Episode1-Part4

"Tell Mr. Chou that I'll see him at twelve, as planned. Ring the hotel desk to confirm my reservations. Then call up Heather and have her schedule a board meeting on Wednesday at eight. Oh, and I need Arch. Torrence's feasibility study by my table at 6 pm. I have to meet up with the McKinley Heights Proposal team when I get back." Jem turned off her phone.
"You know Arch. Torrence?" I asked.
"Yes. Her company's a partner of mine. Currently, she's working with two of our employees. She your friend?" "My new housemate." I answered.
"Oh, you're the new addition to the cosmopolitan Olympus?" Jem smiled wryly.
"The what?"
"Apartment 125. The so-called house of the gods." she stated dramatically.
"Why"
"In case you didn't notice, your housemates are some of the most successful young professionals in New York. Its an incredible mix. I dunno if there's some sort of screening coz they seem to let in only selected few. So tell me, what's the secret that everyone's so curious about? Some rite of initiation?" Jem scrutinized.
"I'm still a neophyte and if there really are secrets, they won't be spilling anything yet. But I'll fill you in once they start animal sacrifices." I whispered conspiratorially.
Jem giggled.
I stopped on my tracks when I noted that we were standing right outside Jem's room.
She went in and convinced me to run along. I texted Jam and Pheobs to meet me in the cafeteria to gobble up some early lunch before our 1 o'clock surgery.
On the way to the corridor, I heard someone unfamiliar calling out my name.
"Yes, Mister?" squinting at him on the attempt to place his face.
I estimated his age for early fifties.
"I'm Mr. Conner."
"What can I do for you, sir?" I asked tentatively.
"I..I just..I want to see Mrs. Wendy Forbes Wyatt. I was told you were one of her attending physicians."
"That is correct, Mr. Conner. Are you a relative?" I interrogated him.
He hesitated. Patiently, I waited for him to say something. Before he could form a response, his facial expression rearranged.
"What do you think you're doing here?" It was Mr. Cranmer.

"So Mr. Conner is Mrs. Wyatt's ex?" Phoebs sought clarification.
"Yes. And when she got married to Mr. Wyatt, they had an affair. He's Macy's dad." I answered.
The three of us fell silent for a couple of seconds.
"Some story, eh?" Jam remarked.
"I never took Mrs. Wyatt for someone whose capable of...cheating." I voiced out what was running through our minds.
Silence again. There was no need to elaborate my implication. We all felt like one of our childhood heroes got involved in a sex video.
Mrs. Wyatt was our ideal lady. She was a responsible mom of five, a successful broker, and till now, a faithful wife in our eyes.
My beeper bleeped.
"Gotta go, Jam. Rounds." I announced.
Jam and I said goodbye to Phoebs. We traveled quietly towards the surgical floor.
There wasn't a question of whether or not things have changed with regards to the care we give Mrs. Wyatt. Our duty not to treat patients surpasses any personal biases.
And I wasn't the most judgmental person in the whole wide world. In fairness to myself, I could understand people whom the majority consider as complicated or even vile.
I guess, what really bugged me was the replay on a statement I defied less than 24 hours ago.


"We will deal with problems according to our profession."


I stepped into Mrs. Wyatt's room. Dr. Cranmer was already there, checking her monitors.
She saw me and Jam.
"Nothing out of order. Chief said she wants to prep u early for the lobotomy at 3:30 pm, Dr Aimes."
Jam nodded. "I'm on it."
"Dr. Evans, I have a special request for you."

"Her Dad had a hemorrhagic stroke when they got off their jet this morning. She has a history of bad status asthmaticus. I want you to talk to her. We don't want her having an attack coz she's stressed about his condition."
Dr. Cranmer directed my gaze to a pretty girl in her late teens. She was pacing back and forth in her four inch velvety black Jimmy Choos, her golden hair in disarray, her face blotched with the wet ebony mascara darkening her tear line. I noted the red, glittery Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis. This wasn't some can't-afford chic.
"Ok. When will her Dad get off the surgery?" I inquired.
"Nothing's definite. He's now hovering between life and death. There's a huge risk of irreversible brain damage to some extent." Dr. Cranmer confessed."She needs to be prepared of what's to come. But we wanna prevent her getting sick herself. I want you to stay with her. I'll be back after about half an hour."
I nodded at her. She then left for the operating room.

