Bela looked shocked and disappointed. Her eyes welled up with tears before she turned and ran out. I stood frozen, hands on my head, unsure of what to do. I called out to her, but she was already too far gone. I searched the villa and even called in some security from the hospital to help Raymond and me look for her around the community.
We scoured the area all night, but there was no sign of her. Eventually, we had to give up, knowing she was an adult and wouldn't go missing like that. But the guilt gnawed at me, and I couldn't just let it go. She was the one friend who had stood by me when everything fell apart, and I couldn't silence the voice in my head that told me I had to find her.
I couldn't sleep when I got home. Tears streamed down my face. Nothing felt worth losing Bela over, not Raymond, not anything. Raymond tried to console me, but his words felt distant. They couldn't ease the guilt.
Suddenly, the door opened. My heart leaped, hoping it was Bela.
"Where have you been all night, Bela? You left us worried," I asked, relief flooding through me.
But her response struck like ice. "Jasmine, who do you mean by 'us'? You and your secretary? Don't lie to me. I saw you, on his shoulder. I didn't realize you were one of those bosses who sleeps with their secretary."
"What are you talking about, Bela?" I was taken aback.
"You know exactly what I mean! There's no way Raymond likes you. I've seen how he treats you. You're a hypocrite. I thought you were my friend, but I guess all these years changed you. The money, the success, it's turned you into someone else."
Her words hit me harder than I could have imagined. I wanted to argue, to defend myself, but I couldn't. I could only stand there, tears welling up, as she pushed past me and stormed out.
I went to work the next morning hoping for some distraction, maybe even some good news. But when I saw Mr. Rex waiting in front of my office, I knew it wasn't going to be the relief I'd hoped for.
He informed me that my father's condition had worsened, anything could happen at any moment.
The news shattered me. I couldn't think straight for the rest of the day. All I could do was sit by my father's bedside, trying to keep my composure as we shared a final conversation. He spoke of things I had never heard before, his hopes for me, his regrets, and the truth about my adoption. We both knew it was the last time we'd speak like this.
When Raymond came in later, he could tell something was wrong. "Jasmine, are you still upset about the conversation with Bela? Please, don't be. I know she spoke out of anger. She loves you, more than you know. She'll come around."
With a shaky voice, I told him, "The director of the cardiothoracic department was waiting for me this morning with bad news. Raymond… my dad doesn't have much time left."
Raymond stepped back, stunned, and collapsed onto the couch, clutching his chest. I rushed to his side, holding his hands. "I thought you were the strong one in this relationship," I said softly.
We didn't argue on the way home. Raymond understood there was no space for more tension, not after the kind of day we had.
Bela was not welcoming when I got back. Her cold stare pierced me, and I knew she wasn't ready to talk. She turned away every time I tried.
The next morning, I was determined to make things right with her before I left for work. I called Raymond, and together we planned to confront Bela as soon as she came out of her room. I had to explain everything.
"Good morning, Bela," I called out when she finally appeared. "Please don't close the door. We're not leaving until we talk and I promise, I'll leave you in peace."
She crossed her arms, looking at me impatiently. "I need to be at court in an hour. I don't have time for your drama."
"Drama? Bela, you're my friend, why would I fire you?" I began, but then my phone rang, and everything else faded.
"No! No! No!" The words escaped me before I could stop them.
Both Raymond and Bela asked what was wrong, but all I could hear was the ringing in my ears, tinnitus, drowning out everything. Bela called my name, but I didn't stop. I ran out to my car, with Raymond at my side, but he was driving, and Bela sat beside me, silent.
At the hospital, I rushed to my dad's ward, only to find him covered. The pain in my chest was unbearable. I couldn't describe it. My heart shattered. I signed the necessary forms to donate his organs and arranged for his cremation. It was happening so quickly.
As the cremation took place, my mind was spinning with thoughts. But one thing was clear: I couldn't lose Bela. She was the only family I had left, and I couldn't let anything come between us.
I called Raymond, needing someone to talk to. "Raymond… I can't do this anymore. I can't lose Bela because of us. She's the only one I have left, and I won't risk it for anything. We won't work, I'm so sorry."
"Jasmine, wait," he said, his voice trembling. "Let's work this through, please. Don't make any decisions now."
But I was already too far gone. I asked him to drive me home. I wasn't ready for any more arguments, not today.