(The words of love are simple and not complicated… just like I feel for you)
Alex stumbled through the living room to the crowded streets, his head throbbing with pain, both physical and emotional.
The fact that Olivia never loved him weighed heavily on his shoulders and the injury on his head added to the misery, making each step a struggle.
As he made weakly limps to the central hospital of the city, a car approached, “Watch it, young man.” the screech of brakes echoed as the driver tried to stop the car.
“What the heck, young man!?” the driver screamed as he came of the car but Alex on the other hand, had already collapsed onto the pavement.
“I didn’t even hit you. You better get up now! You won’t get anything from me.” he was infuriated.
He moved closer to the fragile body and saw Alex’s head bleeding profusely, “Geez… young man!??”
“What’s going on, Ben?” a lady’s voice blared through.
Immediately, the driver quickly ran back to the car, “Ma’am, I think the young man is really injured.”
“Did we hit him?” the lady was irritated.
“No ma. Not us but I think he had sustained an injury before. It looks serious.”
The lady peeped out of the window and looked at the fragile body that was lying unconscious on the pavement.
Her expression shifting from irritation to concern.
She stepped out of the car and was taken aback when she saw the amount of blood he had lost, “Quick! Help him to the car and let’s take him the hospital.”
“But, ma’am… we didn’t hit him and I think he is just trying to get money from us.” the driver was a bit shaken by the unexpected turn of events.
“I said take him to the car! Forget his intentions, he needs help.” her voice was gentle yet firm.
“ye… yes, ma’am.”
They assisted Alex into the car and sped through the streets.
“Take the fastest route to Tranquil Heights Medical Center, Ben.”
“Alright, ma’am.”
The driver was unsure of what was going through his boss’s head.
They weren’t the one that hit the young man.
Why did they have to take him to the hospital?
Fifteen minutes later, the car halted as they got to the entrance of the hospital.
The lady quickly stepped out of the car to call the attention of the nurses, “Help, the young guy has lost so much blood.”
Immediately, the nurses brought out their stretcher to take him to the emergency room.
“Nurse, tell me his condition.” a doctor that looked like he was in his early thirties asked the nurse seriously.
“Yes, doctor. The patient has a deep laceration on the occipital region measuring five centimeters in length. He is showing signs of serious bleeding, swelling, concussion, dizziness and disorientation. I think he needs a blood transfusion and a surgery to stop the swelling immediately” she explained quickly.
The doctor took out of his ophthalmoscope to examine his eyes, “Ok, prepare him for surgery, nurse. Do we have enough blood for this patient?”
“No, doctor. He has the rarest blood type. AB…”
The doctor cut in before she could finish, “AB negative!?”
“Yes, doctor.”
“Who brought him in?” the doctor asked.
The lady immediately stepped forward, “Hi, doctor. I brought him in. Is he in a critical condition?”
“Hi, ma’am. I’m the doctor in charge of the patient. He needs an immediate blood transfusion right away but we do not have blood that matches his blood type. Without the blood, we might lose him.” the doctor explained.
He stared at her for a while and had a puzzled look on his face.
Ava Jackson took a look at Alex again. She felt pity for him.
“Doc, if I may ask, is he AB negative?”
“Yes. Do you have a donor in mind?”
“Yes. I could be the donor. I’d donate my blood to save the young man. Is that ok?”
Ben was shocked to hear Ava Jackson, one of the richest and influential woman in the city say this.
“Ma’am, are you sure about that?” he asked her in a low tone.
“Of course! We can’t just let him die, Ben.”
Then she faced the doctor and said, “Doctor, quick! I’ll donate my blood.”
“Are you family with the patient, ma’am?” The doctor had been observing a peculiar resemblance but he hesitated to talk.
“No, doctor. He is not family. My driver almost hit him on the street and seeing he was already seriously injured, we decided to bring him to the hospital.” Ava explained hesitantly.
“Ma’am, there is no need for you to deny the young man. Is he family?” the doctor said seriously.
“I don’t know the young man! I thought you said his condition was critical? Why are you wasting time on irrelevant things?”