"Nice Choos." I greeted. She halted her steps, and paid me attention.
"Thanks..." she smiled halfheartedly.
"You'll damage them at the rate you're pacing. Want a seat?" I offered.
She bit her lip before settling. "Is my dad gonna be ok?"
"He's still in the OR. His physicians will be coming over to keep you posted." I said.
"I'll be here. I'll wait right here." she cried on her palms. I reached out for her shoulder. "We were supposed to go back to Malibu tonight right after Macau. He promised me we'll spend time together now that he won't have to be away for business. I can't lose him. Not now when we just made up....I can't...It's all my fault" She was mumbling incoherently, so I held her.
"You feel guilty."
"A lot."
"Listen, what's happening to your dad is none of your fault...."
"No. I talked him into coming back to the US. He wanted to stay in Malaysia coz he said he's got stuffs to do but I made him leave.
Ever since the divorce with mom he hadn't been around. I hated him for years. And we just started to patch things up...I can't lose Dad.."
She sobbed harder.
"You gotta hold on. Your Dad's still fighting for his life. Its not an easy thing to do. He needs you. There's nothing sure about what's gonna happen tomorrow, but today, you can do something to change it, or make it easier for him, for both of you."
She smiled despite her tears. "Thanks, Dr...."
"Dr. Evans." I supplied.
"Ms. Bradford...." Dr. Cranmer called.
The girl, whose name I forgot to ask, faced her.
"How's my dad?"
"He's now in the recovery room. Still unconscious, under observation. But so far, he's stable."
"Can I please go and see him? I promise I won't fuss." the girl pleaded.
Dr. Cranmer nodded in affirmation.
Ms. Bradford ran off without a backward glance.
"He gonna be okay?" I asked when she was out of earshot.
"For that girl, I hope he is. The prognosis doesn't look too good. With luck, he'll be paraplegic at the very least. But with therapy, he might bounce back good as new within months." Dr. Cranmer stated.
As Dr. Cranmer was talking, a silly thought came across my mind.
"Bradford? He doesn't happen to be Richard Bradford, right?" I blurted.
Dr. Cranmer looked at me straight at the eye. "The business tycoon who owned ARS? I'm afraid he is. One and the same. He came home from Macau with his daughter Arien."
I was speechless. Thousands of ideas kept popping off my mind. Arien Bradford's tears were wet against my lab coat.

I just woke up from a 30 minute nap after my 8 hour shift. There was rare silence surrounding the house. The tall, peculiar grandfather clock stationed at 8:30 PM. I smiled in appreciation of the rusty red, futuristic android shaped furniture. Issa told me it was Cyrus' own design.
"Where is everybody?" I asked Rob. No one running around the madhouse at this time of day? Not exactly the daily picture.
"At the garage. Bless' got a shiny new toy. Hybrid Shelby GT350 and F430 Spider. Overhauled and ready to roll." he bragged excitedly.
"I don't speak car lingo much.. but GT350 and F430? Fancy sports cars, right? How'd he...?" I wondered out loud.
"He's an auto engineer extraordinaire. Specializes on sports cars. Folks are huddled there to see him test drive. Trust me, you would wanna come." he invited.
"Okay. Later. I'll stop by at the backyard to get some fresh air then I'll go straight to the garage." I said.
"K. See yah." he exited.

