The light brown walls and the warm lighting gave off a calm, peaceful vibe to the room, while the large rectangular window to the side displayed a busy night view of the city below.
The room was not big but spacious and comfortable. A couch was placed by the window and a small table to side with some fresh and colorful flower in the vase on top of it.
In the middle of the room, there was a large bed with some type of medical equipment placed on the side. On one end, it was connected to the monitor attached to the wall above displaying green and blue lines rising and falling in a pattern, along with the numbers corresponding to it.
On the other end, a bunch of wires were plugged into the machine that were then pulled over the bed and stuck onto the chest of the old man lying there.
He seemed to be in his late 70s as he lay there, weak and pale, in a white patient gown. He was nicely tucked in the bed with pillows under his neck and head, and a thin blanket covering him up to his chest. There were tubes attached to one of his arm and an oxygen mask over his face which he pulled down as he conversed with the young woman seated by his bedside.
"I'm afraid, Violette…" He spoke, his voice trembling and barely audible. "I couldn't protect your mother, and… And I wasn't there when you needed me."
"No, Charlie. It wasn't-" Violette tried to speak but the old man didn't give her the chance to complete her sentence.
"I'm truly afraid, Violette… "He continued, as he poured a little more strength into his voice. "I'm afraid to leave you all alone… I'm afraid that once I die… you won't let anyone else… into your life and… you will continue to punish yourself for…"
"I will be fine, Charlie." Violette finally seized the chance to speak, her voice firm but monotonous. "And you will be fine. Don't think about anything else now."
There was a moment of silence before Charlie slowly forced himself to open his eyes to take a peek at the young lady seated at his bedside.
Violette kept her head low as her shoulder length honey-blonde hair was a bit messy and falling over her face on one side. She was wearing a grey, long top over blue jeans with black, flat heeled ankle boots.
Charlie gazed at her through his blurry vision for a while and let out a tired sigh.
"Violette, we both know… I'm at the end." He spoke, the faint light in his half-open eyes fading further. "I don't want to die with regrets."
There was another brief period of silence as Charlie wanted her to consider his words carefully, while Violette was momentarily at a loss for words.
At the end, it was Charlie who spoke again. "So, would you… reconsider… the proposal?"
"Charlie, please. I-" Violette was interrupted as the door behind her was pushed open and a tall, lean man stepped into the room.
He was dressed in a black shirt and grey pants, and held a dark grey jacket in one hand. His dark hair was swept back while the light mustache and beard around his cheeks added a bit of a rugged look to his otherwise refined persona.
He dropped his jacket on a chair nearby and slowly made his way inside. He stood by the bed, just beside Violette as he observed the old man on the bed.
"Lucian…?" Charlie called out as he felt the man's presence in the quiet room.
"I'm here." Lucian answered curtly, his tone heavy and somber.
"Did you… decide?" Charlie asked directly without any delay, his tone a bit hopeful.
Violette who was seated by his bedside however, shifted uncomfortably in her chair and turned her face away.
That small movement attracted Lucian's attention towards the woman but he couldn't see anything past the curtains of her hair that was shielding her face.
And after another curious glance, he turned his gaze back onto Charlie and answered firmly. "Yes."
"Hmm..." Charlie muttered under his breath with a semblance of a smile on his face, as if he already knew what Lucian decided. Then he spoke again. "Violette?"
After a few seconds of silence, Charlie took a painful breath and continued. "Listen, Violette. Life… is a long journey… and… I don't want you walking it alone."
Violette took a sharp breath in and balled her fingers into a fist as she kept her head low and tried to keep herself composed.
"Let go of the past and… start your life, Violette. I'm sure your parents… would wish the same." Charlie continued as he willed himself to stay awake and conscious for just a while more. "Treat it as my… last wish. Let this old man… rest in peace, will you?"
"O-Okay, I… I'll do as you say." Violette finally replied, her voice quivering with multitude of emotions.
"Good, that's good." It was as if her words gave him new energy, Charlie opened his eyes with a bright smile on his face. Then he put the oxygen mask back on and took a big breath before he pulled it down and called out loud with vigor.
"Jake! We have a wedding to perform." The strength and intensity in his voice betrayed his fragile state and pale complexion.
The door to the room was slowly opened and a man with a short grey hair popped his head inside for a quick look before he let himself in.
Jake was a stylish and handsome man in his early 40s but with a youthful aura about him. He was wearing a black shirt with a grey suit vest and blue jeans. He had a couple of leather and silver bracelets on both his arms while a gold chain was hanging down from one of the suit vest button and going into the pocket on other side.
He exuded charm and finesse but with a hint of playfulness glimmering in his light green eyes. He had a bewitching smile on his face which added another layer of charisma to his unique temperament.
Lucian didn't even spare a glance to the newcomer as he kept gaze firmly fixed on Violette. She however, gave her whole attention to the old man lying on bed who now appeared to be much healthier than a minute ago.
Jake walked in with exited steps and gave two strong pats on Lucian's shoulder before he looked at him with a proud expression much to the other man's annoyance.
"I knew you'd agree, Lucy." Jake spoke with a big grin spread across his face.
Lucian gave him a deadly sharp look and unceremoniously threw Jake's hand off his shoulder. "Are you so eager to die?"
"Hey, watch your words. We are in a hospital." Jake reprimanded him with a mock serious expression.
Lucian thought it would be beneath him to continue bickering so he decided to simply ignore him. Jake also didn't continue as there were more important to do so he went and stood on the other side of the bed.
"Did you prepare everything?" Charlie asked as he briefly closed his eyes and took a short, heavy breath.
"Of course, Professor. The documents are all signed, stamped and officialised." He replied with a grin as he lifted the briefcase he carried in and opened it.
He took out a small sheaf of papers and put the briefcase down as he looked at the couple on the other side of the bed. "The only things missing are their autographs."
"Let me see those." Lucian asked as he stretched his hand to grab the documents from Jake.
Jake let Lucian take the documents as he reassured him. "Don't worry, I filled all your details properly."
"That's what I'm worried about." Lucian replied as he began to go through the documents.
"What? Are you really doubting your senior disciple brother?" Jake feigned hurt as he closed his eyes and shook his head as if he couldn't believe those words.
"Yes." Lucian answered without any hesitation while Jake looked at him with an exasperated expression and simply threw his hands up in surrender.