Prologue.
1318 Words
Prologue.
I was drowning... unbeknownst to the sufferings my heart stored locked within, losing myself every day; until he found me.
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"Is..Is my daughter alright?" Hazel's father, Harrison Claire asked the doctor, his voice almost trembling with worry and fear, worried for his daughter. He ran a hand through his already messed up hair, while looking at his daughter through the half opened door of the hospital room. Wrinkles of anxiety appeared on his once happy and joyful face. He clutched his hair tightly in his hand, sadness and frustration seeping it's way through his stance and physical appearance due to the recent incident, making him seem older than he actually was.
"Harry?" Ashton Knight, his best friend held him tight by his shoulder, refraining him from falling on the floor; he feared he would. He couldn't help but worry for his friend. "She'll be fine."
Harrison Claire and Ashton Knight have been best friends since their high school. Both were successful business men and top billionaire's in the whole of America and other countries of the world, but no amount of money or fame could mend the situation at hand and they were clearly aware of that fact as their hearts prayed in silence.
Harrison nodded at Ashton, anyway and looked back at the doctor waiting for his answer. "We'll talk in my cabin." The doctor directed as both the friends followed him to his office.
My daughter... Harrison thought, remorseful, taking one last glance at his daughter before following the doctor.
They entered the doctor's cabin consisting a small room with a table and several files piled upon it, brightly lit surrounded with white walls and curtains of similar color. Harrison slumped on the visitor's seat with his friend on the seat adjacent to his while doctor took his across from them, behind the table.
"Miss. Hazel Claire," The doctor began, catching their attention. "due the recent events of accident had underwent a severe brain injury and also the news of her mother's death, Mrs. Ella Claire's death has caused her to become the target of a trauma resulting in the disorder called, Acquired DPD which means, Dependent Personality Disorder and the loss of memory, retrograde Amnesia." The doctor further explained, "Even though grown, her state of thinking, her behaviour and everything will be as that of a small kid. Someone always needs to take care of her. She doesn't have any memories except for her childhood as it is observed through behavioral examination." Hearing this, the eyes of Mr. Claire brimmed with excruciating tears for his daughter.
Not only did he lose his wife in the accident but also has to now witness his daughter in her traumatic state. His heart clenched with pain and an undescribable suffering surrounded him at the thought of how his once perfect, happy life has completely flipped over.
He clenched his fists as he placed them on the table.
I have to stay strong, for my daughter. I am all that is there for her. He decided silently and looked back at the doctor with a new found determination over taking his features. "I'll take care of my daughter." He announced.
They later spoke about how she should be taken care of, her state of thinking and everything else required. "Thank you, doctor." Harrison paid his gratitude and left the cabin with Ashton walking by his side.
Ashton stayed out of the hospital room, allowing him to spend time alone with his daughter, Hazel. As Harrison entered the room he found his daughter sleeping.
His eyes once again filled with tears and finally rolled down his eyes as he entered the simple plain white room and witnessed his daughter lying on the bed with bruises, now healing slowly and her body connected to several wires and monitors.
From days, he had to witness his daughter in the same manner. After the accident, when she was brought along with her mother, even after operation, she stayed in coma for days which resulted in her missing her mother's funeral. Now that she had woken up that morning she behaved different which later caused the news to arrive through the doctor that his daughter was suffering from a traumatic condition.
He went to her and sat on the chair beside her bed as he took her hand in his. "Do not worry, my child." His voice croaked as he stopped himself, unable to continue further. He couldn't. He brought her hand to his lips kissing it tenderly. In spite of everything, he was just thankful that his daughter was alive, or he didn't know what he'd do with his life. But now, he had a reason to live..for his daughter.
He took a deep breath and building up the rest of his strength, he spoke again to her sleeping form. "Hazel, I'll take care of you my dear. As long as I am alive, you will not be alone. I love you, my daughter." He got up and kissed his daughter's forehead lovingly. "I'll always take care of you..."
~~
*Two years later.*
"You look like hell!" Ashton Knight commented at his friend, Harrison Claire jokingly. Even though his heart clenched at the tired, wrinkled and worn out look of his friend, he attempted to lighten up the mood.
"Thanks!" Harrison muttered back to his friend in his oh-so famous sarcastic tone. He secretly smiled at his friend's attempt, taking his seat across from his friend in his famous restaurant.
"How's Eliza..and your sons?" Harrison asked. "They are good." He replied, smiling at the image of his family in his head as he looked at Harrison.
"How is Hazel doing?" Ashton, asked in a soft, loving tone. He had always adored his friend's daughter, as if she was his own. "She's doing very good." Harrison's eyes lightened up, finally, gleaming at the mention of his daughter.
"And, how are you? " Ashton asked his friend in a now serious tone. The lightness dimmed a little in Harrison's eyes at his question. "I am happy as long as my daughter is." He replied truthfully, with no regret whatsoever in his tone.
Ashton's eyes turned ablaze at his friend's lack of interest at his own health. "Stop pretending like nothing's wrong, Harry!" Ashton gritted out angrily. Knowing full well that his friend, is on the verge of dying, that his friend is not having many days to live as he is suffering from Congestive Heart Disease and that the surgery has failed twice, yet he pretends to be okay.
Harry stayed quiet knowing he was right. I don't care about my death, I don't care how many days I've got to live. All I care is who will take care of my daughter after I die. He thought silently, feeling quite helpless at the moment.
"I only care about my daughter." Harrison said, meeting his friend's eyes. Anger dissipated from Ashton's eyes at his words as he smiled in understanding and said, "Then you have to stay alive and care for yourself to be able to do that."
Harrison shook his head at his friend's words, in remorse. "I don't have much time, Ashton, I need to find a way for Hazel's care after my death. I don't have time to worry about myself." Harry denied, only worrying about his daughter but who could blame him, uncaring if he seemed desperate because he was. He had no time. "I just need someone to look over her, love her while I no longer can."
Both men fell silent after that. Each thinking about what to do. Then after a few moments, Ashton proposed something Harrison never thought he'd but thanked the lords for having him as his best friend. "If you say yes," He started, grasping his full attention towards himself "I'd would like to ask Hazel's hand for my son, Alexander Knight."
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- Writer
