Chapter 57

Chapter 57
Darlyn's POV

Xyleus and I got out of his car together and ran to the hospital. The ambulance was already parked in the parking lot so I knew Andrea and Ivan were inside. We were a little late following the ambulance because of the traffic.

When we arrived at the glass door of the hospital, the guard immediately let us in. Xyleus was ahead of me in entering because I couldn't step on my feet. I 'm nervous. I don't know what"s going on right now with my best friend and her husband. I didn't know how I was going to explain this to Roxanne and the kids.

But even though I felt like that, I still tried to step on my foot and run to the front desk. I can't be without Andrea now. He needs me.

"Where's Ivan De Leon and Andrea Steinfields? They were the ones in the ambulance earlier. They're gunshot patients." Xyleus asked the nurse at the front desk.

A nurse looked up at him and checked the computer in front of him. "Wait, sir. I'll just look at the monitor for a moment. Three ambulances arrived at the same time earlier ..." said the nurse while typing something on the computer.

My sigh was loud. I also closed my eyes firmly and combed my one hand through my hair. I feel frustrated and fallen right now. I can no longer think straight because of so much nervousness. Only now has the bullet hit Andrea in the delicate part of her body and I am not used to that.

While Ivan, I'm also worried about him. There was a chance that he will be harmed because I could clearly see earlier that he was hit in the chest by a bullet. I don't know how to explain that to Andrea because she had already lost consciousness before Ivan was even shot.

Everything happened that fast. Earlier, he and his wife were just flirting and now they were both lost and were now in the hospital. Even I did not expect what happened. I didn't think of Kuya because I was so complacent that we had killed his men. To my great delight, I forgot that something bad could happen.

"Sir, they just finished being checked in the emergency room and right now they were in the operating room undergoing surgery." said the nurse so I immediately woke up and immediately confronted her.

"In which floor was that?" I asked. I preceded Xyleus, who had just spoken.

From looking at us the nurse again lowered her gaze to the computer. "Hmm, Ms. Andrea Steinfields was in the operating room on the fourth floor while Mr. De Leon was in the operating room on the seventh floor." the nurse replied and looked at us again.

I looked at Xyleus and he looked at me exactly. His forehead was already sweating and his face was obviously nervous and very worried.

'thank you, nurse." Xyleus turned to the nurse and nodded.

He turned to me again and took my hand. He was about to walk and pull me but I stopped him immediately. He looked at me with his confused expression. Even his forehead was slowly wrinkling.

I just sighed and looked at the nurse. It also looked at us while the expression was astonished.

"How about Marilyn Enriquez? Where was her room?" I will ask.

The nurse's mouth opened and her forehead furrowed for a moment. But after a while it nodded. "Ah, was that shot in the shoulder, Mam?" he asked.

I immediately nodded. "Yes. Where was she?"

"He's already in the regular room, as far as I know. My friend was Doc's assistant so he told me that. And he's the one, he's room 309 on the third floor." replied the nurse who asked me again.

"Okay thank you." I smiled at the nurse and she smiled back at me. I turned to Xyleus and saw him staring at me seriously. Shit, why was he so handsome now? But ... ugh! This was not the right time to criticize that! Then maybe when I said that to her, her body wind became even stronger.

"Come on? Maybe that's what's going on there with those two." yaya ko sakanya.

He sneezed and blinked. Wait, was he stunned? He gently hugged me and started walking so I was able to walk as well. He pulled my hand but I could still feel his care there.

We stopped in front of a free elevator because I saw your two elevators occupied the side. Xyleus pressed the door open button and the elevator immediately opened. We went inside while he was still holding my hand. I noticed the coldness of Xyleus' palm so I knew he was nervous. I know him very well.

He pressed the door close button and I watched the door slowly close. I suddenly felt even more intense nervousness. What if something bad happened to the couple? How were their children? They still need parents. They still need to be formed as a family. I know my best friend will be happy when that happens.

I bit my lower lip and gulped. Maybe I'm just too paranoid. Nothing bad will happen to Ivan and Andrea. They're both strong. I know that. I have been with them in battles that were not the same as before but I know they were strong and they can overcome it.

"I'll just go to Ivan while you go to Andrea." Xyleus suddenly said so I turned to him. "But ... was that okay with you? It's also okay if you want to go with Andrea. I'll just call someone to get some news about Ivan's condition."

I immediately shook hands with him. "No, Xyleus. Don't worry about me. I'll just go to Andrea. Besides, your best friend needs you more than I do. I can handle myself." I smiled sparingly at him.

