142 All About Hailey

"After Hailey left, I was already resigning to a decision that I would be closing my heart to anyone. When I learned about the arrangement, I did not want Jia to undergo this same ordeal I have gone through. At least, with me, you will be treated well. You would be the only one in my life and that you wouldn't have to fight the battle of rivalry. Only that there was Hailey whom I thought I would never get over with..."

"Dr. Aijohn, if you don't mind, who is Hailey? Is she the one in your paintings at home? " Jia asked out of overwhelming curiosity.

To look back, she had stolen the keys of his room and had invaded his privacy just to get a lead to his rescuer through that oil painting. She couldn't believe she would see Dr. Grace.

Dr. Aijohn nodded. "She was my wife but she was reported to have died after that accident in the forest three years ago. But her body was not found until now. "

Jia wanted to know more about her and why she was identical to Dr. Grace. Was she her twin?

Dr. Grace glanced at her parents. Only them could give them the answer. It was very impossible that Hailey was not related to them. Even a small child or any stupid being would always make the same presumption. That she was her twin sister.

Following her eyes which fell on her parents, he looked down. He knew there was a great story behind, and obviously, it was something they did not want to talk about.

Feeling guilty, both her parents looked away and kept their silence. But in the next second, his dad gathered his courage and faced her.

"Darling, please, give us time. This broke your mom's heart and she was not ready yet to talk about this. Someday... " Mr. Ybañez sincerely asked for her understanding.

"Okay, dad."

Everyone's emotion was already heaving out of their hearts. There were much revelations in that night and too heart - shattering truths being disclosed. It was too overwhelming that only few ever dared to speak out. In every moment their ears were inclined to another truth, the more they got pinned to where they were standing and nobody dared to move. Even Jian, who came in trembling, kept his silence until he got drowsy. Anthon picked him up until he felt asleep over his shoulder.

"Dr. Aijohn, may I ask about a somewhat sensitive question? " Bryan couldn't keep his silence anymore.

He turned to him and pursed a smile. "Go ahead. "

"It seems that there is a deeper reason why you did all these for Jia. You spent a lot in mobilizing teams for the surveillance and monitoring. You won't do this just simply because you wouldn't want her to get hurt the way you did. "

Dr. Aijohn chuckled. "Absolutely. I am not Mr. Cupid to heal everyone's broken heart."

Everyone stared more intently, especially Jia, Jim and Anthon. Could he also be in love with her?

Dr. Aijohn went on. " Bryan, it's just the same way why you betrayed Mr. Wayne for Jia. I am sure that all of us would always want to return every kindness and sacrifice to anyone who do it for us. In my case, it's more than a sacrifice. It's about life , loyalty and friendship. "

Jia's brows creased. Had he not mistaken her for someone else? They had just met in El Nido a month ago and they did not even talk much. How come she did something heroic for him? They were not even friends for that loyalty and friendship he was talking about.

"Dr. Aijohn, what you have just said was somewhat irrelevant to me. Are you really sure that I am the one you would want to return a favor with? "

While everyone was staring at Dr. Aijohn with their almost unblinking eyes, Jim noticed Anthon. He walked towards him and took Jian from his arms.

"Have a seat, Ton. You must be tired now. " His voice was too low that it was just a little louder than a whisper but he caught everyone's attention, including Dr. Aijohn.

"Right, everyone. I guess all of us are already tired from standing. How about we sit down and eat? And as for the answer to the question everyone was being eager to know, I'll do it after dinner." He gave a big grin towards Jia.

Mr. & Mrs. Ybañez, who also did not realize that they were just standing for a long time, seconded the motion. Madamme called the waiter and ordered the food to be served in.

While everyone went to find their seat, Dr. Jim placed Jian on Jia's lap.

"I'll call the ER, first. " Jia understood and nodded.

Though none of them went out with him together with the medical team, she did not have to worry. The main shareholder of Catherine Fields Medical Center would surely be given the best attention.

The physician - on - duty accepted Dr. Jim's call.

"Dr. Wayne, all the necessary imaging and laboratory tests were already done. CT scan shows a 50 cc bleed... As of this time, patient's bp ranges from 180/80 mmHg to 200/ 100 mmHg . Other than slight tachycardia, the rest of the vital signs are stable. Mannitol initially started as well as intravenous calcium chanel blockers. In a while, he will be wheeled in to the Intensive Care Unit. "

After giving some phone orders on a cardiologist's point, he added.

"Please refer him to Dr. Mendoza for neuro - surgery co - management... "

As he came back inside, everyone's eyes fastened on him. They waited for some news but his lips was sealed. There was a sense of grief in his eyes. After all, it was his own father.

Poor Mr. Wayne! Due to his consuming obsession to the beckoning glitters of gold and fame, he caused himself so much stress. All those time he had been devising ways to get rid of Jia, he, perhaps, had gone into extreme anxiety and obsession. Worst of all, he, perhaps had overlooked his maintenance medications, causing the uncontrolled elevation of his blood pressure until it led to the rupture of a blood vessel.

Seeing that sorrow in his eyes, Jia handed Jian back to Anthon who sat on her other side. She looked at him, communicating silently the message she wanted to impart. Anthon nodded in return as he glanced at Jim.

She, then, stood up and held Jim's hand as she guided him back to a seat on her other side.

"Is it a bleed? Does it need surgical intervention? " She gently asked, with eyes tenderly looking at him.

Dr. Aijohn and Dr. Grace, who understood their conversation, looked at each other. Then, Dr. Aijohn held Jim's eyes.

"Don't worry, Dr. Jim. We'll try on him Hailey's Pill. "

Dr. Grace pouted. The mention of Hailey's name was too painful. Seeing her reaction, he scratched his head and hugged her. Everyone who was watching them, broke into a short round of laughter.

Then, the dinner was served. The tension in the atmosphere suddenly dissolved by the tempting aroma of the food. Everyone realized that they were already hungry. Even Jim, who lost his appetite, was forced to eat as Jia served him.

Watching them with guilt, Dr. Grace apologized again. " I'm sorry again, Miss Wayne. I just realized the damage that would have been done, had I not stood up for my feelings. "Dr. Grace's eyes misted even if she smiled.

"Ayeee... "The sound of their teasing echoed through the hall. Suddenly ashamed, she hid her face to the chest of Dr. Aijohn, making their laughter errupt again.

Brian, the sanguine and the naughtiest among them all, suddenly yelled.

"Kiss! "

Helpless and fidgetting, she foolishly exclaimed.

"Dad, help... "