my best friend, she nodded at Caroline, and I heard the latter sighed, making my brows furrowed, especially when Caroline gently pulled me out while Janice stood up and followed us.

 "Wait, where are we going? What's happening?" I asked.

 My best friend looks at me, "Follow me if you want to know."

 I did as she told me, although I am dying to ask what's going on. It looks like they are keeping something from me and I'll know it once we reached where we are about to go.

 We reached Paradeplatz— the heart of Bahnhofstrasse. It is known as the financial center of Zurich. And base on how I see it, we are heading on one of the restaurants here, and I was right. We headed to Zeughauskeller, a restaurant that occupies a 15th-century building in Paradeplatz. With its arched windows, wooden ceiling beams, and stone columns, and the menu that comes in a dozen languages together with the traditional dishes. But Zeughauskeller is not a tourist trap restaurant, and I wonder what are we doing here.

 A middle-aged woman approached us the moment we stepped to the restaurant's entrance. Caroline talked to the woman in German, and of course, I do understand their conversation very well. Looks like we are meeting someone here, based on what I heard, Caroline asked for the reserved meeting table with six seats. The woman guided us to a table at the corner of the restaurant, there I saw someone waiting for us. Before we could even reach the table, I tugged my best friend's arm.

 "Caroline, what's this?" I asked in a low voice.

 She glanced at me, "Shh, Zha. Trust me."

 A man stood up when we were just a few meters away from the table. The woman who guided us lend her hand to the table and bowed her head, Caroline pulled me to continue walking. The man, whom I assume is in his late forties greeted us with a warm smile, but when I look at his eyes, I can see sadness and worry.

 We stood in front of him, Janice and Caroline greeted the man with a great amount of respect, while I stood frozen as I stare at him. He looks like Dion and Francis, but more to Dion. He is the mature version of Dionysus, they have the same eyes— ocean blue. And even though the man looks like he is in his late forties, he still looks handsome. The realization hit me...

 "Mr. Fidel... Dausel?" I was supposed to say that just to myself, but it slipped on my lips.

 He smiled, "Yes, young miss. I am Fidel Augustine Dausel. Dionysus' father."

 My mouth gaped open in shock, my head is swirling in thoughts if that's even possible. I can't believe I am standing face to face with Dion's father, and the fact that he is an owner of a known hospital in the United States. I know I shouldn't make this one a big deal, someday when I become professional, I'll be facing more elites. But for some reason, I felt the pride to meet Fidel Augustine Dausel, father of Dionysus Dausel.

 "Well, let's have a seat."

 I came back to reality when Caroline pulled to sit on the chair beside her. I didn't know I've been staring at Mr. Dausel for quite some time, and I'm sure I look like a jerk or yea, something like that while staring at him with my mouth parted.

 "Let us wait for Daniel and–"

 Before Mr. Fidel Dausel finishes his sentence, Francis came, Daniel following him.

 "Uncle!"

 "Francisco!"

 The two of them did a man hugged, Daniel bowed his head and mumbled, "Señor Fidel," I wasn't surprised since I heard him once called Dion, Señorito Dion. Though Daniel is most of the time, silent, he doesn't mingle with us, unlike Nurse Stell.

 Francis smiled at me before he sat on the chair next to his uncle. Now, our sitting arrangement is Janice - Me - Caroline, and across us, Daniel, Mr. Fidel Dausel, Francis.

 A waiter served us food, Francis immediately delve on his Hot Chocolate Sundae, while Janice played with her Vegetarian Pasta. Mr. Fidel told us to eat, but I remained unmoving. I am still confused, what is this meeting for? Why is Dion's father is here? What is he doing here? According to Dion, he's busy managing their hospital.

 When they noticed I wasn't moving even an inch, they decided to drop their spoons and fork. Francis drinks, so as Mr. Fidel, he wiped the side of his mouth with a table napkin before clearing his throat and spoke,

 "I see, you are eager to know the reason for this rendezvous," he started. I remained silent, he sighed heavily. "I'll go straight to the point now. Zhanaia, right? Sweet Zhanaia Camince?"

 I gulped, "Yes, sir."

 He nodded. "Do you mind if I call you by your name? Or you want me to call you by your surname? Miss Camince?"

 "No, sir. Zhanaia is enough."

 Again, he nodded before sighing heavily. Now that I had a clearer look at him, I noticed that his eyes were kind of swollen, and there are dark circles under them. And by the looks he is giving me, he is up for something serious, he looks a little desperate. And I wonder what's with him.

 "Zhanaia," his ocean eyes met mine, just like Dion's. "the truth is I came here to ask you a favor."

 Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. Now, he sounded and look not just a little, but desperate.

 "Favor?" I asked and he nodded.

 "Yes, Zhanaia. A favor. I came here to ask you a favor, a favor that I desperately need."