He leaned over me and stroked my hair, which made me a little surprised. "were you sure? I can really go with you, Darlyn. Just tell me that you want to—"

I bit my lower lip and stared at him. Xyleus was getting importunate right now, huh? He's been teasing me more and more. "I said it's fine, Xyleus. You're going to Ivan and I'm going to Andrea. End of the story." I stared at him before hitting the fourth floor and then the seventh floor. I shrugged and waited for the elevator to start.

Maybe I'll visit Amethyst later since the nurse said earlier that she's fine. Right now Andrea was my top concern. He can't be lost because I still need him. Her children need her, I still need her. I can't quite imagine what will happen to us when he disappears. Suppose in the puzzle was that when he was gone we will not be formed at all. We will connect because of him.

The elevator rang and the door opened. I went out but Xyleus still wouldn't let go of my hand so I stayed in front of the elevator. I raised an eyebrow at him as he smiled at me wryly. Maybe he was tired because of the amount we had done before. Instead of me shooting at Kuya's men earlier, he took over my targets. He blocked me even though I was already scolding him. Tsk, it's really rude anytime.

"Can you rest first, Xyleus? You look tired ..." I said worriedly to him.

He shook his head and slightly erased his smile. "No, Darlyn. Ivan needs me, like what you've said a while ago. I can't leave him even though he really needs me. He didn't leave my side when I had a lot of problems. He helped me resolve the That's why I want to be by his side now. I want to repay what he has done for me. At least in this way ... "

I smiled slowly. Xyleus and Ivan were my own definition of real best of friends. You do not leave in times of need. You were always there for each other. I know Andrea and I were like that but Xyleus was different. That"s deeper than us.

And most of all I"m glad Xyleus was no longer ashamed to express how he really feels. He used to be a very serious person and he rarely said 'I love you' or 'I miss you' to me. I kept thinking about what I was for him. But now I can see the change that has happened to him and it really makes my heart fat.

"Everything will be alright, Xyleus. Ivan will be fine. Just trust me." I touched his shoulder and stroked it and then patted it.

He took another deep breath. He smiled at me and I saw the twinkle pass through his eyes. "Yes. I always have my faith, sweetheart. And then I believe that Ivan will not die. That animal was a weed. Maybe the god in heaven will reject it." he grinned before laughing. I jokingly slapped him and laughed at him. This man even managed to joke!

'that's good, sweetheart." I said smiling at him.

Her eyes widened slightly so I was amazed. What must have surprised him?

"Did you really call me 'sweetheart'?" though smiling I could see the amazement on his face.

My eyes also widened but I immediately stopped and just sneezed. "You heard it, Xyleus. Why were you still asking?" I tried to tap my voice. This mouth was already here!

"You called me 'sweetheart'. There's nothing left to lose, Darlyn. We're now officially back together." he said smiling and his voice was full of joy.

'tsk, yes! All right! Let me go and I'll go to Andrea." I tried to pull my hand away but he tightened his grip there.

"An 'I love you, sweetheart' first before I leave. It's like I have strength. You know, those three magical words of yours give me enough energy." his grin widened even more and I noticed the teasing there. Hayst! Really stupid!

I looked at him and pulled my hand away. "What were you, who's lucky? I love you-hin your face!" I shouted at him.

"Oh, don't be conceited, sweetheart. I'm just asking you for an 'I love you'. Please, just so I can have strength. You know, I'm damn tired because of that fucking battle a while ago." he grinned and squeezed his senses as if he were really tired.

My expression changed immediately. Oh, damn his convincing skills! I immediately felt concerned about his acting.

"Fine." I disgusted promise but I did not succeed in pretending to be disgusted. The pity I felt for him still prevailed. "I love you, Xyleus. I love you, sweetheart. I love you even if you're a plain stupid and jerk." I sincerely promised while looking into his eyes.

Xyleus stared at me and didn't speak after I said those words. I could also feel the heat slowly rising on both my cheeks. It was embarrassing, okay? But hell, I can't stop my mouth to speak.

Xyleus smiled again but now you don't have a mixture of anything but joy. He did the right thing because I would really attack him when he shut me up.

"I only asked for one 'I love you' but you said three." he said laughing so I was about to punch him but he broke my fist. "But it's okay. It made me happy." his earlier smile was replaced by a very beautiful smile that I have only now seen again.

