ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ
✷SHORTIE✷
_______________
“Nooo!!!!!!”
___
Hannah screamed at the top of her lungs, her eyes widened as she saw the burning fire advancing towards her. It grew with every passing second, driving her insanely crazy.
She struggled to escape but couldn’t. Her scream was loud and clear as Diego stood with a blank look.
Hannah felt the intense heat searing her skin, causing intense pain, and she couldn’t breathe well due to the lack of oxygen. Her head spun with fear.
“Help!!!! Please!!! Ahhhhh!!!!”
Diego’s eyes closed as he smiled. “Melody,” he muttered at the sound of her scream.
Soon, Diego heard the sound he wanted to hear: sirens. The firefighters were here. Casting one last look at the woman surrounded by fire, he turned back and left the room, exiting through the back of the building.
As the firefighters stormed in with Vincent, their eyes widened at the scene.
“Hannah!” Vincent screamed in terror. Who in the world would torture someone like this?
The firefighters began to put out the intense fire, hoping the woman might survive.
Hannah’s breathing was erratic, her skin wounded all over as she slowly lost consciousness. The ambulance also arrived, and her body was placed on the stretcher, an oxygen mask on her face.
Vincent swept his hair backwards, frustrated. This is Diego’s doing, isn’t it? Why? Why does he have to go to such extremes?
“f-__-k!!” He screamed, pulling his hair insanely. At the same time, he wondered who had called and informed them that his wife was going to be in this situation.
Was it still Diego? Did he only traumatize Hannah?
____
(HOSPITAL)
A car abruptly halted before the large building. Einstein jumped out of the car in haste and ran into the hospital. He asked one of the nurses where Jameson’s ward was and headed there.
Upon arriving, his eyes filled with guilt and relief simultaneously. He had rushed his way back to the country when he heard the news.
He took slow steps towards Jameson and sighed. “I almost lost my senses.”
The door suddenly opened, and Diego stepped in. Einstein’s eyes widened as the man’s face contorted with anger. He took a step backward.
“Hey, Diego,” he greeted awkwardly as Diego began to step towards him.
“Okay, before you ki|| me, this is not my fault. Jameson didn’t want anyone to know…”
“He almost died, Einstein. Why the hell did you keep that away?” Diego asked.
“He wanted to fulfill his promise by fighting by your side, and he was doing well. You would have pushed him away if you had found out… I had warned him to tell you, but he never listened…”
Diego took three sudden steps to catch Einstein, but he was fast enough to dodge.
“Allow me to finish,” Einstein stretched forth his hand on the other side of the ward, staying alert. “Fine, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you…”
“Stop talking and let me ki|| you… once Jameson wakes up, I’ll ki|| him too,” Diego said, running after him again.
“C’mon, Diego, we can’t be doing this right now,” Einstein said, but then felt Diego grab him from behind. Turning him around, Diego held Einstein’s collar close.
The door opened, and Candy and Jackie saw the scene.
“Einstein,” Candy called, and both men looked at her.
“Damsel, help, your husband is about to ki|| me…” Einstein waved his hand to Candy.
Diego drew his shirt close, glaring hard. “Damsel?”
“That’s what I call her,” Einstein answered, blinking several times. He was obviously enjoying how he was provoking Diego.
“Di,” Candy called lightly, and Diego slowly let go of Einstein, still glaring.
“Marrow transplant can cure sickle cell,” Diego said to Einstein, whose eyes widened.
“That decision is pretty late. It’s dangerous; he’ll have a slim chance to survive,” Einstein shook his head.
“I can watch him suffer, Einstein…”
“You want us to go for it? This is dangerous…”
“You’ll be the doctor, Einstein. I trust in your talent. I’ve found a donor already,” Diego cut in.
“I’ve thought of this and told Jameson, but I can’t risk this. It’s too dangerous. What if something went wrong? What if he dies? Do you know how much I h@ťěd myself when I heard the news?” Einstein’s eyes teared up. “I can’t do this, Diego?”
“The doctor said he might still go back to his critical condition. At least, we should try something. Einstein, please… James has suffered enough. He’s not going to die.”
Einstein swept his hair backwards, taking a deep breath before returning his gaze to Diego.
“What about the others? Did they agree to this?”
“Yes, we did,” Yazmine appeared with Aiden. “I trust you on this.”
Einstein battled with himself inwardly for a while.
“We’ll have to transfer him to New York. I guess we’ll need his help… you know who I’m talking about.”
