Chapter 45 It's Okay

Chapter 45 It's Okay
Laura
Julian's words left me puzzled. I had no way of understanding what he meant by what he said. 'Everything has changed?' —what was he going to do? I had a terminal illness. I didn't have a lot of time to live and there was no cure, but here he was saying he could change it. "Julian, I think you are—" He suddenly hugged me and planted a kiss on my forehead. My wolf lit up within me and froze for a second. I couldn't understand what was happening. The shock was too great and even my brain stopped working. "I will make everything right, Laura. I'm going to do it, that's what I owe you." Julian wiped away his tears and my stomach folded at the intensity in his eyes... "Julian—" Before I could utter another word, he spun round and walked out of the room leaving me speechless again, like usual. My forehead still burned from the kiss. It was almost like his lips never left. It left a warm feeling within me, a feeling called hope. I felt energized hearing those words from him and not just that, I could feel him. I could feel his heart; his emotions and his fears. It was clear that our connection was stronger now than ever and I couldn't tell what magic was going on. I could still sense him in the corridor as he walked away and my wolf flipped with desires. But I couldn't get carried away. I had limited time. My illness was sucking out my life fast. I had to complete my mission before it was too late. I had just gotten the harsh reminder that I would be dead in a couple of days. I couldn't spend whatever time I had left in bed. I needed to clear my father's name. Quickly, I stood up and felt grateful that I wasn't feeling weak. I threw on a large robe and wore long socks inside my hospital clothes. I recognized this hospital. It was where my father was being treated, we were in the same hospital. I could as well visit him and find out more about the secret he seemed to have. The key to completing my mission. I slowly walked to the door and peered outside to the corridor. Nobody I knew was around which gave me relief. Imagine what Mack would have done if she saw me awake. I couldn't forget that face when I crashed to the floor— I shook my head from the thoughts and quickly stepped out into the corridor. I opted for the staircase instead of the elevator to escape anyone who might send me back to my bed. I climbed down to the ninth floor, from the eleventh floor and my legs felt weak. I took a breather on the staircase for a minute, until I was interrupted with a large noise on the floor just below me. I looked down and saw two doctors, a man and a woman approaching the exit door by the side. "Whoa!" I whispered and held my mouth. If I were caught, it would raise concern why a patient was roaming about on the stairs. I quickly got away from them and rushed into the ninth floor. There were a lot of people around, and I was overwhelmed. I snuck into the crowd of patients roaming about, mostly elderly. I found my father's room number and had to wait for the doctor's attending to him inside to leave before I saw him. When I eventually got the chance to see him, he was excited! "La—ra!" He croaked happily. I stopped in my tracks and I smiled. "Goddess! Dad you can talk!" I ran to his side and hugged him. He held me in his arms and patted my back gently. He never even threw my hospital clothes a second look and just basked in our warmth happily. "Oh dad! I'm so happy you are regaining your ability to speak!" "La—ura—" he coughed and I held his shoulder. "It's okay dad. Don't force it, just let it come alright? I'm here for you," I said. Not for long— I thought bitterly. A doctor came inside the room and he was surprised to see me. "Oh, the luna? I didn't expect to see you here." He looked down at my garment and paused. "Yeah, I'm here too. I came for a quick check up, it's nothing." I quickly put in more for my father than the doctor. "Oh alright," the doctor said with a sigh of relief. "So, Mr Raphael has gained back some control of his limbs. He knows everybody now and recognizes our faces. It's just his speech and a few other things that haven't returned fully." "Yeah, I saw that right now. He was so happy to see me here." I hugged my father again and he ran his fingers through my hair. "Yeah, I will leave you with him for a while. I'll be back in twenty minutes, just make sure not to push him to talk okay?" "Yeah, of course. Thanks," I mumbled. The doctor smiled and left us alone. I got into the bed with him and sat side by side. Indeed, the colour was returning to his face and he looked less paler. "Father, I'm getting closer day by day to the person that framed you. I will unveil it, I promise you that. I'm so sorry I couldn't help when that happened," I spoke to him. His eyes were conflicted. He wanted to talk but there was little he could do. "I will do anything as long as I'm alive to prove your innocent father. Because you matter that much to me." I held his hands together. "You know I'm really happy I got to hear your voice today. You calling my name? That's what every daughter would want in my situation." His eyes never left my garment. Those eyes had a lot of questions, but he had no choice but to remain quiet. I understood that silence perfectly. He wanted to help, but he could only watch. I eventually left my father after the nurses came for his clean up and drugs. He gave me one long hug before I bade him goodbye and walked out of the door. My determination to clear his name only burned stronger. I had to see Jin again. I went back to my room the way I did and I was happy that someone had brought clothes for me, presumably Mack. I really wished I didn't see her face at all today. I couldn't face her. Not now that everyone knew my condition. I changed into new clothes and wrapped a shawl around my neck for the cold. I carried whatever medicine I could find on top of the table and dropped them inside my bag. "No time to waste," I mumbled as I rushed out of the ward. I had barely gotten outside the hospital, thinking I was free when Mack and Blade saw me at point blank range. I knew what they were thinking when they saw me. —How could I be walking around in my state? Mack screamed like she had seen death trying to take me from behind and ran towards me. "How can you be walking around in your state, have you gone mad?!" "I am fine, Mack. It was just an episode," I tried to tell her but her lips pouted with pain and she wrapped her arms around me. "Hey, you are hugging me too tightly." I winced as she rubbed her arms over my ribs. I felt hot tears on my neck and I gently patted her back. I caught Blade eyes and I sighed. "It's okay now Mackenzie, I don't die easily." I whispered— for the both of them. Mack pulled away from me and frowned. "Laura, don't ever disappear like that again. We heard you were awake but we couldn't find you in your room. I knew you would want to leave that's why we waited at the entrance!" Mack sobbed. "I am sorry." I patted her back continuously. "I didn't mean to scare you—" "—But you did..." Blade cut me off as he walked towards us. Mack stepped to the side and gave him a chance to speak to me. I expected him to scold me or reprimand me for skipping my drugs but he suddenly threw his arms around me and hugged me tightly. Air got knocked out of my system and I froze instantly. It came as a surprise to me and my mind was blank. I felt flustered in his company. My heart was racing and I didn't even know what to say. Mack smiled sheepishly and I bit down on my lips as Blade sighed. "Don't you ever do that again, Laura. I thought I had lost you…”