Gabriela's car pulled to a halt in front of the hospital.
The driver alighted and opened the door for Gabriela. She ran inside the building.
"Miss Flores!" The receptionist called.
"Hi. A nurse called me a while ago that Daniela's health condition has worsened. Where's she? Where's Daniela?" Her voice was dripping with worry.
"Here she comes." The receptionist pointed to the nurse who was walking towards them.
"Miss. Gabriela, you're here. The doctor has been waiting."
"I'm sorry nurse, I had to get out of school. Where's he?"
"His office. First turn by the right." Gabriela nodded and rushed to the doctor's office. She exhaled before knocking.
"Come in."
"Good to see you, Miss. Flores. Take a seat."
"Doctor, you called for me. What's wrong with Daniela? Isn't she gonna wake up? Tell me everything." Gabriela sat.
"We saw that your sister developed a brain issue during the checkup," Gabriela's eyes widened.
"Oh my God."
"This morning, her heart rate was higher than normal and we had to take several measures just so we could save her. As long as you can afford the treatment, we'll also give your sister quality health care with the best of our facilities. This issue is associated with traumatizing happenings that she has faced. Even in coma, these things doesn't seem to stop terrorizing her brain. At midnight, the nurses can feel that she has a storm in her head. These visions can disappear overtime. With the treatment solution we've planned, they'll help her but with side effects. Miss. Daniela won't remember things that happened to her before the coma. She might not recognize all her friends when she wakes up. By then, it'll be your duty to help her remember the events you want, and forget the ones that put her in this condition. For now, we assure you that she will be absolutely fine, Miss. Gabriela."
Tears streamed down her face.
"When is she gonna wake up?
"We can't tell."
"It's been almost a year." Her face reddened.
"Miss. Gabriela, I understand you love her and the fact that she isn't waking up is making you crumble. But you shouldn't. You have to stay strong and hope she'll be alright."
Gabriela walked out of the doctor's office, confused about what to feel.
A part of her awaited the trouble that came with handling her sister's health, work and school.
Another part of her shattered about Daniela's brain issue.
She also felt a bit relieved that Daniela might not remember anything about the r@pe when she wakes up.
She stared at her sister on the hospital bed, her eyes filled with sorrow.
She couldn't even go into the ward. Suddenly, someone touched her and she flinched.
She froze when she saw Miguel.
"What are you doing here?" Gabriela asked him with a trembling voice, fighting back tears.
"Michelle told me you were here. Why did you come?"
"The doctor called for me. He said Daniela has brain issues, Miguel. The memories of the r@pe keeps haunting her. What if she...what if she goes crazy? What if...what if..what if she n..n..never wakes up?"
"Shh. Don't say such things again. You're not even supposed to be here. They are not supposed to tell you these things."
"Its my fault. Its my fault this is happening to Daniela. I shouldn't have faced Claudia at all. Everything I was doing was so I could be better than her. I didn't even care about the threat she posed to the people I love. I shouldn't have....I really shouldn't have..." Miguel pulled her in for a hug.
"Gaby I told you. You don't have to worry about Daniela or her treatment. I'll take care of it all." Gabriela noticed the nurse coming and she broke the hug.
"Mr. Jackson, you're also here."
"Were you the one who called Gabriela about her sister?" The nurse nodded.
"Why did you? She was in school, yunno! Is she the one paying? Does she do any auxiliary work here? What's wrong with you nurses, why are you so alarming?"
"I'm sorry Mr. Jackson, I felt - "
"Don't ever feel the need to call Gabriela no matter what happens. Daniela is also like a sister to me and whatever you have to do to save her life and get her to wake up, stays with me. Messages that you feel might bother Gabriela should be sent to me. Please!" Miguel shouted.
"Okay, Mr. Jackson. We apologize for whatever inconvenience caused." The nurse spoke and walked away.
"Why did you yell at her like that?" Gabriela asked, innocence in her eyes.
"You've got no business here. If there's anything you need to know about Daniela's state of health, you can ask me about it. I won't allow, support or permit anything that'll make you cry. Let's go home." He replied sternly and held her hand.
"Let go of me." She jerked her hand off. Miguel shot her a puzzled glare.
"I don't want people to think we're a couple." She rolled her eyes.
"I'll leave the hospital first. Thanks, anyway." She smiled to show the sparkle in her eyes and left. Miguel shook his head and chuckled.
~~~~~FLORES CORP~~~~~
The large, polished table in the Flores Corp conference room gleamed under the soft glow of the overhead lights, surrounded by high-backed chairs occupied by some of the company's most influential figures.
They all stood as the door swung open, and Gabriela Flores strode in. Her red and white jumpsuit hugged her curves in all the right places, and the white hat perched atop her head added a touch of elegance. The dark, square-shaped sunglasses covering her eyes seemed to amplify her aura rather than hide it.
