Chapter 22: Chapter 22

021

Voices loud and clear you say to me; Its only superstition. Its only your imagination. Its only all the things that you fear and the things from which you can't escape

"Did you talk to Dr. Pervilla? What did he say?" Zee asked as she munched the orange I'm peeling for her.

Her parents wanted her to stay for a while to monitor her condition though she seems fine to me. I just don't know what's going on in her mind.

I recommended that she go to a therapy session. I'm not sure if she's going to go with it. I don't want to pressure her and I hope her parents will stop, too.

"He's still not going to testify," I deeply sighed. "He told us to just drop the case and move on."

"And? What are you going to do?"

I gave Zee the last piece of orange before saying, "Dr. Pervilla told me that it's okay. What happened saved his son so he's not going to break the deal between him and my family."

Zee nodded. "At least, the kid lived. Have you seen his son?"

Zee motioned to get me another orange. I think she's stress eating. I already peeled three oranges a while ago.

"Yeah," I replied. "He's already in high school and he told me he wanted to become a lawyer."

"Oh..." Zee paused.

That made me in tears. I didn't know what to say after that, so I left them and decided to just let go of Dr. Pervilla. There's no point because he's so loyal to my family.

"How about the other nurses? The anesthesiologist? Or anyone?" Zee asked. She chewed the piece of orange.

"Var is helping me look for them since they no longer work in our hospital. It's been four years, I guess," I told Zee. "Actually, I don't need to open the case again."

"What?" She looks confused.

"I have the CCTV footage," I blurted, though it's not something I am proud of because I stole it from my brother.

"Oh. I sent it to your email in case something happens to me," I told her.

She raised her brow. "What do you mean by that?"

I shrugged. "It's just you know in case since I am fighting against my family and I don't know..."

I think I've said I don't know multiple times, yet I still don't know.

"Then, did you already file a case?" She bit another orange. "What did Loud say?"

I wagged my head. "Actually, that's what I wanted to say to you."

"Me? Why?" She gulped the water.

"We don't have legal counsel to file the case. I mean, no one wants to represent us," I sighed.

Zee came from a family of lawyers. Her father is a prosecutor so I am hoping they could help us.

Our family are good friends with them. His father was the former legal counsel of our hospital until he became a prosecutor. I am not sure if her father would help me. I'd take my chances because he's the only person I could think of. At least, someone in their family can help us.

Ugh!

I tried looking for a firm and even went to a government law firm but they ignored us. I hate it. When they heard that we are going against my family and the Maquess' Law Firm they instantly refused us. Damn!

"Why is that? Can you turn your back on clients when you are a lawyer?" She scoffed. "How about Loud's legal counsel? The one who represented their case before?"

"It was his father."

I was also shocked upon hearing it. Loud was really good at hiding his pain and I felt lonely knowing that he'd been doing that for a while. He acted tough yet he's hurting.

He often does everything to make the people around him happy. He always makes me happy. And I regret not doing the same for him. I have never done a thing for him when he'd done countless things for me. This is the only thing I could do for him that would make him at ease. And I will do it even if it means fighting against my brother.

"His father died because of depression after what happened. He filed for retrial but it was dismissed by the Prosecutor's office because well my family is that influential." I hate to admit it but it's the truth.

"But you have concrete evidence, right?" She confirmed. "Sorry, I don't know anything about the legal terms and it's giving me a headache. But what is your plan?"

"We can no longer file for a petition because the judgment has been passed. The accused, well the fake accused, was already indicted. We can no longer do something about it which sucks!" I groaned.

"So, I think we are going to file another case like medical malpractice. I have to check the ruling of the court for that because it's been years and if possible I also like to sue our hospital. Plus, tampering with evidence, that's a felony."

"Okay, that's making my headache again," Zee laughed a little, making the mood lighter. "So, Loud's okay about it?"

"He's still thinking about what to do."

"How about the law firm of Maquess? I mean, can you also sue them for tampering evidence?"

"You know what, if I am powerful enough I might," I brushed my hair in frustration. I haven't started yet. I feel like I am already losing hope.

Ugh! Okay, I already declared a war and might as well continue it.

"That's tough," Zee tapped my shoulder.

"Yeah. I don't know. I want Loud to decide. He still has the final say," I peeled the banana for Zee. "For now, let's just eat and get well so-"

We both stopped when the door opened and my bitch sister yelled upon seeing me, "You bitch! How dare you!"

"What are you doing--" I stood up.

She didn't let me finish my sentence. "Are you seriously gonna file against us? Are you going to sue Gabriel and our hospital?"

"Oh that," I acted innocently to tease her more. "We haven't made up our mind but since you are provoking me then I might do - - ouch!" I yelled when she pulled my hair.

"What the hell!" I shouted as she continued to pull my hair.

"How dare you!" She screamed louder when I grabbed her hair. Good thing I only have medium long hair so it's not that painful compared to her long hair that I feel like cutting with my bare hands.

I've been wanting to do this. Finally, I have something to vent my anger.

"Oh my God!" Zee panicked. She stood up and tried to stop us.

"Stay away from this, Zee," I told her. She's still on her IV medication and she's still weak.

"Help!" She shouted and pressed the emergency button while my bitch sister continued to pull my hair.

"Let me go!" she said.

"You started it!" I yelled.

"Stop, please..." Zee still tried to separate us when my sister harshly pushed her away, making her fall to the ground, bumping her head to the side of the bed.

"Zee!" I screamed. "You bitch! Let me go!"