The air was thick with the nearing winter breeze just around the corner. One cold almost taste the biting cold as it comes in contact with my skin, and perhaps, with my brain as well.
"Need a bud?" came a sound.
Mel's figure materialized a few feet from me. He was holding out an opened Budweiser for me.
"Could use something to warm me up." I conveyed acceptance.
I grabbed the beer. He sat at my side.
"Cheers to the righteous?" he teased.
"Tsk." I smirked without venom.
"Still pissed?" said Mel.
I inhaled first before answering. "Would you care if I said yes?"
"No." he answered honestly. "I've said what I've said. I take nothing back."
"So I suspected."
It was his turn to smirk. "Just so you know, the Bradford case earned me a reputation. This morning, a man came by my office. He was a loan shark when he was younger, now a tax evader, 5 time divorced, and...he's filthy rich. His recent conquest is a sort of big conglomerate, which I suspect he's been sabotaging so its sales will go all downhill. You know, so can buy out the sales at very low price...." he took a slug from the beer. " I get people like him everyday. They proliferate like bacteria, and the newer strains get more notorious than the last."
I don't like them but I'm stuck working with them.- I reckon its what he's trying to say.
"The justice system isn't fair. Nothing in this whole damned milky way is, and that includes business. Someone's always trying to one-up someone. Then somewhere in between, an injured party finally gets fed up and cries foul. People get emotional coz they wanna get vindicated. They wanna get even. You think if there's nothing to check out some equilibrium in the chaos, what will the world be like? Even criminals are entitled for their right to a court's impartiality. And that, that's why I became a lawyer."
I chanced a glance at him. Mel was gulping down the rest of his beer.
"Are you staying in the house?" he suddenly managed to ask.
With conviction, I answered. "Yeah. Fine with you?"
Mel stood up.
"You've got enough grit to strike at me. I like my housemates who can argue; ergo, who can think. I can live with a moralist such as you than with a dummy. I'd suffer."
He held out his hand.I clasped it and then stood.
"I'm not too good on welcome rites, but our housemates got a surprise for you." he said.
"Surprise...for me?"
"In the garage." Mel added.

I kicked the garage backdoor giggling.
"Surprise!!!!!!" reverberated the earthshaking roar from within. The water sprinklers on the roof were on. The boys went crazy flinging the uncorked wine bottles, showering it everywhere. The music came to life, blaring. Neon lights together with a quirky colorful disco ball blinked in rhythm.
"Wow!I feel like a bomb.." I finally was able to say.
"Bang! Unpinned and released. Let's party hard!" Issa grabbed me by the wrist to the center of the crowd.
"Welcome to the 125 jungle!" Rhea shouted.
All hands were in the air, dancing to the sick beat.
Soaking wet with perspiration, alcohol and water 2 hours later, I positioned myself over the dismantled car seat. For the first time, I was able to observe the setting of the garage properly. Mike and Rob's Ducatis were stationed in the corner. Cliff's black lamborghini gallardo was halfway concealed beside Ember's Grey Lancia. My own white cadillac escalade was parked outside.
"Where's the rest of the cars?" I asked June who was draining a margarita.
"Out."
"What is that?" I pointed at the outline of a car draped by a large red cloth.
"THAT is a masterpiece of pure genius!" Blessed cried theatrically.
"C'mon Bless, showtime!" Rob eagerly egged him on. The two of them went on either side of the vehicle.
Cyrus tuned up the volume of the loudspeaker to the sound of the Tokyo Drift song.
On the count of three, they unveiled it.
There was a collective "WoW!" all around. Even me, who wasn't a car enthusiast was blown away.
"Unbelievable. Is that a Mustang?"
"Are you kidding me, its gotta be a Ferrari. The exterior gave it away."
The boys volleyed through arguments what it really was.
"I don't care what it is. I love my mini coooper! This one is humongous.." Issa wrinkled her nose in disdain. "Its great for a guy, though." she admitted.
It was only me who was listening to her because everyone was bustling around Blessed's new babe.
"Cool toy for a big boy, Bless," I commended him.
"Thanks. I only got one week to be with her though. The company's fetching her." he said to me.
"Sure you'll miss it."
"Yep. But if this is a hit, I'll get to tinker an Enzo next. What joy..." his eyes were getting dreamy.
"Ferrari Enzo? Now that's a real deal." I approved.
"I know. Wait till you see the latest black one's dashboard. Sweet."
"Better that the red one?"
"Way better. Hey, you dig cars." he observed.
"Not much. My Ex has a ferrari dino. Loves it more than anything in this world put together." including me, I didn't broadcast.
"Is that a recent Ex?" Bless interrogated.
"Technically, no. He doesn't know I've broken up with him yet." I confessed.
"What's the sitch?"
"Caught him in the act with his so-called business partner. In his apartment. 2 weeks ago. I'll bet my bottom dollar that they've been on it for quite sometime. This isn't the first time he's done it, but I swear its gonna be the last." I declared.
"Won't you teach him a lesson? He'll deserve it." Blessed stated as-a-matter-of-factly.
"If I can manage." I smiled coyly.
My phone rang. "Speak of the devil.." I muttered before answering.
"Alex."
"I'm surprised you still remember my name. I thought you just woke up one day with amnesia." he grumbled.
"What is it that you want?" I asked, once and for all.
"To talk. I'm right outside your new house." he emphasized NEW. It was very typical of Alex to display his power. He wanted to scare me, wanted to implicate that he can track me down, wanted to exercise his power over me. Power tripping, it was probably the reason why I couldn't worm out of our relationship, more than anything else. Love was out of the question. This time I believe that if your partner mutilates your heart, eventually, you'll find that the fire burns out however heated it was at the start.
I snapped the phone shut and walked out of the party without a word.