“Ma’am, this isn’t irrelevant. There is a striking resemblance between the both of you and, transfusions between immediate family members are prohibited because of potential genetic complications.” he explained.
Frustration crept across Ava Jackson’s face.
She hadn’t seen Alex before.
How could they be blood related?
“Doctor, I do not know this young man. We just met him on the street and decided to help him!”
She paused for a moment before saying, “But, what is the way forward now? The young man should not die because of baseless assumptions.”
“I suggest we have a paternity test, ma’am. Just to be safe.” one of the nurses suggested.
“What!? Paternity test?” she was shocked.
“Yes, ma’am. We need to avoid every complication.”
Ava was hesitant.
She didn’t know this man and now all of a sudden, a paternity test is being conducted.
But, she knew it was the only way to save Alex so she agreed to it, “Alright, doctor. Please do whatever you can. Just save the young man.”
Immediately, the doctor and the nurses swiftly arranged the necessary procedures that was needed.
The driver gently pulled her aside, “Miss Ava, are you sure about this? How could you be related to that person?”
“Ben, we both know me and that young man could never be related. I only agreed to it so the doctor can commence treatment on him.”
“Miss, you are too kind!” Ben said indifferently but in his heart, he figured that his boss must have fallen for Alex’s pretty face.
“She must have fallen in love with him at first sight!” he thoughtfully said to himself.
Ava just smiled and patted his shoulder.
As Ava and her driver anxiously awaited the test results, Alex remained in a coma, oblivious to the bizarre turn his misfortune had taken.
The doctor rushed to Ava anxiously, glancing at his wrist watch, “Ma’am, we don’t have time to wait for the test results.” he muttered.“What do you mean by that!? You were the one that suggested the test!” her face was etched with worry.“Ma’am…” before he could continue Ava cut him off.“I’ll get the blood in ten minutes!” she said calmly“Ma’am, it is impossible! The blood is quite rare…”She just gave him a cold stare and grabbed phone to dial a number, “Felix, I need AB negative blood in ten minutes. Send it to Tranquil Heights Medical Center.” her voice was tense.The doctor felt the lady was overestimating herself and interjected, “Miss, it seems like you don’t know how things run in the medical world. Blood is not a bag of chips you can just order for, there are procedures to it. Finding the right blood that quickly is nearly impossible.”“Then, if we don’t find a donor in time, I’ll give my blood. I’m telling you doctor, I am not related to this man.”The doctor hesitated.He
(Our love, once lost, found its way back to weave a story, proving that even the stars align to bring together hearts meant to discover each other’s embrace.)Alex was disoriented and bewildered, “How can you not look for me all these years?” he asked as he pulled away from her embrace.Ava by his side, her eyes moist with tears, embraced him tightly again, “Come with me.” she said.“I’ll explain everything.”Of course Alex was intrigued and anxious to hear what explanation she had to give, “Ok, but where are we going?”“Home!” she said excitedly as she tried to wipe away her tears“Home?” Alex looked confused.“Yes, my home. Please, agree son.” she pleaded.“Uhmm… o… ok, ma’am.” he said carefully.Calling her mother still made him feel uncomfortable.Together, Ava and Alex left the sterile confines of the hospital.As they stepped outside, another surprising sight awaited him.Alex could see a chauffeur in a crisp uniform hold the door of a Rolls Royce.“C’mon, enter in.” the lady ge
(From the ashes of our shared history, I rise with newfound strength where our love’s requiem becomes the melody of my resilience.)“Come, let me show you my study.” Ava said as she motioned for Alex to hold her hand.As they entered into the elegant study, Alex gasped.The room exuded an air of sophistication, with dark mahogany furniture and shelves lined with leather-bound books.“Take a sit, Alex.” she said joking. Then she sat behind a polished oak desk, looked at Alex with concern etched on her face, “Alex, I hope you don’t mind me asking? But, what happened last night? Why were you injured?” her voice which was usually composed, held a touch of worry.Alex hesitated, a mix of shame and frustration was evident on his face.But he summoned the courage to say everything. After all, this was his mother.He told her about everything.How he had used all his savings to prepare for the anniversary but Olivia cheated on him instead and now, he would soon become a divorcee.Avas eyes n