"As you wish! I am going to pull all your hair!"

"Enough!!!!"

We both froze when we heard Mom's voice. Her face was already red and the veins were already forming around her forehead and neck.

"What the hell are you doing?" Her voice was full of anger and disappointment as she glanced at us.

"She started it," I said plainly before attending Zee. "Are you okay? Oh my gosh! You are bleeding-"

"I'm fine," Zee caressed her head and there was blood.

"Get her a doctor!" My mother ordered and I realized the commotion we've made as nurses and bystanders stood outside the room.

"What happened?" Dr. Sead, the guy who saved Zee from killing herself, went inside. "Zee!" He started scanning Zee and called for help.

The nurses went with a wheelchair.

Gosh! I am so stupid! I cursed myself. I am going to kill myself if something bad happens to Zee.

"Is she alright? Is it bad?" I asked the nurses and almost followed them when my mother stopped me.

"I am not done with you Gabriella," she glared at me before looking at the door. "The show is already done, people. Get back to work!" There was authority in her voice that would make you crawl on your feet.

She closed the door and angrily looked at us. Well, at least now, my mother has some emotions on her face. I rarely see that.

"What in the hell are you thinking? You dare make a scene in MY hospital?" She emphasized the possessive pronoun.

"She started it first. If something happens to Zee, I am going to make sure you'll never see the light again!" I warned her.

"But, Mom. I did what I had to do! She is going to sue us, and Gabriel can lose his license because of her! We should - -"

"I said enough, Gwenleah!" My mother eyed her. "You are in no position-"

"Mom, she deserves that---"

"I am so disappointed in you!" My mother shook her head and for the first time I could see the resentment in her eyes as she looked at Gwen.

I was hoping to feel a bit of joy because finally she already felt what I always felt when I am with them, instead I felt pity. Hearing those words from our mother will traumatize her to the point that she would start questioning her own worth. I'll bet it's also the first time my mother told her that and I could not believe it. I mean, what's up with her?

I smell something fishy.

"Mom..." Tears fell from Gwen's eyes. Oh. I know what's next, she's going to hate me forever.

"Now that's the reason why you never deserve any position on the board," Mom stated. "You always let your emotions come to you. You don't even know how to think rationally," Mom looked at me. I somehow felt she was comparing me to Gwen. Though, it's not the time to be happy.

"Get out of the room!"

"But, Mom!" She protested.

"I said get out of the room, Gwen," My mother slowly emphasized each word.

Gwen looked at me. "You are gonna pay for this," she whispered enough for me to hear while she flipped her hair before walking out.

I was left with my mother and it was so awkward I looked down while she surveyed me.

"Are you going to sue the hospital? Me? Your brother? Even the Maquess' Law Firm?" She demanded an answer as she eyed me.

She looked frustrated and maybe hurt.

"You deserve it. You shouldn't have done that!" I told her in anger.

"I did what I had to do to save your brother. Do you really want to see your brother suffer?"

I shook my head.

"You did what you had to do to save our family from shame!" I yelled though I somehow regretted it. But I just couldn't hide my anger. I know my brother didn't like what he did, yet he couldn't do anything because my mother controlled him.

My mother scoffed. "Is this what you are going to give us in return after all these years? Isn't it enough for you to run from home and now you are choosing that guy over us?"

"This isn't about Loud or our family. This is about the mistake that you have made and you need to pay for it!"

"Oh, now, you are becoming the lawyer that you want to, for justice," she mocked. I felt hurt and almost wanted to cry.

"You clearly understood that you are going against the biggest law firm and us, your family, right?" She lifted her brow.

I frowned. "So, you are telling me I cannot win even though I have concrete evidence?"

"I am telling you that I am capable of ruining anyone who goes against my family even if," she paused. I am not sure if it hurt that cross her eyes for a moment. "They're my own blood."

"You are telling me to turn a blind eye on the crime that my brother committed?" I cannot believe her. She was willing to do everything. Okay, that sounds sweet and family-oriented. I have to commend her for that but this isn't some family issue or debate. It's breaking the law.

"I am telling you that we can settle," she suggested.

"Settle?" I sarcastically laughed. "Why are we going to settle when we can win?" I said, though I would admit I am not sure about that.

Our justice system sucks and I hate it. One of the reasons why I wanted to be part of it, to break the norm.

"Gabriella, you are in no position to decide," My mother turned my back. "The final decision will come from Elarde and you are not even related."

I stopped. What does she mean? Wait, did they do something to Loud? I haven't seen him.

"Did you blackmail him? What are you--"

"I did not. I asked him for a discussion, right Elarde?"

The door opened and I saw Loud. Wait, how long is he standing in there? Did he hear everything?

He was not his usual self. He's not smiling. It's like a new version of Loud, not the good person since he's lifeless.

"What is the meaning of this? You agreed? She's not even sorry for all--"

"I will listen to your mother but it doesn't mean I will agree," He seriously looked at me. "I'll be fine. Get some rest, okay? I'll see you."

"No, you have to bring me with you. I need to hear-"

"Just trust me. Will you?" he smiled, a weak one. Why do I feel like something is wrong? They may have done something.

Why did he agree to talk?

"Don't ever listen to her!" I warned Loud.

"Just go and look for Zee, okay?" He started walking away.

My mother, for one last time, glanced at me. I could no longer read her emotions as she said, "You've grown up better than I expected you to be."

I couldn't even figure out if that's a compliment or an insult.