65| THE FAKE FIANCEE

Frema could not help how shame covered her entire skin like a cold blanket. Her flat shoes thankfully produced minimal noise against the tiles of the hospital as she tried to find the ward she'd been directed to. She tried to convince herself that she was only here because of the dream Josh had but it only seemed like she was lying to herself. She had only needed a reason to be here, and upon getting that reason, she called in sick at the ‘new’ place she worked in and prepared herself to see him.

On getting to the door of his ward, she pushed it open warily and stepped inside, shutting the door behind her before she looked up at him. Her lips parted in shock at the sorry sight in front of her, and she gripped the door handle for support when she stared on. The person on the hospital bed was anything, but recognizable. The pictures on TV was censored, and did not do him any justice. In real life, he looked like a lost cause. He resembled a corpse, a literal one. He was covered with a flimsy white cloth only and the rest of his skin was visible, a mixture of black and red colours from the fire. The room was as cold as a mortuary, stinking as well, she could smell the stench, even with the mask and protective clothing she had on. Even the smell of drugs and antiseptics could not overpower the stench. He smelt like a dead man, if she was being honest. Fresh tears slipped down her cheeks.

She summoned the last of her strength and walked towards his bed, watching his finger twitch. She could've smiled, if her heart was not too busy shattering in a million pieces over again at the moment. She broke down in tears now, unable to help herself.

"Why do you still have this hold over me? Just why? After everything you've done to me, I should hate you. I really should; I should take the advice of everyone that's warned me and I should stay far away from you, but I cannot bring myself to forget about you. To get over you, no matter how much I try." She sniffed, watching her tears drop on the bed where he lay. She brought down her mask, not minding how much stench she inhaled now. It was the last thing on her mind. She continued, "I know I said I didn't want you in my life anymore, but I didn't mean you could just up and leave me alone. I didn't say you could leave the world behind as well, or your kids. They miss you, you know?" She said the last part with so much guilt. Only if she'd let him see them then. And if only she hadn't barged into his office to yell at him like that. Maybe he'd have been in his office by now, working his ass off, she thought painfully. "Liam misses you too. And me? I'm not doing fine, either. I cannot get over you. It'll be even harder this time, because I feel like I'm the reason behind your accident. If I hadn't come there..." She broke down crying and didn't stop until her eyes were red and puffy.

She heard the doctor's voice before she could see him.

"The chances of his survival reduce every passing day." He started and she didn't jump, only wiping her tears as she listened. "From fifteen percent, three days ago, it's reduced to a sorry state of nine percent." He said and Frema's heart jumped in her chest.

"Are you saying he won't be able to survive it, doctor?" She asked. He shrugged with sadness written all over his face.

"It would only take a miracle, ma'am." He said, but there was so much doubt in the statement. Frema swallowed and stared at the unrecognizable being before her.

"I believe you're his fiancee, miss...?"

The door swung open then and Kayla entered while Titi stood behind her. She was the one who responded,

"... Miss Kayla soon-to-be Castile. Nice to meet you." A wide smile gripped her red lips as she extended a hand towards the doctor. The man accepted her hand in a handshake, even if he was still confused about the whole scenerio.

"You're his fiancee? I thought you said it was you, miss?" The man turned to face Frema, his expression carving into one of disappointment. Frema bit her bottom lip, colour visiting her face due to embarrassment. She wouldn't have lied, but the nurse at the table saw her and asked to take pictures with her, since she was Eron's fiancee. She could not deny it then, so she just went along with it, she never thought Kayla would be here. Was this woman a witch? She asked herself inwardly.

"Oh, she's really good at that. Lying. I've tried to change her ways, but, oh well. Eron was her ex but she still wants him back, which is why she's here now, crying over him like a desperate teen. Why don't you leave that to me, huh? His current fiancee?" Kayla spoke, her voice calm while her eyes spoke deadly words. Frema turned to the doctor,

"I'm really sorry, doc. I really needed to see him. I promise it wasn't even intentional." She begged him and Kayla scoffed, but Titi just looked on, scrunching her nose upward because of the weird, disgusting manner in which the room smelt. The doctor was not impressed. He did not know what was going on, but he could never condone liars. No matter how sweet and innocent they looked.

"Well, you've overstayed your welcome. Please leave." He said sternly and she nodded, risking one last look at the dying man on the bed, before she began to head towards the door. Kayla just stared at her until she was almost out of the room, and then she pulled her back, bending to whisper against her ear,

"How does it feel to be the desperate one, Fremantle Michelson? Get used to it, bae, and pray nothing happens to Eron, or I'll make sure everyone thinks you have a hand in it."

Frema pushed her away after those words and after one last stare down between the two women, Frema finally walked away.