Alex was still shocked at the amount his mother said was in the golden card.He placed it carefully in his pocket and was about to leave the study when his phone rang. It was his boss.“Hello, sir.”“Alex! You fool! Where were you today? You skipped work, and I’ve been trying to reach you!” his boss barked.“I’m sorry, sir. I was badly injured and I couldn’t make it to work. I was even admitted to the hospital.” he explained nervously.His boss, however, wasn’t sympathetic at all, “Injured or not, I don’t care! you have missed a very crucial day! You are fired!”The shock on Alex’s face deepened, “Fired!? But I’ve been dedicated to the company and this would be the first time this is happening!”Ava overheard their conversations and could not keep it cool. Immediately, she took the phone from Alex, “How could you fire someone without understanding the situation? This is not how we treat our employees!”“Mom… it’s ok!” Alex tried to whisper.“Look at this fool! Who do you think you are
Alex and Charles pulled up to the company in a Rolls Royce, a choice made on a whim. As they approached the entrance, the receptionist stopped them, “Alex? What are you doing here? The manager told me he fired you already and that you are not allowed into the company’s building anymore.” she said indifferently.“Miranda, did you really have to stop me like this at the entrance? Let me in so I can explain things to Mr. Reynolds.” he pleaded.“I don’t understand you. Who do you think you are that Mr. Reynolds would listen to? He gave me strict instructions. I cannot let you in. please leave or I’ll have to call the security to escort you out. To be candid, you are not even worthy to be an employee in this company. I’m sure you just got lucky cause honestly, you don’t fit in here.” she said rudely.“Miranda…” Alex was about to say something else when Mr. Charles cut in, “Young Master, please give me few minutes.” he said as he gave the receptionist one final look before he took out his
" Lead the way," was all Mr. Charles reply to him. Mr Reynolds immediately set out, towards the elevator, which would take them to the topmost floor of the building, where his office sat.As they got to the elevator doors, they opened on their own accord, as the motion sensor triggers were activated. They stepped in. Mr. Reynolds punched the appropriate buttons that would take them to their destination — his office, and the elevator sprung into motion, and cool classical almost Immediately, and although Alex was slightly pissed at the manner of reception he was given when he walked into the building, He couldn't help but loosen up, Even Mr Reynolds was a slightly relaxed— well, as relaxed as someone could afford to be, while your fate is still in uncertain terms. It was almost impossible to read Mr. Charles's expression, for it was almost neutral, impossibility so. A different sound came on, and Alex started whistling softly, along with the rhythm of the song. They reached the fift
"Wha— What?!" Mr. Reynolds almost screamed out in shock. He simply couldn't believe what Alex was saying.Alex met him with a leveled gaze, before repeating himself." You heard me, I will ask again," he said." How would you like my old job, Reynolds?" He asked, deliberately removing any form of formality from his old boss's name." How would like to be an errand boy?" He continued, " My errand boy," he finished.He looked to Mr Charles, who nodded his approval to the decision, he was liking how the young master—Alex Meanwhile, Mr. Charles couldn't help but marvel at the strategic finesse displayed by Alex. It was evident that the young master had not only proved worthy of inheriting the family business but also possessed the cunning instincts required to navigate its intricate politics,He noted.The transition would not be all that rough as he initially thought, He hid a smile at this.He nodded again, before turning to Mr Reynolds, who was already Reddning from a mixture of bottle
In the hospital room, Alex was drifting in and out of consciousness and dreams. Monitors beeped, and blared, merging reality with memories. Medical exams unfolded around him, trapping him in his past." Honestly sir, he should not have been discharged in the first instance," he could hear someone— the doctor say to Mr Charles." He looked fine right up until he suddenly passed out in the company lobby," was Mr Charles reply, he could hear the weight of worry in his voice. Lord knows what the lad's mother would do if she found out that her son— her long lost son, is in a coma... Or worse. He didn't even want to imagine what would happen, he shuddered. " He will be okay, right?." Mr Charles asked, genuinely worried for the young master." Well—" the doctor started to say, then looked at a monitor in the room, it displayed his health stats." Well, his vitals seem to be in good shape, he seemed to be suffering some sort of concussion related ailment." He finished, before picking his c
