Aiden had managed to carry Hope out of the Campbell mansion and flag down a cab to take her to the hospital. She was rushed in by the emergency unit and taken to a ward for immediate diagnosis. Aiden was asked to wait while the doctors were performing a series of tests on her to know what had gone wrong.
Aiden was in the lobby waiting for the diagnosis tobe complete however, he couldn’t sit still. He was pacing to and fro about the room, he was worried and scared. What if something happens to Hope? How would he be able to cope without her? About an hour later, a nurse entered into the lobby room and walked up to Aiden, “Mr. Aiden, the doctor would like to see you now.” She said and it immediately birthed a wave of anxiety surging within Aiden. This was the moment of truth; he knew deep down that what happened to Hope today was most likely a result of her lingering heart problem.And he knew it was his fault, he didn’t have enough money to seek a permanent solution to it and could only afford cheap over–the–counter medications to help ease her pain a bit. But it seemed now that the case could no longer be managed anymore. The nurse escorted Aiden to the doctor’s office. He placed a soft knock on the door, and the masculine voice from inside told him he could come in. With shaky hands, Aiden latched onto the door handle and opened the door.“Good Afternoon Mr. Aiden, please sit down.” The doctor greeted, gesturing to him to sit down on the visitor’s chairs perched at the other side of the doctor’s table.Aiden sat down, “Good Afternoon Doctor.”“Well, we’ve finished running the test on Hope. We found out that the cause of her fainting and fever was because her heart situation is worsening and we see a possible failure around the corner.” The doctor explained and Aiden sighed, burying his face into his palms. He knew this was going to happen sooner or later.“So what are we going to do, Doctor? A surgery to close up the hole?” Aiden asked, lifting his head up.The doctor adjusted his spectacles against the bridge of his nose and picked up a file, flipping the pages. “No, it’s too late for that. The situation has lingered on for too long and her current heart has been weakened. She would need a new one.” The doctor answered after he had settled on a particular page on the file. He took out the page and handed it over to Aiden.“This is the full report of her diagnosis. She needs a new heart urgently, luckily we have one on the ground but you would need to purchase it and also pay for the heart transplant surgery.” The doctor said as Aiden collected the report. Aiden heaved a much heavy sigh; he had expected this also. Money. There was going to be a need for money— huge amounts of it, to ensure his daughter’s life would be safe.“So how much are we talking about?”“Well about seventy–five thousand dollars would cover up the whole bill, post–surgery medications included.” The doctor stated and Aiden’s mouth fell wide open in shock. The amount was outrageous! He reasoned that even if all the money he had ever spent in his life was accumulated, it wouldn’t amount to such money.“Seventy five thousand?” Aiden questioned. “Doctor, I don’t have such an amount. You have to help me please, I don’t want my daughter to die.” Aiden pleaded, tears fogging up his eyes. He loved Hope so much.The doctor shook his head in sympathy, taking off his glasses. “I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do, Aiden. The best I can do is to accept a deposit and start the surgery, but I can’t go beyond seventy–five percent of the bill. That’s about fifty–five thousand dollars.” The doctor offered. “And it needs to be brought in quickly as your daughter won’t survive long. Her case has reached critical, she needs urgent attention.”Aiden let out another sigh, “Okay doctor. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” Aiden rose up from the chair.“Looking forward.” The doctor answered and with that, Aiden turned to leave the office and then exited the hospital. His mind was racing with thoughts. He needed at least fifty–five thousand dollars to ensure his daughter’s health and he didn’t even have a single dime at the moment. Where was he going to run to? Who was he going to meet? He couldn’t possibly let Hope die. He pondered deeply, his mind racing up north, down south, eastward and westward yet, he couldn’t think of anywhere to get the money unless. .The Campbells. His in–laws. He had no other option besides, they owed him. When they were still struggling, he had raised money to treat Riley’s leukemia and now that their business was beginning to prosper, the least they could do was help him now that he was in dire need. Even though they weren’t the nicest to him and his daughter, they should at least have some human empathy. Aiden remembered that they were most likely in the middle of the birthday celebration by now and he was also uninvited. So he decided to buy a huge gift box and place Hope’s diagnosis inside. When they see him with the huge gift box, they’ll definitely let him through because they’ll reason that he had bought a gift for the celebrant. Just as Aiden had thought, the moment he came back home and showed up at the doorstep, the security men had wanted to escort him out but he told them he had gotten a gift for the celebrant. They allowed him in upon hearing that.The Campbell’s huge edifice of a family mansion was lit up and beautifully decorated in respect to the birthday celebration. It was a lavish, extravaganza of a party. Dignitaries, wealthy and affluent men that mattered, rich family members, friends and relatives, company employees of the multi–billion dollar family empire, Campbell Enterprises were all in attendance and were handing over their expensive gifts to Lady Elizabeth Campbell— the President of the company and head of the family following the death of her husband. She was an old lady of seventy–five years; the hairs on her head had already changed hue to a glistening shade of gray. She may appear frail due to age but she ruled with an iron fist! She was strict to the core, principled and commanded respect from everyone underneath her. Everyone trembled under her authoritative rule which appeared to be haughty and arrogant half the time, but they dared not question any of her decisions and approach. She was feared by all.
