Chapter 42-2

To my surprise, Alice came to me. "Oh, you're here. I'm glad to see you again. We'll catch up later." She hugged me briefly, then went to sit beside Yvonne. I was back staring at Liam. If only he would live, I would be there for him forever. To love him unconditionally, through good times and bad times...in laughter and sadness... and all through our adventures in life together. Dad called to tell me that Alessandro told him about what happened to Liam. He was with Alessandro and Zion at the moment at the NYPD City station. They coordinated with Pete Myers, the NYPD Chief of Police. Pete Myers was the one who helped us when Claire was kidnapped. "What time are you going home?" He asked. "I don't know, Dad, I can't leave Liam." "Okay. I'll have Jack and his team keep post at the hospital lobby. If you need anything, just call him." "I will." I answered. And before he could hang up the phone, I said. "I can't marry Fabio." There was a sudden pause, then he said. "I know. It's your decision to make, Crystal. You're not a child anymore." "Thank you, Dad." At midnight, Lisa said that they were leaving the hospital. They will be back tomorrow morning. "Aren't you going home?" I shook my head. "I can't. I want to be here when he wakes up." She held my hand and squeezed it. "You need to rest, Crystal. Go home." "Don't worry, I'll be okay." They all left, and I was back staring at Liam. At two a.m., Dr. Cruz stood beside me and offered me coffee. I accepted and took a sip. "What a funny guy." Dr. Cruz chuckled beside me. I turned to him, my eyebrows rose questioningly. "What did you say?" "Liam was so funny. He was so bothered that you went on a date. He could not concentrate on the doctors' meeting because he kept about thinking how to win you back. He got frustrated and groaned too loud. He got everyone's attention and was compelled to tell your love story." "Oh! Did he?" He nodded. "Just some bits. He wouldn't like telling his life story either." I smiled and tears rolled down on my cheeks again. "I envy the man. Many of us here actually are jealous of his success. He's a real genius and very hardworking—no one can surpass him. But don't take it the wrong way, all of us support and love him. We are so proud of him. We treat him here as our treasure." He chuckled again. We talked about Liam. The crazy things that they did, Liam's funny reactions and embarrassing moments inside the operating room, managing hysterical patients, their travels, Liam's achievements, and so on. Dr. Cruz managed to make me laugh. At three thirty in the morning, he said. "You should go home and rest. I'm sure Liam wouldn't like it if you get yourself sick. Don't worry, I'll be here. I'll call you as soon as he wakes up." I agreed and went home. I took a three hour sleep and went back to the hospital again. It became a routine for the next five days. Too many people visited Liam in the hospital, including my family. Mom met Dr. Nevine on the second day. Dad was so upset, ignoring and cursing the doctor. I realized that the person Dr. Nevine referred to as the asshole billionaire that the love of his life married was Dad. Well, it was their business, not mine. Dr. Nevine seemed like a good guy. He was a brilliant doctor to Liam and did his very best to heal him fast. On the third day, the NYPD caught the driver. It was Billy (Scott). Everyone was so upset, especially the Brooks family. Alessandro made sure that Billy rotted in jail. The news in television, social media, and papers were filled with stories of Liam's accident. Footages of the CCTV, photos, reactions, and comments. Many people gathered outside the hospital to support the Brooks family. Messages and flowers, telling Liam to wake up. There were also others who could not contain their hatred. They wanted to persecute Billy to death sentence. Every day, I became more and more anxious and miserable. Liam still has not waken up. On the fifth day, I broke down. The misery was so overwhelming. The chances of him waking up was getting slimmer. I cried the whole evening and passed out. The following morning, I woke up to someone calling my name. "Crystal... Crystal." I opened my eyes and I saw a white shadow of a man moving towards me. "Wake up, my love." The man said in a cheerful tone. He was blurry as he loomed over me. "Liam?" I blinked my eyes to see him clearly, but still, my vision of him was so blurred. "I'm here, Crystal." I reached out to him, but he was like a smoke. I could not touch him. I panicked and shouted his name. "Liam!" I sat up immediately, and he was gone. The window suddenly opened and a strong gust of wind entered. A heavy object was thrown on the floor, making a dull sound. I stood up and looked at the object on the floor. My heart pounded so hard and cold sweat ran down my nape. It was the box of the badge that Liam gave me. It was opened and the badge was on the floor. Liam? I dropped down on my knees as intense misery overwhelmed me. Then I heard my phone rang. It was Dr. Cruz. "Crystal. You have to come immediately."