As she made her way to the head of the table, the room erupted in a murmur of greetings and the soft rustle of fabrics as everyone stood up to acknowledge her presence. The businessmen, donning tailored suits, stretched out their hands for a firm handshake, while the workers opted for a respectful bow. Gabriela's smile lit up the room as she greeted each person, her confidence and poise radiating.
As she took her seat, she removed her sunglasses, revealing captivating eyes that sparkled with intelligence. The room's gaze lingered on her for a moment, taking in the full impact of her presence. The scent of her perfume wafted through the air, a subtle blend of floral and spices that seemed to match the rhythm of the meeting room's anticipation.
"Good morning, everyone," Gabriela began, her voice clear and commanding. "Dad spoke to me about the project, and I'm excited to hear that we have some interested parties lined up for the sales and advert project for our upcoming seminar. Let's hear your thoughts on who we're inviting and who we'd like to work with."
The room sprang to life as one by one, the attendees shared their opinions on potential partners and speakers. The discussion flowed smoothly until Mr. Julian, a seasoned businessman with a shrewd glint in his eye, spoke up.
"Gabriela, I think you should know that Mr. Jackson has also expressed interest in the project," he said, his voice dripping with a knowing tone.
Just then, a soft-spoken worker chimed in,
"Actually, ma'am, Mr. Jackson called to make some inquiries recently."Gabriela's eyebrows arched in surprise. "Really? That's interesting." She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
Mr. Julian seized the moment, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Why not work with Mr. Jackson's son? He's the head of his father's sales department, and the two of you could make a healthy partnership."
The room fell silent, but Gabriela's reaction was instantaneous. A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and her eyes seemed to dance with excitement. She struggled to maintain a serious composure, her heart racing with anticipation.
"Greatest idea!" she exclaimed, her voice barely containing her enthusiasm. "Let's get in touch with Mr. Jackson immediately. Please reply that I'll be extremely delighted to work with his son."
The room erupted into a flurry of activity as the attendees began discussing the logistics of the partnership. Gabriela's smile lingered, her mind already racing with possibilities.
Working with Miguel - another way to impress him.
Mr. Jackson was standing with his hands crossed behind him, fuming with anger.
The door to his mansion opened grandly and Miguel walked in.
"Dad, I...."
"You!" He suddenly turned to him, his eyes fiery with anger.
"Where were you? Is it true? That you left office work and went on a vacation?" He roared like a hungry lion.
"Yes, I..."
"Shut up! How could you leave my office work undone? I went on a business trip, returned and there were so many things to be done. You could have handled it!" He yelled with gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry." He was apologetic but Mr. Jackson wasn' t having it.
He clapped his hands loudly and mightily. Three hefty men with wicked grins came out of their hiding places. Miguel was shocked.
He staggered back to leave, but the weapons they were holding made him freeze.
His hands and legs shook with fear.
"Take off your shirt!"
"What?" Miguel was still trying to sound casual.
"Take off your fucking shirt, scumbag! Else, I'll make them hit that heat you have underneath you. You won't be able to provide any sperm for a child of your own, so you won't kill an innocent girl just like you killed your mother!"
When he said that, they were equally enraged.
Miguel heaved an annoyed sigh and obeyed.
"Do I have to tell you what to do next?" Mr. Jackson growled. He fought back the tears in his eyes. His dad was making him go through this again.
He faced the door and shut his eyes as soon as he saw that whip – it had also grown older.
Older and stronger. The thug landed it on his back with force. He bit his lips so he wouldn't groan, but he shook.
Gabriela, Michelle and Isabella had laughed and fell on top of each other, watching short reels. That moment, Gabriela felt something hard and sharp hit her back.
"Ow!" She exclaimed. Her friends were confused.
"What happened, Gaby?" They chorused.
"I don't know...."
"Its nothing. Play the next video!" She shook the pain off.
"One more stagger and the number of times will be doubled. Go on – harder! No flinches, please! You're a man now! Ripe enough to neglect your father's work and hit the road with friends!"
The whips continued, hurting like never before. Miguel's eyes popped open each time it landed and he groaned endlessly, trying to be still. The whip sounds were loud and as his back was lashed, it reddened. The pain became unbearable and Mr. Jackson's glittering eyes and evil smile disappeared slowly when a dream he once had flashed in his mind.
"I love you so much, Hazel. Why did you leave me? It's all my fault, you know? I shouldn't have put you in the state of pregnancy at all. If you weren't pregnant, we'd still be together. But, it has been done. Your son never even got the chance to meet you. Your son wants you. How do I tell him that you'll never come back? He's just two years old!"
