3 – WRECKING A PARTY

“Alex! Alex, are you okay?”

Alex finally snapped out of his daze when his brother tapped him on the arm.

Jayden’s brows were furrowed as he stared at his brother worriedly.

“Are you okay?”

Alex nodded, trying to force a smile.

“Yes, sure. I’m absolutely fine.” He lied through his teeth.

“I got you something.” He stretched the doughnut towards Jayden whose eyes lit up at the sight of it.

“Woah! A doughnut?” The pure happiness in Jayden’s eyes was worth the hunger that was currently biting through Alex’s stomach.

He smiled warmly.

“Yup. It’s a doughnut. Take it.”

Jayden took the doughnut but just as he was about to bite into it, his brother’s stomach growled loudly, immediately dampening the happy moment.

Jayden’s face fell and Alex lowered his head in embarrassment.

“Alex, have you had something to eat today?”

“Yes, of course.” He lied. “Please don’t mind my stomach. I’m probably reacting to something I ate earlier.”

“What did you eat?” Jayden deadpanned and Alex was momentarily thrown into confusion.

“Uh… I ate…er…”

“You don’t know because you’ve not eaten.” Jayden muttered sadly. “Please eat with me. Dr. Blakely gave me something to eat already but we can share the doughnut. Please.”

Alex shook his head firmly.

“No. The doughnut’s for you. Eat it, Jay. Stop arguing with me, please.”

Sounds came from the doorway and Alex looked up just as a nurse walked in.

“Mr. Alex Baron?” She asked coldly.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Good. Dr. Baron would like to see you in his office.”

His heart sank.

“What? Why?”

The nurse’s eyes flashed with annoyance.

“How am I supposed to know?”

Alex refocused his attention on his brother who now looked worried.

“Alright. I’ll be there.”

The nurse closed her notebook sharply, startling both guys.

Finally annoyed, Alex shot her a glare.

“What’s your problem?”

Her eyes widened with shock at his sharp tone.

“My Problem is that Dr. Baron needs you in his office right now and not a second later.”

Alex heaved a tired sigh and turned to his brother.

“I’ll be back, Jayden. I’m afraid I need to handle this.”

“Will you be okay?”

He smiled reassuringly, even though his heart was currently in turmoil.

“Of course. I’ll be right back. There’s nothing to worry about.”

The nurse waited, eying him suspiciously until he left the room. A few minutes later, Alex arrived at Dr. Baron’s office. His palms were already sweating with nervousness as he knocked on the door.

“Come in.” A gruff, authoritative voice commanded.

He opened the door and walked into the spacious, luxurious office.

Dr. Baron, his father-in-law and owner of the hospital, took one look at him and returned to his work, dismissing him instantly.

“You can sit if you want.”

“That’s fine. I’d rather stand.”

After standing there for five full minutes, Dr. Baron finally found him worthy of his attention.

He closed his tablet and pushed it aside, levelling Alex with a cold-eyed stare.

“In case you’re wondering why I called you, I saw the video of you confessing to the theft at your workplace.”

Alex’s blood ran cold but he knew better than to speak or defend himself when he was not given permission.

“My wife called earlier. She said she has decided to throw you out of our home. She has also decided to cut all ties with you… and I’m here to inform you that I’m doing the same.”

Alex shut his eyes, waiting for the blow of disappointment to pass.

“Since you’ve decided to bring shame to my family, we will no longer be supporting you.” He said with no iota of remorse in his voice. “My hospital will no longer pay half of your brother’s hospital bills. Starting from today, you’re no longer our responsibility.”

Alex gritted his teeth.

“What will happen to my brother?”

“I’m giving you a week. Just one week to get him out of here. If by the end of that stipulated time, you’re not able to pay the full bill, I’ll throw him out on the streets myself.”