With a heavy heart, Apollo and Stella made their way through the hospital corridors. The receptionist directed them to room 22 on the third floor. Apollo's normally talkative demeanor was replaced by an eerie silence, lost in his own thoughts.
Stella couldn't help but gaze at him from the corner of her eye, feeling the palpable tension in the air. She contemplated his brooding expression and wondered what thoughts were whirling through his mind.
As they stepped into the elevator, Apollos fingers swiftly pressed a button, and the elevator jolted into motion. The silence hung heavily in the air as they both stood there, the tension crackling with a strange electricity.
Silence hung heavily in the elevator as Apollo and Stella rode towards the third floor. His mind was elsewhere, shrouded in deep thought, while Stella couldn't help but steal glances at him. The tension in the air was palpable, suffocating her. She found herself wondering what was going through his mind, what emotions he was grappling with. All she knew was that something heavy was weighing on him, and it made her heart ache.
Stella was taken aback by her own emotions. She wondered why she suddenly cared so much about Apollo. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, a swirling storm of confusion and uncertainty. She couldn't understand why her heart seemed to skip a beat every time he looked her way, or why her stomach dipped like a rollercoaster at the sound of his voice.
It wasn't love right?
Meanwhile Apollo's thoughts were consumed by the Don's condition. He couldn't help but wonder what could be wrong with the Don, what could have caused his sudden collapse. The thought of losing the Don sent a shiver up his spine. He wasn't ready to face that reality, not yet.
As the elevator doors crept open, Apollo and Stella stepped out, immediately spotting Aurora rushing towards them. "The doctor is currently examining him," Aurora informed them, her voice a soft and worried whisper.
Apollo's shoulders seemed to tense as he moved past Aurora, leaving her to address Stella. "Stella Cruze, right?"
Stella nodded, and Aurora offered a small smile. "You don't have to stay here, you know," she said softly, her tone soothing.
"I want to be here," Stella replied quietly, her voice resolute.
Stella had initially thought that Aurora would be cold and aloof, just like the other members of the Dunn family, but she found herself pleasantly surprised by the woman's sweet demeanor. She seemed kind, caring, and Stella couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration towards her.
"Alright,if you say so"Aurora said,a sweet smile tugging her lips as she walked away.
As Stella observed Aurora interacting with the nurses, she found herself more and more drawn to her gentle and caring nature a contrast to her initial impression of the woman. It was clear that beneath the professional facade, Aurora had a warm heart, and Stella couldn't help but be charmed by it.
Stella noticed Apollo sitting alone, his face etched with a frown of concentration. Curiosity got the better of her and she decided to approach him. She took a deep breath, and with a mix of hesitation and determination, she walked towards him.
Stella Cruze cautiously approached Apollo, aware of the deep thoughts etched on his face. With a sense of concern, she spoke softly, "Don't think too much, okay?" But her words seemed to fall on deaf ears as he remained silent, his gaze fixated on something invisible, something only he could see.
Stella heaved a soft sigh and gingerly settled down beside Apollo, immersing herself in her own quiet thoughts.
The doctor emerged from room 22, gripping a stack of documents in his hands. Apollo, Stella, and Aurora rushed towards him, their faces filled with anxiety. "How is he doing?" Aurora asked, her voice trembling with barely concealed worry.
The doctor nodded gravely, his expression solemn as he revealed the test results. "His condition isn't entirely negative, but regrettably, the disease is gaining dominance over his brain and body."
Aurora's voice quivered as she asked anxiously, "So... does that mean he's going to die?"
Apollo shot her a fierce glare, silently conveying the harsh truth.
The doctor's voice was heavy with honesty as he spoke. "Honestly," he started, his tone solemn, "I cannot predict the exact outcome. However, I can say with certainty that he may not survive for the next two years."
These words struck a deep cord within both Aurora and Apollo, their hearts sinking at the disheartening truth.
Aurora's voice was soft as she asked, "Could I visit him?"
The doctor nodded, his tone compassionate. "Yes, please visit him. He's currently unconscious."
There was a brief pause before the doctor asked, "May I take my leave now?"
With that, he walked away, leaving them in a solemn silence.
Stella's gaze shifted from Apollo to Aurora and back, her eyes filled with empathy. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness and pity for the both of them.
Sighing, she allowed her thoughts to wander, feeling a deep sense of remorse and sympathy for the situation they were all in.
Without a single word, Aurora moved into the room, leaving Stella and Apollo alone. Stella searched for something to say, but the words seemed to escape her. A heavy ache settled in her heart as she looked at Apollo, her emotions swirling in a tumultuous sea.
The air crackled with tension as Apollo spoke, his voice cold and firm. "You should leave."
Stella stood her ground, her determination evident. "No, I'm okay here. I'll stay."
But Apollo was unyielding. "No, you shouldn't."
"I—"
He cut her off, his tone even frostier. "Now."
Silence fell between them, heavy and strained. They locked gazes, the atmosphere growing more tense by the second.
The heavy silence between them was abruptly shattered by the shrill sound of Stella's phone ringing. Without another word, she walked to a quieter area to answer the call, leaving Apollo in the tense atmosphere.
Apollo's hands slipped into his pockets, and he let out a weary sigh. The weight of the situation had taken its toll on him, leaving him feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
A recognizable voice broke the silence, and Apollo's frown deepened upon hearing the words. "How's the Don?"
The question hung in the air, and Apollo couldn't help but feel a deep sense of annoyance and frustration with the presence of the person asking it.