My sleep was interrupted by a loud bang on my door.
"Amelia! Come out now." My step mother's voice boomed from the corridor.
"What does she want?" I grumbled as I sat up slowly. I wonder what the commotion is about.
Walking sluggishly towards the door, I manage to keep myself from falling because of sleep.
I opened the door and peeped out of my room.
"Find something to wear, we have to take your dad to the hospital."
"What's wrong with dad?" I asked wide eyed. The sleep had eluded me totally. I went to my dad's room to see him clutching his chest, his face contorted in agony.
"Dad, what's wrong?" I shrieked, fright written all over my face.
"Can't breathe..." He gasped, his voice was barely audible.
My eyes widened in terror, seeing my dad in such a condition.
"Mom please call 911!"
"On it!" She responded.
I heard her talking to the operator on what to do. She followed the instructions carefully as we waited for the ambulance to arrive. Not knowing what to do, I held his hands firmly, trying to hide my tears.
"Please hang on dad, help is coming." I muttered.
In no time, sirens wailed outside and paramedics filed into my dad's room.
We were asked to wait outside as they assessed the situation and attended to him. I paced up and down the corridor as the paramedics did their job. One of the officers walked up to us and my step mom scurried to his front.
"We need to get him to the hospital, now." He urged.
"Okay, right away." She replied as she followed him out of the house.
At the hospital...
Dr. Thompson, a middle-aged man with a kind face, entered the hospital room where my step mom and I are anxiously seated. Benjamin and Sandra are going to join us soon.
"Mrs Walker I'm glad to report that your husband is stable for now," Dr. Thompson announced.
I exhaled, relief washing over me.
"Thank God," my stepmom whispered.
Dr. Thompson's expression turned serious.
"However, his cardiac arrhythmia has caused significant damage. He needs surgery to repair the damaged tissue and implant a pacemaker."
My eyes widened. That sounds like a lot of money.
"Surgery? How soon?" I asked.
"As soon as possible," Dr. Thompson replied.
My voice trembled.
"What are the risks?"
Dr. Thompson hesitated.
"There's always a risk with surgery, but without it, John's condition will worsen. We're looking at a 70% success rate."
My step mom nodded resolutely.
"We'll do it." I said, not quite sure of how I would make that happen.
"What?" My step mom snapped.
Dr. Thompson's expression turned somber.
"There's another issue. The surgery and subsequent care will cost approximately $50,000."
My step mom gasped.
"That's a whole lot!" I exclaimed.
Dr. Thompson nodded sympathetically.
"I understand it's a significant burden, but unfortunately, our hospital requires payment upfront."
My face fell instantly. What magic was I supposed to perform?
"We don't have that kind of money." My step mom snapped unapologetically.
My eyes welled up.
"What are we going to do?" I asked rhetorically. I know I'll have to raise the money on my own.
Dr. Thompson paused.
"I can recommend some financial assistance programs, but they take time. Time Mr Walker doesn't have. I'll leave you to discuss the issue as a family."
I looked at my father, sleeping with an oxygen mask plugged to his nose. The weight of the situation crushed me. What am I seriously going to do about the situation?
I stood outside dad's hospital room, thinking of a way to bring up the impending issue of money.
"I don't think we can afford the surgery. We'll have to sign a voluntary discharge form." My step mom said.
"Um, about that. There is something I would like to suggest."
"What's going on with dad?" Sandra said as she walked in with Benjamin. They had been away when dad had his crises earlier.
"He needs surgery, but we can't afford it," my step mom replied, her voice laced with annoyance.
Benjamin just kept quiet as if the whole issue was not his business.
"I was thinking... Maybe we could sell some of Dad's valuables? The car, some of your jewelry. We would have enough money to cover the surgery expenses at least." I suggested.
My step mom's tone turned icy.
"You expect me to sacrifice the little I have left for some medical bills? What am I going to have left for my children's college fees?"
My frustration boiled over.
"This isn't about college now; it's about dad's life!"
This is the height of wickedness. Her husband is lying on the sick bed a few inches away but all she can think about is herself.
