Just To Have You

Chapter 4

"I don't like this dress, Dina..It looks weird on me." Luisa frowned, running a tired hand through her hair. There were bags beneath her eyes from the endless nights of tossing in her bed and never falling asleep. Her hair had also lost its original luster from not eating and sleeping well.

Because ever since she became the laughing-stock of the New York Socialites, her confidence was at its limits. The haughty twinkle in her eyes from being married to a man like Anton Salvatore had vanished long ago.

From losing everything in just the single span of one night, her diva attitude, prideful smirks, and confident struts were all gone. Before the fall of the legendary Luisa Ortega Salvatore, she was known to be the top socialites. The women always crowded around her, in hopes of currying favors with the rumored Mrs. Salvatore.

Whatever she wore, ate, and did, everyone copied after her. She was the trendsetter, the single woman that every socialite aspired to be.

Her parents swore they loved her. Her friends overly complimented her. The people always tried to befriend her. That all ended when Anton Salvatore divorced and tossed her aside. But after two–almost three long and life-changing years, Luisa didn't blame them. She finally understood how much of a horrible woman she was.

She turned women against women, used people like they were a pawn in her little game of chess, insulted girls to tears, and tried to sabotage the innocent Carmen. Most would say she got what she deserved, but one never saw the truth behind the prideful and spoiled heiress.

No one saw how much Luisa broke down at night, drinking wine all alone in a cold, empty, room until her tears lulled her to sleep. No one saw that broken child reaching for anything that showed her love.

Luisa was only able to snap back into reality when Dina Choi roughly shook her into reality. Stopping the myriad of thoughts from drowning her. "Luisa, I hope you're not daydreaming again!" Dina huffed.

She was styling Luisa's dry hair in hopes of making her presentable.

"I wasn't..." Luisa sheepishly lied.

Dina rolled her eyes. "Sure, and I'm the ugliest girl this world has seen." Dina resorted with her usual sarcasm.

Luisa chuckled. "Don't be so dramatic, Dina."

"I'm supposed to be a diva, it's my job to be overly dramatic." Dina laughed, wrapping strands of Luisa's hair over the curling iron. "Besides, my dear. You look fabulous, don't doubt yourself anymore." She smiled, placing her hand onto Luisa's shoulder.

"Okay..." Luisa trailed off, hugging her stomach the way she always did. It made her feel safe. It had been a bad habit of hers after the past three, long, rough years of torment.

Dina's eyes softened. When Luisa had experienced her worst downfall, Dina was at the peak of her career. Her manager and family forced her to work hard and she was often traveling around the world.

She didn't hear about what happened to Luisa until she had come back a month ago. That's why she become so desolate. Because no one was there to make her feel safe.

Luisa didn't say anything about her downfall. When Dina Choi came back, she had expected her best friend to have already have a child, instead, she got the shell of the cheerful woman she used to know.

After a while of doing Luisa's hair, Dina finally spoke up again. "It'll be fun today. After we go shopping we can have a lunch date. I reserved a seat at your favorite restaurant, La Roché."

La Roché was a very popular and posh restaurant that was rated five Michelin stars a few months after it opened. It was extremely hard to make reservations there; the restaurant never batted an eye to A-List celebrities, powerful politicians, or wealthy socialites. However, the Choi's were able to gain easy entrance. The owner had been good friends with Dina's father and had permitted them unlimited entry at the window with the best view.

"My favorite? It always seemed to be your favorite." Luisa teased. She remembered the memories of her youth where she was dragged to the restaurant whenever Dina wanted to skip class.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Dina giggled, clearly lying through her teeth. Her eyes twinkled with mirth upon being caught red-handed.

Luisa gave her a pointed look, forcing Dina to reveal a sheepish grin.

"Okay, maybe I was too addicted to their dishes, but hey! You can't blame me, their appetizers are amazing!" Dina tried to defend herself.

Luisa chuckled, shaking her head in amusement.

"Let's not dwell so much on the facts! The driver is waiting!" Dina giggled once more, dragging Luisa out of her room.

The minute Luisa walked out of her room, she groaned in annoyance. Though, she's thankful that her friend didn't discover her cuts and bruises. Luisa didn't want to tell her friend that she met her ex. And she had an accident because she tried to run away from him..

Dina wrapped her arms around Luisa's arm — clinging onto her the way she always did when they went out.

When they went out, Luisa saw how her friend flinched in disgust. And in turn Luisa felt so ashamed.

Oh how low she had fallen... Because her family practically disown her she struggled with her everyday living. She went from super pampered princess to a woman who had nothing. She took any job she could get just to live her life, but it's still was not enough.

"Luisa, I already told you that I can help you to find a nicer place. Why you still insisting to live in this dump..."

Luisa pursed her lips, and said in a low voice. "Dina you should know me better than that. You know I couldn't just ask you for money. I still can do it. Actually, I've been saving. And I also invested a small amount from my part time last time. You don't have to worry, I can get stand back on my own feet. Maybe not tomorrow, or the next day or even next week but just believe me. I can do it... "

Dina wanted to say more but when she saw Luisa's expression she forcefully close her mouth and didn't say anything. She just sighed and took her friend hand. Went to her car and drove to her favorite mall.

When they went inside the Largest Mall in the Capital, a lot of men leered and took second glances at Dina their eyes were wide with astonishment. They were practically drooling.

Luisa quietly laughed to herself. She was already used to these looks whenever she walked with her best friend. While Luisa chatted with Dina, she didn't realize the men were also admiring the stunning woman beside supermodel Dina. She might not been in her best looks because she's still skinny and pale but she still looked beautiful. Added the clothes, makeup and style that her friend had painstakingly put to change her outlook. The shadow of her beauty is already showing. Dina who was looking at her secretly is all smiles. Her friend is coming back...

