Chapter 80 Alive
I'm beyond tired, my limbs are sluggish, but I force myself to run on the treadmill at the hotel to sort of keep a routine.
I'm still ignoring my parents, but I'm sure T.J. either told them the truth, or he made up something to appease them somehow.
Again, I'm extremely grateful that he's with me, and I won't be stupid again to try and do things on my own like this.
I managed to convince Simon to teach my classes, but he let me know that Gregory isn't very impressed, so I sent him a message explaining that I have a friend in trouble and I will try and be back soon.
My phone rings, and I hastily get off the treadmill when I see it's Raul.
"Hi. Any news? When do you think I can see him again?" I ask immediately.
It sucks that I can't be with him right now. In my gut, I know that he needs me to be there. I don't know where these feelings are coming from all of a sudden, but I have this innate need to be by Miguel's side.
"He woke up." I can hear the emotion in Raul's voice, and I gasp, clutching the space where my heart is.
"He woke up?" Tears gather in my eyes hearing this terrific news.
He's alive.
"He's still in a lot of pain, but he's breathing on his own, Madison." Raul sniffles on the other side. "Fuck, I really thought we were going to lose him, the fucking asshole."
I laugh through my tears. "Can I come see him? Are the other Cargills there?"
"Yes, but I overheard Mr. Cargill telling Ben he can leave now that Miguel is awake." The tone in Raul's voice changes to frustration. "Just keep your phone close by. Like I said, Lucille is also keeping track of their whereabouts, so as soon as they leave, I will let you know."
"Thank you, for everything, Raul."
"No, thank you. I think we might have lost him if you weren't here." Raul sighs. "You have no idea how much you mean to him, Madison, and I really hope one day the two of you can be together."
I look at the phone long after we say goodbye.
Does he really think Miguel is alive because of me? It sounds so insane to think about.
The press is going to have a fucking field day with this story. I dated Ben for years. It's for sure not going to go over well with the senior Cargill whose life is supposed to look perfect for voters.
Brothers with the same girl is not something the public will take well. And dating Ben has taught me that public perception is everything in politics.
Miguel and I are doomed before we really even began.
I think my family will probably be more accepting, even though Uncle did warn me about Miguel, but his family will most definitely not.
In fact, I'm quite sure that Ben will do everything in his power to try and destroy us.
I run up to T.J.'s room who looks like he's already been up for hours.
"Miguel is awake, Raul will let me know when I can see him."
He nods and opens the door for me to enter. "I just spoke to Uncle."
"Why? Isn't it like the middle of the night in New York?"
"Well, when you have a niece in another part of the world who ran after her lover, you sort of can't sleep at night." He says sarcastically. "Especially since her ex is also there who we know is a fucking killer."
I fold my arms defensively. "I thought you said you'll keep my secret."
"And I told you only if your life isn't in danger." He mimics my pose like a fucking toddler. "So we decided it's best we go home."
"What! No!" I feel the tears gathering again. "I have to see him!"
"You were always the easy kid." T.J. points his index finger at me. "And now you're becoming a real pain in my ass!"
"Just one more time!" I'm not above begging. "Please. I swear, one more time and we leave."
He looks at me like he wants to snap my neck, but then he sighs and runs his hand through his brown hair, and I know I won at least a small battle.
"One more time, and I swear I will drag your ass to the airport even if I have to glue you to me."
I run to him and fling myself into his arms. "Thank you so much. I love you so much."
"You're not going to love me when I tell your parents what's really going on." He takes my arms from around his neck and pulls a face at me. "And take a shower, you stink."
I stick my tongue out at him before going to my own room, and indeed take a very long, hot shower before I order room service and waiting for Raul to throw me a bone.
He lets me know just before lunchtime that the Cargills will be leaving the hospital only to have lunch and that Ben will be leaving for the airport. So of course I drag poor T.J. there.
"You guys should try and get some sleep." T.J. tells Raul and Lucille who indeed look like they haven't slept in days.
"We can't." Lucille shrugs, and I don't miss the way she's blushing when she looks at T.J. "We don't trust the brother and stepmother, and I'm not letting something happen to Miguel on my watch."
That makes me frown, and a pang of jealousy shoots through me. Is there history between the two that I should know about?
"He's sleeping." Lucille tells me. "Don't wake him up."
I refrain from rolling my eyes at her, but I try to be extra quiet when I go inside the hospital room. I nod at the soldier stationed there, who only nods in return.
I hold my breath when I slowly approach Miguel's side. I quietly take a seat and take his hand in mine.
"You look so much better without the breathing tube." I whisper, and run my fingers softly over the back of his hand.
I follow the veins from his hand, up until his strong arm, over his shoulder, finding his eyes open and looking at me.
"Hi." He says, his voice scratchy.
"Hi." I can't help the smile taking over my face, and I get up from the chair and lean over him, careful not to get in the way of the wires. "You're awake."
His eyes are still swollen and bruised, but I've never seen a more beautiful sight than his gorgeous blue eyes looking at me.
"You're here." He looks at me like he can't believe I'm actually here in real life.
I stroke my finger over his eyebrow and kiss him softly on the lips.
"I'm here." One of my tears drops on his face. "Thank you for coming back to me."