Just To Have You

Chapter 5

When the man came back, there were two nurses following after him.

The entire process was very quick. After a few questions and tests that confirmed Luisa was in fact, AB negative, they disinfected the area, prepped her and began to extract the blood.

After two pints of blood, one of the nurses pulled out the needle and placed it onto the cart. "Alright, you're all good to go." The nurse smiled.

Luisa stood up to bid the nurse goodbye, but she felt drowsy. The world seemed to sway from side to side and her vision was beginning to blur.

"Luisa, are you alright?" Dina frowned. Her eyebrows were knitted together in worry.

"I-I'm fine." Luisa lied, her voice coming out tired and weak.

The nurse quickly realized the situation. They had taken too much blood out of her! Gosh, she's even too thin. They actually didn't confirmed if she was eligible for blood transfusion before taking too much blood from her..

"Here ma'am, have some green juice and apple slices from the hospital cafeteria. It'll help with your drowsy state." The nurse immediately handed her a glass of green liquid and a plate of apples.

"Thank you." Luisa said, taking the food offered to her. She sat back down to quietly munch and drink the juice.

"We'll start the surgery now." The nurse said, wheeling the blood into a different room. After a few minutes, the surgery sign turned on.

Dina sat in her chair, nervously nibbling her bottom lips as she patiently waited for the surgery to be over with. Luisa noticed how anxious Dina was. She was shaking one of her legs and tapping her fingers on her thighs. Knowing it was best to keep Dina's thoughts distracted, Luisa decided to probe and ask questions.

"Mm, Dina, you never told me which brother it was. Was it the first or second brother?" Luisa asked, sipping her juice and eating the fruits.

"Surprisingly, it's Older brother Alexander.." Dina sighed.

'Alexander...?' Luisa did a double take. She knew him. Because of his accomplishments with his young age, no one from New York Socialites will not know who he was. As the CEO of the Choi's Enterprise, the world knew him as the King of Business World. Ruthless and merciless, he had a tight hold with the Choi's Financial Influence in the world. Representing their family as one of the top three wealthiest family in America.

Luisa had known Dina since they were in their high school days but she didn't remember any encounters with Dina's older brother, considering he was a bit older than them.

"The reports are claiming it's a car accident, but my parents started a government investigation… They think it's an assassination attempt." Dina played with her fingers. Her usual bubbly and energetic voice was soft and quiet.

Luisa felt her heart clench at Dina's state. She leaned closer and pulled her into a sideways hug so that Dina was resting her head on Luisa's shoulders.

"I-I know I shouldn't worry because assassination attempts happen all the time to rich and powerful men. But none of them ever came this close."

Being a multi-billion business tycoon at the young age of twenty-seven, Dina's brother had gotten used to all sorts of attacks on him. He was usually prepared, but this time, he had let his guard down.

"W-what if, next time, the assassins succeed?" Dina was so shaken at the thought, she could barely speak properly.

Luisa hugged Dina tighter. "Dina, that's never going to happen. Your brother has the military and underground network one call away. Whoever did that to him was just lucky he was distracted with a very important contract deal."

"But what if-"

"There's no what if's. Have faith in your brother." Luisa knew Dina was the type to overthink the situation. It was best to shoot her down so that she didn't jump to new conclusions within the span of five seconds.

Just when Luisa said that, the surgery light flickered off. A doctor and a few nurses walked out of the room. The two immediately stood up. When the doctor bowed low in respect, Dina and Luisa also bowed.

"Doctor, how is he?" Dina worriedly asked.

The doctor smiled, "His condition is very stabilized. The surgery was an immense success and he should be awake within 2-3 days."

"You may visit him in the VVIP ward assigned by the hospital's chairman." The doctor nodded toward the nurses who stepped forward as a guide.

The VIP ward was an expensive and impressive feat, but the VVIP ward was something completely different. Only the president, the prime minister, and extremely high ranking military officials could enter the room.

It wasn't something that money or status could buy, but Dina's older brother could easily and effortlessly gain entrance.