Aiden is confused and tired of everything! He had just lost his job, the only means he was using to generate income even though it was little. He was hoping he could ask for another six months advance, so he could pay up Hope’s fees and she could return back to school. But first he had to figure out a way her health would be recovered before thinking about her schooling. Aiden decided to go job hunting. Yes, he needed a new job for the meantime or else he would starve to death. So he got up from the hospital bed and put on his clothes— his clothes that were already old and worn out now had numerous tears and were blood–stained as a result of the beating he had received at the celebration. But he didn’t have a fresh change of clothes, and going back to the Campbell mansion was completely not an option. So he had to make do with what he had. He changed into the clothes and put on his shoes that had a hole in the front. His hair was a mess and he hadn’t showered nor brushed his teeth
Aiden continued his job–hunt journey, he decided to pocket the twenty dollars and get something for Hope later. After his interview, he would go back to the hospital to check if she was conscious and then he would ask her what she wanted. He saw a poster for a job ad, it was hung on the gate of a small bank. They were in need of a security guard. He could apply for this. He opened the gates and began to walk into the premises and then he heard someone call out to him, “Hey Mr. Man!” Aiden immediately swung around and met with a security guard. Aiden began to walk back towards him. Immediately he approached the security guard, he eyed him from head to toe in a condescending manner. “And what are you looking for here?” The guard questioned.“I’m Aiden Everton and I want to apply for the post of a security guard.” Aiden explained and the security guard cringed in disgust, pinching his nose together on inhaling the smell that oozed from Aiden’s mouth. “You stinking man! You’re so smel
Aiden sat in the doctor’s office impatiently. He was nervous and couldn’t keep his fingers in place, they were fidgeting and he had to keep them busy by scratching his knee. He was anxious to hear what the doctor had to say to him concerning Hope. Was she able to survive or did those beeps he heard from her ward mean exactly what he thought they meant. “Mr. Aiden.” “Yes doctor.” Aiden blurted, he couldn’t control his emotions.“Your daughter, she—” The doctor began and paused, heaving a pathetic sigh and shook his head in pity. Aiden’s heart began to do somersaults, was she truly dead? He was becoming apprehensive. “What happened doctor? Is she dead?” The words came out lowly from Aiden, like it was a taboo to speak them and with each syllable that came out of his mouth, pangs of pain stabbed his chest. “No! No. She’s not. She’s alive, barely though.” The doctor stated and Aiden felt a notable amount of his burden taken off him, and he would’ve sighed in relief if her death wasn’t
Aiden was shocked and surprised at Katherine’s outrageous demands. He had to take a moment to digest the absurdity of her condition because he had never expected such from Katherine. Aiden felt she was being too direct and forward, and the whole idea of marriage was baffling! However, at that moment, Aiden had a recollection. He remembered on few occasions where Katherine’s greetings were ‘extraordinarily nice’ and now that he thought about it again, those greetings were a bit flirty. And the way she smiled whenever he waved at her as she entered into the office was more than just a friendly—boss—to—employee smile. It held so much more. And now she was blatantly asking him to marry her before she would render help. It was like she had been waiting for this opportunity to come by for a long time and the moment it showcased itself, she immediately grabbed the bull by both it’s horns. Aiden then realized that his boss Katherine most likely had a crush on him. He knew it sounded very un
Aiden wished he had told her about the money offer earlier, he wouldn’t have come. He couldn’t possibly accept such huge sum of money from Katherine. He had only asked that she helped him with his daughter’s medical bills and help him get his job back. But half a million dollars? That’s way too much for Aiden to accept. “Katherine, I can’t accept that.” Aiden refused and Katharine pouted sadly at him.“But why, Aiden?” She inquired and proceeded to run her hands down Aiden’s chest slowly and calculatedly. Aiden’s body stiffens at her touch. It’s been ages since any female had tried to be flirty with Aiden. He wondered if Katherine was trying to seduce him to accepting. Katherine leaned in closer to Aiden, whispering into his ears ,“Come on, Aiden. Just accept the marriage proposal.” Her tone sounded inviting and alluring. Katherine mouth gradually leave Aiden’s ears and began to work their way towards Aiden’s lips, about to give him a kiss. Her other hand still on his chest, cares
Aiden returned back to the hospital, since he couldn’t return back to the Campbells Mansion, he decided to stay at the hospital until he’s able to pay for Hope’s treatment and then he would figure out life from there. Hope’s treatment. Yet again, Aiden had failed woefully at another attempt to raise money for the transplant. A part of subconsciousness rebuked him for refusing Katherine’s offer; she was sexy and rich so why not accept her offer, instead of clinging to a woman who despised him and his daughter. The logical part of his subconsciousness encouraged him, telling him that he had done the right thing by rejecting Katherine’s advances, her money and her marriage offer. It showed he was a man of principle. Aiden then contemplated what to do next and he paced around my lobby, pondering deep in thought. He needed to find a solution to this quickly and the only option he had was to try and phone some of his friends from college again. He really hoped they will help, it wasn’t
Aiden couldn’t believe his eyes. Off course this would happen when Lady Elizabeth decides to play matchmaker between a young and wealthy CEO and her materialistic and slutty granddaughter. It was bound to happen. And maybe it was what Lady Elizabeth was aiming for. Riley and the CEO pause their little show as they were immediately alerted by Aiden’s presence. Riley impulsively jumped off the CEO’s laps and tried to adjust herself; her shirt was completely unbuttoned, one of her boobs hanging out of her bra and she quickly tucked it back in and closed up. “What the hell are you doing here?” Riley shrieked. “Who is this man, Riley and why is he in my office?” The CEO questioned Riley as he also tried to adjust himself, he zipped up his trousers and began buttoning up his shirt as well. “I don’t know him Nathan, I swear!” Riley immediately denied Aiden point blank. Aiden was shocked, his jaw hanging as he tried to digest the scene in front of him. It had reached the point of Riley den