My mind raced as Sean and I searched for his mother. After the earthquake some people began their search for their lost friends or family. I immediately thought of Kathryn and grabbed Sean. I was going to send him to the car, but I wasn't that crazy to let him go off alone. This terrified me. We were to be married in less than a year and this happens!
"Kathryn," I yelled. "Kathryn, where are you?" I couldn't decipher any individual voices in this madness. It was driving me crazy. Sean looked like he was on the verge of tears. I needed to find her and fast. "Mon chéri!"
I pushed past anyone in my way as Sean and I headed towards a large group. I sensed something very wrong. Was it Kathryn? Did she hurt herself? I shoved through the group and gasped. Sean hadn't seen it yet, but he was going to regardless of my requests. Kathryn was lying on the sand unconscious. I rushed towards her and fell to my knees. I immediately checked for a pulse and was relieved when I felt a faint beating.
"Someone call an ambulance!" I cried. Sean was standing some ways away staring at me. I knew it was a lot for him to take in. He hadn't been back for a month and his life was falling apart. "Don't die. Please..." I whispered in her ear. "S'il vous plaît, pas aujourd'hui."
Suddenly Sean was beside me. "Maman..."
⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕
I don't know how long it's been, but I closed myself in my room after what happened to Kathryn. She was in the hospital at the moment, but I couldn't take it. Maybe it was stress. Maybe she hit her head. Maybe she just got scared. I couldn't think of anything else that could have made her faint. Sean and the maid were somewhere in the house. I was just glad Sean wasn't with me to witness my stupidity.
I poured myself another glass of whiskey. The color was mesmerizing in the fading light outside my window. So beautiful yet so bitter. Why? Why me? Why my Kathryn? I've been having the worst luck lately. I never thought something like this would ever happen to me. I thought I was invincible.
I threw the empty bottle at the wall. It shattered into pieces. I curled my fingers around the shot glass. Why did this just make me more bitter? Kathryn...I miss her so much. The pressure from my hand crushed the glass. The pain didn't register in me until someone knocked on the door. I gasped from the searing pain running across my hand.
"Mr. Nguyen, someone's here to visit you," the maid said.
"I'm busy," I called out.
"They said it's an emergency, sir."
"I said I'm busy."
"...It's your mother."
"Cameron, I swear you crack so easily under pressure. Why didn't you just call me?" Mom asked.
"...Why would I?" I countered. "We haven't talked in years."
"And you think I don't care about Kathryn's wellbeing? Have you gone to visit her?"
"No..."
"That's exactly what I'm talking about."
I stared at her and flexed my hand. It hurt, but I wouldn't dare say anything to my mom. She worried about me more than I wanted her to. Mom closed the first-aid kit and looked at me. She sighed.
"How's Sean?" She asked.
"I don't know. I haven't asked." I put my hand on my leg. "How's dad?"
"Working. He was sad after hearing about Kathryn, but...work has him distracted." Mom smiled. "By the way, when is Sean going home?"
"I was planning to take him to the airport tomorrow."
"I'll take him to see his mother then take him today if you want."
"You'd do that?"
"Only if you want me to. I know Kathryn would like to see him before he leaves."
I nodded and sighed. Of course I had to visit the hospital myself. Kathryn was probably wondering about what I was up to.
"When are you going to see her?" Mom asked.
"Tomorrow. I have something I need to do," I said and stood up. "Do you want me to pack his things?"
"I'll do it for him. Just be careful with your hand."
[HE GOES TO SEE WHAT DYLAN AND DAWN HAVE DISCOVERED THEN HEADS TO THE AIRPORT TO SEE SEAN FOR THE LAST TIME.]
⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕
"I told you to stop drinking when you're worried, Cam," Kathryn scolded. "What if you had killed yourself?"
I shrugged. "I'm fine now. Mom and Sean came to see you yesterday, right?" I asked.
"Yes. You know our wedding is just around the corner. Should we have a big pre-wedding party?" She smiled.
"Of course, my love. Anything for you."
We sat in complete silence. I grabbed her hand and held it to my lips. Her engagement ring gleamed in the light overhead. It was a nice ring. One I had been given when I informed my grandmother of my plans with Kathryn.
"Cameron, I have something very important to tell you." Kathryn pulled her hand back. "Promise me you won't freak out."
"....I promise. As long as you're not telling me you don't love me anymore." I half smiled.
"Shut up. You know I wouldn't dare."
We shared a much needed laugh. Kathryn took my hand and put it to her stomach.
"...No..." I breathed.
"Yes, it's true. I'm pregnant," Kathryn gushed.
"You're serious? I'm going to be a father?"
"Yes, baby. Again." She smiled wider. "I was planning to tell you before Lexi's gala. I'm three weeks pregnant, Cameron."
I couldn't speak. I'm going to be a father to a girl or another boy! But I don't need another child in my life right now. They'd be targeted like Sean before they were even born. Kathryn squeezed my hand. I regretted looking, seeing that she was waiting for me to say something.
I cleared my throat. "Why'd you have to be pregnant--"
"What?" She screeched.
"Now. Why now?" I pried her fingers off my arm and let out a nervous laugh. "I want the child, I really do, but our situation as of now isn't the most ideal. I don't want you to get stressed and something happens to you or the baby."
"You didn't have to say it like that." Kathryn pouted. "It's not my fault you're not throwing blanks. We both know there's no going back. I already told your mother."
"Why?" I whined. "We both know she can't keep it a secret if she was at gunpoint."
"...I'm not going to say anything."
Wow. I thought. Another child to watch 24/7. Someone to keep in my sight and on my mind. Ugh. Why did I have to become a gangster? Why?
"--showing me the wedding plans. Would Lexi be awake by then? I don't think Asher plans on going with Jenni anymore."
"Mmm," I mumbled. I knew Kathryn could tell I wasn't listening to what she was saying. I stood up suddenly. "Babe, I'll be right back."
"Where are you going? You literally just got here. Are you angry with me?" She looked up at me.
"What? No!" I took her hand. "How could I be angry with you? I'm not angry at anyone."
"Then why are you raising your voice?"
"I'm not!" I cleared my throat. "I'm not. Do you want something to eat? A salad?"
"Sure. Chocolate too." Kathryn smiled and drew her hand back. "I love you."
"I love you more, mon chéri."
I left the room and sighed. This was a lot to take in right now. How could I possibly become a father once more? Anything could happen at this point. Having to prepare for another child after I sent one back to school is a burden alone.
I exited the building without another thought and got into my car. The moment I pulled out of the parking lot my phone rang. I was tempted to ignore it, but the caller kept calling back. Can't I just get some alone time? It took a moment to transfer everything to Bluetooth.
"Yes?" I answered.
"You better watch out," the voice said.
"Wha--Who are you to say that?" I demanded.
"Someone who could end your life at the drop of a hat."
"Right..."
"Watch out!" The voice laughed evilly.
I hung up angrily. Who--How--I don't even know how to react. People these days. Maybe they got the wrong number. No, they seemed too confident that I was the right person they were looking for. Then how did they get my number? This was all too confusing.
I was turning across the intersection when my gut told me to speed up. My foot was on the gas pedal when the truck hit me. Suddenly I was high above my body and seemed to be watching down at the wreck. Then everything went black.