Chapter 101 - The Vigil (1/2)

The doctor is a picture of sheer horror as he glares at Claire's hand holding Gabriel's. ”You don't know what you're doing. His condition could worsen. He's not over the critical phase, yet.” He looks around. ”Where are the nurses?”

”I asked them a favor, Doc,” Miguel jumps in. ”She must see him. Or else this entire hospital would be shuttered.”

”What?” The doctor's eyes ping-pong from Claire to Miguel to Claire, unsure of how to take what the man just said. ”What do you mean? Who is she, anyway? And what does my hospital have to do with your recklessness?”

”You may not yet know it, but we own this hospital,” Miguel says, his face serious. ”And if something bad happens to Gabriel and he doesn't get a chance to be with her, even for a few minutes, then we will be very upset. That's why I had to send the nurses away, just to give them some privacy. Only for a few minutes.”

”But you don't understand—”

--”I understand perfectly well, Doc. Don't worry. We had precautions. I'm sure my brother is going to be fine.” He turns to Claire. ”Have you told him what needed to be said?”

Claire quietly nods.

”Let's go,” he says. He takes Claire gently by an arm, leading her out of the room. ”See you later, Doc.”

The doctor's mouth stays open. He looks at Gabriel on the bed, he gazes at the clock, then he runs outside, calling out for the nurses.

Outside, in the waiting area, which would have been relaxing as the glass wall offers a view of the hospital's garden, Miguel seats her down. Claire seems calmer now, although her eyes are still swollen.

”How are you?” he says.

”He almost woke up,” she says. ”He stirred.”

Miguel sighs. ”He'll be fine.”

”Are you really one of the owners of this hospital?” she says.

Miguel laughs. ”Not really. But I have connections, you know. I mean, Gabriel and I have connections. So…”

She says nothing. She looks like she could use some rest. Miguel gazes at her, noting how the light defines the contours of her face. How he loves looking at that face. If only she knew.

”How about you and I get some rest? We've been here hours. Gabriel isn't going anywhere.”

”Go ahead,” she says. ”Don't mind me. I'll just stay here.”

”Claire,” he says. ”Gabriel wouldn't like it if he'd later learn how you spent long hours here being stressed out. You could get sick, too. This isn't good. And besides, Gabriel already has a battalion of deeply invested nurses guarding him.”

”I don't care,” she says. ”I want him to see me the moment he wakes up. I want to hear his voice. I want to be there when he opens his eyes.”

This woman is really serious, Miguel thinks as he gazes at her. Has Gabriel put her under some love spell?

”Leave me,” she says.

”Are you staying here for the whole night?”

She nods.

”Are you serious, Claire? You can't lie down here. Your clothes are too dressy for comfort. I'm also not too sure about the mosquito situation. This might be torture.”

”I don't care.”