When they stepped into the room, most people would've been shocked or awed at the grand space. However, Luisa and Dina were famous socialites. They grew up in wealth; nothing ever fazed them.

The nurses were surprised to see their nonchalant and bland expression. Most people, regardless of their wealth or standing, would at least be slightly impressed by the gorgeous room suitable for royalty.

The VVIP hospital ward looked like one of the fancy rooms in the Buckingham Palace, yet these women stood there, completely unfazed! Dina's brother was wheeled into the room and placed on the bed. After having him stabilized and hooked up to the devices, everyone left the room.

Just when the doors clicked shut, Luisa's phone rang. The name "Mother" popped up. Dina saw the caller and frowned. "Pick it up, let's see what the Wicked Witch of the West wants."

Luisa picked up the phone and placed it on speaker. Instantly, the frigid voice of her mother sounded through.

"Well?! Are you coming the banquet or not? Why are you not answering my messages?!Didn't you forget I already told you last week that your father wanted your presence. Even after you disgrace us, the others will still ask us about you. So to stop them badmouthing your father, we needed you to attend." Once again, her mother was at the end of her wits. She had been texting Luisa the entire day, but had gotten no reply!

"Mother, I was busy and occupied with something important." Luisa checked her phone and realized it was on 'do not disturb.' When she turned off the setting, 30 texts flooded her phone.

"Busy and occupied?! Your family should come first, you insolent wench!" A vein popped out of her mother's forehead.

Dina scowled at the woman's tone. There had never been a time where she spoke nicely to her friend, and it was beginning to piss Dina off.

"What is your point in calling me? Cut to the chase, mother. I have something urgent on hand." Luisa glanced at Dina's stormy expression.

"Inpatient brat, I haven't started my lecture yet—"

"Your lecture is ten years too late." Luisa sniped, her words as sharp as a blade.

Luisa's mother breathed in deeply. She calmed herself down and reminded herself that she was talking to Luisa for the sake of her precious daughter, Maria.

"Your beloved sister's birthday is a few days away. Are you coming or not?" She pestered on.

Suddenly, a plan popped into Dina's head.

Luisa pursed her lips. "I'm not—"

Dina snatched her phone, "She's going."

And without waiting for her reply, Dina hung up. Luisa gasped. She could not believe Dina just did that to her! Was she out of her mind? Did she forget to take her medicine this morning?!

"Dina, are you crazy?! Why are you throwing me into the tiger's den? And why do I have to attend, they already disown me. I'm not part of )—" Luisa scowled, angrily crossing her arms.

"Luisa, I wouldn't do that without a bigger plan in mind." Dina chuckled, a dark and mischievous smirk forming on her face.

Luisa's frown deepened. She hated when Dina smiled like that because that smile always meant she was up to no good.

"We both know that bastard Anton Salvatore and the stupid Carmen Reyes would definitely be there since Maria was their biggest supporter." Dina laid out her plan.

"As much as I hate to say it, Anton's reputation is supreme. There are only a handful of men in this country who can top it. And it just so happens, my outstanding brother with a better surname than the Salvatore’s, Brother Xandro just happens to be free on the night of Maria's birthday!" Dina gleefully clapped her hands.

Luisa frowned. She didn't like where this plan was going...

"I can get my brother to be your date for her banquet!" Dina happily said, her eyes shining at the opportunity of face-slapping that bastard Anton Salvatore!

................

Luisa, went home later. Did her usual routine and was woken up by her familiar ringtone. She glanced at the time and saw it was only 9AM. Groaning and grumbling under her breath, she wondered why the people didn't let her sleep! It's been like this ever since her friend came back from abroad..

With sleep heavily weighing her down, Luisa picked up at the last ring. "Hello...?" She groggily answered, barely able to keep her eyes open.

"Gasp! How could you only pick up on the last ring? Why not the first or second? I know the little hermit doesn't have a life." Luisa teased, the same way she always did.

Their friendship was not only build on a strong foundation of having each other's backs, but it was also build on constantly teasing and joking with each other. Not all friendships were comprised of endless compliments and flattery. What was the fun in doing just that?

