Shocking
1468 Words
Chapter Five
[Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Galveston]
Seth stood in his hotel room, packing his bags for his trip back to the city. It was Saturday, and he was already running late.
He slipped on his brown hoodie and black pants, grabbing his phone and wallet before heading downstairs.
His workers were waiting for him in the lobby, their faces set with determination, almost too serious for a Saturday morning.
The air smelled faintly of coffee and disinfectant, the usual scent of health workers who barely got enough rest.
“You all know that you can't slack off just because I won't be here with you for the remaining four days,” Seth said, addressing them. His eyes traced theirs one after the other, making sure his words pierced through fatigue and settled in their resolve.
“Yes, sir,” they chorused, their voices firm.
Seth gave them one last lingering look before walking out of the hotel. His ride was already waiting to take him to into the car, and it zoomed off.
■■■■■
[Grandmother Whitney’s House, Galveston]
“I'm going to miss you, my darling,” Grandma Whitney said wistfully as she folded the last of Emily’s clothes.
It's currently 8am. Her flight is to take leave by 4pm.
“Why don't you come with me so you don't have to worry about missing me?” Emily replied. She hoped again that her grandmother would finally give in this time.
But her grandmother just smiled knowingly.
“I’ll come when you have given birth to my great-grandkids.”
Emily rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
“You’re impossible, Grandma.”
“Please keep me informed. I also want to know of this urgent issue that can't wait.”
“Honestly? I wish I knew,” Emily said with a sigh. “I'll keep you updated.”
“I hope it’s for the best,” Grandma murmured.
Emily wished she could believe that.
■■■■■
Seth landed at the airport late at night, exhaustion weighing on him. His secretary was waiting.
“Welcome back, boss,” Daniel said with a slight bow before taking Seth’s bag.
“How have you been, Daniel?” Seth asked as they walked toward the car.
“I’ve been good, sir. And very happy you are back,” he replied with a soft smile.
They got into the car, and the ride was unusually quiet. The city lights flashed past, blurred by Seth’s tired eyes.
He leaned his head back, closing his eyes, not sleeping, just thinking. There was too much on his mind: the outreach, the hospital, the merging discussions, and memories he didn’t want to revisit.
When the car finally pulled up in front of one of his homes–a simple yet stunning penthhouse designed with peaceful solitude in mind.
Seth stepped out silently.
Inside, he headed straight to his room.
Daniel paused at the doorway, watching him for a second.
Is something bothering him? he wondered. Seth’s mood was undeniably off.
Seth dropped his clothes almost immediately and stepped into the shower. The warm water hit his skin, but it did little to wash away the tension.
Five minutes later, wrapped in a black robe, he moved to his bed. He grabbed his phone and pulled out his laptop.
He worked, checking the hospital’s current status, reviewing reports, sending instructions.
Then he messaged the pregnant woman from France, informing her of the date she was to visit.
Finally, he allowed himself to rest. He lay on the bed, ready to close his eyes.
Then…..
Buzz.
His phone vibrated.
His first instinct was irritation. He picked it up, ready to turn it off—
Until he saw the number.
And the name.
His hand froze mid-air.
His heartbeat stuttered. The familiar mixture of shock and buried emotions rushed through him, ripping open a part of his past he thought he had sealed shut.
■■■■■
[Monday11AM, Emily's Hospital]
The D-day everyone had curiously waited for is finally here.
Well, not really everyone.
This hospital is just as big as Seth's.
The corridors of the hospital bustling with the flow of patients. It's a wide, functional passageway designed primarily for movement and orientation, and is crucial for the efficient flow of people, beds, equipment, and information within the facility. They connect various departments, wards, and rooms, and serve both utilitarian and social purposes.
Along the corridor, is a long passageway that is the road that leads to the large conference room.
The room where the meeting is taking place.
The room is already half the room filled with various faces. The majority of them are eager to find out the cause and why the meeting is being held.
Emily is the most confused.
Again, they are seated in a circular manner. Seth and Emily are facing each other.
Their gaze met. Seth acknowledged with a nod. Emily chose to ignore him.
Sn,Mr. Hernandez, Seth's father, stood up and decided to ease the noise and tension.
“Good day, everyone. I'd like to thank everyone that is present here today. I'm sure not everyone has the knowledge of why this meeting is being held” he paused, his eyes roaming the room.
Few people chorused No, in a sensible manner.
“Okay, so let's just go straight to the point. Healing Grace and Gifted Hands, these two hospitals shall be merged together as one” He said, releasing the bombshell.
The hall was quiet at first. Everyone, trying to process the words.
Emily sat, shocked and surprised.
Seth just sat there expressionlessly. He was also surprised but it didn't show.
He was calm. Very calm.
“Who gave the order, and why wasn't I informed when I'm literally the owner of this hospital” Emily's voice could be heard loudly in the room.
“It was orchestrated by your late father, and for the reason as to why you weren't informed, your late father who happens to also be my best friend said the answers you are looking for is in your house”
“I still don't get it,” Emily said, getting more confused.
“According to late Mr. DelaRosa, he demanded that the two hospitals should be merged. It was his dying wish before he passed. He stated and I quote ‘I want our children to merge their hospitals and get close to each other as one, unity should emerge and continuity of our family friendship should stand’ So you can see that it's not within our power to disagree”.
“Did you know about this?” Emily asked, facing Seth.
Seth, who has been quiet since the talk, was suddenly questioned by Emily. Someone who clearly ignored him at the beginning of the meeting.
Silence.
Ten seconds…it's as if he doesn't want to respond.
“No,” he finally respond. His eyes intense on hers.
“What if I choose to disagree” Emily asked
“I'm sorry miss DelaRosa, but you can't. Because it has already been decided and concluded by the late Mr DelaRosa. Seth's father said.
“That is why I called upon your late father's lawyer to be present here, Mr Eric” he said, pointing over at a man who stood up to acknowledge his presence.
“And you said the answers I'm looking for I'll find in the house?” Emily asked
“Yes. According to your late father”.
“One more thing you should know,” he said. “It's concerning you both” he said again, looking at both Seth and Emily.
They looked back at him questionably.
“Both of you are to get married, it comes with the merging” He released another bombshell.
“What!” Emily stood up agitated.
“Can this get any better?,” Seth said, flatly.
His tone and choice of words, seeming to be making Emily more angry.
His behaviour is like one whose matter isn't being discussed.
Uninterested.
“I'm sorry you both have to hear this in such manner, but thrust me it's for the best”
“For the best you say?” Emily asked, shaking her head.
“Don't tell me all of you here know about this except for the both of us” Seth said looking at their faces.
“Not everyone here know about this son” Mrs. Hernandez spoke up for the first time since the meeting started.
“Well I don't want to marry him,” Emily spoke up. “I won't ”
“I'm sorry you can't refuse Miss DelaRosa. It's an order and it's already signed and concluded” Barrister Eris said.
“What if I have a boyfriend?” Emily said, her chin raising up in challenge.
- Writer
