Beep… Beep….
The steady rhythm of the heart monitor echoed softly through the VIP hospital room belonging to the Whitmore.
Louis stood across the bed,as Star lay peacefully in bed,her breathing calm. He held onto her hand and stroked it gently,the nightmare was over.
Just then,the door burst open. Maria and Raymond rushed inside. They both had called at the time when Star was rushed to the hospital and Louis had given them the address of the hospital. Maria's heart shattered at the sight of her best friend lying unconscious,hooked to the machines. This was all her fault. If only she hadn't dragged Star out of her office that day to the mall to pick outfits for the party….
Tears streamed down Maria's face as she collapsed into the chair beside the bed. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, barely audible.
Raymond wrapped his arms around pulling her close.
"It's okay,Maria. You were only being there for your friend. No one could ever expect such an unfortunate incident.
Raymond looked at Louis appreciatively,if not for him,he might not know what could have happened to his niece.
The door opened again. John stepped in, nodding briefly at Louis. He moved to Louis and whispered something in his ear before stepping aside. His expression unreadable.
Louis turned to Raymond, I'll leave her in your care now,take care of her. Raymond waved his hand, it's okay and nodded approvingly,his expression earlier has sent a lot of messages of his urgency.
Earlier on, Louis had rushed Star to the hospital leaving John to clean up the remaining mess.
Now,John had come with news to him. He informed Louis,the boss of the gang had shot himself to death on the spot–but not before muttering a chilling warning: This isn't the end.Star will be hunted down.
He instructed the rest of the gang to be dealt with accordingly. He knew he had to tighten the security around Star–he couldn't afford to let his guard down,not even for a second.
His phone beeped. He took out the phone to check the caller id. It was the hospital "Miss Star is awake," the doctor informed him.
Without wasting a second,he rushed back to the VIP room. Doctors were gathered around her bed,Raymond and Maria stood anxiously to the side.
"She is stable now," the doctor confirmed.
No cause for alarm,she was only agitated just now,and it's understandable given what she is being through. They all left after her vitals has been checked and Louis is rest assured.
Once the doctors left,Maria came closer to her friend,her heart aching with guilt. She gently brushed Star's hair back from her forehead.
"You can leave her in my care now," Louis said softly to Raymond and Maria. "You both should go get some rest."
Raymond placed a firm hand on Louis' shoulder.
"You don't have to be so hard on yourself," he said kindly. You look exhausted already. We'll stay and take care of her."
Louis said nothing at first,his expression guarded. In his heart,he knew he had lost his trust with her uncle and friend but he had to gain it back and he couldn't leave her side tonight.
Raymond could see it in Louis' eyes–the silent war he was fighting inside. He realized then that despite everything, Louis never stopped loving Star. Maybe he had broken his promise in the past, but a man who could look this broken for a woman was a man who still cared deeply.He knew Louis might have done what he did at that time to protect his niece. Raymond knew he couldn't interfere. Some things had to be settled by the young ones themselves.
"Alright,"Raymond said, exchanging a glance with Maria. "We'll come back tomorrow."
Maria gave Star's hand one last squeeze before heading out with Raymond.
Star stirred,her eyelids fluttering open slowly. She blinked up at the room,confused at first.Then her eyes landed on him–
Louis.
It wasn't a dream. She remembered seeing him before she blacked out but in a blurry state,and she had thought it was her imagination,her mind creating one last comfort before death. But no–he was really here.
Louis sat on the sofa,he had some files in front of him which John had brought over for reviews.He looked tired and worn out,but even the exhaustion couldn't diminish the aura of strength and authority that surrounded him,he looked charming with the glasses on him.
She tried to sit up,but pain lanced through her lower body and every muscle screamed in protest. She fell back against the bed with a small cry.
Louis sprang up immediately startled by her movement. He was at her side in an instant. "Easy," he said,voice rough with emotion while trying to sit here up. He pressed the call button immediately summoning the doctors.
The medical team rushed in within seconds, checking her vitals again, everything blurred into a whirlwind around her,but one thing remained clear:
Louis never left her side.
"She is much okay now," the doctor reassured him. "Just need rest".
Louis exhaled quietly.
He asked her gently what she wanted to eat. The array of foods he had earlier ordered–not knowing when she would wake up–was soon laid out for her.
He sat beside her, offering soft porridge with a tenderness that shattered something inside her chest.
The door opened again.
Maria and Raymond stepped inside. They both greeted Louis warmly.
Louis stood up from where he was sitting while Maria took over from him. Louis sat back to his paperwork, Raymond could only ask him, "Did you even get a wink of sleep at all?" He knew he didn't but just had to ask.
He turned to Star,company work calls now I will check up later,rest and do not bother yourself. I will lend you Maria for now.
Louis walked him off leaving the two ladies behind. Both men seems to be discussing something so serious along the way.
Maria placed the food on the table beside the bed and give her friend a tight hug,she had been holding herself. Tears rolled off her eyes,"I thought I would not see you again."