Chapter 25

**Bella-Rose POV**
I jotted down the details of Agatha from the license card that is present in her wallet.

"How long will it take to find out what's wrong with her?", I asked once I'm done with filling the forms and submitting them to her.

"Do you know where she was feeling the pain most? We might be able to narrow down the cause", she enquired as she scanned the forms I gave. She then uploaded the details into the computer. When I was unable to answer her question, she looked up at me from her work.

"No. I think...I think she fainted before voicing it. Will it cause a problem? I don't know about it!" I asked her, worried that my ignorance can cost her life. This is totally new to me.

The possibility of me going to the moon is more than me visiting a hospital for more than the flu. Which is none. I pretend not to feel like a human visiting an alien world. I'm one of those people who take medicines over the counter rather than visit a hospital.

"No problem. We will do a full body-CT scan. Luckily, there is no waiting line, thanks to the storm. We will arrange for the scanning once the form is filled and payment is done", she informed me as she indirectly hinted at the payment procedure.

"If you don't mind me asking, how much will it be?", I stuttered as I questioned her. I started to mentally calculate in my brain if I have enough money to cover the expenses if the case is serious. Please god, let there be.

"It depends on what we find in the scan. For now, please fill the necessary payment for the CT scan", The receptionist disclosed a number for the scanning. Ok, I can work with that. If necessary, I can always loan from nana. She hoards the money like crazy, even Plutus, the Greek god of wealth, can get jealous. It's not like her to spend the money. Nor is she a money-hungry person. She just likes to hoard it as if the apocalypse is around the corner.

I quickly tapped my card and paid the amount required for the scan. After that everything is done in fast forward mode. The nurses brought Agatha inside just as I settled the payment.

"Take her to the Scan Room now. Doctor Grey will be there in a minute", the receptionist informed them.

"Please be careful with her", I requested them as they took Agatha on the stretcher. And looking at Agatha's crumbled form I couldn't control but wish for her to get well soon. The guy who helped us followed in after them. I waved to him and once he approached me, I filled him in about what conspired between the nurse and me.

The man-I really needed to know his name, and I took ourselves to the far corner of the waiting area, to avoid the chill as I talked. Our clothes albeit not drenched are still wet enough to make us shiver.

"I never get to know your name", I asked the man who sat beside me.

"It's Chase. And you?" He turned towards me and gave a flirty smile. Which went over my head as I thought about Agatha and how serious her condition can be.

"Bella. Bella-Rose James actually", I said trying to warm up my hands.

"It's a good name. Suits you", he said, giving me an encouraging smile.

Wait! (The sound of someone applying sudden brakes on their car can be heard in the background). Is he flirting with me? Now? At a time like this? It's the the-deer-caught-in-the-headlights moment for me. I don't know what to say. Do I flirt back or reprimand him for thinking about silly things when Agatha can be struggling for her life not a few feet away.

Before I can open my mouth and sprout some nonsense, a doctor approached us.

"Are you the one waiting for Miss. Agatha?" He asked while looking at us.

"Yes. I'm her niece", I blatantly lied to the doctor. Chris looked at me as if I had sprouted new horns and a tail. I winked, well tried to, sending him the signal to go with the flow. This must be Dr. Grey. Well, hot, he is not. He looks like that uncle we all have or met at some point who likes to laugh. He can be anywhere between mid-forties to mid-fifties.

"Hello, I'm Dr. Grey. Your aunt may have a leaking aneurysm in her brain", the doctor said gravely.

A gasp escaped from me listening to the severity of Agatha's case. Before I can process some more the doctor went on.

"To be sure and know the extent of the leakage, we need to do CT angiography. Generally, when a brain aneurysm ruptures, the bleeding usually lasts only a few seconds. The blood can cause direct damage to surrounding cells, and the bleeding can damage or kill other cells. However, there are chances of re-bleeding. Before it can start re-bleeding and cause more complications, I would advise we do the surgery immediately", the doctor said looking patiently at us.

"Oh my god! Is she going to be okay? Is there any risk to her life? What are the chances of full recovery, doc?", I asked him all thoughts of flirtation gone from my mind after hearing this news.

"Luckily, the patient was brought to us at the right time. If any more delays then it may have caused more complications or even death. We don't have enough time as it is. I just came to let you know the diagnosis", the doctor rushed on.

"Please, doctor. Please do whatever you can to save her. I will fill up whatever forms you need from me. Please don't delay any treatment", I requested vehemently.
"Very well. Once the test is done, we will directly take her to the operation theatre", the doctor informed us as a matter of fact.

"How long will it take, doctor? Will she be in much pain after that?" I asked, thinking about Agatha lying unconscious on that cold hard table in the operation theatre as the doctors treat her.

"The surgery may take some time. You may wait in the waiting room in the meanwhile", the doctor mistook my inquiry. Since I don't want to delay him anymore, I kept mum as he left after saying that.

Emotions clogged my throat. I was never this close to watching people in life-or-death situations. A life cut off just like that. A human being here one day, gone the other. Tears filled my eyes. How scared must she have felt when she realized no one was there to help her!

How terrified she would have been dialing the number on her phone, and thinking whether she would be able to make it before pain closes on her! Agatha...a woman who fought to survive, to seek help until she lost at the hands of pain. It's a scary thought and I wouldn't want my most hateful enemy in such a situation let alone a loved one.

"I promise you this Agatha, I will do whatever I can to help you get through this. You are not alone. I'm with you", I vowed to her.

Tears spilled on my cheeks as I turned to Chase to seek the support, he willingly gave me throughout the ordeal.

"Chase", I sobbed looking at him for assurance.

Only Chase is not there anymore. I checked the vicinity to be sure he left. I asked the person nearby if he had seen a man in wet clothes who was standing with me just now.

"The tall guy in his 30s? Blonde hair, wet clothes?", asked an old guy who was sitting on the other side of the waiting area.

"Yes...yes, that one. Have you seen him? Did he go to the cafeteria?"

"Pfftt. No. That bloke ran like hounds are behind him when he heard what the doctor said", he said cackling.

"I don't understand. Why would he do that? He helped me till now. Maybe he went to bring some dry clothes from his home. That must be it", I tried to reason his sudden escape.

"You don't get it, do you? That boy did all that to get into your pants until he heard big terms like surgery, payment. Boys like those help girls only for one thing. You better remember next time before you trust someone else", the old man said as he laughed at the naivety.

I thought he was a good guy. That coward! I better get comfy in one of these chairs then. It seems like I'm in for a long night drenched and alone, fearing for a stranger. Why did I do this you may ask? Why did I go in search of the address, why do that if you had doubts about it being spam? It's because of that mail. Because of James.

He was rude, obnoxious, and arrogant as hell. But he is also scared. He is scared for his loved one. I did this because of him.