Chapter 2

The taxi stopped in front of the hospital gates and Richard stepped out. He paid the taxi driver and looked at the hospital. The hospital was a very tall building with over fifteen floors. The sign at the top of the building read, 'St. Luke's Memorial Hospital'. From the ambience of the hospital, anyone could tell that it was a top notch hospital. St. Luke's was one of the best hospitals in the country.

They provided top of the class healthcare and of course because of this the healthcare here was very expensive and only available to the one percent of society that could afford the healthcare. It was worth it. This was the hospital the old master had had Richard's mom transferred to as soon as he had agreed to marry Linda.

As Richard walked into the hospital, he greeted the nurses who were at the reception. The nurses who were already very familiar with him, responded to his greeting with a smile. Richard walked to the elevator and punched the VIP floor. The elevator dinged to signify that he had reached his destination. Richard stepped out of the elevator and began to walk towards his mother's room. The VIP section of the hospital was less crowded than the other parts of the hospital, it was also more luxurious. It had fewer rooms as only few people could afford it but it was also the best.

Richard stopped in front of his mother's room and knocked lightly before opening the door and walking in. His mother, Gloria, who had been watching the television before immediately smiled when she saw him.

"Mom", Richard called as he walked into the room with a smile.

"Richard, you came to see me today", Gloria said with a broad smile.

Richard pouted.

"What do you mean, mom? I always come to see you", Richard responded and Gloria chuckled.

"I know. I know. Come, come give me a hug", she said and stretched out her arms.

Richard dropped the lunchbox on the table before walking towards his mother and hugging her.

"Mmm, I missed you", Gloria said as she held him in her arms.

"Me too", Richard replied.

They soon disentangled from their embrace and Richard sat on the chair next to her bed.

"How are you mom? How are you feeling?", Richard asked her.

"Oh, same old, same old", Gloria replied with a smile.

"Tell me about you, how are you doing? How is work?", Gloria asked him.

Gloria didn't know that Richard no longer worked in the Wayne family's company.

"Work is good mother", Richard replied with a smile.

"And your wife? How is Linda?"

Neither did she know that he and Linda weren't exactly happily married as he had made her think.

"Linda is fine, mother. We are both doing fine and she does extends her warmest regard", Richard answered.

Richard did not intend on telling his mother the truth. He didn't want to worry her, so he just let her think everything was fine.

"Oh? Then why didn't she come with you today?", Gloria asked.

"She's busy with work, mom. You know how the pressure of her job could be on her most times", Richard answered.

"Oh? But come to think of it, I haven't seen her in a while. You have work too but you still come to visit", Gloria pointed out.

Richard's smile froze.

Gloria stared at him for a few seconds.

"Tell me the truth, is there something wrong?", she asked him after a few minutes with a serious expression.

Richard was silent for a few seconds.

"Mom, you are overthinking again", he answered finally.

He smiled at his mother and reached out to hold her hand.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong. What could be wrong?", Richard asked her.

"Linda is just really busy with work so she can't come with me to see you. As for me, you know no matter how much work there is, I don't mind, I'll just ditch it all for you, it's not my family's company after all", Richard explained.

"But it's not the same for Linda", Richard added.

"Hm, maybe", Gloria agreed then suddenly flicked Richard on his forehead.

"Ow, what was that for?!", Richard exclaimed.

"You unserious boy. How dare you say you'll ditch all your work for me just because it's not your family company?", Gloria scolded him.

"Your wife's family is also your family so you should put in your best as well", Gloria scolded.

"Alright, alright. I will", Richard said to pacify her.

"You better", Gloria scoffed.

"Ok, don't be angry any more", Richard pleaded, pouting.

"Are you still a child? Don't pout", Gloria chided but she already had a smile on her face.

"See, you are smiling so I know you are no longer angry with me", Richard said and smiled as well.

"I made lunch for you, try it", Richard said and stood up to get the lunch box.

He helped his mother into a more upright position on the bed and put the collapsible table in front of her. He then placed the lunch box on the table and opened it.

"Mmmm, it all smells delicious", Gloria said as Richard opened the lunch box.

"Of course, it does, I made it", Richard said proudly.

Gloria laughed and began to eat. Richard ate with her. As they ate they discussed. When Gloria was done eating, Richard put the lunch box and the table away. He remained and continued to discuss other things with his mother until the nurse came to give her her medications. Not too long after the nurse gave her her medications, she fell asleep. Richard helped his mother into a more comfortable position on the bed and kissed her forehead before leaving the room. He headed for the doctor's office.

Knock knock

Richard knocked on the door of the doctor's office.

"Come in", the doctor called from inside.

Richard opened the door and walked in. The doctor, a middle aged man in a lab coat and spectacles sat behind a table, working when Richard walked in.

"Good afternoon doctor", Richard greeted.

The doctor looked up from the computer to look at him.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Gray, please have a seat", the doctor offered.

"Thank you", Richard said as he sat down.

"You came to see Miss Gloria?", the doctor asked.

"Yes", Richard answered.

"And I wanted to know, how is her condition now? Is she improving?", Richard asked him.

The doctor sighed.

"I'll be honest with you, her condition, it's not getting better", he told Richard.

"Her condition had already deteriorated badly before you brought her here. It was because of our good facilities we were able to keep her condition stable thus far", he explained.

Richard drew in a sharp breath.

"So what are you saying now, doctor?", Richard asked him.

"I think it's time we did an operation on her. I didn't want to do this originally, taking it as a last resort because of the low chances of survival but with the way things are looking, I think it is the best course of action we could take right now", the doctor explained.

"What do you mean low chances of survival? How low are the chances?", Richard asked apprehensively.

"About 15 - 20%", the doctor answered.

Richard heaved a deep sigh. There was silence in the office for a few minutes.

"And...."Richard began to speak.

".... What happens if she doesn't get the operation done?", he asked.

"I don't think she has much time left", the doctor answered.