“Dad,” I drew closer, squeezing his hand tightly; he peered his tired eyes at me, giving me a small smile like he was giving me hope that everything was going to be fine.
“Amber, you're here. Why is your face so pale? I told you not to cry anymore," he said in a faint voice. Even his words got my eyes so teary, but I have to sniff it back.
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My tight chest gave out how much I have been hurting. Mum is gone, and it's just me and Dad, and he is stuck with cancer.
His chemotherapy takes a fortune, and I have to work extra hard to meet up with the bills, but the paycheck was like crumbs to the bill I have to pay, so I have to work almost 10 hours in the day, and each time is filled with so much exhaustion.
I didn't care how hard I worked; I just wanted to keep my father alive.
He is the only family I have, and I can't lose him, but what breaks my heart each day I stand beside his bed is that his condition keeps getting worse; he doesn't look like he is going to recover anytime soon. I was already losing hope and was frustrated.
“Dad, you don't have to say anything; I will make sure you recover.” I tried to keep my voice steady and with a tone filled with hope, and yet deep down inside me I was hopeless.
Was I going to show that to him?“How is school and working? Hope you're not stressing so much. I shook my head.
“School is good and work is good too.” I lied. There was nothing good with school; I had not been to the class the last time my father collapsed and was taken to the hospital.
I became a dropout; all my motivation and desires were to make sure my father received the best treatment.I lowered my head and gave him a peck on the cheek.
“Dad, guess what.” I rummaged through my bags, getting out one of my favorite novels.
“I will read it for you,” I offered.My father nodded as I began reading out loud to him. I decided to take an off from two shifts just to be with my father.
I wish the financial constraint was out; then I wouldn't mind staying with him all day.
Most things I do with him are read books to him, sing for him, and show him some of my dancing steps I learned. It makes him laugh, and I am happy too.Heavy steps approached, interrupting the moment.
I looked up to see the doctor in a lab coat with a stethoscope around his neck.
“Miss Amber, I am glad you're here,” he said politely, heading over to examine my father. I watched him silently.
“I will like to see you outside, Miss Amber,” the doctor said before walking away. I gave my father a reassuring smile that everything will be alright before leaving.
“Miss Amber,” the doctor began.
“Your father needs another chemo to be done, and we have little time. His condition keeps deteriorating. You have to get the money.”
“Doctor, please give me some time to gather the money; getting enough paychecks is extremely hard these days.
I will surely pay the bills.” I begged, hoping he would see my reasons for delay; instead, he shook his head and patted me on the shoulder.
The tears rolled down freely on their own this time as I stared at empty space with nothing but a negative thought of what could happen if I don't get the money as quickly as possible. My father is going to die.
I stood there for 30 minutes before wiping my face before heading back into the ward with a forced smile.
“The doctor said you will be okay soon,” I said to my father, who had those curious eyes on me, wondering why the doctor called me aside.I continued reading to him before we suddenly got interrupted by a strange woman.
She looks so sophisticated from her dressing that I pondered who she is.“Are you Amber?” She asked.I raised a curious brow. How does she even know my name?“I want you to meet me at the cafe outside of the hospital, she said, about to walk away.
“Who are you, and why should I meet you there?” Her eyes darted to my father, who lay on the bed.
“Do you want your father to live? Then meet me at the cafe in the next 30 minutes. Don't think of coming even a second late." With that, she was already out of the door with two muscular men behind her, who I assumed were her bodyguards.I turned to look at my father.
“Do you know her?” I asked, but my father responded negatively.“Amber, you don't have to worry about the woman. Okay. Maybe she might have mistaken you for someone else,” my father suggested, but then I couldn't stop having this strange feeling to meet her.
Does she have something against my father? How did she even get to know my name?I kept track of time as I kept checking my wristwatch. It was already 10 minutes to the time when I stood up to excuse myself to the bathroom.
“Amber, are you going to meet that woman?”“No, Dad,” I lied with gritted teeth. I don't know who she is, but anything that has to do with my father. I have to act accordingly.
When I got to the cafe, I recognized the woman's material and walked towards the direction where she was only seated.“You're 2 seconds late, and I don't tolerate lateness.”
“And who are you, my teacher in high school or my boss at work?” I asked sarcastically.“I am Susan Davidson.” My mouth dropped in great surprise; I used my palm to facepalm.
“You mean the famous Davidson group. The CEO of Davidson. A well-reputable company in Aaley?” I asked, almost out of breath.“Yes,” she answered firmly.
A gasp escapes my throat as I ponder why the famous family knows an unimportant person like me.“Well, I am here to offer you a contract. Marry my son, and all your father's medical bills will be taken care of.”
“Really?” I asked in surprise and shock. What will she want a common waitress to marry her son? I opened my mouth to speak, but she was already talking.
“Oh! I don't want this to be creepy.The doctor told me your name and about your father's condition. I know you're a waiter, and there is nothing to worry about with that. I have all your information. I just want you to accept my proposal, and all your financial problems will be solved.”
“Yes,” I said in a cringing way even though I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing. This was my father, and yeah, I could do anything at all to save him.