 "Unbeknownst to Dion, I followed him here. I went here to Switzerland the day after he left the United States." he started explaining. "I am sure Dion told you that I don't have time for him, that I am busy handling the hospital. But the truth is, I always got his back. I always monitor my son, Zhanaia, but I remained in the shadows and let him believe that I am busy and don't have time for him. The truth is I just can't bear being by his side because I can't see him suffering, as a father, I don't want my son suffering. If we could just trade position, I'll be the one who's sick and he'll be the healthy one, then I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'll do it just he could be happy and do the things he wanted."

 "I know that Dionysus has dreams, he wanted to do a lot of things but he just couldn't because of his condition. Zhanaia, it is not just a Brain Hemorrhage, it is more than that, it is worst, he is in the worst condition. He could go on an operation but still, it is not enough to assure that he'll survive. He already accepted his fate."

 I looked down and bit my lower lip, I know that. Dion told me before that he could go on an operation but he chose not to and accepted the fact that he'll die soon. There are ways and chances for Dion to survive but he refused to do them.

 "But you know what, if Dion only has enough reason to survive and continue living, he will surely do everything he can just so he could live." Mr. Fidel continued.

 I looked at him again, "And aren't you enough reason for him to live?"

 He shakes his head and chuckled, "No, Zhanaia. Since my wife died, Dion and I didn't talk that much, I distanced myself from him. And I told you that I keep myself in the shadows while monitoring him, right? And I do know that he is blaming himself for what happened to his mother."

 And that made us silent again. Dion told me before that he does blame himself for what happened to his mother. We remained silent for a while before Mr. Fidel spoke again.

 "And Zhanaia, I know that you and Dion have something."

 I was taken aback when he said those words, he smiled, "I am monitoring my son and watching him from afar, I am here and watching him from afar, that just means I know what he is doing all this time. He already confessed to you, right?"

 Caroline giggled, while Francis smiled teasingly. I felt my cheeks burned, I'm sure as hell I look like a tomato in front of them. And I couldn't believe it, Dion's father knows his confession! Just, OH MY GOD!

 And then an idea suddenly popped in my head, is he here to ask me to stay away from his son? Is that the favor he is talking about? Would he give me money, like, "Here, take this money with you. Go away and live my son alone. I don't want someone like you for him." because that's what I've been watching and reading in romance movies and novel. When the male lead or the female lead is rich and then he or she fell in love with someone who's not as rich as them, either the father of the male or female lead will talk to their daughter or son's lover, give them money just so the lover would leave the male or female lead alone.

 "A-are you here to ask me to live your son alone? You don't want me for him because I am not as rich as you are. You said you are here to ask me for a favor, and that is to stay away from your son, is that it?" I voiced out what's running in my head. "If I don't agree to stay away from Dion, you'll try to give me money that I can use to run and go away. And if I still don't agree, you'll threaten me and will do everything just so I would stay away from him. Is that why you are here?"

 To my surprise, Mr. Fidel humorously laughs, opposite from what I expected him to react. I was expecting him to nod his head and say, "You got it right, young lady." and then he'll look at me sharply like he's going to kill me any second while saying, "Now, I want you to stay away from my son, or else..."

 Even Francis and Caroline started laughing, from my peripheral vision, I saw Janice biting her lips, suppressing her laugh. Daniel, on the other hand, smiled a little. I watch them as they laugh like I just said something funny. When they finally stopped laughing their asses off, they took a sip on their drinks and waited they fully calmed down. Caroline spoke first, she snaked her arm to mine,

 "Sorry for that, sir. My best friend was eaten up by the fiction books she's reading." she beamed.

 Mr. Fidel shake his head, "I see, I see." he chuckled, "And no, Zhanaia. That is actually the opposite of what I am going to ask you."

 My brows furrowed, "Eh? Opposite of what you are going to ask? What do you mean?"

 He smiled before taking a quick look at Daniel, Janice, Francis, and Caroline, who nodded their heads. Caroline tightened her grip on my arms while her thumb lightly caressed them as if giving me a stroke of good luck.

 "Zhanaia, like what I've said to you earlier, I came here to ask you a favor. I've been watching my son from afar, and by watching him, I saw how he looked at you whenever you two are together. I saw how he smile whenever he's with you, I saw how he look at you like you are the most precious thing in this world. I know it may be fast, you two just met, but dear, that's just how love works."

 "Upon watching you two from afar, I saw how Dionysus grew fond of you in a short time, day by day, time by time. And I saw in him that as you two go closer together, I can see the change in him. I saw him look at you with a spark in his eyes, I can see that slowly, my son is starting to fight. And I think— I can see and feel that... that you are the reason. Zhanaia, I came here to personally ask you a favor."

 "Please give my son a reason to fight. Please, be the reason for him to fight."

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