"What more do you want?!" Jun Ji roared. "Didn't I tell you last time that I don't want to find you here the next time I wake up?"
Bianca stared at the man lying on the hospital bed. Her heart beat wildly while staring at those unfocused but furious eyes. Yes, he did say that, and so she pretended she wasn't in the room when he woke up again just now. But how did he know she's just sitting there beside his bed? "I... I didn't mean to bother you. I just....."
"I don't care about what you think. I'm just sick of your presence. How long do you intend to stick around, you leech!" he bellowed. "You're not getting anything from me anymore! So just get lost!"
Bianca was dumbfounded. Those words hit her hard. It's true that she became dependent on him. He gave her things and she accepted them. Turns out, this is how Jun Ji view her! A parasite. A lowly useless leech....
***
"It's been hours...." Luke commented.
Andrei turned to the little boy riding the kiddie train with him. "What is?" he asked.
Luke raised his head and glanced back at him. "We've been playing for several hours. When can I play with the others?"
Andrei looked at Larson sitting on Luke's left for a moment, before looking back at the child. "Sorry kid, but they all already left. Your mommy was a bit frightened by some ride so your dad has to take him to a hospital for a short check up. Your uncle doctor was called back to check on his patient and your Aunt Laura went with him." he carefully explained, afraid that Luke might become upset after hearing the news.
Luke stared at Andrei's face for a moment and then frowned. His mommy was frightened during a ride? "Are you sure it was dad who took mommy to the hospital, and not the other way around?" He asked. Charmaine wasn't the type to get dizzy or get scared even on extreme rides! What could have happened?!
Andrei nodded. "Your dad called me twice. He asked Larson and me to take care of you for a while and then take you home later."
Luke became silent. He stayed quiet for about thirty minutes after hearing the news about his mom; played twice without saying a word and sat on a bench as if deeply exhausted afterwards. "Do you think he's upset?" Andrei mumbled to Larson as they walk back towards the child. He was holding two milk teas on both hands.
Larson glanced at Drei beside him before dipping his head to take a sip on the drink Drei was holding in his right hand. He even glanced at Drei while drinking the milk tea. "What are you doing!" He exclaimed. "That's mine!" he said with eyes widened.
"Don't be stingy. You're a soldier after all." Larson jested with a smile. He then gently patted the top of his head. "And don't worry about the kid. If he's upset, then why wasn't he crying?"
Distracted by Larson's last sentence, Andrei turned to the little boy sitting alone on the bench. Luke wasn't the type to cry around other people. He only ever see him crying around Charmaine. He didn't even see him crying during Jienna's funeral!
Unbeknownst to the two adults, Luke wasn't just staring into space. From where he was sitting, he can see a blonde teenager walking away. That guy... he looks familiar. Where did he see him before? No.... if he did see him before, he'll surely remember him. Maybe he's only mistaken? But....
***
"Who's there?" Jun Ji yelled when he heard the door creaked. He knew someone just came in.
"It's me." Liam replied. "I came check upon you."
Jun Ji narrowed his empty eyes. "Who's with you?" he asked. He can hear a couple pair of footsteps. He knew the doctor wasn't alone.
Laura sighed. "It's me. Am I not allowed to see you?" Looking at Jun, it looks like he's getting better. He's strong enough to berate on people now!
Jun Ji was sitting on the bed, but when he heard Laura's voice, he relaxed a bit and slowly rested his back on the pillow behind him. He didn't answer her though and just closed his eyes.
"Where's Bianca?", Laura asked.
Hearing the woman's name, Jun opened his eyes. Bianca wasn't outside? Earlier, he woke up and found that woman watching over him again. It's been what? Fifth time or sixth already? Whenever he wakes up, he would find her sitting beside his bed. She even talks to him on his sleep. Wasn't she getting tired of staying with him? He is... so if it's true that she's finally gone, then that would be good news.
"Doctor, if that woman ever comes back, tell her to just go away. I don't want a fake like her around me." Jun said.
Laura frowned. Who was he calling a fake? Was it because Bianca looked like Jienna? "How can you say something like that to...." Laura was livid, but she cut her words when she felt Liam squeezing her hand. She looked at him and saw him shaking his head.
"Wait for me outside." Liam told her.
Laura lowered her head and then turned around. Somehow, she felt hurt for Bianca. She, too was taken as a substitute for Jienna, and so her heart ache on Bianca's behalf. With large strides, she dashed out of the room. She was ready to go home when she suddenly saw a woman sitting on a bench just outside Jun's room. She wasn't there when they entered. "Did you hear us?"
Bianca raised her head and smiled bitterly. Her face was pale so Laura guessed the answer was yes. "It's alright. I.... have heard worse from him this past few days." she replied.
Laura's eyes widened. She walked towards her and sat beside her. "And? Why are you still here? Stop wasting your time on a jerk like him!"
Bianca looked away and then sighed. The first time Jun Ji talked, the first word he uttered was Jienna's name. The moment he realised it was her looking after him, he shut his mouth and refused to talk. Later on, he started losing his temper on her. He didn't want her around him and he has always been vocal about it, but she was just too stubborn and wouldn't listen to him. Was it a form of selfishness? Should she really leave?
"He loathe me...." Bianca whispered. "But how can I leave him if I know there's no one to take care of him but me?" She had already given up of him once, and decided to just settle in Germany and start anew. But the news of Jun's accident made her change her mind. How can she turn her back on the person who saved her life? Even if she could.... "I'll stay with him until he's better." Bianca declared with her head lowered. Her right hand rested on her stomach. "After all, I owe your brother my life."
Laura narrowed her eyes. "I know Jun. He's cruel. He won't like you even if you stay with him and sacrifice your life for him. He'll just abuse you!"
Bianca laughed bitterly when she heard that warning. Hadn't she been through enough to know what Laura was talking about? But how come her heart won't budge. "It's alright."
Laura frowned at the woman's stubborness. It's because of this attitude that men think they could just use them and dispose them at will! She stood up and pulled her wrist. "Come! Let's settle this problem once and for all!" she told her as she dragged Bianca inside the room.
"No! I'll come inside when he's already asleep! I don't want to anger him further!" she replied.
Laura smirked. "Come on! I thought you're tough? Don't let a blind jerk scare you!" she teased.
"It's not like that." Bianca resisted, but Laura was stronger than her. She was unable to withstand her strength.