Chapter 13: Chapter 13

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Murder coming to get us...Yeah coming to get us and away we hide

Lauyton Diem Israel Elarde's POV

"What are you doing?" Zee stopped in front of me and picked the patients' chart.

I immediately tapped the close button and pretended to do something when I noticed her face.

"Searching for some medical study," I replied as I surveyed her. "Are you okay?"

Her hands were trembling as she opened the chart.

"Yeah, why?" She avoided my gaze and continued to look down at the chart. "Aren't we supposed to do our rounds?" Her voice cracked, and that's when I knew there's something wrong with her.

"Hey," I quickly went beside her. "What happened?

"Nothing. I smelled onions on my way here, so it got on my eyes and nose." She faked a laugh.

I shook my head. She can't fool me. No one would even believe she didn't cry because her face says it all. I wonder how she still managed to go to the hospital in her state. She looks devastated.

"You cried," I stated. "I know you, Zee."

"I wanna die," she whispered enough for me to heed. Tears started rolling down her face in which she immediately wiped. "Just die and..." She sighed. "Nevermind, please let's do the rounds. I wanna keep myself busy."

"Zee, take a rest. Okay? I'll do it for you."

"No!" She insisted. "Give me work because I'd go crazy if I took a rest. So...so let me do it. And, please...please, don't tell Gab. Don't..." She closed her eyes for a second before walking away.

I watched her steps until I could no longer see her back. I picked up my phone and dialed Gab's number. I know she won't answer the call because she's been avoiding me for weeks. She left after she told me she loves me. Who does that? Ugh!

I know it's wrong to use Zee's situation, and I promised Zee that I wouldn't tell Gab about her, but I want to see Gabriella....and I no longer know what to do with Zee.

I dropped the call and instead texted Gabby.

I stared at the wall for a minute, thinking if I did the right thing. Zee would definitely kill me if Gabby appeared in front of her, but I guess I can bear it as long as she won't kill herself.

"Where's Zamora?" Seven Arellano's cold voice made me stop. He's a medical intern who's assigned to supervise us.

He adjusted his eyeglass before looking at me again. "Have you convinced her to take psychotherapy? You know how much she needs it," He stressed the last word.

"She cried, again," I replied.

If only her parents knew how she cried every minute of every day, yet still managed to wake up in the morning, they would probably be sorry for everything they did.

Seven took a deep breath. I could see the frustration written on his face and the fear of losing Zee.

He likes Zee since we first came here as an intern. He was even the first one to notice the depression and suicidal tendencies of Zee. He's not wrong, because I could see it too, especially now that they're pushing her into an engagement she never wanted.

"I'll talk to her for the last time. If I can't convince her, call her fiance. Damn that guy!" he cursed. "Go, do the rounds."

"Wait," I remembered asking. "How can I get access to VIP clients?"

I know we're not close. I am still a nursing student, and he's a medical intern. He's cold with a bad temper. A lot of people have told me to stay away from him because he could kill a person when angry. Yet, I felt like in this hospital, full of two-faced people, he's the only one I can trust.

"Why do you ask?" He looks puzzled.

"I need evidence for a murder, and the only way I could get it is to access the VIP files," I honestly replied.

I know I'm selling information about myself, but I'm desperate to prove that this damn hospital is liable for medical malpractice.

"You can't," he simply replied. "Unless you can put a beating heart on a jar."

"What the hell does that mean?" I frowned.

"There's a room in this hospital with all the files you want to know," he disclosed. He stopped beside me and whispered, "It can only be opened by a beating heart."

I blinked. "Are you kidding me?"

I hissed. I guess it's wrong to ask him.

He shrugged with a blank face. "No. It's programmed. You just need to find the right heart to open it."

---

Gabby didn't call back or even reply to a dot, so I decided to visit her. I have my free hour before my night shift starts again. I freaking want to sleep, but I know I won't be able to sleep unless I know how she's doing. I don't even know where she's staying right now.

Damn! Why is she so hard to please?

I hate her, yet I love her. I do.

I might be using her against her family, but I do care for her. I love her. I get that she's in doubt, but I love her before I even knew she's the daughter of the family I've been cursing since my mother died.

If only she knew how I almost gave up the case because I don't want her to get hurt. Now, I know it's too late and we cannot bring back the time. I just hope that her family is really innocent...if not...that's another story.

"I'll visit my aunt," I told the guard as I logged in.

