"I'm sorry Miss Lola, there's a high chance that your brother has leukemia. The cancer of the blood."
Lola's entire world shattered the moment those devastating words escaped the Doctor's lips. Her hazel eyes brimmed with tears, on the verge of cascading down her cheeks at any moment. Clutching her loose-fitting pants tightly at the sides, she crumpled the fabric in her palm as beads of sweat formed on her forehead instantaneously, despite the cool temperature of the emergency room. The sweat trickled down her temple as she blinked, gazing blankly at the silent doctor.
She echoed the harsh word, "Cancer?" Its flavor was akin to bitterness on the edge of her tongue. It caused her stomach to churn and her knees to weaken. "Are you saying that James could have cancer?" She inquired once more.
Doctor Grey replied to her, "Miss Lola, please stay calm. This isn't certain but it's our best guess because of the symptoms your brother is experiencing. I didn't want to say anything so you don't get like this." With a gentle touch, he guided her to a chair beside her brother's bed.
"Leukemia?" She murmured. The word had never entered her thoughts when it came to her brother. Her concern heightened as she pondered how long he must have been carrying it.
"Miss Lola, if your brother's illness is Leukaemia, there are numerous solutions available. Don't fret, as we will provide him with top-notch healthcare. Our hospital boasts some of the finest oncologists and hematologists. Please try to compose yourself, because you are beginning to look distressed." The doctor's gentle words served as a reminder that she had requested this information herself. She had asked the doctor to inform her so she could make the necessary preparations. However, coming to terms with the situation proved to be hard.
She didn't even notice any signs of illness in her brother amidst her myriad concerns. His appearance did not suggest any trace of cancer. Was she too preoccupied with making more money to pay closer attention to her brother's well-being?
"Oh my, I have failed as a sister." It was at that moment the floodgates opened. The tears cascaded down as she wept silently, her face hidden in her knees. Why hadn't she been more attentive to him? What if it's irreparable now? Her heart shattered at the thought.
Lola found it unbearable to imagine losing the only family she had in her lifetime. He was her entire world, and it appears that she has let him down.
The doctor displayed great empathy as he patiently remained by her side until her tears subsided. This was not the first time he had to deliver such heart-wrenching news, and it certainly wouldn't be the last as long as he continued his medical practice. None of his patients or their families had ever received bad news gracefully. His heart went out to Lola, who was accompanied only by her brother, with no other emotional support to lean on, no one to remind them that they were not alone in the struggles of life. It was a sad situation.
Lola inquired, her voice tinged with a sniffle, "You mentioned it would take twenty-four to forty-eight hours for the outcome to be revealed, right?"
"Yes. It is during that time frame that we will have definitive clarity of the situation," the doctor responded.
"May I inquire about the cost of chemotherapy? And what is the duration of the treatment he will need?" She inquired. The doctor's assurance of offering him top-notch healthcare resonated in her mind.
Doctor Grey responded to Lola, "You're truly jumping the gun. Why not maintain a positive outlook and wish it's not Leukaemia? And if it is, I'm confident your health insurance will assist with some expenses." He consoled, knowing that if she succumbed to pressure it would not be beneficial for her.
Lola told the doctor in a dejected tone, "We don't have health insurance."
The doctor nodded slowly, now comprehending her predicament. So he offered payment plans and urged her to maintain a positive outlook. He emphasized the importance of projecting positivity for James, advising her to shield him from any negativity. She acknowledged his advice with gratitude, even though his words couldn't comfort her.
It was effortless for him to say. He isn't the one whose entire life was on the brink of turning even more bitter. He wasn't the one whose parents deserted and left them to fend for themselves at a tender age. He wasn't the one who barely had a thousand dollars in savings. He wasn't the one whose brother might be battling blood cancer.
He wasn't them. So he couldn't comprehend their desperate situation.
It is nearly impossible to maintain a positive outlook, yet she will endeavor to do so. Hope is all she's got. Hope is the solitary lifeline she clings to. Hope is the exclusive companion that consoles her and sustains her resilience. Hope is the sole confidant who understands her. Only hope.
Time has always been indifferent towards her. Time has never paused for her sake. Time resembled Max, both possessing the trait of being solely self-absorbed. Selfish. Hence, the outcome was already determined in approximately twenty-nine hours, and the Doctor explained the ailment afflicting James.
It was Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. A form of blood cancer that resides in the bone marrow and migrates towards the spine to invade all the healthy blood cells there, aiming to dominate the Central Nervous System. The Brain.
In simpler terms, if treatment is not initiated promptly, the blood cancer could render James paralyzed.
James was left in a state of bewilderment, astonishment, and ultimately, anger. He felt a surge of anger towards life and its cruelty towards him and his sister. The realization that his sister would have to hustle to cover his medical expenses left him devastated. He was aware that they lacked the necessary funds, funds he was unable to contribute towards.
