Through Your Eyes — Chapter 61

SEAN'S POV

"Philip?"

I called his name after some moments of observing him. There was a narrow slit between two stretches of curtains covering the ICU glass windows. Only one was allowed to visit each time, so I had to wait outside. I just couldn't barge in even if I wanted to; I was afraid I was just paranoid. I trusted Philip ever since I started taking over the business, and he never once failed me except for occasional, wrong information.

His eyes grow wide for a mere second, expressing his surprise, but he was quick to get back to wearing his usual, calm demeanor behind the mask he wore.

"Sir, I'm sorry for Dr. Red," he commented, turning a little to glance at Red.

I nodded, then asked, "Why are you here, Philip? You should be resting by now."

It was a long day for the two of us since I had him do many things regarding the transfer of business ownership under the TAG Group of Companies to Red's name.

"I come to see you," he replied, repeating the first syllable of his statement.

I was already used to the frequent updates of his activities, including his location now and then. What made me wonder was his unannounced visit to the hospital without telling me first. Perhaps because this latest incident between Patrick and the president reminded me that their relationship started as best of friends, I had realized that it is indeed difficult to trust anyone.

"I just think that maybe, you need someone to talk to." He glanced at Red again, and I understood that he was worried about me.

Why am I so paranoid lately? This man only came here to show moral and emotional support. He is Philip, after all, the only man I trusted so much about my secrets.

The simple act of thoughtfulness had my heart melted in so much appreciation. In my world, where smiles were fake, and sympathies were shallow, Philip's loyalty was something I should treasure forever.

"You're right, Philip," I started to confess. "The Bronca bug that bit Red came from a rare specie. Though there is only about 20 % mortality rate among those who have venom transmission through droplet inhalation or open wound, Red's case was a direct bite."

Philip stared at me with a confused look. "Does this Bronc X virus means something else? That it is not an infection coming from a virus that lives inside a Bronca bug?"

"Yes, it is the venom of a Bronca bug."

"How do you know?"

I got lost for words for a moment. Yet, upon thinking that Philip had been with me for a long time and that he had shown me his loyalty for countless times, I decided that he was worth my full trust.

"A friend of mine is the one who grows the bugs. I don't know how he does it, but this bug is a product of several specie-crossbreeding."

He then stared at me, but his mind seemed to be somewhere far away. Then, after he got over from his state of astonishment, he looked at me and started asking questions.

"Why does the Department of Health says it's a Bronc X virus infection?"

"Because the first batch of Bronca bugs recovered in those areas where the president had his speaking engagements, consisted of different species. Each of those bugs had specific viruses grown inside their bodies. As of now, they can't tell what type of species bit a particular group, and what type of viruses were in them. That's why the researchers named it the Bronc X virus. X because it's still unknown."

"So do you mean the later batches had venoms, instead of viruses?"

"Yes. He intends to mislead those great minds."

"You're friend must be a genius."

"He is."

Then, I told him everything I knew after I invited him to sit down and chat with me in the ICU lounge. After having poured out those huge secrets that bothered me for a long time, I felt relieved. It was indeed good to have someone to share your opinion and ideas with.

"What about that venom you have ingested after sucking Dr. Red's wound?"

I chuckled, shaking my head afterward. "Patrick said those experimental animals died around a month after he placed the venom in their mouths. I don't know how it works, but I'm still alive and kicking as you see."

"It's merely a day ago, sir. What did you do?"

"I underwent treatment together with Red, and all my tests are negative."

"Negative because the later Bronca breeds have no viruses inside their body, as you said. And blood cultures take days before organisms grow."

"At least they can identify the venom inside my body."

"They are testing for viruses, sir,  not the venom."

I stared at Philip for a while. What he said indeed made sense.

I stood up and went inside the ICU when the nurses peeped at the door. I guessed it was already time to change her diapers. I had already instructed the ICU nurses to give that responsibility to me. She is my soon-to-be wife, so I could not entrust her personal care and hygiene to others even if I was paying them. And even if it's part of their job.

Red still looked beautiful even if she looked lifeless beneath those tubes. Everywhere around her were tubes and catheters, and my heart ached for her. For three years under her residency, she treated hundreds of patients, and now when her term had just ended,  she had gone under the knife herself.

I pulled a chair by her side, then reached out for her hand as soon as I settled comfortably. I held it tightly for a while before I brought it to my lips.

"Red," I began to whisper, "please hang on. There are so many things you need to know. The old man I adore so much is none other than your grandfather. He left his wealth to me and adopted me as his son. Yet, the moment he knew about your existence, he asked me to marry you."

I did not realize that my tears were already streaming down my face as I recalled the difficulties I had gone through as a child. I remembered all our financial struggles until Sir Thomas brought my mom and me to his home.

"He showered me the kind of love he should have given you, but he was not able to make it until I could find you. When he asked me to marry you, it was because he didn't want to take back everything he had entrusted me. But I am not greedy, Red. Everything he had is yours, and I am already giving it back to you. His love and kindness to us were enough for me. And I could live happily at the thought of it until I die."

I stopped mumbling words for a while because, all of a sudden, I felt a sense of deep loneliness. As if I was going somewhere far away, far from anyone I knew. I missed mom, and I longed for the presence of my old man.

"Get well soon, dear, and I promise I will no longer force you into the marriage if you are not happy with me. You can always hire someone capable to help you in running your family's legacy."