He nodded because he knew me. My aunt is teaching at this university and I felt sorry every time I used her name to get inside the campus because I never visited her. I might when I find some good news to tell her.

I walked to the Henry Sy Sr. Building where Gabby usually stays to study.

Gabby likes to follow a time frame every day. I sneaked to her notebook once and made a copy of her schedule, so I'll be able to know where she is. And, it's always accurate, that's why I know that at exactly 5 in the afternoon, she would leave the library.

"In 5...4...3..." I counted the seconds as I waited for her to appear.

I wonder what color she is wearing today. Yellow suits her, but I like it more when she wears blue. She doesn't notice but she can make me calm.

By looking at her, I am at peace, and the color blue can add to that calming factor she usually gave me.

She's my everglow as much as I am her everglow. Though, I know she won't admit that.

I immediately smiled when I saw her walking. I watched her steps while she was busy reading her modules. Here is again, not looking at her steps.

Oh, damn! I hate how she doesn't know how beautiful she is.

I followed her trail and stood exactly where she could bump me. Though, my happiness instantly faded when a guy called her.

I glared at the bad-boy looking guy from head to toe. Psh! I am more handsome than him. And, wait, why is Gabby smiling? What's up with that drink he gave? Damn! It could be drugged.

I walked fast and made the effort to listen to their conversation. They seemed to have their own world. Gab didn't even notice I am a few steps from her, and this guy...who the hell is he?

I raised an eyebrow when he noticed me. He shrugged with a playful smile on his face before looking back at Gab who didn't even realize I am standing next to her.

What the fuck!

"Okay, I'll see you later," Gab replied with a smile and waved back.

"Who's that guy?" I instantly asked as soon as she faced me.

I saw the surprise on her face and the sudden panic upon seeing me.

"Why ask?" she replied with a roll in her eyes.

"Cause you are too close to him? And, why are you accepting food from him? What's that drink?" I scowled.

"Why are you acting like a kid?" She waved the pack of banana milk in my face. Oh, that's the same banana milk Zee also likes.

What's up with bananas? Coffee is life.

"I am acting like a jealous boyfriend," I proudly replied.

I really like the curve in her face and the frown in her eyes every time I tease her.

"You're not my boyfriend," she firmly answered. "Why are you even here?" She opened her notes and slowly walked.

"I love you. You love me. I can't see any reason why we shouldn't be together," I smiled with a wink. But of course, she didn't see it because she was busy with her notes. Damn! She should marry those papers.

"You know you can't," she stopped. "And, you know you shouldn't be talking to me. I told you..." I sensed the anger in her voice that eventually turned into sadness. "Just stop, okay? Let's pretend we don't know each other."

"Don't worry, I am already done with my clinical rotation in your hospital. I'm having my internship at another hospital, so they can't harm me."

She faked a laugh. "Are you kidding me? You really don't get it. If you love medicine, stay away from me and go build your future."

"You are the future," I sincerely answered.

She stopped for a moment. I could sense how she carefully chose the words and I was hoping she would change her mind. But of course, she's Gabby.

"You won't get your future with me, Lauyton," she sighed as she stared at me. Her eyes were about to cry, so I moved to touch her, and she refused...again.

"Please, don't say I didn't warn you."

"I like trouble," I smiled. "So, I'll stick at the end."

"Why are you making it hard for me?" She yelled in frustration.

"Why are you making it hard for yourself?"

"Then, what do you want me to do?"

"Stay with me," I urged.

"I can't."

I scowled and cursed in frustration. "I don't get you. You want to get revenge or prove to your parents that you can live without them, but what are you doing?"

"I'm staying away from you because I don't want you to be in trouble. Why don't you get it?" Her voice cracked.

"No, Gabby. You are scared because you know that you can't live without them! No matter what you do, you will always have their shadow surrounding you!"

I know I hit a nerve when I saw the hatred in her eyes. She managed to stop her tears, but her breathing wasn't stable.

"Yeah, that's right," she heaved. "That's why you should stay away from me because you know this kind of story will never have a happy ending."

"Do you love me?"

"Does it matter?" She hissed. "Just, go--"

I pulled her and sealed her lips with mine. I couldn't contain my happiness as I felt her soft lips. My heart almost exploded as the smack lasted for a minute.

Damn! I know she would slap me after getting her senses, but nevermind!

I chuckled in my mind.

Before she could push me, I hugged her and whispered, "I love you, so how about we figure out how to survive together?"

Rather, figure out how to open the room with a beating heart.