Chapter 3 Big trouble

Within an hour Elena and Rina also reached the hospital. They took the help from the receptionist for the route to the ER room. Taking the lift, they climbed the nineth floor. Once the lift dings open, they stride out and searched for Samantha.

Inside the hospital Sean was pacing in front of the ER door. His tie hanging loose, his hair in dishevelled state from continuous running his fingers out of tension.

"Mom." Rina called her mother as soon as she spotted her sitting on the couch in utter grief. Aghast, they rushed to her. When Samantha heard their voice, she snaps her head in their direction. Seeing her daughters, she shot to her feet and ran towards them. She hugged and began crying holding both the girls. Rina couldn't hold her tears and she sobbed like a small baby.

"Nothing will happen to dad, mom." Rina spoke with conviction. After some time, they parted and Rina helped her mother sit on the couch and she also sat beside her holding her mother in a protective hug once again while continuously stroking her back.

Elena's eyes got moist. Her auntie wept inconsolably. Seeing her own family members in distress, Elena's heart constricted. She wasn't someone who would display emotions easily but this news about her uncle's condition couldn't hold her back. Fat tears rolled down and she wiped them and composed herself before anyone saw it. She cannot turn weak in front of them.

Darting her eyes around the area for any nurse or doctor to enquire and finally she saw Sean near the Er door. She paddled near tensed Sean and asked.

"What happened to uncle?" Sean felt his tongue heavy to speak. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down and Elena noticed his red brimmed eyes. Like her, Sean has the habit to never show his emotions out to the world. He rubbed the back of his neck glancing on the floor pondering where to start from.

"Everything was going fine and we were in dad's cabin... discussing the sales statistic... just then his cell phone rang.... I don't know who was on the other end of the call nor what he said to dad but after that dad clutched his chest and fell down unconscious."

Elena stroked the back of her brother; his voice came out broken and heavy from controlling his emotions. He exhaled a deep breath and she didn't question anymore. She was even out of words to console as she was feeling the same pain and anxiety.

Half an hour passed by and finally, that dreadful door opened and a doctor appeared closing the door behind his back. He removed his surgical mask and hand gloves. The sound of the door closed got everyone's attention. All four of them strode towards the doctor worried. The doctor was wearing a solemn expression. All eyes were on him.

"He is out of danger but ..." Samantha clutched Rina's hand, feeling dreadful. Fear gripped her body.

"But what doctor?" Sean asked impatiently.

"We have to keep him under observation for 24 hours. Until then we cannot say or predict anything." The doctor patted Sean's shoulder with a consoling gesture and left from there.

Samantha looked heaven ward mumbling some prayers. Elena stepped closer to her auntie and placed her one hand on her shoulder. "Everything is going to be all right." Samantha sucked a deep breath and nodded her head. She looked so exhausted from mental pressure like any moment she might collapse.

"Rina, take auntie home and have some rest. We will stay back." Elena signalled Rina.

"No, I should stay here...He might need me." Samantha shook her head refusing to leave. How could she rest peacefully in her home when her husband was lying in the hospital bed. Although she looked worn out but her devotion and care towards her husband was stopping her from leaving the hospital premise.

"Elena is right mom." Rina agreed but the lady wasn't ready to listen.

"Mom, mom, don't worry I'm here with dad. If you stay awake all night your health will deteriorate as well. So, do one thing, three of you can leave for home. If there is anything important, I will inform you." Sean gestured all three women but this time Elena shook her head in denial.

"No, Rina and auntie can go home. But I will stay here." Elena dismissed sharply leaving zero scope of disagreement.

"Waiting here is not going to change anything Elena. You better go home with mom. If you wish you can come back tomorrow morning once again." Sean glared.

This angered Elena and she folded her arms against her chest and lift her chin, defiance etched on her face. "I'm not going to move an inch until I see uncle opening his eyes."

Sean watched his stubborn sister for few seconds before diverting his eyes to his mother.

"Fine, chauffer will drop you both. Elena will stay with me." Sean lifts his both hands in the air, surrendering.

Samantha and Rina left leaving Elena and Sean. Both walked towards the nearby couch and plopped down. Elena kept her handbag beside her as she relaxed her back against the couch. They stayed silent for some time until Sean glanced at her.

"Coffee?" Sean asked after some time.