"I'm so useless." He lamented to his sister, who comforted him and challenged his self-deprecating thoughts. She attributed his struggles to the harsh and malevolent nature of the universe, absolving him of blame. Life's unfairness was the culprit. However, she vowed to seek solutions and assured him that he would overcome this battle with cancer.
She was determined not to lose her brother. She adamantly rejected such a grim destiny. So, Lola embarked on a journey after consoling James to a state of calmness and rest. Her first destination was her place of work, where she divulged everything to the manager and requested a loan.
Yet, life continued to be cruel.
The manager proved unhelpful. "Lola, I would love to assist you, but the Bar is also struggling. We have outstanding debts to address. I'm sorry," he expressed insincerely.
Because the bar thrived. It excelled. She was aware of this due to their blabber-mouth accountant and the numerous customers she served daily.
But there was nothing a poor bar attendant like her could do.
Her coworkers offered their sympathy, showering her with words of solace and motivation. However, despite their well-intentioned gestures, their words could not magically materialize into the financial resources needed to support her brother's health.
She was grateful for their support, yet their words failed to resonate with her, failing to lift her spirits.
Lola sighed heavily as she emerged from the bar, the impulse to unleash a torrent of cusses at the universe simmered in her throat, but she suppressed it. Not now. That would come later.
She lingered in front of Reverie for several more minutes, allowing the wind to envelop her from all sides, soothing her racing heart and overheated mind. She needed to contemplate, yet her thoughts remained a chaotic jumble, scattered throughout her mind.
"Lola. Inhale and exhale." She whispered to herself and followed through.
She took a slow and deep breath. Then she exhaled.
The action played out for a while until a sudden realization dawned on her. Max. The man who held the key to the financial assistance she desperately sought for her brother. Despite her strong dislike towards him, he had now emerged as her only lifeline.
"Max Donovan." The name escaped her lips with a tinge of anguish. He was her last hope. With no acquaintances capable of providing such a substantial sum in a bad economy marked by rampant inflation, she had no choice but to turn to him.
"Max it is." She embraced her fate and swiftly summoned a taxi to transport her to his establishment. It was a bold maneuver. Yet she was willing to go to any lengths to restore James's well-being. Lola was prepared to go to any extent to rescue her brother.
It took her approximately thirty minutes to reach his establishment, and as she stepped out of the cab, doubts and nerves began to erode the fortress that was her mind.
What if he refuses?
I am not special.
I must have humiliated him, would he still want to see me?
Oh goodness. Her heart pumped hard with each step she took closer to the receptionist. "Hello." She greeted the cheerful woman with red lipstick and long blonde hair standing behind the desk.
"Welcome to MD Empire." The lady greeted her. "I'm Suzanna, how may I help you?"
"I am here to see Max Donovan." She replied, and her response turned the smile on the receptionist's face into a scowl, giving her a scrutinizing look.
"Do you have an appointment?"
Lola replied, ignoring the judging look. "No, I don't. But if you tell him Lola Reynolds is here to see him, he will understand." She was here for something greater to be unfazed by the typical follies of human beings.
The receptionist replied with a sass in her tone. "Sorry, I can't do that. You need to book an appointment to meet him."
"Max Donovan holds the power to fire you if you fail to comply with my instructions. I'm certain you wouldn't want to jeopardize your employment over a minor task. Simply inform him that Lola Reynolds is here to see him." Lola retorted with a subtle grin, well aware of how individuals such as Suzanna operate. However, today was not the appropriate time to engage with her.
Suzanna, her eyes ablaze with determination, grasped the phone and dialed Max's office.
"Good day, sir. A woman is present here, claiming to be Lola Reynolds," Suzanna conveyed through the receiver.
"Understood, sir." After ending the call, she announced, "He is expecting you on the twenty-eighth floor."
"Thanks, Suzanna for executing your duties impeccably," Lola said sarcastically with a hint of sass in her tone as she trudged towards the elevator.
As the elevator rose, she observed the changing floor numbers, dispelling the nervousness that had taken hold of her and casting aside any feelings of shame. Maintaining her composure, strength, and unwavering confidence was all she needed to focus on.
She emerged from the elevator and beheld the top floor resembling a grand lounge, devoid of any office ambiance. It exuded the essence of a luxurious, contemporary apartment. Her gaze wandered, captivated by the unfamiliar expanse. Before she could delve into further exploration, a voice shattered the silence.
A voice she knows too well. A voice that belonged to Max Donovan.
Max inquired, "You're here. Don't tell me you came to humiliate me more ?" His question made her turn around to find him dressed casually like what he wore to the bar.
"No, I didn't come here for that Max." Lola answered, "I came to accept your proposal."