"Spare me the drama. What the hell is going on?" Alex flared.
"Shouldn't I be the one asking?" I shot back. "Wait, maybe I shouldn't because I've known it for a very long time. And I was just stupid enough to eat up all the crap you bought me. Sorry to say, Alex. Things have changed."
"You sure seem to change too many things drastically. New house. New phone number. New car. You can reboot you life from A to Z. But you can't get rid of me that easily. You can't wipe me off like some dirt on your face and expect me to say nothing." he ranted.
"I don't expect you to shut up about it, but you're right. You're dirt on my face and I can't wait to scrub you off." my voice was icy.
"Jit, hey." he said in a different tone. "If this is about Heather..."
"Heather. Lisa. Rachelle. Tina..and do I need to mention your boss? Am I missing anyone?" I stared straight into his eyes.
"Babe, I can explain.."
"I don't wanna hear it. Not a word no more. I've had too much shit talk from you for 4 years. I'm overdosed. So save it. If there's anything I need from you right now, Alex, its for you to leave not only this place, but especially my life." I said bluntly.
His face was livid. He was seething as he slowly stepped back from me.
"Fine. I'll leave. I won't forget this, Jit."
"So am I." I spat sardonically.
Then I saw his back retreating. The smell of his defeat made me inwardly ecstatic.
"Can we clap our hands now?"
I checked who was speaking. Issa, Ember, Cynthia and Rhea stepped out of the dark.
"Permission granted," I said to them.
"Thanks. Although, your ex is kinda hot.." Issa said despite of herself.
I smiled ruefully. "Yeah. Too hot that I got scald marks all over me. He wrapped me around his finger and cauterized me."
"And now you poached his manhood by putting your foot down and throwing the flames at him. Ain't no better way to unman him." Ember grinned.
After Ember and I exchanged high-fives, we heard an ugly screech from somewhere over the road. All of us sprinted.
"Oh my gosh!" Cynthia cried.
She was the only one who was shocked. Everyone of us burst out laughing, mine was more hearty.
The red ferrari dino, about 15 feet away from where we were standing was emitting smoke on the rear. It seemed to be crawling in a backward forward motion. To complete the picture, Alex was cursing at the top of his lungs.
"What happened?" Rhea was able to ask.
"Nothing," Bless tried to sound innocent. "I just thought he might need some adjustments, that's all. But I forgot to tell him." he winked at me.
I paid him a smile.
"C'mon, guys..Let's get back home." June said to me.
Yeah. Back home. At apartment 125-where I rightly belong.