"I was hoping the big shot wasn't so lonely to count each ring?" Luisa tiredly mumbled.

"Because this big shot has made it big, she doesn't have any trustworthy friends..." Dina pouted, faking a sad tone that caused Luisa to laugh.

"I suppose this big shot wants a company to brunch?" She mused, hailing the closest taxi.

"Surprisingly, this glutton doesn't want to eat right now. As a matter of fact, she wants to see you in the Hospital." Dina hummed.

"My older brother has finally woke up yesterday, and I thought it would be ideal if we both visited him." Dina said, while getting into her private driver's car.

Luisa rossed her arms. "Why do I have to tag along?" She was slightly suspicious of Dina's tone. What did this girl want now?

But that was an unlikely scenario, since Dina's older brother was the CEO of the famed Choi Enterprise.

Even if Alexander's ancestors crawled out of their graves to beg him, he wouldn't attend a blind date, much less, humor the idea of it.

Alexander might've been connected to an IV drip and barely conscious, but one lift of his finger, and Luisa would've been thrown and banned from the country's top Hospital.

Luisa doubted her Dina would even think of the foolish idea of pairing her up with her older brother Alexander

"You have to tag along because you, my dear, saved his life by donating blood. You're his saving grace!" Dina happily said, nearly laughing at Luisa's skepticism.

Luisa scoffed. "His saving grace? Oh please," She rolled her eyes. "All I did was connect my hand to a needle and give him blood, something easily renewable in my body. The doctor who performed surgery on him did all of the important work."

She hailed down a cab and told the driver the name of her location.

"But you came first." Dina added on.

"Huh? I came first? What does that even mean?" Luisa's brows furrowed together at Dina's confusing words.

Dina faked a heavy sigh of disappointment. "Luisa, after all these years at Harvard, I was hoping you'd come back with a better brain-"

"Says the genius who abandoned her impeccable violin skills." Luisa snorted. Before Dina Choi became a world renowned supermodel, she used to be a popular violinist. But just like Luisa, Dina played the instrument not because she wanted to, but because her parents forced it onto her.

When Dina applied for college, she was instantly accepted into Julliard in New York, but opted for a different school. Since her second choice college had an outstanding name and title, her parents didn't hold it against her.

"Touché my dear, touché." Dina laughed.

If it was anyone else saying such words to her, she would've flipped and insulted them. But this was her beloved best friend. Her words were knife-sharp, but when it was said to Dina, she had no intentions of cutting her with it, and Dina knew that.

"But going back to what I was saying, before someone rudely interrupted me..." Dina blatantly hinted to Luisa and if she was standing their in person, Dina would've glared at her.

"Don't glare at the poor leather seats." Luisa smiled when Dina huffed. She knew her friend all too well...

"I was not glaring at the seats!" Dina resorted, stubbornly crossing her arms like a child caught red handed for stealing cookies.

"Now stop distracting me! I'm trying to make a point here!" Dina whined, huffing and puffing.

Luisa bit her bottom lips to prevent another bubble of laughter. She actually wanted to hear how she'll convince her..

"The doctors came second, you came first. Without your amazing B-type blood, the doctors would've not been able to complete the surgery and save his life! Therefore, you came first, which makes you his saving grace." Dina triumphantly said, proud of herself for thinking of such a good reason.

Luisa raises one amused brow. She was too lazy to argue and refute with her friend, so she simply went along with it.

"Alright, alright, I suppose you're right." Luisa said like a tired mother. She was still a good few minutes away from the hospital whereas Dina had already arrived and was going up the elevator.

"Hmph, I'm always right!" Dina said. Just then, her phone buzzed again. "My mom is calling me. Text me when you're at the hospital."

"Okay. I'll see you later." Luisa said, hanging up the phone.

Since Luisa wasn't rushing the cab driver to get there under ten minutes, the man drove at a normal speed. Sensing it might taken a while longer, she placed on her earbuds and hummed the tune to her favorite song.

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