Episode 6

Chapter six

Brian wasn't left out of the list of surprised people. First, he was asked how he came about the ring; then, an invitation to dinner he almost regretted coming; and now, he was to become a son-in-law?

Surprised!

But Brian was more than surprised. Everything was happening fast, indeed too fast for him to keep track of. And Mr Danley, the man who dropped the marriage bomb, held the key to his answers.

Brian excused himself, shuffling his feet as fast as his twenty-eight years old self could muster. He need to speak to Mr Danley, at least for some clarification. Marriage was the least of his concerns right now. Not with his mom dying at the hospital.

"Hello sir, hello sir, excuse me," Brian said, trying to put a stop on the man. Despite being sixty-five years old, Mr Danley still had the strength to move quickly. And it was not until he got outside did Brian finally catch up with him.

Mr Danley screeched to a halt suddenly, "Yes. Something you want to say?"

That question, again, took Brian by surprised.

But wait. Did the old man expect no protest from Brian?

That was certainly the case.

Of course there was something he wanted to say. Brian couldn't afford to take care of his mother, to the extent of marrying a billionaire's daughter. He was not about to carry an extra baggage on his already miserable life.

"Yes. Sir, pardon me, I have a lot going on with me right now," Brian explained, his eyes trying to avoid the old man's eye contact.

"Do you love her?"

Brian shot his eyes wide open at the question. Totally unexpected. But he was more uncomfortable by the continuous stare he got from the old man.

But does he love her?

He wasn't entirely sure, for it was too early to call. But for some inexplicable reason, Brian could tell from the depth of his heart that he already loved the lady who sat next to him back at the table.

Love at first sight, it was.

Brian nodded.

"Good!" Mr Danley exclaimed, and turned on his heel once more.

But Brian was not done yet. He was yet to drive home his point and it seemed Mr Danley wasn't giving the needed attention

"Sir, there is a lot going on with me right now? Brian said, almost pleading this time around. He almost shoved himself before the black SUV which has its back door opened.

Mr Danley said, "What's going on with you?"

Brian contemplated. He wasn't entirely sure if it's a good idea to talk about his dying mother. But judging by how the old man had threatened his family back at the villa, it's a good bet.

"My mom is very sick, and in the hospital. And the doctor said the surgery requires a million dollars and I've not been able to come with the down payment. Brian paused and swallowed some saliva with difficulty, "things are pretty rough," he added.

Mr Danley sighed. "Which hospital is that?"

"Saint Dominique," Brian answered.

"OK, get in the car with me," said Mr Danley.

Tobias, a dark suited man, closed the door after his boss hopped in.

"Take me to Saint Dominique hospital," Mr Danley ordered as Brian slumped beside him in the back seat.

The drive took but a few minutes and soon, they arrived at the hospital.

Two ladies at the receptionist area jerked to their feet when they walked in. Brian was surprised because the ladies always gave him a contemptuous look.

What changed?

Mr Danley.

"Welcome Mr Danley" they greeted simultaneously.

Brian murmured to himself, "Of course they do know him."

It didn't take long for the medical director to come rushing down from his office. Brian figured the receptionist ladies must have informed him.

Apparently, Mr Danley was so popular in a hospital.

"Ah Mr Danley, you are here!" Mr Henderson, the medical director, bowed slightly.

But Mr Danley could barely give him any attention. The entire place stinks. And hospitals, the place that brought him bad memories, was the least place he wanted to be. But he could manage, at least for the sake of his future son-in-law.

"One of my own is here. A woman," Mr Danley explained.

The medical director dropped his jaw wide open.

"You mean Mrs Johnson, the woman in ward 15!" His mouth wide open after he called '15'

Mr Danley nodded without making any eye contact. His eyes roamed around the busy space.

The world must be very sick.

Mr Henderson, the medical director, led the way to ward 15; and all who crossed their path, especially the other doctors, were surprised to see a man who never left his office for any reasons. But even Mr Henderson knew the caliber of the man in his hospital.

A pale looking woman came to sight when the door swung open. Mr Henderson quickly signaled for the doctor to leave.

"What's her condition?" asked Mr Danley.

The director explained her condition as best as he could, and the procedures involved. But he deliberately skipped the money aspect; for he knew far too well that money wasn't a problem to the man standing before him.

Mr Danley turned to leave, but screeched to a halt.

Brian, who trailed behind him the whole time, was quick enough to not bumped into the old man.

"Consider it done… the one million dollars for the surgery, and an extra fifty million dollars for your upkeep."

Brian's jaws dropped wide open at Mr Danley words.

Was he dreaming?

No. It was a dream come true.

Brian stuttered, trying to figure out what to say. A thank you would not be enough for this magnanimous gesture. And he was right because Mr Danley had some ulterior motives. He finally saw a way to achieve the mission he had set out for in the first place when he said, "But on one condition."

Brian's excitement quickly gave way for some mixed feelings, for he never knew the price for such benovelent gesture.