"I love you too, Darlyn. I love you so freaking much, sweetheart. Since we were just kid, I was already so in love with you. You're just numb and hostile that time so I didn't have the guts to introduce myself to you. " his litany that made my heart beat faster. What the?

I was about to open my mouth when he suddenly pressed the door close button and quickly released my hand. Argh! He laughed and waved at me and I only reached the closing of the elevator.

I was trampled with annoyance. Look at that man, after he confessed to me that he suddenly left? If it's not rude!

"Marj, do you know? It was rumored that Mr. De Leon was fifty-fifty in the operating room on the seventh floor. He was the owner of this hospital." I heard someone say before so I stayed in front of the elevator to listen.

"Hala, yes, Kath said yes. She was assigned there for that operation but she was replaced immediately because she couldn't handle the nervousness anymore. Those doctors almost didn't even bother to shout because they were so nervous. How come, That's VIP, isn't it? "

"Gaga, it's probably VIP, I can only say that he's the owner of this hospital. Tsk, Sir was still handsome. He said the bullet hit him in the chest."

"Ah! That's why it's fifty-fifty. But Doc Arjueles was supposed to have the operation so maybe Sir will still be saved. Doc can do it."

"Hmm, at least you have a point."

It was as if I could breathe easily there. Sana. Hopefully Ivan will be saved. He has a wife and children left when he disappears. I can't also imagine what Andrea will react if Ivan will die. She will be sad and going to grieve again and I don't want her to experience that horrible situation again.

I stole a deep sigh before deciding to leave the elevator opposite. I look like a fool here! I'm in front of the elevator and I'm not riding or pressing anything.

Xyleus was definitely outside the operating room where Ivan was so I should be outside the operating room where Andrea was being operated on. E the case was that I heard rumors so according to, I have never been there.

I shrugged and raised one eyebrow. I'm in rugged mode now. was this really how nurses were today? Gossiping at work? Nice slap in the face.

I approached those two nurses who to this day were still rumored to be operating on Ivan. Tss, everyone already knows that that man was married but the ones who will really look at women, hanep! Even married people fantasize about that. But they just try to judge Xyleus they can really taste me.

"Excuse me." I can call them.

They turned to face me at the same time and I saw them swallow. A little horror was also evident on their faces.

"A-Ah, yes Mom?" a nurse asked me and smiled at me.

"Where's the operating room here?" I raised my voice even more.

"Ah! was that so, Mam?" another lively question. "Just turn right there then go straight to it. You can get out of OR right away." he pointed me where I should go.

'thank you." I smiled for a moment before returning to my calm look. "But ... Can you go back to your jobs and not gossip about my friend's wife? That man was married. You're ashamed of yourself." I stared at them and just passed.

Kaimbyerna those two. That's what I hate most of all e. Those women were assuming and even fantasizing about men even though they know they were already committed to others. It's a great joke to have that. Tsk. It looks like Corrine Zapanta was just the peg. He still knows that he has a wife that you will hit him. Sarap gilitan ng leeg e.

I have forgiven Corrine, yes. He helped us e. But it's really only time for him to tease me again Xyleus, me, I'm really telling him. It"s not just a couple slaps with a fixture he"ll receive from me. I will even dip his extra thick face in boiling acid.

Am I brutal? Pwes, no one cares because I'm just protecting my property. I have Xyleus. From then on, he was mine. I've been waiting for a few shooting stars and I still wish even though I know it's not true just because he really loves me. I have a hard time with that idiot e. So I don't want to let him go now.

I turned right and straightened the road as the assuming nurse had said earlier. I already saw the signage that said ‘Operating Room" so there I went straight. When I got to the front of it I saw the glowing signage saying that the operation was still on-going inside.

I barely sniffed and sat down on one of the chairs in the waiting area. Maybe Xyleus was already out of the operating room like me. I can't quite imagine what he looks like now. His best friend was in OR and he was said to be fifty-fifty.

Xyleus would rarely worry especially if in person yet. Maybe he was worried about the state of his company because you almost collapsed but it"s really different when he"s worried about someone.

I looked over my shoulder with a bullet wound. It's not very deep so I don't take the pain too seriously. Maybe I'll just treat it later. It"s even more important that I know Andrea"s condition now.

To reduce my bit of boredom I took my cellphone out of the pocket of my black jeans. I haven't changed clothes yet. It's still what I was wearing like in the war earlier. It's bad to be able to 'war', isn't it? Para naman kasing war e. World War III, that was.

