Chapter 35 Hope for the cure
2024 Words
"Why did you come home? Is Aria in charge of the hospital?" Alexander was asking Selda.
"I am with Madam Aria, Head Master," Selda said.
"Who is taking care of Fortune then?" Alexander added, a bit furious.
"The young master arrived last night. He is in the hospital," Selda replied.
Alexander's face was in disbelief. Lucio has chosen to go home rather than attend the most important part of their business. That is to expand their connections and build more networks through exposure and socialization.
"Dad, you are here. I thought you went somewhere with Keila," Aria said when she found the Head Master at the dining table.
"I heard that Lucio went home last night. Yet no one told me," Alexander burst out.
"Sorry, I have not seen you since this morning. Lucio made his first trip from the states and I guess he has found someone to replace him." Aria explained.
His face looked fiercer, and Aria was not used to it. He knew him for being calm, serious, and letting things pass.
"I will talk to him. And why are you cooking in the kitchen? We have chefs to prepare the meals for us." Alexander noticed her messy look.
"I just love to cook meals for my family. I wanted to somehow reduce the stress I am feeling right now because of Fortune's current situation. I hope you understand," she clarified.
"You'd rather be in the hospital so you can monitor your son than be here. We have people who do things for us. Your son needs you now," Alexander continued.
"I will be back in the hospital later in the afternoon. I came home to see the twins and cook for them. I will also bring some to Lucio," she added.
"Alright, alright. I don't need explanations," Alexander said with a sarcastic tone.
Aria did not comment any further. Instead, she went up to the kids' room to call them up for lunch. She was confused about how the Head Master treated her earlier in front of everybody. He was not like that before.
"Mom, thank you for cooking food for us. It tastes really good," Luck said, who can't stop picking up food.
"Mom was so happy that you liked them. That's my new recipe. I'll be cooking more in the future when Fortune is well," she said.
"Yeah! I like that Mom. I hope he gets better soon so we can dine together with your delicious recipes." Charm added with a thumbs up.
Keila cannot hide her frowning facial expressions. She was doing it intentionally for whatever reasons that Aria couldn't understand.
"What time will you go back to the hospital?" Alexander butted in.
He had eaten all the food on his plate and was just waiting for the others to finish.
"Before sunset," she answered hastily.
The Head Master said, "Great. Tell Lucio that I need to talk to him," and then he left his chair empty.
After a while, Keila did the same, and only the three of them with the kids stayed at the dining table.
"Why are people acting so strange today? Selda, have you noticed the Head Master? He seems like he is having a hell of a day that he can't let it pass," Aria can't stop herself from expressing her thoughts based on her observation.
"I didn't know, Madam. Maybe they are going through something we do not know. Let us just understand them. Should I go back to the hospital with you?" Selda said.
"I don't think there is a need for you to come, but I will let you know," Aria told Selda.
"Alright. I will prepare the things you might be needing." Selda is informing Aria while waiting for the boys to finish all the food.
Selda left to go to their room to pack up. Aria was smiling while staring at Lucky and Charm. After a while, the boys went straight to their playroom, and Aria followed Selda to check on her.
"Everything is set. You should be good to go," Selda said.
"Thanks, Selda. I know we do not talk much about our personal lives. About the shaman, how good is he?" she opens up.
"What are you trying to do, Madam?" Selda asked anxiously.
She has an idea where this conversation is going.
"I am kind of desperate about Fortune. If worst comes to worst, I think there is no harm if I hire the shaman to take care of Fortune's case," she explained.
"I heard he was really good. I do not have proof, but that was based on the claims of his patients. I suggest you advise the Young Master about your plans," says Selda.
"Maybe you are right. In this hopeless case, I just wish I could convince him," Aria replied.
Selda walked out of her room, and Aria was left clueless about what she was about to do. All she cared about was that she needed to do something to save her son. She remembers the pendant, but it is nowhere to be found. As far as she can recall, she put it below their bedding, but it wasn't there anymore. Aria did not stay long in the mansion, even though she wanted to take a nap.
"Did you rest, didn't you?" Lucio asked his wife when she got into the room.
Fortune was transferred to his private room, but the doctor said the same.
"I couldn't rest thinking that my son was in critical condition. I brought you food," Aria said.
"Looks good. Is everything okay in the estate? How about the kids?" he asked.
"They are all doing fine. However, your father wasn't happy that you opted to be with us rather than on the business trip. He demanded to talk to you," Aria told Lucio.
"I don't have to discuss things with him regarding that. I am a family man and he should understand that. I have already sent someone to be my replacement and I am confident that he can deliver," Lucio reasoned out.
