192 Meeting The Family (2/2)

”Then,are you alright? ” She asked stupidly.

” Yes,I just want to... ” He did not finished it..

”You want to,what? ” Giselle followed up.

”Die! ”

Giselle knew he was not joking. Her heart broke,not in seeing him,but for Anna who seemed to be willing to sacrifice her ego and self - worth just to understand him.

___

The bone marrow transplant was succesfully done. Dr.Aijohn insisted to let Jim stay in the ICU for close monitoring. His wife,Dr. Grace,personally offered to do close watch for him. Jiastayed with him during daytime while Kuya Nap and Casey took turns in watching him during the night. Jianna was still too young to be left out.

Jim' s hair did not fell out as he did not undergo radiation and chemotheraphy to prepare for the transplant. Hailey's Pill took the task in removing out his diseased cells, instead. Prior to the transplant,he just underwent a bone marrow aspiration instead,to make room for the new bone marrow which would be transplanted. He also received immunosupressants to prevent his cells from attacking the new bone marrow..

After a week,when Jim was transported out to a regular room,his whole family gathered around. Anthon volunteered to bring the food for their dinner. That would be his first time to visit Jim and the first time to show up to his family. They still did not know that he was the bone marrow donor except Jia.

The food was already delivered by thecrew of White Rose Restaurant

but Anthon was not there yet. When they decided to just eat ahead,the door was opened.Anthon came in with a smile,and while his other hand was holding the door knob,his other hand was holding the hand of a woman.

Jia saw them and she gave them a smile.The time had really come where Anthon did what he said. That he would be introducing her to the family. No matter how she prepared herself,there was still a pang of pain inside.

Anthon hugged everyone including Jia whose smile remained plastered at her face. Their eyes locked for a while but Anthon looked away first. Then, he went back to Anna and held her shoulder before he spoke.

”Dad,Ate Casey, Jim,Kuya

Nap...” He paused as he glanced up at Jia.

”And Jia,I would like you all to meet Anna. ” He paused again to look at her and squeezed her hand which suddenly became cold and sweaty.

”We worked at the same company in Dubai and wealso came here together to take our short break. ”

Hello,Anna.. Hi, Anna..They all took turns in hugging or shaking hands with her.

”Finally,Ton,you have achieved your goal. ” Casey said after she hugged her.

”When is your plan to settle down? ”

Kuya Nap asked him while stealing glances at Jia.

”We are still considering about it. Perhaps, one of the days before we will return to Dubai. ” Anthon replied as he looked up to Anna who smiled thinly due to anxiety.

”Feel at home,Miss Anna and start getting used to us. Soon,we will become your family, too. ” Jia said as she stood up to hug and welcome her warmly.

Anthon looked at her and he smiled sardonically to himself.Her surprisingly warm welcome and her unusually high spirit was just a clown's mask to conceal a breaking heart.

Mr. Wayne felt anxious, likewise. This was such an awkward situation. He knew right then,by looking at Anthon's eyes,that he was unhappy. And he still saw those meaningful,stolen glances he threw at Jia. He knew, as a son who inherited his stubborness,this new relationship of his was just a masquerade. Poor Anna! She would just be the second Laura.

He looked at Jim. Aside from a simple 'hi',he remained quiet all throughout. Jia was beside him, assisting him with his food. What could he be thinking?