Chapter 50 — He's Dead

Joseph knocked on the door. “Yes.”

“Alice, Vivian is here to see you.”

I sighed, annoyingly. I didn’t want to see anyone, not even Vivian. The last few days he came by and I refused him, not wanting to meet him. “Tell him, I don’t want to meet him,” I said firmly.

He remained at the door, pausing.

“What is it, Joseph?”

He cleared his throat before answering me. “He said he’s not leaving unless you see him and he wants to talk to you about something important.”

I didn’t say yes to him. But Vivian was very stubborn, and I knew he wouldn’t leave until he met me, so it would be better if I agreed with him. “Tell him I’ll be there in five minutes,” I said and walked into the bathroom.

After a while, I went downstairs. Vivian was sitting on the couch and had a newspaper in his hand. When he heard my footsteps, he looked up at me. “Good to see you,” he said and set the newspaper on the table, giving me his full attention. He looked different. His beard was thick from not shaving and his sea-blue eyes looked tired. He always preferred his looks elegant and glorious, but this time he looked exhausted.

“I wish I could feel the same,” I said and sat on the couch across from him.

He frowned and didn’t like my reply. I could say through his facial expression. People were scared of him but it didn't work on me. We didn’t speak for a few minutes. I was waiting for him to say something because he was the one who wanted to see me.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “So what do you want to talk to me about?” I spoke first.

He scanned my expression before replying to me. “I want to take you somewhere and this is very important to you.” He ran his fingers through his hair.

He knew what was most important to me. “H-Henry?”

When he didn’t answer, I knew his answer.

“Come on,” he said.

We quickly got up, walked out, and sat in his car. He slid behind the wheel and started the car. I didn’t know where he was taking me, but as long as it was for my husband, I would go anywhere with him. “Why didn’t you tell me before, Vivian?”

He kept driving with one hand on the wheel. “Vivian, I’m talking to you?” I raised my voice as he didn't speak.

He glanced at me before fixing his gaze on the road. “Don't panic, Alice. My men found him on the small island fifteen days ago and he was in worse condition. When I got information about him, I immediately went there.” He sighed. “If I had told you before, you would not be able to see him. I couldn’t even recognize him. It was confirmed that he was not in the warehouse at the time of the blast because there were no burn marks on his body. But he was badly injured and was also shot. Several bones in his body had fractured and broken. He has many serious injuries in his abdomen. It seemed as if he had fallen into the sea and was hurt by stones because his injuries weren’t man-made but natural. Those who treated Henry on the island told me he was in a coma for almost two months.”

For a few minutes, I forgot to breathe. He was in a coma. My eyes were moist and I fixed my gaze on him as I processed his words in my head. “But you should have told me, Vivian. He is my husband. I have every right to know about him, even if he is in terrible condition.”

He gripped the steering wheel and clenched his jaw. “I didn’t tell you, Alice, because I didn’t know if he would survive or not. When I got him to the hospital, I didn’t know if he was going to live. I’ve already told you his condition was awful. He was dying. It was too soon to say he would pass through this. He survived because he loves you so much, Alice. Only the thought of you makes him alive. If you have not been in his life, he might have died a month ago.”

I looked out of the window, not wanting to look at him. Tears formed in my eyes and rolled down my face.

*****

Once we arrived at the place, the men in black suits gathered around the car. Before Vivian could open his door, his man opened his door without delay. Then his men escorted us into the old building. Everyone had their guns, and they looked frightened.

“Is everything alright?” Vivian asked, taking off his black jacket and handing it over to one of his men.

“Yes, boss,” his man replied.

“You can go now.” Vivian dismissed them and we headed towards the elevator. “Henry is resting now, but in a few hours, he will wake up.”

I didn’t say anything because I could not find the words to speak. I felt my legs were wobbly with every step. I was anxious and desperate to see him. Two and a half months later, I was going to see Henry. My breathing was fast and my heartbeat was loud like a gong. I just had to stay calm. I didn’t want to burst into tears, I didn’t want to make him sad, he had already suffered a lot. “T-thank you, Vivian.”

He quickly looked at me in surprise because he didn’t expect this from me. He was probably thinking that I was mad at him for what he did. But I was indebted to him because he did many things for me. He was like a real friend. “You’re welcome, baby,” he said playfully.

I narrowed my eyes on him. “Don’t call me that. I don’t know why you flirt with me. I know very well you are not interested in me.”

He chuckled. “I like to tease you…no, to tease Henry. You should look at his face to see how much he is jealous of me whenever you are with me.”

Vivian guided me to the surgical floor and found me in a seat in the waiting room. A man in a white coat came out of the room. He was a doctor. “Stay here, I’ll be right back,” he said and walked towards him. After a little conversation, Vivian nodded to him and headed back to me. “It’s time to meet your husband.”

