After school, Ariana walked out immediately.
She saw Brooklyn run after her but she didn’t want to create any scene so she ignored him and entered the bus.
Brooklyn was surprised when she ignored him, they were on good terms so why would she ignore him?.
He walked back to the park and saw Ella, Shantel and Candy talking in hushed tones but they dispersed when he came.
Shantel and Candy walked past him without sparing him a glance, while Ella looked angry, she got into the car and he drove off.
Ariana got to the hospital, holding a basket of fruits, as she walked cheerfully to her dad’s ward.
She greeted her dad, who looked frail. He responded weakly and she handed him an apple.
“Here dad, I brought your favourite” She said happily. Her dad collected it and took a bite weakly.
She noticed the way he closed his eyes and opened them with a groan.
Something in her guts told her he didn’t have many days left.
She sat down beside him and wanted to read a story to her but he stopped her.
“Having you is the best thing that has happened to me” He said and coughed.
She held his hand tightly, putting it on her head as tears began to roll down her cheeks.
“Having seen your boss, I know you’re in safe hands and I would die a happy man” He continued, slowly increasing Ariana’s tears.
“Your mother would be very proud of you” Her father said as he touched her hair.
“Don’t mourn for me. Day and night, I prayed for my death so I would see your mother but I neglected you. Forgive me, child” Her father said with tears.
“I forgive you, father, please just stay with me for a few more days” She pleaded as a nurse came in. The nurse felt pity, before going to call the doctor.
“No!, dad don’t leave me. Mom left me and now you want to leave me. How would I cope? Please take me with you” Ariana pleaded, crying.
The nurse held her and the doctor used the wrapper to cover his eyes.
Ariana fell unconscious when she saw her dad’s eyes close.
The nurses were alarmed when they saw her body drop to the floor.
She was taken to intensive care and they searched her bag for her phone.
The nurse saw her phone and saw several missed calls from the master, she called the master back and after a few rings, he picked up.
“Hello?” The nurse said.
“Hello” Replied the cold voice.
“I’m calling from the hospital, miss Ariana is unconscious and her father just died” The nurse replied and the phone was hung up.
Austin who was discussing some business matter with Donald turned sour after he hung up the call.
“Ariana is at the hospital, her father is dead. you go get her friend, I’ll head to the hospital” Austin said and teleported to the park of the hospital.
He strode inside and the nurses recognised him immediately.
“Sir this way, the doctor would like to see you” The nurse said and led him to the doctor’s office.
“Have a seat Mr” The doctor said and Austin sat down.
“So Ariana’s case is complicated, we’ve tried using shock waves, coffee and a few other things to wake her up but she’s in a coma” The doctor said.
Austin was shocked. “Would she survive? Is there anything that can be done?” Austin asked with grave seriousness.
“No sir, all we can do is wish she wakes up” The doctor replied and Austin went to the reception.
He made a call to Donald, asking him to come home instead of coming to the hospital.
He made another call to the head of the Sawyer hospital, telling them to arrange medical facilities for Ariana’s room.
He informed the doctor that he wanted to transfer Ariana from the hospital to his house and an ambulance was brought.
Donald went to the restaurant and found Charlotte attending to some customers.
When Charlotte saw Donald walk in, she was confused. Why would he come here?. She ignored him and continued working?
Donald walked to the counter. “Where is your boss?” He asked James.
“I’m the one, what do you want?” James replied.
“I’d like to lend your worker for a few days, Charlotte. Ariana’s dad is dead and Ariana has gone into a coma” Donald said and James felt pity.
“It’s best if Charlotte stays with her for a few days” Donald explained.
“Geez, that’s sad to know, can I have your digits?” James said taking a pen.
Donald wrote his digits and that of Austin and James permitted him to take Charlotte.
Charlotte saw Donald talk to James and got more confused.
He walked toward her and she ran to the kitchen and then used the back door to come out.
Donald ran after her and found her outside. Why was she ignoring him?.
“Charlotte wait up!” He screamed but she continued walking. He ran after her and held her.
“Charlotte, wait, it’s about Ariana” Donald said and she stopped.
“What’s wrong with her?” Charlotte turned to him with panic in her eyes.
“She’s in a coma” Donald replied and gasped with shock.
“Her dad is dead and she couldn’t take it. So she has been transferred to the house” Donald explained to Charlotte who was restless.
She went back to the restaurant, pulled off her apron and took her black backpack and bag of clothes, which she kept in the restaurant.
She went to meet James. “I understand, she needs you” James replied before she could utter any word.
She nodded and hugged him before she went with Donald who took her to Austin’s house.
Donald thought of asking why she was running away but decided it wasn’t the best time.
He drove into Austin’s house and found the Sawyer’s hospital ambulance and a few handymen carrying medical equipment.
They all bowed and he nodded as he walked past them, with Charlotte following closely.
She didn’t have time to admire the houses as all her thoughts were on Ariana.
Donald led her to Ariana’s room and she gasped when she saw her girlfriend laying on the bed, lifeless.
An oxygen tube was passed from her nose to the oxygen bag. Charlotte broke into tears, looking at her once radiant best friend.
“Why did she have to suffer?. Why couldn’t her dad live?” She questioned no one and Donald held her shoulders trying to comfort her.
She sat on the king-sized bed and held Ariana’s hand. ”Wake up Ariana, it’s me Charlotte” Charlotte said looking at Ariana, wanting her to make the slightest movement.
“The doctor said it might take weeks and she could even die” Donald said, feeling horrible he was the one who told her the terrible news.
