Leap OF Fate

"Can I borrow your phone? I need to call my family" Serene looked at Justin. Without a word, he reached in his pocket and handed him his phone.

She quickly dialled her mother's number. After a couple of rings, a panicked voice of a woman answered her. She gave a quick summary of what happened. Her mother wanted to take the next flight to Hyacinth City to see her, but she coaxed her mother and assured her that she was out of danger and it's unnecessary to fly out. She only calmed down and acquiescence when she told her she will come home the following week. After talking to her mother, she called Albert to inform him of what happened and assured him of her safety.

Finally, she called Mary. Her friend was more hysterical than her mother and was even harder to soothe. After assuring her multiple times, she did not get hurt, but she just passed because she inhaled a lot of fumes, did she calm down. She then demanded to speak to Justin. With a frown, she handed the phone to him. "Mary wanted to talk to you."

He accepted the phone and brought it to his ears, then stood up and walked a few steps away from her.

She could not make out anything about their conversation. Justin hardly spoke and was just giving her verbal nods. After a minute, he placed the phone back in his pocket.

"What was that about?" She asked, feeling a little intrigued.

"Mary just wanted to make sure that you are safe and did not have any physical inquiries. I told her I'll have my secretary send her a copy of your hospital records when you get discharged," he patiently explained to her. He cannot help but to feel amused. "What's so funny?"

"I just find Mary a little excessive around you."

"I'm used to it. We grew up together like sisters. She's very protective of me, even when we were kids. I guess because I always get bullied growing up."

"You got bullied?" Disbelief laced his voice.

"Yes. I was timid growing up, so they found me an easy target. Mary would always protect me, and beat up my bullies."

Justin pulled the chair beside her and sat. He held her hands as he looked at her tenderly. Serene felt her heart softened.

"Uhmm... Justin, do you know when it would be safe to go back to my hotel room?" Her question puzzled him. She saw his forehead wrinkle from her question. "I wanted to get my things there," she stammered. "I've already asked somebody to do that. You no longer need to go back there."

"Alright."

"Go back to rest. Your body must still feel weak." He raised the blanket to her chest and tucked her in. He gave her a quick peck on the forehead.

'I'll just make a few calls. Please go to sleep."

Serene nodded and closed her eyes. Indeed, she felt her body weak. Her breathing still felt a little labored and her throat itchy.

It was already morning when Serene opened her eyes.

"You're awake," Justin beamed at her. He already changed to a new set of clothes and has tidied up his appearance. Although there were dark circles under his eyes, he still looked attractive. ""Hi." She returned his smile.

"Shen..." Serene looked towards the direction of the sound and saw Bryan sitting on the couch intended for visitors, beside him was Chester. "How do you feel?"

"Better." She politely answered.

"That's good." He smiled at her.

The room's door opened and her attending physician came in. He quickly surveyed her chart, then approached her bed.

"How are you feeling today, Ms. Ellis? Do you still have difficulty breathing?"

"I'm much better, Doc. I can breathe normally now."

"That's good. You can get discharged today after you finish your current infusion bottle." He smiled at her.

"That's, great! Thank you very much."

A few minutes after her attending physician left, this time nurse opened her room's door.

"Good morning. I'll just check your vitals."

Serene cocked her head to the side. The nurse looked familiar, but she cannot recall when she had seen him.

"Luke?" It was Bryan who spoke.

"Bry" He turned to Bryan's direction but avoided his eyes.

"Right, right, you're Luke Klein. That's why you looked familiar," She smiled at him.

"We like another nurse to take her vitals." Disdain filled Bryan's voice, making the twins look at him with confused expressions.

Luke looked at Bryan, then bowed his head and said, "I'll go call another nurse. Excuse me."

"You did not have to do that, Bry." Serene felt aggrieved for Luke.

He rolled his eyes at her. "What, you wanted that pervert to get your vitals? You gotta be kidding, Serene." He had an incredulous look on his face.

"Let me remind you, he almost raped you."

"You're exaggerating."

"What do you think his intentions were when he followed you to the girls' bathroom?"

She did not have a rebuttal to his question. She simply looked away. Her gaze fell on Justin, who did not look so well. He knit his brows tightly, his hands clenched to the side as his gaze shifted between her and Bryan.

A new nurse entered the room. She gave a polite nod to everyone, then approached the bed to get Serene's vitals.

The air in the room became stiff. No one wanted to speak. After a while, Chester and Bryan said their goodbyes, leaving her and Justin.

Justin was oddly quiet, worrying Serene.

"Justin, is there anything wrong?" She looked at him with eyes full of concern.

He gave her a weak smile, then sat at the edge of her bed. He covered her hand with his.

"I'm fine. I just felt inadequate earlier."

"Inadequate?"

"En"

He took a deep breath and fixed his eyes on her. "Bryan knew a lot about you. If he were not here, how would I know I had to keep that person away from you?"

Serene cannot help but feel dejected for Justin. Having gone through a life-threatening situation, Serene had decided that life was too short to be held back by the pains of her past. To truly move on from Bryan, and move forward with Justin, she forgave Bryan in her heart.

But not a day has passed, and she's slapped with the complications of choosing Justin. Naturally, there were things that Bryan knew about her that Justin did not simply because she knew Bryan first.

"I'm sorry, Justin." she took a deep breath. "I'm sure more of this situation may crop up in the future. The fact remains that Bryan and I had a history. I cannot erase that. I would if I could."

She bowed her head to stare at her hand for a while. Then she bravely lifted her chin to meet his eyes. "Do you regret choosing me?" She cannot help but tear up as she looked at his expressionless eyes.

Justin saw the tears roll down her face and invisible hand immediately gripped his chest. He said nothing, but reached out for the back of her head and claimed her mouth in a tender kiss.

"I don't regret choosing you. I will choose you over and over again, Serene." He looked deeply in her eyes as he said his words. Then once again claimed her lips.000000