"Yeah. Much needed..."

"Anything to go with it?" Elena shook her head in denial.

In the midnight again the Er door opens and both rose to their feet in alert. But the doctor told them to relax and that the danger was off the head so they are going to shift him to a cabin and continue monitoring his condition. Elena sighed in relief and closing her eyes she thanked God. Sean also took a breath of relief and watched the hospital staff carrying Mr. Robert Brown in a hospital bed that has wheels bellow to one of the VIP cabins. They followed behind them entering a well-furnished cabin. Their eyes surveyed the luxurious room. There is provision for attendees to take rest and wait for the patient's recovery.

Elena decides to go with the couch and let Sean lays his back on the bed. After all he was tired and seemed worn-out from all the rush doing to the hospital. He definitely needs some comfortable space to rest.

This time both agreed to her decision without any disagreement. Sean knew he can never win with her.

While Sean lays his back against the bed, Elena's concerned filled eyes were watching her uncle who seemed like he was in deep slumber. Only the oxygen mask attached to his mouth says otherwise.

Elena leans forward her both elbows pressing her thigh and cupping her face as she begins pondering over the situation. Her uncle was a man who was very health conscious and never pursued any addiction like smoking nor alcohol. Then what could be the cause of his cardiac arrest? Just then something strikes her mind and she straighten her back and turned towards Sean.

"Where is dad's cell phone?" Elena asked. Hearing her, Sean shifted in the bed and faced her. His brows narrowed trying to recall the incident.

"In haste it might be left in the office."

"Any idea who was in the call?"

"No... "Sean vaguely looked on the floor then back at her and shook his head." Everything happened so fast that we didn't get time to think about anything else. "

Thoughtfully Elena nodded her head when they heard a groaning sound from the patient bed. Both turned their head only to find Robert stirring in his bed. Next instance they were on their heels and standing beside the bed watching the old man gaining conscious. Gradually he peeled his lashes and exhaled sharp air and the plastic oxygen mask covered with the fog of his breath. Their eyes caught the sight of his right hand trembling out of weakness and gradually drew close to his mouth.

"Dad." Sean murmured gently when he understood what his father was trying to do. But the old man was relentless and with shaky fingers removed the mask and coughed which worried Elena to her bones.

Just then a nurse ajar the door and entered inside for routine check-up and refilling the saline bottles.

"Call the doctor?" Sean was the first one to turn and spot her. The nurse, predicting the situation rapidly nodded her head and walked out.

"Dad, what are you doing?" Elena got worried when he took shallow breathing staring at both his children. She began to massage his chest to ease his respiration but it wasn't helping in any way. Suddenly he grabbed her hand and halted the movement of her hand against his chest with a horrified look.

"We are ruined... Everything finish..." Robert spoke with a tone as if his world had crushed down.

"What are you talking about?" Sean frowned but Elena glared at him for continuing their conversation.

"We lost it. He is intentionally doing this to us." Robert spoke in between his heavy breathing.

"Who? What are you talking dad?" Sean being clueless asked with knitted brows.

"Uncle, stop it. We will talk later." Elena implored. It's not the situation to discuss business and rill him stressed.

"A...Adam William." Robert breathed out.

"Adam William !!!" Sean mumbled in shock. Elena turned and looked up at his face which was morphed with astonishment. As if he knew this man. She parted her lips to enquire when the door barged open diverting her attention. The doctor saunters inside with the same nurse following behind.

"Mr. Robert, why have you detached the oxygen mask? You don't know how risky your condition is. Please, don't do that again." The doctor reprimanded with a serious tone.

"If you don't mind, please wait outside. Let me check him." The doctor turned his head and spoke. Sean and Elena nodded in understanding and they exited the room giving space to the doctor to carry out his further treatment. Already the nurse was ready with the dose of injection.

Elena leaned against the beige painted wall; her arms folded against her chest as she watched Sean pacing restlessly like a pendulum in front of her eyes.

"Sean, what is uncle talking about?"

Sean stopped hearing her voice and bite his inner chin contemplating for sometimes before beginning, "I don't know if I'm supposed to tell you."

"Sean, stop this bullshit suspense and spill out." Elena glared with a warning.

"We are in a deep shit, Elena." Saying he facepalmed himself. "We are facing crisis in our company."

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