There's One Thing I Like About Him

Chapter Five

Trisha

Three hours had passed since Ethan's doctor emerged from the operating room. We all stood, hearts pounding in our chests, dreading the news that might come. The tension was palpable, and I prayed silently that the doctor wouldn’t deliver bad news.

"The operation was successful," the doctor began, "but we need to move him to the ICU for further observation. We can’t guarantee when he will wake up due to the severity of the impact of the accident. The surgery went well, but even though it was successful, there's still a risk. He might wake up... or he might not. There's also the possibility he could fall into a coma once the anesthesia wears off in about an hour."

Ethan’s mother nearly fainted at the doctor’s words, and her husband quickly supported her. The doctor offered a somber nod before leaving us in a daze.

“Why don’t you just go home, honey? I’ll stay and watch over our son,” Ethan’s father suggested softly, his voice heavy with worry as they paced the hospital hallway. “It’s getting late, and I know you have an important meeting with the shareholders tomorrow.”

Ethan’s mother turned to him, her voice shaking with barely contained rage. “How dare you talk about work at a time like this? Our son is fighting for his life, and all you can think about is business!”

“I’m sorry, love,” he replied, his voice trembling with exhaustion and sorrow. “But we can’t afford to neglect our responsibilities, even now. We have to stay strong... for him.”

Then, Mr. Alvarez turned to me. “And you, too, hija,” he said, his voice softening. “Thank you for bringing our son to the hospital, but you should go home now. You have work tomorrow, and we’ll take it from here.” I nodded, and Alexa and I prepared to leave. But just as we were about to walk away, we heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

A strange unease settled over me, a feeling that something wasn’t right. As the figure drew nearer, I began to recognize her. She entered the hospital with a quiet grace, her presence transforming the sterile surroundings. Though simply dressed, her aura was unmistakably elegant.

She wore a dove-gray wrap dress that fell just below her knees. The fabric, a luxurious blend of silk and wool, draped over her body with a natural, effortless grace. The subtle sheen of the material caught the soft hospital lighting, adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise cold environment. The dress had a gentle V-neckline that framed her face perfectly, and the wrap style cinched at the waist with a slender belt, highlighting her silhouette without drawing too much attention.

She was breathtaking.

As she approached, her face unreadable, she glanced at me, her expression questioning why I was still there so late. But she quickly turned her attention to Ethan’s parents.

She took Mrs. Alvarez’s hand, and tears began to fall from her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Lucy, that I couldn’t come sooner. My secretary told me what happened, but I was stuck in a very important meeting and couldn’t leave right away,” she explained, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

“It’s okay, dear. We understand, and I’m sure Ethan will understand too,” Mr. Alvarez replied, his voice filled with warmth.

I knew it was time for me to leave. This wasn’t a place for someone like me—a mere employee of Ethan’s company. I had done my part by bringing him to the hospital, and now that the surgery was over, I should go home and rest. Besides, Ethan’s girlfriend, Isabelle, had arrived.

I gave them a faint smile as a farewell, and Alexa and I headed out of the hospital. A strange sadness settled over me, one that I couldn’t quite explain. Snap out of it, Trish. You have no right to feel jealous, I told myself firmly. Ethan and Isabelle had been together for a long time, and I was nothing more than an employee.

I accompanied Alexa to the bus stop before hailing a taxi to take me home.

“Are you okay?” Alexa asked suddenly, her tone gentle but probing.

“Y-yes, I’m g-good,” I stammered, struggling to sound convincing.

“I know you’re not,” she said, stopping in her tracks and looking at me knowingly. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?”

I froze, my heart skipping a beat, and quickly covered her mouth with my hand. “Shhh, someone might hear you,” I whispered urgently.

She pulled my hand away and burst into laughter. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Trish. Ethan will never—no, not in a million years—like someone like you. I mean, just look at Isabelle, she’s like an angel from above. You can’t compete with that.”

Her words stung, the honesty sharp and cutting. But that was Alexa—brutally honest, even when it hurt. I forced a smile and continued walking, the weight of her words settling deep in my chest.