We entered the room. The room was large, cold, and quiet. I could only hear monitors and machines. I took a deep breath to confront the man of my life.

And then I saw him. I went nearer to him to take his full look. There were scars all over his face. His abdomen was wrapped in bandages and he had cast on his right hand and right leg. I remembered his body, there wasn’t a single scar on his body, his body was spotless. But now he had countless scars just because of me. I wanted to hug him tightly and kiss him, but I could not until he recovered.

It was hard to look at him. Vivian was right. I couldn’t see him worse than that. He was already looking awful. My eyes went moist but I couldn’t let tears fall because I had to stay strong.

Vivian stood beside the bed with his arms crossed over his chest. He didn’t blink an eye while watching Henry. He had seen him in worse condition.

We waited for Henry to wake up. Two hours went by, but he didn’t show any sign of his moves. He was still in deep sleep.

“I think you need to take lunch. It has been four hours, you haven't eaten anything,” Vivian said, concerned in his eyes.

I shook my head. “I’m okay, Vivian, thank you,” I said with a small smile.

After an hour later, Henry took a deep breath and gripped the sheets beside him. He didn’t open his eyes, but his jaw clenched like he was having a bad dream. He suddenly opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling above him, and his chest was rising and falling rapidly. “Alice,” he whispered. He didn’t look at me, not even notice me. He looked confused, anxious, and shocked at the same time.

I took my chair nearer to him, being careful to avoid IV. “Henry,” I whispered. “I’m right here.” I took hold of his cold hand.

Finally, he laid his eyes on me; he frowned and didn’t recognize me for a few seconds. “Alice.” He grabbed my hand as if he couldn’t believe that I was sitting in front of him. “It’s real or I’m dreaming.” He locked his eyes on mine and gripped me even tighter.

“You aren’t dreaming. I’m right here in front of you.” I wanted to hug him badly, but he wasn’t in such a condition.

He relaxed his body. I quickly stood up and helped him, keeping in mind his wound. He was watching my every move, and I missed his intense stare. “How are you and how is my baby?” He placed his hand on my stomach. “You know how much I miss you two,” he said and kissed my tummy.

I felt a jolt of guilt when my mind drifted to my unborn child. I drugged myself, almost killing my unborn baby. My eyes watered and turned into tears. “Hey, I’m alright. I just need a few days to recover my wounds.”

“It’s gonna be more than half a month.” Vivian’s deep voice said from behind.

I forgot he was also there.

Henry turned to him. “Oh, you are also here. Good to see you, man.” He nodded to Vivian.

“Welcome back Henry. I’m glad you’re alright,” Vivian said and patted Henry’s shoulder. “I’ve never worried for a man. But it’s kinda embarrassing that I was scared for you.”

"Glad to hear that." Henry nodded.

“I must go now.” Vivian glanced between both of us. “You two need some privacy.” He winked and walked out of the room.

I locked my hand with Henry's for a few minutes, feeling him, feeling his warmness, and feeling his connection. Tears formed in my eyes when I remembered the horrifying blast. I thought the love of my life was gone before we even had a chance to enjoy our life. “I…I was so scared, Henry.”

He cupped my face and wiped away my tears. “I was scared too when I got shot in my chest. I thought I wouldn’t be able to see you and my little one.” He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “I’ve never feared anything in my life, not even from death, but losing the love of my life, was devastating.”

I traced my fingers on his chest where he got a shot. “Did you kill KT?”

He nodded. “He’s dead. I shot four bullets in his head. I had got my victory, but before I could return to you, someone attacked me from behind and I felt dizzy. And before I could take a step, he shot me in my chest and I lost my balance and fell into the sea unconsciously. And then I don’t remember anything about how Vivian got me and how he saved my life.”

“You don’t have any idea Henry, what have I been through? Everyone thought you were dead, but my heart knew you were somewhere waiting for me, dreaming about me. How could I believe that you’re no longer? You’re very strong, Henry, and I’m the luckiest woman in the world to have you.”

He watched me intently and a small smile stretched on his lips. “Kiss me, Alice.”

I stood up from my seat and slid my hands to the back of his neck and kissed his lips. It was slow and soft and I felt his gentle mouth against mine; I kissed him lightly because of his wounds. “Kiss me hard, Alice,” he commanded and I obeyed him immediately. I kissed him hard, taking in his full lips. He grabbed my head with his one hand and deepened our kiss, sucking my bottom lips. I moaned into his mouth. I missed the passion we used to have. I missed his everything. “I love you, Alice.”

“I love you too, Henry.”