The atmosphere in Sarah's apartment was a blend of anticipation and anxiety. They had made significant strides with Dr. Thorne, but the road ahead remained uncertain. The recent collaboration with Dr. Reid brought new hope, but also new complexities."Alright, team," Alex began, glancing around the table where Sarah, Jason, and Dr. Thorne sat. "We need to figure out how we're going to integrate Dr. Reid's resources without losing control of our research."Jason leaned forward, his impatience evident. "We finally have the funding and equipment we need. We can't let bureaucracy slow us down."Sarah nodded in agreement, her eyes meeting Alex's. "True, but we also need to maintain our direction. This is our discovery, and we can't afford to let it be steered away from our vision."Dr. Thorne, ever the voice of reason, chimed in. "We need to be strategic. Dr. Reid's involvement is crucial, but we must establish clear boundaries and roles. Let's plan this out meticulously."The next few hou
Dr. Thorne's gaze was locked on the artifact, its otherworldly glow illuminating the room with an eerie light. The silence stretched, thick and almost palpable, as the significance of the moment settled over them. Alex, Sarah, and Jason exchanged tense glances, each acutely aware of the weight of their discovery."This... this is extraordinary," Dr. Thorne finally managed, her voice a whisper of awe. "Where did you find it? How did you come across something like this?"Alex cleared his throat, stepping forward. "It was found in an ancient excavation site, deep in a forgotten chamber. The journal led us to it, but we still don't fully understand its origins or capabilities."Dr. Thorne nodded, her eyes never leaving the artifact. "Have you conducted any tests? Any initial analyses?""We've been cautious," Sarah interjected, her voice steady despite the excitement bubbling beneath the surface. "We didn't want to risk damaging it, but we've observed some energy signatures and minor react
The silence in Sarah's apartment was a living thing, a suffocating entity that pressed down on them with every tick of the clock. Their eyes darted between their laptops and each other, a silent plea for a notification, a response from Dr. Thorne. Hours stretched into an eternity, punctuated only by the nervous clearing of throats and the rustle of shifting bodies."Think she got it?" Jason finally broke the tense silence, his voice barely a whisper.Sarah forced a smile, though it felt hollow on her lips. "She has to have," she replied, more to herself than to him. "That connection with the astronomical event, it's too strong to ignore."Alex, ever the voice of reason, chimed in, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Dr. Thorne might be intrigued, but that doesn't mean she's convinced. We need to be patient."His words offered little comfort. The weight of their decision hung heavy in the air. Their email, a carefully crafted message outlining the link between the journal's description
The adrenaline from their meeting with Dr. Thorne had faded, replaced by the sobering realization of the challenges that lay ahead. Back in Sarah's apartment, the team huddled around the coffee table, the weight of their encounter settling upon them like a tangible force."So, how do you think it went?" Jason asked, his voice laced with nervous anticipation.Sarah, replaying the conversation in her mind, let out a shaky breath. "She was definitely intrigued. I could see the wheels turning in her head."Alex, ever the pragmatist, chimed in, "Intrigued is one thing, convinced is another. We barely scratched the surface with her. Remember, discretion is paramount. We can't afford to reveal everything at once.""But how much is enough?" Jason countered, frustration creeping into his voice. "We need resources to move forward, to unlock the secrets of the artifact. We can't just sit here analyzing the journal for another year."A tense silence descended upon them. The weight of Alex's cauti
