WHILE FATIMA WAS RECOVERING, she starts to wonder what her mother meant when they were in the hotel room. She was talking about her father's accident, but why? How is Christopher involved in it too? Nothing is making sense and she doesn't know if she should take her mother's words for real. What happened that day that she has no idea of? This is making her go crazy.
She sighed heavily and continued staring at the ceiling, the only thing she can see at this point. It feels like an eternity, she's been in this hospital for almost like a decade in her head.
"What's on your mind, hmm?" She turned and looked to the side and saw Grian standing there with flowers in his hand. She eyed him before looking back at the ceiling. "Nothing..." she mumbled and he smiled. He stepped forward and showed her the flowers.
"For you-"
"I'm allergic to flowers," she stated and he blinked a couple of times. His mouth agape as his eyes widened and he immediately put the flowers far away from her. "Right- I forgot," he said and scratched his head. She chuckled softly and shook her head.
"It's not as bad as before though," she said and he nodded with an awkward smile.
"Wanna go outside?" he asked her and her eyebrows raised. She blinked a couple of times before she furrowed her eyebrows. "How? I thought I was only allowed to stay in bed?" she asked and he smiled.
He went outside her room, making her confused. She waited for him and after a couple of minutes, he returned with a wheelchair. She looked at it and back at him. “I’ll help you get up,” he said.
Grian held her upper body as she sat down and she felt a bit awkward being so close to him. She breathed heavily as her heartbeat became rapid. She stared at his face and once he looked at her, she looked away out of shyness. She blinked a couple of times and didn’t even notice that she was already sitting down.
She cleared her throat as she looked at the wheelchair in front of her. Grian was about to grab her bridal style when she glared at him. “I got shot in the chest, not the legs,” she said sassily and he chuckled awkwardly before backing away a little. She put her foot down, followed by the other one and Grian supported her body so she wouldn’t fall.
Her heart started beating faster as she tried to calm down. He guided her to the wheelchair and dragged the IV attached to her as well. She sat down and made herself comfortable. Her shoulder felt a bit of pain from moving but it’s feeling a bit better now. “Does it feel okay?” he asked and she nodded.
He nodded to himself before going behind the wheelchair and pushing her outside the room. They walked down the hall as they reached the elevator. They waited for the elevator to open and he pushed her inside with little to no struggle. There wasn’t anyone else in the elevator so it became easier.
He pushed the button for the first floor and she breathed heavily. “Are you sure about this?” she asked and he smiled and gave her a thumbs up.
Once they arrived on the first floor, he pushed her out of the elevator. He walked her to the side of the hospital until they reached a door leading outside the hospital. “Uhh?” She started to wonder.
“It’s the hospital’s garden or field,” he explained and she nodded. He pushed her outside and there’s benches, tables, and other patients roaming around. She looked up at the sky and took a deep breath before closing her eyes. “Finally, fresh air,” she said and he smiled.
They went further and he sat down on the bench while she’s still in the wheelchair. Both of them are silently watching the surroundings while enjoying the sunny day ahead of them. She smiled to herself as she looked around. “Feels good to be alive, considering how I almost died,” she lightly joked and chuckled.
Grian shook his head and laughed as well. “Same here,” he said and she turned to look at him and she squinted her eyes. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at her. “You shouldn’t have blocked the bullet,” she said and she rolled her eyes.
“How can I not? I didn’t want you to get hurt. You could’ve died there!” he answered and she scoffed.
“Why? Do you think I’m important, huh?” she asked.
“Yes, I do. I wouldn’t have been able to control myself if I let them hurt you.” She looked at him in the eyes and she quickly looked away and cleared her throat.
“Whatever. Thanks,” she said and he laughed. Her heart started beating fast again and she took a deep breath to calm herself.
“Well, you got shot either way. I protected you when I was there but I couldn’t be there the second time,” he said seriously.
“Don’t tell me you would’ve taken the bullet for me again?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I would’ve. Even if it’s the third or fourth, or even the fifth bullet. I would’ve,” he said as he stared deeply into her eyes. Her breathing was stiff and her jaws clenched. “Why?” she managed to ask.
“I like you.” Her eyes widened in shock but they were interrupted by a girl approaching them.
“Hey? What are you guys doing here?” They turned to the side and saw Nikki followed by Philippe. He eyed the pair and he crossed his arms. “A lot of people are trying to give donations and help. The media wants to interview you,” Phil said and she didn’t know what to say. Her mind is still focused on what Grian declared.
“R-right. Let’s go,” she struggled to say as she tried pushing herself using the wheels of the wheelchair. Her brother and Nikki looked at her confusedly and Grian sighed before standing up and grabbing the handles and pushing her. She froze as she tried not to overreact. The two followed behind them as they went back to her hospital room.
There’s a schedule of an interview today and she agreed to get interviewed. Once they were back inside her room, the reporter went inside with their camera crew. As they were setting up, she began to be a bit nervous and Grian seemed to notice that. He approached her and sat down next to her and held her hand. “W-what..” Her face turned red and she grabbed her hand back and pushed him away and hoped no one saw.
He fell to the ground and everyone turned to them confused. Fatima laughed awkwardly and she cleared her throat. Grian looked at her as a puppy before standing up and looking away a bit awkward as well. “I saw that,” Nikki said with a sly smirk and teasing look. Fatima’s face grew more red as Grian scratched his head.
After they set up, they started interviewing her. She sat there politely as the reporter questioned her with regards to the kidnapping. “I do hope they get caught and sentenced to prison. Not only me was affected but also my brothers, friends, and the authorities involved. I can never forgive them,” she said as she looked at Philippe, Nikki, and Grian.
“How did you react when a majority of people donated and are helping with the investigation now?”
“I was.. overwhelmed. The donations helped with the hospital bills and debt I needed to pay. It also helped provide a good life for my brothers, the most important people in my life. I’m very thankful to everyone involved,” she answered with a confident smile and the reporter also smiled.
After the serious questions were done, they proceeded to ask her about her life such as her hobbies, where she grew up in, and more. The questions were calm, making her calm as well. Until the next question arrived. “Now.. Everyone's anticipating an answer to this question. Are you dating anyone right now?” Her eyes widened.
“N-no..” she answered as she looked at Grian and back to the reporter.
“If not, do you like anyone in particular?” the reporter asked and Fatima awkwardly laughed, having a hard time answering her question.
“Uhmm..” She cleared her throat and even Grian is waiting for an answer to that.
“Mr. Christopher Denver, perhaps?” the reporter suggested and his eyes widened.
“What?!” Grian exclaimed and everyone looked at him in silence. He cleared his throat and looked away. “Sorry..” He cleared his throat and almost wanted to hit himself for that reaction.
The reporter turned to Fatima again. “I’m not sure if I like anyone at the moment…” she said and laughed awkwardly.
“I’m sure Mr. Denver fancy you a lot though,” the reporter joked and Grian had enough.
“Stop involving him.” He crossed his arms and Fatima looked at him.
“Are you jealous or something?” She provoked him and he looked at her.
“Yes, I am! I just confessed my feelings earlier and now they’re pushing you to Chris,” he said and the cameras turned to him. Fatima’s mouth dropped and so did everyone else in the room. Her eyes widened as her heart went rapidly. She didn’t know what to say or react to. Even the reporter and cameraman were shocked to hear this. They weren’t just recording, the interview was being broadcast live on television. Thousands or even millions of people heard him confess for a second time.