Miguel woke with a pounding headache, the remnants of last night's drinks making his head throb. He stumbled out of bed, his movements clumsy and unsteady, and made his way to the kitchen. He needed water to quell the dryness in his mouth. As he poured a glass, a sudden embrace from behind startled him. He looked down to see Betty clinging to him. Her arms were wrapped around him tightly, and Miguel immediately felt a surge of discomfort.
"What are you doing? Stop this!" Miguel shouted, pushing her away. She nearly lost her balance but steadied herself just in time. Ignoring her, Miguel dropped his cup on the table and headed towards his room. As he walked down the hall, he ran straight into his father, Mr. Parker. The anger on his father's face was unmistakable. Miguel knew his father had high hopes for him to marry Betty, but the thought repulsed him.
"What are you doing? Why are you treating her like that?" Mr. Parker's voice was sharp, filled with frustration.
"Dad, I'm sorry, but it's just not going to work. I can't marry her," Miguel replied, his tone firm. He turned on his heel and slammed his bedroom door behind him.
In the living room, Mr. Parker turned to Betty, who looked crestfallen. "Don't worry too much," he said, attempting to offer some reassurance. "He'll come around. I think he's just shy." Betty forced a smile, though it was clear she was struggling.
Miguel sat on his bed, his mind racing with thoughts of Audrey. "Why am I thinking about her again?" he muttered to himself, trying to push her from his mind. But the more he tried, the more her image persisted. Frustrated, he grabbed his phone and began searching for her online. He typed her name into Google, hoping to find some distraction, but instead, he was met with the shocking news of Godmother's accident involving Audrey.
His heart sank as he read the headline. Panic surged through him. Without a second thought, he rushed to brush his teeth and threw on clothes. He bolted out of his room, bypassing his father and Betty who were still in the living room. Ignoring their questions, he hurried to his car and drove to the hospital listed in the news report.
At the hospital, Miguel approached the receptionist, who directed him to the appropriate floor and room. His heart was heavy with worry as he made his way there. When he finally arrived, he saw Audrey sitting alone, her face pale and drawn. His heart ached at the sight of her.
He felt an overwhelming urge to comfort her, but he hesitated, hiding in the shadows. Seeing her alive brought him a sense of relief; he had feared the worst. Just as he was about to leave, his attention was drawn to a man approaching Audrey. The man was holding something that looked dangerously like a knife. Miguel's instincts kicked in. Without thinking, he rushed forward, grabbing Audrey and pulling her to safety. In the process, their bodies collided, and their lips accidentally brushed against each other.
Rosaline, who had been observing from a distance, watched in shock as the unexpected scene unfolded. Her eyes widened as she took in the sudden turn of events.
"I'm sorry," Miguel said, his voice trembling slightly. Audrey immediately got up from his body, feeling a rush of embarrassment and confusion as she recognized him. The attacker who had attempted to stab Audrey fled the scene, disappearing into the shadows to avoid capture. Audrey's hands shook as she hastily tried to smooth her now-disheveled hair.
"Good day, sir. What are you doing here?" Audrey asked, her voice a mixture of shock and curiosity. She struggled to maintain her composure, her heart still racing from the attack.
"I saw the news. That's why I'm here," Miguel replied, trying to hide the real reason for his presence. In truth, he had rushed over out of deep concern for her safety.
"Oh, thanks," Audrey said, her voice wavering slightly. "You didn't have to come. Let me escort you out," she added, her words laced with an undercurrent of anxiety. She felt a knot in her stomach, uncomfortable with his presence. Miguel's heart sank at her dismissal, but he forced a tight smile and nodded. Without another word, he turned to leave, and Audrey followed him out of the building.
The silence between them was thick with unspoken emotions. Miguel's mind raced with thoughts of what he could say to bridge the growing distance between them, but he remained silent, respecting her wishes. Audrey's steps were heavy with guilt and relief as they walked towards the exit.
Once outside, Miguel paused for a moment, hoping for a sign that she might change her mind. But Audrey's eyes remained fixed on the ground, her face a mask of turmoil. Without a farewell, she turned back and walked into the hospital, her heart aching with a mix of regret and lingering fear.
As Audrey approached her godmother's hospital room, she noticed a flurry of activity inside. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the doctors working frantically to revive the woman who had been like a mother to her. Panic surged through her veins, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Please, no," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She stood frozen, unable to move, her heart pounding violently in her chest. The minutes felt like hours as she watched, helpless and desperate.
Then, the dreaded words cut through the air like a knife.
"Time of death: 11 AM."
Audrey's knees buckled, and she leaned against the doorframe for support. A sob escaped her lips as the reality of the loss crashed over her. The world around her seemed to blur as she struggled to comprehend the magnitude of her grief. She had lost the woman who had been her rock, her guiding light. The weight of the moment pressed down on her, leaving her breathless and shattered