RAY'S POV
One thing I'm certain of is that my grandfather has always been cruel, even with family. And for a stranger, it is much more worse. So knowing him, he would not care about the girl, but I care. If she dies, I'll feel guilty. I will feel I killed her, so I'm not letting her die; I won't let my grandfather win on this one.
"I have evidence that exposes this as an attempted murder. I'll punish the doctor and the nurse involved. But I'll advice you take your hand off this matter," I said with a resolve to stand against my grandfather. For the first time in my life, I was not going to stop myself from opposing the old man. He let out a mocking laugh that later landed him in a coughing spree. Something in me didn't want to help him, "just die!" the voice in my head said. That was when I knew that I indeed hate the old man deep down in my heart. But I gave him a glass of water.
While he gulped down the water, I let him know what my plans were. "If you back off from that girl, I won't do anything to ruin you, nor the family reputation. But if you don't, I'll expose what you did," I don't know where that smile came from, but it felt evil, like an evil grin. "and more!" I whispered. He chuckled this time.
"You are beginning to act like me," he said. And that was the only thing he said before asking me to ask the doctor in when I go out. That was it, he did not care about the people he used. That's who he is, and just like them, he does not care about me either. I'm just an illegitimate son of my father who is acting as the chairman until George gets announced as the president of Grants group. I gritted my teeth as I shut the door after me, walking out the foyer and out of the mansion. I didn't need to ask Doctor Fein to go in, seeing me outside was his cue to squirrel back to grandfather's side.
I got into my car and zoomed off, heading back to the hospital. When I got there, Mabel was still there, waiting for me. I felt bad at the sight of her. I knew I owed her, but I still had things to do. I gave her the flash drive I had with me, asking her to handle the issue with the doctor that tried to kill the girl. She nods her head and took the flash drive from me. She didn't say a word, just a nod, it made me uneasy. But I didn't try to stop her or try to appease her. I walked up to George who was still there with Kelly, the girl's friend.
"I'll stay with her today," I said. I find my cousin pitiable. He likes the Kelly girl, but I doubt they ever had a time out, and it's all because her friend has been in coma for over a month.
"I'm not letting that happen," Kelly immediately protest. She looked fierce, just as she was on the day of the accident and while she was in police custody. Oh, she had the same vibe when she fought that doctor; I could bet my life, she and the girl lying motionless on the hospital bed have a very strong bond. And it is because I was convinced that she was a good friend that I allowed her out of the police station and didn't press any charges nor punish her like the old man would have preferred.
"You can come back tomorrow to stay with her, but if you want her to be safe and want to be safe as well, you'll let me stay," I said to her. I wasn't one to reason with a stranger, but I wasn't just doing this for them – it's for me.
"Kel, I think you should listen to him. Besides, you need to relax and take care of yourself,"
"Even if it's just for today," George tried persuading her. I noticed the way he looked at her, he cares. He wanted so bad to take care of her. And he could if he wants, but with Mabel, I can't even do a thing. I hated it, that I could not open up to her just yet.
She looked at George, eyes soft like she was falling for him too. Then she looked at me, her look alone was a warning. "She'll be fine, I promise!" But it wasn't up to me to say that, yet I thought I should assure her. I so badly want the girl to be safe, want to know why she ran into my car.
Kelly left with George helping her with her bag, leaving me alone in the ward with her friend. At that point, I started to question myself; perhaps I don't have an idea what I was doing. I just raked my hair and sat on the chair right next to her. I noticed her brows were creased, her face contoured like she was wearing a frown. Could she be waking up? I hoped for this miracle a few hours more until dark, then I realised it was just my wishful thinking.
I was tired and hungry, so I sent a text to Mabel to contact Carlo to bring her back to the hospital with my stuff and some food. In less than an hour, Mabel arrived. She looked tired – I asked her to leave after I changed my clothes to a more casual wear, and handed her my suit. She took it from me, but was reluctant to leave.
"I can stay with her while you go home," she said to me, offering to help. But I knew it would be too selfish of me to let her do it, so I asked her to leave after instructing her to come with Carlo the next morning before going to the office. She nods her head and made for the door, but stopped just as she was about to step out.
"Mr Grant," she called looking back at me. I raised my brows, an indication for her to say what she wants to say.
"The hospital already reported the incident and had their medical license seized before I could handle the issue. Isn't it strange how fast they moved?" I just smiled at her last remark, knowing fully well it was a rhetorical question I need not answer.
"You can go now, Mabel." I said to her dismissively. The thoughts of what Director Jane said to me earlier on suddenly started a feast in my head, leaving me with doubts. What does she really want? And in what way does she intend to help me? I thought hard on these things but was soon reminded by my growling stomach that I needed to eat something.
I opened the bag to see two sealed cups and a note, "sorry you're having your first ramyeon in a hospital." A smile graced my lips seeing that Mabel actually got me something she once promised to get for me. I opened it and picked the two sticks attached to it. This would be a struggle, but somehow, I managed to finish the ramyeon with the sticks. I left the second one untouched and just sat there watching the girl while listening to the beeping of the machines.
A nurse came in to check on her and change her drips, I just watched through the process without anything registering in my head. Once the nurse left, I pushed my head back a little wanting to relax. Soon I started feeling sleepy, but I knew I needed to be at alert in case my grandfather has anymore scheme up his sleeves.
I felt a hand on my thighs which jolted me back to reality while trying to take a defensive stance, but it was just a girl wearing a hospital dress who was on the floor, her body resting on my legs. I looked at the hospital bed to see that there was no one in it, my heart skipped several times. I didn't know how to react, whether to call on a nurse or help her up.
"Are you okay?" I asked, squatting down to meet her. She looked at me, her eyes soft and weak, she looked weak. She felt fragile, I was scared to hold her.
"Who are you? Where am I?" she asked, a tear dropped from her eyes.