Carlyle was having a meeting when his personal phone rang and it caused everyone to stop talking, they could only stare at the youth before them not uttering a thing and gulping from the dominant pressure. Carlyle picked up his phone and acted nothing. Registering the name his brows furrowed thinking why would this person call him then he raised his hand at the rest of the board members dismissively without looking and got up from his chair and left. The rest shuddered a breathe and stayed silent like a loyal pet dog as they wait obediently for their owner.
"Mikael?"
"Elder cousin." Suddenly a spark of unreasoned worry emerged from Carlyle's heart which made him confused more. He looked at the city landscape below and asked, "Why did you call?"
On the other side, Mikael was facing Brooklyn's room. The lump in his throat became apparent, and the corner of his eyes started to sting. He blinked it away.
Carlyle waited for the response but heard none, he raised the phone to his face checking if the call accidentally ended, but it wasn't. So he placed it back near his ears once again and called the other's name.
"Cousin, please.. don't get mad. Can you come to the Royale Medicine Campus?"
"Why would I go to your school? What happened?"
"I—It's better if I explain it to you here. It's not good to talk about it on the phone." Suddenly, Carlyle's eyes cleared up, his brows eased. It could only be his younger brother, the reason why this person would call him.
"Did something happen to my brother? Are you with him? Why is he there? He still has classes right now." Carlyle looked at his wristwatch. It was still Brooklyn's supposed English class.
Mikael could only chew his words. "Cousin, j-just come here, okay? Text me if you're arriving. I'll greet you at the entrance." Then he ended the call. He slowly slumped down on the ground, both of his hands trembling, he clasped it in prayer and pressed on his forehead as he exhaled a nervous sigh.
How would he explain this?
On the other hand, Carlyle was left hanging. He looked at the phone with uneasiness. His striking blue eyes darkening, his grip on his phone hardened.
"Sir?" His attention deterred when he heard the familiar voice. A person three inches taller than him was standing behind him. He was wearing a three-piece grey suit, his hair clean cut. His almond eyes shined brightly against the sun's light.
"I already told you not to call me that, David." David gawked at Carlyle's candid pose, feeling his heart pounding.
David blinked his attention went back, he pursed his lips, "Everyone is waiting."
Carlyle nodded and pocketed his phone, before opening the door he looked at David and said, "Can you check Brooklyn's status? That investigation I asked before? Bring it to my office."
David nodded. "Rest assured." Carlyle gave a curt nod and went inside, resuming the meeting.
David turned around from the office, his eyes expressing the things he can't say. He picked up his phone and called the person in charge of the investigation Carlyle talked about.
______
Doctor Chen was very adamant and decisive about Brooklyn. Well, it was only logical for the two to agree since Doctor Chen understands Brooklyn's disposition more than Doctor Felicia does. In the end, Brooklyn was arranged to be transferred. After she finished her talk with Doctor Chen, she felt tired and lost as she held the phone in her clammy hand. Her gaze landing at her family picture, to her child who was smiling happily.
The test result came out negative. Mikael could finally enter the room and hold Brooklyn's thin hand. He hadn't left since they arrived not until a younger youth flung the door open, his eyes manic and his breathing labored.
"James." Mikael greeted. He had already foreseen the arrival of this person. After all, James was Doctor Chen's only child and Brooklyn's childhood friend.
"What happened? Why did he have a fever? What's the diagnosis? How is he?" Mikael rose from his chair and shook his head, telling James that they shouldn't talk inside, and gestured towards the door. James nodded and followed Mikael's back.
When they were far enough Mikael answered all James' questions straightforwardly. James' mouth hung open, shocked.
"How could he have a relapse? Wasn't he taking the therapy? Didn't you visit him last week? Didn't you notice?!"
"Have you?" Mikael deadpanned.
James subconsciously took a step back and leaned his back on the wall.
"I—you... He... He fooled us? How could he..."
How could Brooklyn fool the two of them?
"He did it well. Very well! Gosh. He should be an actor!"
"James, calm down. You know he meant well. He didn't—"
James glared at Mikael. "What? He didn't want us to worry? But what now? Aren't WE worried?! Aren't YOU?! WHY? Why is he so selfish?! "
Mikael couldn't do anything. At first, he was angry and lost but knowing Brooklyn's story elicited an unconditional understanding. The two stayed silent not until they heard the elevator dinged.
Mikael's breathing hitched.
Carlyle walked out of the elevator. The sharp gaze landed on him making him shiver.
"Mikael. Young Chen." The two froze. The pressure coming from Carlyle was unbecoming.
"Mikael, I need to see my brother."
Mikael raised his eyes and forced himself to meet Carlyle's but the oppression he felt made his will vanish in a snap he could only robotically walk forward and ushered in a low tone, "Follow me."
David came out from the elevator but he didn't follow Carlyle to Brooklyn's room. Instead, he nodded at James while the other replied a curt bow.
"I'm sorry Mr. Ho but I need to leave."
James bowed his head a bit and left for the elevator. He still needed to calm his nerves.
David knew that the kid was uncomfortable so he didn't prolong and nodded, and headed to the bench near the vending machine and waited.
===
To be continued…