"What is the rush for?" Luisa asked when Dina hurriedly dragged her inside a well known branded boutique.

"I'm just excited, that's all. You know I love shopping, almost as much as I love you." Dina teased, pinching Luisa's nose.

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

After shopping, eating lunch and enjoying it with Luisa, Dina went home to prepare herself for a photo-shoot next morning.

Luisa quickly cleaned up showered, and then retired to her room.

Sitting by the window, Luisa stared at the city below her. She took a sip of from her wine glass, twirling it around and chuckling to herself at the taste of the lemon water.

Luisa was trying her best to not drink alcohol because it reminded her of horrible memories of self-hatred and doubt. While staring at the scenery of the very slum part of the city, she unknowingly fell asleep and soon found herself stuck in a nightmare.

- - - - -

Luisa's phone went off the next morning, startling her from the nightmare she was experiencing. In her tired and groggy state, she reached for the phone.

She groaned at the soreness of her body. "I slept in such an uncomfortable position, no wonder my body hurts," She muttered to herself.

Her eyes flickered with surprise when she saw Dina's caller ID. The minute she picked up, the panicked voice of her best friend spoke into the phone. "Luisa, what blood type are you?!" Dina rushed out, skipping all sorts of greetings.

Luisa's face turned serious. Her friend would never skip her usual greetings unless something dire and important had happened.

"I have AB negative blood, why? What's wrong?" She asked, hopping off of the hard old stool she was sitting on.

From the other line, Dina let out a sigh of relief. AB negative, just what she needed!

"Where are you right now? Do you think you can make it to New York Private Hospital within the next ten minutes?"

Luisa was taken back by her words. New York Private Hospital? Within ten minutes? Was there an emergency?

"I'll try to rush the cab, but I can't make promises." She grabbed her coat and purse, then walked out of her condo.

"Okay, please hurry!" Dina pleaded, her voice becoming more anxious.

"What's wrong? Is there an emergency? Are you alright?" Luisa asked, running down the halls and towards the stairs. Her building was old, and it doesn’t have an elevator that's why the rent is so low. Or maybe because the place is known to harbor the city's addicts and criminal that's why the landlady almost beg her to rent a room just so, she can still get some rent money.

"I-I'm fine, b-but my brother..." Dina could barely form words or sentences as she spoke to her. She seemed to be shaken up and with each passing second, her voice was beginning to quiver.

"Your brother? Which one?" Luisa tried to distract Dina from the dire situation at hand.

She knew it was best to calm her down by attempting to switch the topic.

Dina sniffled. "The older one..." She quietly said. Then there was a commotion in the background and the phone clicked off.

Luisa frowned, glanced at the phone and tried to call her friend back, but she wasn't answering.

Luckily, the streets at this time are populated with taxis and she was able to quickly wave one down.

"Please reach New York Private Hospital within ten minutes." Luisa hurriedly pulled out two hundred dollars and placed it into the tip jar. Well, Anton leave her that money. Even she hate to waste that money, her friend has an emergency and Dina needs her immediately. That much is worthy enough to waste her money.

Thankfully the taxi driver immediately stepped on the gas. He drove as fast as the speed limit could allow him.

Sitting in the car, Luisa worriedly wrung her fingers together. Her soft brows were knitted together as she thought about the possibility of what could've happened.

Dina had two older brothers and she was heavily doted on by both of them. They were the ideal older brothers, protective and loving. She loved both of them very dearly and would risk everything for them, so for something to happen to them, of course, her first reaction was to panic.

Within eight minutes, Luisa had reached the hospital. She called Dina again and within the first ring, she picked up. "Dina, what room are you in? I just arrived."

"I'm on the first floor, near the emergency department!" Dina said, suddenly standing up with glee.

"I'm on my way there." Luisa quickly rushed to the emergency department by following the signs and within two minutes, she had reached Dina.

Dina was anxiously pacing back and forth, chewing on her nails. "Dina!" Luisa called out, walking towards her.

"Luisa!" Dina quickly went over to Luisa.

The minute she was within arm's length, she tightly hugged Luisa — clinging onto her like she's going to crumble in a minute.

"What's wrong? Why did you ask for my blood type?" Luisa asked, eyeing the tall men surrounding the spacious hallway. The men were extremely well built and all of them wore sunglasses. She recognized them as bodyguards, but didn't expect so many of them.

"My brother! He's gotten in a really bad accident and needed blood transfusion as soon as possible. But there were a lot of emergencies at the hospital and they've ran out of AB negative blood in their storage!" Dina complained, inwardly cursing the hospital.

She was definitely going to complain to her parents! The Choi's were not a force to be reckoned with. Their power and wealth were even crazier than the Salvatore’s, and their influence was endless.

With a hand in different businesses ranging from hotels, oils, restaurants, military, government, and politics, they were a very powerful family with immense backings. How could they run out of AB negative blood at such a crucial moment? Especially when they have the CEO in their care?!

"I know this is a super weird question but—"

"Of course, go ahead and take my blood." Luisa didn't even need a deep explanation.

Dina's eyes lit up in glee. "Really?! You're the best, Luisa!" She exclaimed, tears flowing from relief.

Luisa pat her head, and hug her tightly. She must've been so scared. Well it's only normal. Her favorite older brother was in an accident. It's only natural that it scared her.

Dina turned towards one of her bodyguards. "My best friend here said she will donate her blood, so hurry and call the doctor!" She ordered. The man quickly rushed off without another word.

Dina turned to face Luisa again, her eyes growing wet once more.. "Oh Luisa, I don't know what I would do without you...."

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