Einstein’s grandfather, known as the best surgeon in the world. He had won so many awards but quit after he lost his wife to an incurable sickness.
“I just hope he’d help,” Diego replied. “I’ll come with you.”
“Me too,” Jackie stood. Candy gave her a questioning look. “I’ll go with them.”
____
Hannah’s accident went viral, leaving netizens confused. Some said it was a terrorist attack, some said it was Henry’s men seeking revenge, and some even suspected Vanessa.
Vincent stormed his way into a luxurious hostel. He was dressed in a loose shirt and black pants. One wouldn’t think of him as one of the Gonzalezes.
“Romeo Gonzalez?” He asked the woman at the front table. The woman quickly made a call.
“You can go in,” the woman stated, obviously confused by Vincent’s angry face.
Reaching the given room, Vincent slammed the door open and found the man he hadn’t set his eyes on for nine years.
Romeo, who was busy resting on the couch, raised a brow at him.
“I didn’t expect you to look like that,” Romeo spoke calmly, his voice carrying authority.
“Did you see what your son did to my wife? She is in the hospital, still traumatized. She can’t eat well, speak, or even walk. She is in total shock.”
“She was just reaping what she sowed. You know that very well, Vincent.”
Vincent stepped closer. “Hey, aren’t you here to stop your son? He’s going too far.”
“I’m not only here to stop him. I’m here to end the constant fighting and bring our family back to how it was before mother died,” Romeo said, standing up and reaching out for a glass of wine. “It all started with us and it should end with us.”
“How are you going to do it? Diego despises you to the core. He’ll flare up, and things will get worse. Seeing you’ve broken the promise of never showing up before him, he’ll h@ťě you even more. Diego doesn’t want to have anything to do with the family anymore. He only listens to Old Mavis, and his dark side is far beyond what you think. I’ve seen the devil in your son several times, and trust me, the Diego you knew nine years ago is completely different.”
“So you’re suggesting I should go back and never return?” Romeo asked.
“I’m saying you should be careful. Your son is not called the Billionaire Devil for nothing.”
“I can’t believe these words are coming from you, brother,” Romeo said in amusement. “Has my son done something to you?”
Vincent recalled how Diego had once dealt with him. He had injected him with a poison that made him wish for death. For seven days and nights, Vincient cried agonizingly before help came. This happened eight years ago when he tried to hunt Diego for putting Griffin into prison.
“I h@ťěd the way the family turned out because of me. If you’re here to bring it back, then I’m on your side. But please, release my son,” Vincent pleaded.
Romeo frowned.
“He is part of the family. Remember how close he was to Diego. They were like brothers.”
“You know what your son is capable of and what he did.”
“Please, Romeo, I’ll handle him. You’re the only one who could.”
“No,” Romeo cut him off and turned.
“I’ll do anything!” Vincent exclaimed. “Anything at all,” he added, and Romeo thought for a while.
____
(NEW YORK)
In a comfortable apartment lay an old man. His eyes surrounded by wrinkles opened up when his doorbell rang.
“Those kids are here for another candy?” He mused as he stood to reach the door. His face dropped upon seeing his son.
“What?” The man asked with a bored look. He saw Diego and smiled widely. “Oh, my son.” He walked past Einstein and hugged Diego.
“Son? Grandpa, really? You haven’t seen me in a year.”
“You’re always a troublesome person, always coming to see me whenever you need something,” the man glared, then frowned.
“What about your second friend, the funny one?”
Diego sighed. “That’s why we are here.”
___
(GONZALEZ COOPERATION)
“Here, to calm your nerves,” Aiden said, dropping a cup of coffee before Yazmine.
Jameson had the surgery a day ago, but the main part was for him to wake up. If he does, then everything will be fine. Yazmine couldn’t shake the fear in her; she could only pray everything would go well.
“Thanks,” she said, her voice barely audible. She drank from it and smiled. After that night they had, they barely spoke to each other.
“Would you like to go somewhere?” Aiden asked, trying to lighten her mood.
“No, I’m tired,” she replied, not looking up at him. Sensing his stare, Yazmine looked up and frowned. “What?”
“Nothing,” he shook his head. “I’ll be leaving.”
As he shut the door, Yazmine released the breath she had been holding. Her right hand went to her left chest.
“Gosh, heart, can you just calm down,” she muttered, recalling their kiss. “What have I done?” she mumbled, palming her face.
It was then Candy walked in.