Exactly when I unlocked my cellphone a name appeared on its screen. I raised one eyebrow and then answered the call. Wow? Nice timing he has now.

"Hell, Corrine?" my answer.

"Ahm, hi? Darlyn? I just called to tell you that Lara was already here in the mental hospital." He explained.

Spontaneously lowering my eyebrow earlier was raised. Also draw a smirk on my lip. "Really? That's good. Good and you followed what my 'husband' and I ordered." I even emphasized the pronunciation of the word 'wife'.

"Psh. You don't need to emphasize the word 'wife', though. I accept that you and Xyleus were really for each other." He calmly promised but I still had a chisel lying there.

"It's good that we understand each other, Corrine. Xyleus was mine and will forever be mine." the smirk on my lips was immediately erased. I sneezed. "But ... Thank you and you helped us. Even though I know you're still a little bitter because you were slapped by the fact that Xyleus loves me and you still helped me. Don't worry, I'll pay yo back. I'll find you of the man you'll love. I know a lot. You'll just go shopping. " I was joking.

'thanks, but no thanks, Darlyn. It's okay for me to be single. And don't worry because I won't take Xyleus away from you again. I don't want to be harassed again."

I laughed. I couldn't have ordered Corrine to do that! It's Andrea. "Oh, sorry for that, by the way. It was Andrea who dictated Shawn to do that." I was shaken. I think, Shawn likes Corrine. He wouldn't fish so hard for Corrine if he didn't. I know that shiver e.

"Shawn? That ugly and stinking bastard's name was Shawn? Tsk, it doesn't matter ah."

"Hey! What's ugly?" e may sa gaga pala itong babaeng ito e! was it to say that Shawn was ugly and smelly? Shawn Castillo? Gosh! "were you crazy? Shawn was no less handsome than Xyleus!" Shawn was really handsome. I just kind of lied there on the part that he was more handsome than Xyleus. Xyleus was still more handsome than him in my eyes.

"But I saw it with my own eyes! His beard closed and smelled of alcohol and cigarettes! Eww! He almost raped me!"

I thought for a moment. Come on ... Beard closed?

"Ah, shit! He's just disguising that!" I laughed at the promise. Shawn was really stupid ever!

"You mean ... It's true you say he's handsome and everything I saw was just part of his disguise?" I heard his shock. Hmm, they're pretty much Shawn's thing. But ... It's just so bad! I became the match maker of my husband's former fixture.

"Yes. Oh, he's fine. I'll take him down. I'm busy right now."

"But wait, Darlyn. I want to know if—"

"Shh, I'll just give Shawn your number. Bye." I just hung up the phone and put my cellphone in my pocket.

I don't know but I smiled to myself. I didn't imagine, even for a while, that my husband's mistress will be my companion. Maybe I would have been sick before if I thought that. Haller? That flirtation was my mortal enemy.

But ... What I really wonder was why did he like my stupid wife? E jusko naman, nuknukan ng sungit ni Xyleus e. What did that man like? Even I wonder why I loved him e. But they say, ‘love moves in mysterious ways". That"s probably what happened to me.

I just leaned back in my chair and erased my thoughts. That moment of conversation with Corrine eased my nervousness and frustrations. I seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when he said he wouldn't take Xyleus away from me. Why, it should just really. We already have that man's child so he should just shut up.

I accidentally shifted my gaze to the OR door. I sighed and gradually fear and nervousness took over my system. Who would've thought that Andrea Steinfields will be delivered into an Operating room?

None. Because many people believe he was strong. But I knew that he was not strong enough to withstand the danger posed by a bullet.

Andrea Steinfields was strong. But she can't bear pain sometimes. He was too purged there. He needed to rest. Even if he tries to numb his whole body, his whole being ... The fact that he was hurting still cannot be changed.

He was not a rock. He was also just a human being, also hurt sometimes.

~ • ~

I woke up because of the gentle caress I felt on the right side of my cheek. I slowly opened my eyes and caught that hand caressing my smooth cheek. And who could it be? I don't even let anyone touch myself!

Tsaka, shit! I didn't realize that I had fallen asleep. Maybe it's because I'm so tired.

I immediately frowned when I saw Xyleus' face smiling at me. I clasped my hand and sat up. I looked around the operating room and saw the signage that the operation was still on-going. Wait, how many hours have I slept?

I glanced at my wrist watch and saw that it had been two hours since I had fallen asleep. Susme, what went through my mind and I fell asleep? What if your doctor Andrea came out? Edi even embarrassed me because I slept watching over it.