The silence in Sarah's apartment was thick with the weight of their discovery. The artifact, once a source of fear and adrenaline, now represented a responsibility that felt like a mountain on their shoulders. Spread across the coffee table were maps, books, and Sarah's laptop, each item a testament to the weeks they'd spent deciphering the scholar's journal."We can't keep this a secret forever," Alex said, finally breaking the quiet. He ran a hand through his already messy hair, a gesture that usually accompanied his moments of deep contemplation. "The potential benefits are too vast to ignore."Sarah glanced at him, a flicker of worry in her eyes. "But what if it falls into the wrong hands, Alex? Imagine the power this thing could unleash in the wrong grasp."Jason, ever the optimist, leaned back in his chair, a playful smile on his face. "Come on, Sarah, don't be so pessimistic. Think about the good this could do! Imagine advancements in energy, medicine, heck, maybe even space tr
The roar of the airplane engines was a dull hum compared to the cacophony of thoughts swirling in Sarah's head. Glancing across the aisle, she saw Alex staring out the window, his face etched with a contemplative frown. Jason, beside her, was lost in a book, but Sarah knew the haunted look in his eyes that mirrored her own. Cambodia. The hidden temple complex. The Keepers. The artifact. It all felt like a fever dream, a bizarre adventure ripped from the pages of a fantastical novel."We did it," Sarah finally said, her voice barely a whisper.Alex turned towards her, a flicker of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, we did. Crazy, huh?""Crazy doesn't even begin to describe it," Sarah replied, letting out a shaky breath. "I never thought I'd be fighting rogue monks over an ancient artifact that opens portals to other dimensions."Jason chuckled a humorless sound. "Neither did I. Though, to be fair, getting kidnapped by said monks wasn't exactly on my travel itinerary eith
Sarah and Alex decided to investigate further. With Anya's reluctant help, they started discreetly exploring the temple complex, searching for hidden chambers or clues that might shed light on the Keepers' true goals.Their exploration led them to a forgotten library, its shelves stacked with ancient tomes and dusty scrolls. As they sifted through the forgotten knowledge, a hidden compartment revealed a weathered scroll with disturbing illustrations.The scroll depicted a ritual, a ceremony involving the activation of the artifact. The illustrations showed cloaked figures channeling the artifact's energy, their faces contorted in a mix of pain and exhilaration. But the most unsettling detail was the image of a portal, a swirling vortex leading to an unknown dimension.The scroll confirmed their worst fears. The Keepers weren't just using the artifact for research; they intended to activate it, to open the gateway to the lost world. The potential consequences were terrifying. What horr
The oppressive Cambodian heat hung heavy in the air, even within the cool confines of the hidden temple complex that served as the Keepers' base of operations. Sarah and Alex, their bodies still aching from the recent ordeal, sank gratefully onto cushions laid out around a low table. Jason, his face pale and drawn, sat opposite them, a hesitant smile playing on his lips."You guys look like you've been through a war," Jason remarked, his voice raspy from disuse.Sarah chuckled, a sound tinged with exhaustion. "We could say the same about you."Alex reached across the table, squeezing Jason's shoulder. "Glad you're okay, man."Jason's smile faltered slightly. "I... I owe you both an apology. I should have told you everything."Sarah reached out and clasped his hand. "It's okay," she said gently. "Right now, all that matters is you're safe."They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of their recent experiences settling in. They had faced danger, forged an unlikely allianc
Packing their meager belongings, they said goodbye to the tribesmen, their gratitude heavy in the air. With Rith as their guide, they embarked on a new journey, this time towards the bustling, chaotic world hidden within the heart of the Cambodian wilderness. The journey was arduous, filled with scorching sun, relentless mosquitos, and the ever-present fear of unseen dangers lurking in the dense undergrowth. Yet, they persevered, fueled by the unwavering determination to find Jason. After days of grueling travel, they reached the outskirts of a sprawling town. The air buzzed with activity as vendors hawked their wares, children darted between bustling crowds, and a cacophony of languages filled the air. Rith led them through labyrinthine alleyways, past ramshackle buildings adorned with peeling paint and overflowing with exotic goods. Finally, they arrived at a discreet tavern, its entrance marked by a faded lantern swinging gently in the breeze. Inside, a motley crew of individual