CHOICES
"Luke, what are you doing here?!" I exclaimed, completely taken aback. He was the last person I expected to see at my doorstep.
"Uhm… you know what? Scratch that," I said, raising my hand. "How did you even know where I live?"
He smiled, calm and collected. "Hello to you too, Miss Hope," he replied, a teasing glint in his eyes. "I was hoping I could have a chat with you… is this a bad time?" He gestured toward my robe.
I hadn't even realized until then that I was still wrapped in it. I tightened it around myself instinctively. "Uhm… yes… no…" I muttered, words failing me.
"I know I could just leave if this is a bad time," he said, his voice softening, almost vulnerable. "I just really wanted to talk to someone. I'm sorry for coming unannounced. And, for the record, I got your address from Ariel. I went to your office earlier but was told you'd left. I even called your home line, but it went to voicemail… so I decided to come here. Again, I'm sorry."
His words surprised me. In truth, I was touched and… flattered. He had gone to all that effort just to reach me. I wondered what was so urgent that he couldn't wait until Monday.
I stepped forward quickly, calling out, "Luke! Wait!"
He stopped in his tracks, turning toward me. "Come in," I said. "Give me a minute to change, and then we can go somewhere to talk." I saw his smile return immediately as he followed me inside.
Upstairs, I debated how much to tell Iyke. He had just arrived from the U.S., and I felt torn between honesty and sparing him worry. Ultimately, I decided there was no point hiding the truth from him. He had always been understanding.
"Iyke," I said as he headed downstairs, "Luke Adams is here. He needs my help with something urgent. I'm just going to step out for a bit."
"Hope…" he said, concern in his voice. "If it's important, go. I trust you."
I felt a rush of gratitude. Iyke always knew how to balance love and understanding. He was my rock, my confidant, my safe space.
"And please," he added with a playful smirk, "don't wear anything too scandalous."
I laughed. "You got it. One extremely sexy dress coming up."
We both chuckled. His support gave me courage. I quickly changed into a dress that was comfortable yet polished and headed downstairs, where both men were waiting.
Iyke and Luke froze when they saw each other for the first time. The air between them crackled with that initial curiosity, the subtle weighing of first impressions.
"This must be Iyke," Luke said, extending his hand with a polite smile.
"Luke Adams," Iyke replied, taking it firmly. There was a brief pause, a fleeting moment of mutual understanding, almost brotherly recognition. "Hope's told me a lot about you."
"And I about him," I said quickly, hoping to ease the tension. "You two will be working together soon, so… might as well get acquainted."
Luke nodded at me appreciatively. "Thank you for letting me in."
Iyke's eyes softened as he looked at me. "Hope, I trust your judgment. I can see why you chose him as your partner."
The moment was brief but impactful—a silent acknowledgment that this partnership meant more than contracts and deadlines. There was respect, a spark of connection, and the subtle tension of unspoken stakes.
We left the house and headed to a quiet rooftop café nearby. As we settled into our seats, Luke finally opened up.
"I wanted to personally explain why I didn't disclose my mother's condition during our meeting," he began, his voice steady but weighted. "It wasn't my intention to hide anything—it was… complicated. I didn't want the pressure to affect our discussions. But I felt guilty afterward. I should have told you."
"Luke, please," I said, taking his hand lightly. "You didn't owe me an explanation. Discretion in such matters is a sign of respect, not deceit."
His shoulders relaxed slightly, the tension in his expression softening. "Thank you… it means a lot."
We lapsed into a comfortable silence, each lost in our thoughts. Finally, he said, hesitantly, "The doctor has asked me, as my mother's next of kin, to sign her surgery papers. He warned me the operation might not save her… but if I don't sign, she will die. I… I don't know what to do."
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "Luke, this is a decision only you and your mother can make. But if you want my opinion… you should do what is necessary, not just what feels easiest. Life is unpredictable—if there's a chance to save her, to give her more time… I'd take it. But if your priority is spending her remaining days with her, that's valid too. Whatever choice you make, trust that it's the right one."
He nodded slowly, a mix of relief and anguish on his face. "You have no idea how much that helps. I… I feel lighter just having said it out loud."
I gave him a reassuring smile. "You're stronger than you think. And don't forget—we still have a deal to close. You need to be in the right frame of mind for that."
He chuckled weakly. "Of course. I'll survive your pep talk."
We were about to leave when his phone rang. His expression fell immediately. "It's the hospital… my mother had a seizure. She's in the ICU. They need me to come now to sign the papers."
Without a second thought, I grabbed my purse. "I'm coming with you, Luke. Don't argue."
Iyke, seeing our rush, stepped aside but his eyes followed us with unspoken concern. "Take care of each other," he said quietly, trusting me as always.
We drove in tense silence, the weight of what awaited us at the hospital pressing down. Every stoplight, every turn, felt like a countdown. When we arrived, Luke barely stepped out of the car before I guided him toward the ICU entrance.
"This is it," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly.
I put a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever happens, you're not alone. We'll face it together."
He nodded, a mixture of fear, determination, and gratitude in his eyes. I could see the weight of responsibility crushing him, yet he moved forward with courage.
As we approached the doors, Luke paused. He turned to me, his gaze intense. "Hope… thank you for being here. I… don't know what I'd do without you."
"Just do what you must," I said softly. "I'll be right here when you need me."
He took a deep breath and pushed the doors open. I followed, ready to support him through whatever came next.
And then, just as we reached the ICU entrance, a nurse came running toward us, her expression frantic.
"Sir… there's been a complication," she shouted.
Luke froze. I grabbed his hand.
"What kind of complication?" I asked, heart hammering.
The nurse hesitated, her eyes wide with worry. "It's… it's not looking good. You need to be prepared…"
I felt Luke stiffen beside me, his hand tightening around mine. The world seemed to hold its breath.
And in that moment, I realized just how fragile life could be—and how quickly everything could change.
I whispered, "Luke… whatever happens, we'll face it. Together."
He gave me a fleeting, determined glance. "Together."
And just as the ICU doors swung open, the scene inside—hospital monitors beeping, doctors rushing—made my heart stop.
Because what awaited us wasn't just a surgery… it was a decision that could change everything.
To be continued…Thank you for reading! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story. 😍
What will happen to Luke's mother? Will he make the right decision? And how will this affect his partnership with Hope?
Stay tuned to find out! Follow me on Webnovel @Alexa_Cosmas123 for more updates on this story.