I sighed and stared. You really were, Darlyn! You don't mind!

"Ivan was in the ICU. He's currently in a coma so the doctors decided to deliver him there. He's under monitor. He lost a lot of blood and an organ was affected so even after the bullet was removed from his body he still needed it. observe ... "after Xyleus said that I heard his deep breathing.

I turned to him and saw that he was already bent over. Ivan was in the ICU? Jusko, I hope Andrea doesn't look like him. That was too dangerous. My whole system doesn't seem to be able to cope when that happens.

One of my hands moved spontaneously and touched Xyleus's trembling hand. He looked at me with a shocked expression. I just smiled at him and even tightened the grip on his hand.

"Don't worry, Xyleus. I know Ivan will be able to overcome that. He'll recover. He won't disappear, okay? Just like you said that animal was a weed so it won't die." I said that to encourage her but I could see her expression grow even sadder.

"I can't just hope, Darlyn. The doctor told me that there's a forty percent chance that Ivan won't wake up anymore ..." I was surprised when he said but what surprised me more was the leak. of her tears.

It started with just one grain and later it continued. She was already crying. Xyleus was already crying.

I was immediately confused. Of course! Who wouldn't be shocked when someone you haven't seen cry in front of you? That you thought its heart was stone to the extreme numb. But ... I thought wrong. Xyleus has a heart. He has a loving heart. And that love of yours was for her friend.

Even before I became friends with Xyleus, he and Ivan were already friends. Creed was also his friend but I know that he and Xyleus have a deeper relationship. Sometimes I'm even jealous because Ivan was always Xyleus' mouthpiece whenever we're together e. But that's just the way it was. Ivan was so important to her.

Using my trembling hands, I pulled Xyleus for a hug. He hugged me too and I felt him squeeze his head between my neck and shoulders. She was quietly crying and sometimes I could also feel the hot tears coming from her eyes. I just sighed and stroked his back.

I understand him. I also have a friend whose life was in danger now so I also seem to be weakening. I wanted to cry but I remember what Andrea told me then not to cry because it was as if I was giving up on my life when I cried.

"Darlyn, crying isn't just for weak people. Yes, it's not bad to cry but just force yourself not to cry because it's a sign of surrender. And surrender was bad. You can't give up. You can't be weak. You have to get up. and be strong for the people who love you. Where will you cry if you have many opportunities to smile, won't you? "

I still remember when he said those words. Her smile was beautiful although I could see the sadness pass in her eyes.

Suddenly I saw the OR door open so I immediately let go of Xyleus. I stood up and quickly addressed the doctor to get out of there.

"Doc? How's my friend? was she okay? Does she need to be taken to the ICU?" my questioning in succession. Shit! I'm nervous!

The doctor removed his mask before speaking. "No. She's stable now. The bullet hit her body only superficially. No internal organs and such were affected. She can be transferred to the regular room soon." the doctor barely smiled at me.

I folded my hand and closed my eyes. I also felt the trail of a bead of tears from my one eye. 'thank you lord!" hiyaw ko! I don't care even if I look stupid. I'm so happy right now! I woke up and shook the doctor's hand. 'thank you for saving my best friend, doc." I smiled promise.

"No worries. I'm just doing my job. By the way, I have to go." the doctor let go of my hand and smiled at me again before passing me by.

I turned to Xyleus and saw that he had stopped crying. She was smiling now but I know she still feels sad.

I sat next to him with a drawn smile on my lips. Andrea Steinfields was really strong and I admire her the most because of that.

"Heard that, Xyleus? Andrea was now safe." I learned my lively voice. There was no place for the pity I feel now.

Xyleus took one of my hands and kissed the back of my palm. "She's strong, Darlyn. And I hope Ivan was, too." his tone was sad but he was still smiling.

"Ivan was also strong, Xyleus. And I know he can get through it all because he still doesn't want to leave Andrea and their children. The amount he has sacrificed to make everything that happened before happen so he just has to live. "He deserves to be happy and so as his family." I want to trust that Ivan will still wake up. I am strong for Lord e. I knew he would give it to me.

And most of all I want them to be happy with Andrea. They deserve to be happy together. They have proven to everyone that they really were for each other so they just deserve to have fun together.

Just as I thought that they were star-crossed lovers. But no, they're not. They were really destined for each other.

Even though they went through some trials, their love for each other remained. That's what true love was. It waits and it sacrifices.