"Hope I didn't hear you say the car? Don't you know how essential that is?" Benjamin, who had been quiet since he got here, said.
"How essential? So you're saying that keeping a car is more essential than dad now?"
He has always been an idiot, I don't expect him to be any wiser now.
"Look, the surgery is a whole lot. We can discuss with the doctor to explore other treatment plans." Sandra added.
"I won't sell anything. It hasn't gotten to that extent. Besides, you can go out and work. Run some shifts if you insist on proceeding with the surgery but I don't think I can afford it."
My anger and despair mingled.
"You're his family, too! How can you be so heartless? Can't you at least get this one thing right?" I was so agitated that my voice rebounded throughout the corridor.
"I'm just trying to do what's best for everyone, that's all." My step mom replied without any remorse.
I sighed and got up. I couldn't believe these people. I wish dad could hear all these things so that he can open his eyes.
My face was etched with determination as I walked out of the hospital. I knew what I had to do. If apologizing and begging Liam is the only way to get my old life back, then I have no choice. I have to do this for my dad.
☆
Here I am, in front of the skyscraper, my heart racing with uncertainty. Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I walked straight to the receptionist's desk.
The reception area is a large and spacious setting with golden chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. A majestic wooden desk which had the company's crest embedded on it faced the doors. Plush and cozy sofas were arranged in a cozy sitting area for visitors. I stood in front of the mighty receptionist desk, feeling out of place. There is a big contrast between this place and my own humble reality.
"Can I help you?" The receptionist asked, her gaze dismissive as she focused on her laptop screen.
"Good afternoon, please I'm here to see Mr Liam Henderson."
She stopped typing and eyed me suspiciously.
"Name?"
"Amelia Walker" I replied nervously. She was staring at me as if I came to steal.
"You don't have an appointment with Mr Henderson. Please come back when you do."
"Can you please tell him that the cleaning lady is here, he'll understand." I said but even the words sounded embarrassing to me. This is obviously no place for someone like me and the receptionist proved my point with the way she looked at me with scorn.
"Miss..."
"Amelia"
"Miss Amelia, you're not on the approved list of visitors. Please come back when you've secured an appointment." She said curtly with a permanent scowl on her face.
I know better than to press her further to avoid any embarrassment. I've had enough of it lately.
Undeterred by the little setback, I walked out of the heavily air-conditioned space into the scorching sun.
My mind takes me back to that unfortunate morning as I step into the reception of Sky blue hotel. Thankfully, the person at the reception is a familiar face and I won't have to explain much to see Mr Fred, my former boss.
"Hello Janice!" I greeted with my brightest smile, hoping she would be happy to see me and let me through.
"Hi Amelia," She replied in a cheerful tone. "It has been a while. I didn't even know you didn't work here anymore until Viv told me. How have you been?"
Okay, that's a good sign.
"I'm very well, thank you. Is Mr Fred in?" I asked before she would change her mind about being happy to see me.
"Yes, he's in. Just go in and knock, he doesn't have any visitors."
That was easier than I expected, thank goodness! I don't even know what to expect from Mr Fred, considering the way things ended but I have to swallow my pride now and try.
"Thanks a lot Janice."
I walked briskly through the corridors till I got to the door with the manager's office written on it. I took a deep breath as I knocked on the door.
"Come in." Came the response from inside.
Well, here goes nothing.
I pushed open the big door and closed it gently behind me.
A surprised Mr Fred looked up from his desk and peered through his glasses at me.
"Good evening sir." I greeted nervously, wiping the smile off my face.
His smirk was unexpected. It felt like he was saying: "I knew you'd be back."
"Well well, look what the wind blew in." He said, still glaring at me.
"I'm so sorry for the way things ended the other time sir. I want to make amends with the customer." I replied nervously.
"So?"
"Sir, I don't know... can you let Mr Liam know that I'm coming to his office? I want to apologize for the way I acted the other day."
There was silence for a few moments as Mr Fred stared at me strangely, like something on the menu. I had to check myself to make sure I wasn't wearing something weird.