"I know he's only two years old, honey. But don't you ever regret his existence. He'll be a great child, I promise. I'm sorry." Hazel's eyes welled up.
"Treat him with love, please. He could be your representation of me. If you can't hurt me, then you shouldn't hurt him either. Respect his decisions. Embrace him. Don't you ever call him a murderer. He's not to blame for what happened. Please, darling, I'm trusting you to raise a champion. Don't ever make him feel shattered."
Michelle and Isabella were clueless about Gabriela's constant flinching and strange body movements.
She didn't even laugh when something funny happened.
Her expression was unreadable.
"Gaby, are you okay?"
"Yes." She flinched again.
"I'm not sure you are." Isabella continued.
"I am."
"Then why are you fidgeting?"
"Stop asking questions girls and let's watch in silence. If you can't stand my flinching then don't stick to me like glue." They shifted but one thing hung in their minds. She wasn't herself.
Gabriela, also felt lashed heavily but bit her lips, trying hard to hide the pain.
She was puzzled, thinking it could be an allergic reaction from one of her skin care products.
"Enough!" Mr. Jackson yelled and they stopped. Miguel's eyes were red with tears. He sniffed and wore his shirt again.
"Get out of my house." He exhaled, a part of him aching with remorse but not letting go of the anger. Miguel walked out, his heart heavy. Mr. Jackson threw bundles of dollars to the men.
"Thank you, for the job well done."
~~~~~
"Carissa told me the meeting with Claudia and her dad flopped out. I expected that." Gabriela was discussing with Isabella and Michelle while they had smoothies.
Diana was away on a shopping spree.
"Yeah, it did."
"But are you sure Diogo Myers is Claudia's real dad? I heard her dad was dead."
"Her dad is not dead. Those things you heard were false information. You see, there used to be another haunting bullies group in The White's High School, Diana told me about them. They competed with Claudia for the queen bee position until there was a big fight that got them kicked out of the school," Michelle explained.
"The information that Claudia's dad is late - its all made up by them. They hated Claudia so much, they wanted to prove what a pauper she was before her mom got the job as a professor. Plus, no one knew anything about Claudia's real father, until now."
"The job Professor Jennie got was because of her relationship with Mr. Eric White. They are having an affair." Isabella revealed.
"What?" Gabriela exclaimed.
"She's married to my dad - and having an affair?"
"Are you gonna tell Mr. Alejandro?" Michelle questioned.
"Of...of..course not. I can't have my sister die because of my actions. I don't wanna do anything to cross Claudia - she should mind her business as well."
After an hour of talking, Isabella and Michelle fell asleep on the sofa, while thoughts of Gabriela's back pain ran in her head.
What could have happened?
The door bell rang and Gabriela ran to open.
"Hi, Miguel! What's wrong...you look off today. Are you feeling alright?" He sniffed and entered the house.
"Um, wait. You aren't talking to me. Are you crying?"
"Shh. Don't ask too many questions. You'll wake the girls. Let's go to your room." His voice was low and sad. Gabriela caught up with him and they were walking side by side.
"What happened, Miguel? Speak!" He didn't, until they got to her room and he sat on her bed.
Gabriela slammed the door.
"By the way, I have fantastic news. Did your Dad tell you about..."
She was bewildered to see him taking off his shirt.
"What..are..y..you doing?" She stammered.
"Get behind me with the first aid kit." Gabriela went for the kit in her shelf, her eyelashes batting with total confusion mixed with awe.
When she saw the reddish whip marks all over his back, Gabriela forgot to admire.
Her eyes produced tears instantly.
"Miguel, holy shit, how did this happen? Who did this to you?" Her face crumpled and he only shook his head.
"Don't tell me you're crying again. Why are you so dramatic?"
"Don't ask me another question. Tell me how this happened!" She screamed, tears streaming down her face.
"Get these bruises treated first then I'll tell you."
"I'll get an ice pack instead. Wait." Gabriela ran out of the room and in what seemed like seconds, she was back with the ice pack wrapped in a thin towel.
She noticed him fidgeting.
"Calm down, it's really cold." She placed it gently on the marks and he groaned weakly. Gabriela's hands trembled and more tears escaped her eyes.
"Are you done?"
"Yeah." She cried, putting the ice away.
"Don't ever get hurt like this again. Its really scary. It doesn't look good at all." Gabriela whimpered.
Miguel was smiling. He found her empathy extremely funny. His hand suddenly went behind to hold her wrist.
He pulled her to face him and their faces were really close. Her eyes glistening with tears and her pouty lips was an adorable sight.
"Silly you. Your eyes dazzle with tears." He chuckled. Gabriela punched him hard playfully.
"Cut this crap and tell me who hit you!" She let out an outburst with more tears.