Raymond pushed open the door to the hospital office, the soft creak of the hinges echoing through the room. The scent of disinfectant and old books wafted out, carrying with it the weight of years of memories.
After realizing it was Raymond who interrupted their chit-chat with his entry, the old men’s faces broke into a wide toothy grin as their cold eyes became warm, not minding Raymond’s rude entry. “Raymond my boy, you are finally here.” Raymond’s grandfather said joyously seeing his grandson he hadn’t seen for months.
“Huh, Raymond, Grandpa Glems who was Dylan’s grandfather and also the head of the hospital called, “What are you doing at our hospital today? Are you here for your friend? Grandpa Glems asked, his wrinkled face smiling.
Ignoring their hypocrisy, Raymond walked into the white office room which was stylishly decorated to Grandpa Glem’s taste with a steady pace. The warm glow of the afternoon sun streaming through the window illuminated the faces of the two old men seated behind the large wooden desk.
“Good day Grandpa Glems, I’m not here for Dylan, I’m here for my wife.” Raymond sat opposite the old men not minding the bewildered look on their old faces. Though Grandpa Walton, who was Raymond’s grandfather, already knew about his marriage, hearing it directly from his stubborn grandson who had been single for five years awed him.
The room fell silent, the only sound was the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Grandpa Glems’s face went still, his eyes narrowing as he processed the information.
“You brat, Grandpa Walton raised his walking stick with an angry expression but the two men in the room who knew him too well knew he was happy as his hollow blue eyes were shining with happiness, “when did you get married and didn’t inform your grandfather? You are asking for a beating.”
Old Grandpa Walton raised his black walking stick. “Thwack!” The walking stick connected with a loud, playful whack, striking Raymond’s shoulder with a resounding crack. The sound echoed through the room, making Grandpa Glems chuckle. That’s enough old man, don’t pretend like you aren’t happy about the news.” Old Grandpa Glems said sighing as he thought about Dylan who was too busy to settle down talkless of having a girlfriend.
“Grandpa, I don’t have time for all this.” Raymond abruptly said, not wanting the two old men to continue bantering with each other. He was worried about Lina and he couldn’t wait to leave this room, “why did you send for me?”
Grandpa Walton feigned anger, his voice rising, “If not that you heartless grandson of mine haven’t come to check on me for the past months, would I be here with old Glems?” he said, his eyes filled with sadness. “If not for meeting Dylan earlier who informed me you are here, how would I know?”
The old man thought about how he met Dylan who was in a white coat earlier telling him Raymond was here with his wife. Dylan didn’t give him any details on Lina’s health since she just woke up from a coma then, who would have known she would fall into another one sooner?
Knowing that his grandfather was being dramatic again, Raymond said, “If not for your scheme against me three months ago, I would have come to check up on you, and didn’t you have many grandchildren? Why will me not checking up on you make you sad?”
“You…,” Raymond’s grandfather pointed a shaky finger at him. He was angry for real this time, “if not for my scheme, would you have gotten yourself a wife now? Tell me, is she pregnant? Is that why you are here?” His angry expression turned hopeful at his thought.
His grandfather’s words make Raymond remember his encounter with Lina two months ago. If not for his grandfather drugging him that night, would he have met Lina? No, only this thought made him want to applaud his grandfather for once. This also made him think about how he should break the news to Lina that he was the man that fateful night.
“When will you bring my daughter-in-law to come visit me, or I don’t have the right to know her?” Grandpa Walton’s voice broke Raymond’s thought.
“I was planning to bring her to the old mansion this weekend but unfortunately she had an accident. Raymond’s voice was cold making the room suddenly chill. Remembering that night he saw Lina almost naked lifeless body on that cold floor, he couldn’t help thinking about the level of torture he would inflict on those two bastards and whoever was involved in this.
Grandpa Walton’s face turned beet red with anger, his eyes bulging out of their sockets. “How did she get into an accident?” he thundered, his voice echoing off the walls of the office. “What were you doing, standing by and watching as your wife got hurt?”
Raymond’s expression remained calm, but his eyes flashed with anger at the implication. “I wasn’t there when it happened, Grandpa,” he said, his voice even. “But I’ll find out who was responsible, and I’ll make sure they pay.”
Grandpa Walton’s face turned even redder, his anger boiling over. “You’d better,” he growled, his voice low and menacing. “You’d better make sure whoever did this pays dearly. Your wife is family now, and we protect our own.” Raymond nodded his head.
After discussing with his grandfather for a few minutes, Raymond excused himself, making his way to the radiology department where his lover was.
Raymond stepped out of the elevator, the soft ding of the doors opening echoing through the hallway. He took a deep breath, the scent of disinfectant and hospital food filling his lungs. His eyes scanned the hallway, his gaze locking onto the sign that read “Radiology Department.”
As he walked towards the department, his mind wandered back to his conversation with his grandfather. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease as his grandfather’s words echoed in his mind.
Raymond’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of high heels clicking on the floor. He turned to see a woman walking towards him, her hips swaying with each step. She was dressed in a tight red gown that hugged her curves in all the right places.
“Raymond?” she called out, her voice husky and seductive.
Raymond’s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in annoyance. “What are you doing here?” he growled, his voice low and menacing.