“No, she’s gonna wake up! Ariana look at me. I know you’re playing a prank please stop already, we’re getting scared” Charlotte said moving her head side says as she held Ariana’s cheek.
“Let’s leave you should get some best” Donald did and he tried to take her hand.
“No, I’ll stay with her till she wakes up” Charlotte replied stubbornly jerking her hand.
Donald sighed, there’s nothing he could do or say that will make her bulge so he left.
Austin got back from the hospital, he went to his room, while the medical staff took care of Ariana.
The doctor knocked on his door and came out.
“Sir, her case is that of shock. Her chances of survival are minimal” The doctor informed
“Assemble the whole doctors, try making research and I want fast results. Get specialists from all over the world” Austin instructed.
“Yes sir”. Replied the stunned doctor and he left. Austin went inside his room his stomach grumbled.
“If only Ariana was her, she’d make a delicious meal” He thought.
“Yea, she’d make us good food” Donald replied, reading Austin’s mind.
He was surprised that Donald could read his mind. It was only a few times Donald could read Brooklyn’s or Austin’s mind.
“How did you do that?” Austin asked with astonishment.
“I don’t know, just heard your thoughts” Donald replied cluelessly.
“Did you get her friend?” Austin asked, opening some files.
“Yea, she’s with Ariana and has refused to leave until Ariana wakes up” Donald replied.
“Why do I smell a faint smell on you?. Did you get together with someone lately?”. Austin asked as he used his eyes to check the register.
He was surprised to see a new name, Dray Anderson. “When did Bradley admit a new student?. Why would he admit a new student without my consent?” Austin thought.
“No, I didn’t” Donald lied as images of Charlotte flooded his head.
“She’s your mate” Austin broke out and Donald felt like a knife was used to stab his heart.
“What?!” He asked with confusion.
“Ariana’s friend, she’s your mate. You wouldn’t find true love, though we don’t believe in such so it means nothing” Austin said like a seer.
“How would you know these things? That commoner can’t be my mate and she’s human” Donald said getting angry.
“I just know it. Why would you sleep with a human when you haven’t found your mate?. Didn’t you think about the risks involved?” Austin replied and he stood up.
He went to Ariana’s room and found Charlotte crying loudly. She raised her head when she heard the door cringe.
She didn’t utter a word to Austin and continued looking at Ariana.
“What would you like to eat?” Austin asked trying to be nice, since he didn’t like crying girls.
Donald came inside and saw Austin standing close to the bed. ”I’m not hungry” Charlotte replied harshly.
Donald knew Austin wanted to be alone with Ariana so he held Charlotte’s hand, and dragged her outside, ignoring her protests.
Austin sighed when Donald took Charlotte out. “Why did you have to be unconscious?. Who would make him angry? Who would make his meal?” He thought as he bent and held her hand.
Her father’s body was in the morgue and she was here, lying lifeless. He sighed again.
Donald led Charlotte to the sitting room. ”Let go, I don’t wanna leave Ariana alone!” Charlotte yelled, trying to free her hand.
“No, don’t you know when you should excuse a person? Austin wanted to have some time alone with her” Donald replied releasing her hand and she sat on the couch.
She stared at the whole living room. Austin came out and made a call, ordering two boxes of pizza.
“Man, you were supposed to order three” Donald did pointing at Charlotte
“I’m not hungry” Charlotte replied quickly and she left for Ariana’s room.
She sat down, reminiscing on their memories. She smiled, remembering the incident in which Ariana had beaten up a boy.
The boy wrote a naughty letter to Charlotte and Ariana disciplined him.
She smiled and cried at the same time, using her hand to clean the tears.
“What’s funny?” Donald asked, startling her.
“Nothing” She replied harshly. How did he come in without her notice?.
“You were caught up in your thoughts” Donald said reading her thoughts and she stared at him, confused.
He walked to the bed and put the pizza and two cans of coke on the table beside the bed and she stared at him with confusion.
She had made it clear to both of them that she wasn’t hungry. “You need to eat, even if it’s little” Donald coaxed.
“No, I’m not hungry” Charlotte replied stubbornly. He sighed, Didn’t think she would be this stubborn.
“Look I know you feel terrible because of Ariana’s state of condition but you have to eat” Donald said calmly as he placed the pizza box on her lap.
She flinched and moved back a little.
”I know she’s like a sister to you but you have to eat if you want her to wake up and get better quick” Donald urged and slowly Charlotte began eating.
She took two slices. ”I’m full already, thank you” Charlotte said, handing the box back to him.
Donald collected it and their fingers touched but she withdrew her hand immediately.
“How did you and Ariana meet?” Donald asked curiously.
Charlotte didn’t want to say anything but spoke reluctantly when she saw how desperate he was.
“We met at school, I was being bullied by my stepsisters and she beat them up. And ever since then, we’ve been friends” Charlotte said briefly.
“Wow, Ariana doesn’t strike me as someone who would engage in fights” Donald said with surprise.
“She’s looked after me, right from grade one” Charlotte said looking at Ariana.
“I know how you feel, it’s terrible to lose someone you love” Donald replied painfully and Charlotte felt pity for him.
“Why did your stepmom throw you out?. Wasn’t your dad aware?” Donald asked.
“My dad doesn’t care about anything that doesn’t make my stepmom happy. She asked for my savings and I refused and she sent me to”Charlotte replied and Donald looked at her lips as she talked.
He forgot everything except the taste of her lips and the feel of her skin.
Charlotte coughed slightly and he revived.
“Sorry I just thought of something” Donald apologised.