Consumed By You

One chance

The conference room was humming with hushed conversations. The air was thick with tension, the managers and directors sat stiffly unsure of what to expect from their ruthless boss.

Jayden walked in with a stoic expression, his face void of any emotion. He took his seat at head of the long mahogany table, placing a folder in front him as he adjusted his cuff links.

He was wearing a designer suit without his Jacket, his shirt slightly wrinkled from his morning rush. "Let's start" he said looking down at the folder in front of him.

Mr David, a section manager, stood up to present the monthly quarter and new developed products when Jayden cut him off

"You have two minutes to tell me why the monthly quarter is not up to the expected returns and why the chef's menu production is a disaster".

"We had issues with our supply chain -"

"That's an excuse I need a reason" he raised his hands to cut the man off.

"The hotel, airline, food section and department store are a mess" this time he hit the file on the table a little louder to have all the members shake.

"By the end of the day, I want a detailed plan on how to get every department back in order, I don't just pay you all to be incompetent. I want a direct report from the section managers themselves, don't dare to read off from what your surbodinates give you"

The people present held their breaths as he spoke, they knew very well how he was, even if he was too strict the pay of their job was something they couldn't get elsewhere, not to talk of the incentives.

Jayden stood up looking across at them with blazing fury "Meeting adjourned". He walked out of the conference room to his own office.

He buzzed the secretary's corner "Bring me a hot cup of black coffee".

He still had a slight headache from yesterday's event.

"Your coffee Sir" his secretary was shaking while trying to place the coffee in front of him.

Jayden nodded and dismissed him.

"Those punks "he thought out loud

He sipped on his coffee when he heard his phone ringing, he checked the caller it was none other than Kyle. He rolled his eyes before picking the call "Hello" he answered in a fustrated tone

"Hey man" Kyle voice could be heard from the other end.

"I was wondering if you could drop by the club today. I have something i want you to check out, don't worry Alex is out picking some girl from the airport." he chuckled at the end knowing Alex always got on Jayden's nerves.

"Not free" he replied

"Okay, when you change your mind,hit me up"

"We'll see" Jayden cut off the call

"That punk, does his answers have to be monotonous all the time"

*CITY HOSPITAL*

"I'm afraid there is nothing we can do about her condition now young lady"

The young girl sat in front of the doctor as he was explaining the condition of her grandmother, the only person who had taken care of her all her life after her parents died at a young age. Tears spilled from Adella's eyes as she listened to the doctor explain everything.

Her grandmother has jus been diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic pontine Glioma (DIPG) a very rare disease that occurs in one of thousands people.

"Why her? " Adella screamed in her mind, she was a very nice woman, the best mother in the world.

"DIPG affects the brainstem that is responsible for actions like breathing, heart rate and movement, so her symptoms might be slow movements, headaches, facial paralysis, double visions, nausea and difficulty in breathing"

You should pay extra care to her now and make sure she is provided with everything she needs"

"I can't let her die doctor, what can I do? please there must be something I can do anything at all" Adella was already on her knees crying by this time

"I can't loose her now, please doctor"

"Stop crying dear, a surgery is not advisable but even if we can do so we have to fly her to somewhere like Japan, they had a successful operation once some two years back, but I don't really think you can afford that now"

"Please sir, I beg you"

"I understand you but the surgery, drugs and treatment should cost about 50 million dollars, not to talk about the flight ticket and other expenses " The middle aged doctor sympathised with the girl in front of him.

Adella walked out of the hospital like a corpse, she was confused, her face was pale, she had dried tears on her face. She walked into the streets unaware of her surroundings.

"My God!! are you okay? " The young lady rushed out of the car to see the girl who had just walked into the road, even if it was not her own fault she still cared.

"Thank God you weren't hit" she said.

Adella realized she had entered the road absentmindedly, when she raised her head to apologize she was shocked on seeing the person in front of her "Jacqueline?"

"Whoa, Adella? It's you what are you doing here?" She asked her as she helped her up.

"Long Story"

Jacqueline saw her state and said to her"Let's go somewhere and talk"

After their conversation Jacqueline couldn't help but feel pity towards her

"I don't know what to do Jackie, I can't just let her die" she sobbed

"It's alright, everything will be fine, just calm down"

"I hope so , I don't think i can live without her"

Jacqueline looked at her friend, " Life could be so cruel" she thought .

Adella lost her parents when she was just three left in the care of her grandmother who struggled to bring her up despite all odds.

They went to the same school up until college where Jacqueline had to transfer for some personal reasons, Jacqueline was done with her studies already as Adella had to wait an extra year to work her ass off to raise up Money for her tuition.

she was in her final year now and is currently looking for a company to apply as an intern for three months after which her final exams and project and she would be done.

Little did she know that fate had it's own plans for her.

"Let me drop you home Ady" Jacqueline offered

"Nah, don't bother I'm heading back to school anyways- I just came to pick up the tests results" she refused gently

Jacqueline was still trying to persuade her when Adella's phone rang

"Sorry, I have to get this" she excused herself

"Adella, where are you? it's huge, girl I've got news for you. Hurry back! " the person's voice sounded breathless with excitement

"Okay, Joan.on my way"

"I have to go Jackie, drop by the house if you can it's been three years since I last saw you" Adella gave her a forced smile

"Okay, we have some catching up to do then" She saw her leave

"Adella" she sighed, "she still has that habit of trying to look strong on the outside" she shook her head as she headed to her car.