Laura stared at the woman sitting at the small table in front of her. Her eyes widened as she looked at her in shock. How could this be?
"You're Laura right? Please take a seat." the woman gesture to the chair across her. This woman... she's the one who called her a moment ago? The one who asked her to meet in this coffee shop just outside of Chelsea?
"You're the one who called me? You're Bianca?" Laura asked with furrowed brows.
The woman nodded. "Right. Do I look like someone you know?",she said as she took out a few papers from her bag and put it in the table.
Laura didn't answer her question and just took a seat. Yes. She looked someone who was very close to her: Jienna... She really looked like Jienna. If she didn't know she's already dead, she'll take Bianca as her! "You said my brother needs my help. What's the matter?"
"Look at these." Bianca said as she passed the papers to Laura. "I visited Jun today... and learned about this." Bianca mentioned. She watched as Laura checked on Jun Ji's medical report. "I know the Ji family has already disowned Jun. Chairman Ji told it to me himself today when I came to him for help.... but Jun needs someone to save him right now. He didn't wrong you in any way. Won't you help him?" Bianca pleaded.
Laura's hand trembled as she read Jun's medical report. How could this be? Jun has nothing now. He has no one. How can he fare without his eyes?
Yes. Jun is now blind.
"Moderate traumatic brain injury? Head injury resulting to optic nerve damage? Possible polytrauma?" Laura browsed through the reports. The effect of this accident to Jun's life is almost unimaginable. How many gods did Jun Ji angered in this lifetime that he was being severely punished like this?
"As you can see.... Jun's life is now in the line. The doctors said he's still under observation and it's still uncertain how much the accident impact on his health would be but.... he'll most probably be blind."
Laura lifted her head and observed Bianca's expression. At the moment, she looked like a distressed wife begging for her husband's life. Yes. Jun Ji being blind is the only certain thing in this medical report. About his life... it's uncertain if he could live past these next two months.
"Why are you doing this for Jun Ji? Who are you to him?" she asked. The answer was obvious but she wanted to know how much he meant to this woman.
Bianca raised her head and then looked away. "No one. I'm just a nobody.... But he's everything to me." she replied.
Laura sighed. "You said it yourself. My grandfather refuses to help Jun. What made you think I can help you?"
When she heard that, Bianca stood up from her chair and walked towards Laura. She thought she'll become violent but she dropped on her knees and begged her instead. "I'll do anything for you... Just please help Jun Ji!" she pleaded. If it's just money, Bianca has a huge amount of money that Jun Ji put in her name. But money wasn't enough. An excellent doctor with impressive skills who could guarantee her Jun Ji's life is very hard to find. She needs help from people with great connection like the Ji family for that, and she can only find Laura as Leo would definitely not help her.
Laura waved her hand and gestured for her to stand up. "Alright. I'll help you."she replied. "But you need to do something for me first." she added. Laura's eyes darkened at the sight of the woman kneeling in front of her. She's not Jienna but still, her heart ached when she sees her face. The betrayal Jienna did to her, left her heart wounded.
***
Leo glanced at his wife who was standing on the balcony. She has been chatting on the phone with someone for more than ten minutes now. She was there when he entered the shower and she's still there when he finished his bath. He wondered who she's talking with. She laughed and joked with the caller so comfortably that it made him feel uneasy.
Feeling restless, Leo walked towards the balcony to eavesdrop. It's not wrong, yes? Charmaine is his wife anyway!
"Luke said that? Don't believe him. He's just exaggerating." he heard her say. "Yes, yes! He missed you." she uttered and then laughed. "Yes. Of course I miss you, too. When is your flight?..... Tomorrow morning?"
Leo furrowed his brows. That better be a woman she's talking with!
Somehow, Charmaine felt something ominous all of a sudden. She looked behind her and saw Leo's cold stare. Why was that threatening look feels familiar? "Alright. I need to go now. You should rest early too. You don't want to be late for your flight... yes. bye..." Charmaine said before hanging up the call.
"Who's that?", he asked.
"A friend?", she shortly replied.
"Male or female?",he added.
Charmaine froze. This conversation is really familiar. Should she fear for Andrei's life? "It's Drei. He just called to check up on me..... and told me he's coming to Chelsea and he wanted to see me." she confessed. She still remember how ruthless Leo gets when he's jealous. She definitely didn't want anything bad to happen to her friends because of her!
Leo remained silent as he stared at her with cold eyes. She wondered what she can do to appease him. "He's just a friend, alright?" Charmaine coaxed him. She walked closer to touch his arm but he stepped back.
"You dated him." Leo uttered.
"I did not. I told you, he was just a friend." she repeated. "Alright. I won't meet him anymore. Just stop being salty... okay?"
Leo wasn't listening to her. The words "I miss you" still echoed in his head. He turned around and left Charmaine standing there. "I'm not salty. You're just being too insensitive." he argued before heading to the bed.