"Okay," she only replied, because she didn't want to prolong the conversation.
She was looking at Fortune, and she was hurting to watch her kid in the most weakening condition. She doesn't know if she can bear to see him every day in that same disposition for the longest time. Lucio noticed her sudden change of emotion. He moves next to her and hugs her.
"He will be okay. I promised you that!" he whispered.
"I was thinking of finding an alternative solution." Aria started the discussion even though she wasn't sure about her idea.
"What is it?" Lucio asked.
"Maybe you call me desperate, but I love my son so much that I cannot lose him before my eyes," she cried.
"I am hearing you out. Spill it," he insists.
"Remember the old man in the shop outside the Balete tree? The one that I purchased the pendants from," she continued.
"Yes, what about him?" he added.
Aria gathered all her confidence, hoping that her husband would support her idea.
"I was just thinking if he could help us with Fortune's case," Aria said.
"In what way? He only sells pendants that he claims have powers," Lucio exclaimed.
"That's it. It has powers, and I think it helped me a lot before I lost it," she insists.
Lucio exploded. "That's ridiculous! Did you want to take a risk on your son's life for that nonsense? The licensed specialists cannot identify his illness. They studied it their entire life, but they couldn't do anything. Then you wanted to bring him to that old man? Come on!"
He cannot believe that Aria is willing to do anything, even if it is riskier, just to keep their son alive. Aria told him as much information as he needed. She has been trying to convince him.
"Please! Lucio, I know the risks and the possible complications, but please! Our son has to be treated soon. We don't know how long he can carry this," Aria continued.
Lucio was holding his head and covering his ears. He is tired and stressed. Everything has been adding up, but he needs to compose himself. He's got to decide if he is hoping for Fortune to survive. He has already talked to the doctors, but there is no sign of improvement.
"I am sorry, but I don't think we can do it," he said, leaving the room.
"We can't lose our son. Every minute is significant for him to be saved. We should do something, and we shouldn't just stand here waiting." Aria was shouting while crying.
Aria felt weak, reckless, and worthless. She just cried hard. She positioned herself near Fortune, who was still lying on his bed and unconscious. She holds his hand and looks at his face. It changed a lot, and his facial expressions said so.
"Mom!" he whispered in a very soft and low tone.
"Honey? How do you feel?" Aria wiped out her tears.
"Bad. I am having difficulty breathing. My heart beats too fast, Mom," he said.
"You will be well. Mom will help you, okay?" she assured him.
The presence of oxygen and normal blood flow and count should be maintained. Especially since he excretes blood when he vomits and during his bowel movements. He sleeps a lot and he takes less food than normal.
"I feel weaker each day, Mom!" he continued.
Lucio walks into the room without them knowing and listens to their conversation.
"Just rest, honey. Mom and Dad are looking for the cure," Aria said.
Fortune just slowly closes his eyes and begins to sleep.
"Do you know where the old man lives?" Lucio asked her.
"I don't, but I saw him yesterday in the wet market," Aria answered.
"Let us go find him." Lucio decided to take the necessary steps.
"Alright! I'll call Selda to come here and stay with Fortune while we look for the shaman," she said.
She was able to speak to Selda, and she will be on her way. She told her not to mention it to anyone about them leaving Fortune with her in the hospital while they were looking for the cure. They will let the night pass, and the next morning they will begin searching.
"Thanks, Selda. You came too quickly," she said upon seeing Selda.
It is six in the morning, and they haven't had their breakfast yet.
"I have to. I have food for you so you can fill your tummy before you go." Selda stated as she handed her the food basket.
"We have to go now. Please take care of Fortune and if anything goes wrong, the doctor is one call away. Get in touch with us every time," she reminded her.
"I will!" Selda assured them.
They are in the car going to the wet market, hoping that they will find the shaman. Her eyes are roaming around, checking out every person as soon as they park their car.
"What made you change your mind?" Aria was asking Lucio as they got out of the car.
They park the car near the main entrance, and they can see the volume of people who go in and out of the market this early.
"One of my friends advised me to give it a try. He is from the province and he believes in those kinds of stories. He told me he had this first-hand experience with his cousin a while back," he explained.
"Okay. Did he tell you the details?" Aria asked him while on their way inside the wet market.
"No, but he suggested doing this before it's too late. This is all about life and death. I can't forgive myself for not taking any chance that could save my son," he exclaimed.
"It's him!" Aria yelled when he saw the old man sitting on the soiled ground.
He was in the same location the last time he saw him. They approach the old man, and his eyes are locked on the two of them. He was looking at them like he was expecting them.
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