Chapter 104 - The Revelation (1/2)
”Your brother has just opened his eyes. He mentioned the name 'Claire'. Is she here?” The nurse couldn't hide the excitement in her voice.
Miguel glances at Michelle before answering. ”She's not here. I'll let her know. But let me speak to my brother first.”
”Oh, my God,” Michelle exclaims, and runs into the ICU before Miguel could say anything further.
Color has returned to Gabriel's cheeks. He's trying to sit up just as Michelle appears in the room.
”What are you doing here?”
”I drove here as soon as I learned,” Michelle says, on the verge of tears. ”How are you?”
Gabriel stares at her; he doesn't want Michelle, his ”enemy,” to know anything about this. He's still at a loss about why he's in here. The last thing he remembers is his own room, morning, after he spoke with Claire on the phone. He vividly remembers it because Claire, still clumsy with her new phone, didn't realize she was on a video-call with him while soaked in the Jacuzzi. He saw her brėȧsts, sure, but he would not admit it if pressed just to protect Claire's fragile sensibilities. That was it. Next thing he knew, he opened his eyes and he's in this strange room, with strange people. Worse, the first ”familiar” person he sees is Michelle. This can't be good.
”I guess the person who should be asking questions is me,” he says. ”Why am I here?”
”You don't know?” she goes to him and holds his hand. ”You were very sick, Gab. They rushed you to this hospital when your people found you unconscious in your room.”
”You had severe infection,” the doctor says, who had been standing by the side and wondering who this woman is. ”But you've gone over the most difficult part. You'll be fine.”
Michelle glances at the doctor, as if telling him to shut up, then turns back to Gabriel with that sweet smile. ”I had been waiting for you to wake up, Gab. I've been crying all night.”
”Really?”
”Yes,” she says, as she squeezes Gabriel's hand. ”I'd die if something bad happens to you.”
Gabriel gazes at her, than stares at his hand being held and squeezed by her, as though they were still together, like nothing happened. A few weeks ago, he would be thrilled, fascinated even. But now, this close with the woman he used to love for years, Gabriel is baffled because he feels nothing. Nothing for her. No familiar feelings. Worse, he doesn't even hate her. He has stopped hating her, he realizes now, without him even knowing it.
Awkwardly, Gabriel pulls away from her grasp. ”Thank you, Michelle, but I'm fine. You can go home now.”
”I'll drive you home,” she says, almost pleading.
”No, thank you, I can manage.”
”You can't yet go out, Mr. Tan,” the doctor interjects. ”You still need to finish the course of antibiotics. You still need to rest.”
”Then I will stay here by your side as long as needed,” Michelle says.
Gabriel secretly recoils from the idea of spending hours with Michelle. ”No, thank you, Michelle. You can go. Please.”
”But—”
”She will be fine, Michelle,” Miguel says, who has just entered the room. He heard everything Michelle had said, including the lies. ”Let's follow the doctor's advice and give him time to heal…alone.” He turns to the doctor. ”Right, Doc?”
”Uhh,” the doctor stammers, trying to read Miguel's face for the correct response. His eyes ping-pong between Michelle and him. Then he gets it. ”Yes, yes, he needs to be completely alone. He has just been through the most grueling period of his sickness. He's still totally not out of the woods, yet.”
”But—”
”No 'buts', please, Michelle. This is critical.” He turns to the doctor. ”If you may, please, Doc, please accompany her to the nearest exit.”
”Well, yes, it would be my pŀėȧsurė,” the doctor says, gazing closely at Miguel's face for any hint he's doing the right thing. When Miguel winks, he's finally sure. ”Let's not get in the way of the patient's full recuperation, Miss. Let me bring you to the…”
”Alright!” Michelle snaps. ”No need to have me escorted out of the building. I'll go out on my own.”
Miguel tries his best to keep a straight face. ”Thank you for your understanding, Michelle.”
Michelle scowls at him. Without a word, she stomps out of the room. The doctor follows her.
Gabriel sighs. ”What happened, man?”