“You alright?” she asked. Yazmine quickly composed herself.
“Yeah yeah, I’m fine,” she smiled.
“We’re going to the grocery store, remember?” she reminded.
“Right,” Yazmine forced a smile.
___
“I’ve missed Jameson,” Candy smiled, selecting groceries carefully.
“I do too I’ve been praying. Once he wakes up, I’m never going to nag him ever again,” she stated, and Candy snickered. Yazmine stared at Candy for a while, remembering the night Jameson got drunk because of her.
“Jameson is such a good person, and I hope someday he’ll find the happiness he craves for,” Yazmine muttered.
“I hope so too. Jameson deserves happiness; I wish to give him that,” Candy said. Yazmine’s smile dropped a little.
“I need to use the restroom, I’ll be right back,” Yazmine excused herself and left.
Candy’s eyes caught a canned good which was placed high, it was the last one. She tried to reach it but couldn’t, then huffed in anger. Why did they have to make it this high? Trying luck again, her hand still couldn’t reach it not until a hand took it.
Candy turned to see the person but bumped into a hard chest. Her eyes met with a pair of grey eyes staring down at her. His black hair styled backward. He was wearing a simple black shirt and black pants. Some of his tattoos were visible from his neck. He was the same height and aura as Diego.
“Uhm, that’s mine,” she stated, pointing to the can the man was holding, smiling awkwardly.
“I know,” the man nodded and gave it to her. “I was just helping you out.”
Candy bowed a little. “Thanks.”
“Your husband ain’t here to help?” the man spoke, in his deep voice.
“How did you…” she blinked in confusion.
“The ring on your finger shows you’re married. So I was wondering why he had to stress his short wife.”
“Who are you calling short?” Candy pouted, glaring. The man found it cute.
“Just kidding, don’t get pissed,” he raised his hand in surrender. Candy finally smiled. “I must say, you look pretty.”
“Thanks but don’t hit on me.” She shook her head.
The man let out a light chuckle. “I just want to make a friend. I came back here, trying to get back to my family”
“I wish you good luck with that,” Candy mumbled.
The man nodded. “I hope to see you soon, shortie.”
“Hey!” Candy snapped, but the man began to leave.
“Candy,” Yazmine called behind, her gaze moving to the man who just left, and frowned a little. “Who was that?”
“Just a weird guy calling me short. Yaz, am I short?” Candy asked, blinking cutely.
“You’re just average,” Yazmine chuckled and Candy nodded puffing her cheek. Screw him, she thought.
***
Meanwhile, the man who met Candy at the grocery store sat in a dark room. His finger played with a fire lighter as he stayed deep in thought.
The door opened without a knock, and Vincent stepped in with an upset look.
“I thought I told you not to step out. Where the hell did you go?” Vincent asked the man sitting with his back facing him.
“I went to get some fresh air. Is that a crime?” The man asked lightly.
“No, but not for now, okay? You have no idea what I went through just to get you out, Griffin,” Vincent said.
This time Griffin turned to look at him, his gaze cold, as an amused smile graced his lips.
“How’s Hannah?” He asked lightly, he wasn’t putting on any shirt so his dangerous tattoo gave off his crazy dark aura.
“Your mother.. I don’t know what is wrong with her? I just hope she’ll be okay. Are you not going to visit her?”
“When is he returning?” He asked ignoring his father’s question. His gaze darkened. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“Remember, Griffin, do not do something stupid.”
“Of course I won’t,” Griffin said, having an underlying meaning. “You know, father, I met an interesting person today.”
Vincent sighed, rolling his eyes. “Who?”
“An angel… her name is Shortie.”
____
Meanwhile, in New York, Jackie stared at the man lying on the small comfortable bed with his eyes closed and breath steady. She had been beside him, reading him books and making sure he got his treatment.
“Mr. James, you’d probably h@ťě me when you wake up. I actually let out your secret, but trust me, I never regretted it. Instead, I felt I should have done it sooner.” She reached for his hand and caressed it gently. “When are you going to wake up? I promise never to call you grumpy again… I’ve missed you.”
She said, with a sad smile.
After a long while, Jackie fell asleep, her head rested on the bed, and her hand intertwined with Jameson’s. The only sound that could be heard was the steady beep of the machine in the room.
A light groan escaped from the man’s lips as his one of his finger moved…
A frown settled on his handsome face as his eyes slowly opened… He mumbled…
“Where am I?…”
༆𝑻𝑩𝑪༆