James was quickly rushed to Skycare, one of the finest hospitals owned by the Wane's family in Emerald Falls.
This hospital is known far and wide for its top-notch care. It's a place where doctors are experts at their job.
Immediately, James was offered into a very special ward meant only for the rich, the doctors began working really hard to treat James' injuries and revive him.
Lana remains by his bedside the whole time as the doctors do their thing.
She sits next to his hospital bed even when the doctors asked her to leave.
Her heart was fuming with both anger and fear as James remained unconscious. She would not understand why people could be so wicked and heartless.
Her mind drifted off to what she would possibly do to the people responsible for this. She must make sure they face the wrath of the law for doing these horrible things to her little cousin, she thought.
She could not quite understand why James pretended not to know her at the station.
But since he gave her a knowing glance, no problem. She was ready to act along with him if it made him happy.
After about an hour, he finally opened his eyes with a groan.
"He is awake!" She screamed in delight.
A few moments later a nurse rushed in to take James' pulse.
"Are you alright James?"
"Yes. I'm fine, just a throbbing head," he manages to say amidst the pain.
The nurse gave James some painkillers to relieve him of the pain he was having.
"I'm sorry, Lana. I know I messed up, but I had to do what I did back there in the station." James said.
"Relax, hush now. This is not the time for talking. I'm so glad you're alright."
Soon afterward, a doctor enters to administer medication to James.
"He needs to take some food now, madam. I'll ask a nurse to bring him food."
"No, I'll get him food myself," Lana said and stood up from beside James.
She said that not because she does not trust the nurses but because she wanted to prepare James' favorite meals herself.
Steak and Mashed Potatoes were his favorite and she still hopes he still loves them.
She remembers when she used to make steak and Mashed Potatoes for James and how happy he used to be before he eloped three years ago.
After James' departure, everyone was tense. Mostly her dad, Ryan.
She wonders why her dad loves James so much. Perhaps, James was his favorite nephew—his beloved sister's only child and heir to the Wane's dynasty.
James fell asleep again as she left. He must have slept for nearly two hours when Lana returned with the food.
When he saw the mashed potatoes and steak, his face lit up with a smile.
"Cuz! You still remember my favorites."
"You have been gone for three years does not mean we have forgotten all about you," she smiled back at him."
With his injuries, James could not afford to feed himself and Lana offered to feed him herself.
The whole thing was awkward to James and even the nurses present could not help but smile at the both of them.
After the meal, James finally managed to sit up in bed.
"James," she began gently, "what happened back there at the police station? Why did you pretend not to know me?"
James sighed softly, while his eyes were focused on the white hospital ceiling.
"Lana, I had to do it. It's all part of a plan I've been working on."
"A plan? What plan?" She said, rolling her eyes in confusion.
He turned his head to look at her. "I couldn't reveal my true identity as the new owner of the company just yet. There are people who have wronged me, and I need to deal with them discreetly. If they knew who I really was, it would complicate things. And besides, our family has enemies everywhere."
Lana nodded slowly, starting to understand. "So, you pretended not to recognize me to protect your plan?"
"Yes, exactly. I hope you can forgive me for that, Lana. I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"Of course, James. I understand now. Your secret is safe with me. Just promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise," he replied with gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you for being understanding, Lana. You've always been there for me."
She agreed that the plan, even though a bit risky, was necessary. James had to pretend not to know her to keep his enemies off his back and teach those losers a lesson. It was the only way to carry out his secret plan successfully.
"I want to ask you a lot of questions, James."
"Huh?"
"Alo…"
Lana's phone rang, interrupting her. She reached out to get it from her pulse and discovered that it was her father, Ryan Wane calling.
"Your favorite, uncle is calling," she said smiling at him
Lana had already told him everything that happened to James in the station and he went mad immediately.
He even insisted on coming to see for himself and making sure the people responsible are severely dealt with even when Lana told him that everything is under control.
He reached over to answer.
"Hello?"
"James, my boy, how are you feeling right now?" The voice on the other end was filled with concern.
"I'm okay, Uncle Ryan," James replied, trying to sound as strong as possible. "Just a few bumps and bruises, nothing serious."
His uncle's sigh of relief was almost audible through the phone. "Thank goodness, James. I was so worried when I heard what happened."
James hesitated, not wanting to burden his uncle with the full extent of his injuries.
"It was a tough situation, but I'm on the mend now. No need to worry, Lana is taking good care of me."
Uncle Ryan was persistent. "You know, James, you can always count on me. If there's anything you need, just say the word."
James smiled weakly, touched by his uncle's concern. "I appreciate that, Uncle. Right now, I just need some rest and time to recover."
"Of course, my boy. Take all the time you need. We'll catch up properly once you're back on your feet."
He hung up the phone.
Lana went ahead to ask him the question she has been dying to ask.
"So tell me. What business do you have with these people?"
The question hit James like a thunderbolt.
"It's a long story…"
"I have got enough time to hear long stories."
He could not get himself to tell her about the whole situation, not when the story has something to do with him not marrying Ellen Princeton, Lana's best friend.
Lana and Ellen used to be best friends but when James turned down the marriage between him and Ellen, the Princeton family took it as an embarrassment and cut all ties between them and the Wane's.
Even Ellen became Lana's enemy all because of him, and now Alisha, the girl he eloped with broke his heart.
This is not the kind of story he wants to tell Lana, not when it has something to do with her best friend turning into her enemy all because of his selfishness.
He knew Lana was really hurt by his decisions in the past and felt sorry for her.
Despite her pleas, he remained adamant. But Lana is not one to give up easily.
After much persuasion, he yielded and decided to tell her everything. About Alisha and how they got married.
How her family members treated him like trash because they saw him as a nobody.
How she used to love him and then all of a sudden broke his heart for the position of manager in Emerald Multisource Cooperation, the company he now owns.
Lana listened attentively to the story.
She was already wondering who this Alisha is.
"Hmm."
"I'm really sorry cuz for all my actions in the past. How I cost you your friend and how I embarrassed the whole family. "
"No James, you didn't do anything bad. You did what you had to do to be happy and it's what matters."
"I acted out of ignorance and now I'm ready to make it up to all of you…"
Just then, a nurse walked in and told James he had a visitor who wanted to see him.
James wasn't expecting anyone at all.
Could they have known that he was taken to Skycare?
"Let them in."