Esmeralda felt as if her whole world had stopped. Her mind was trying to process what the doctor had just told her. Her father has lung cancer.

Lung cancer. 

Her head felt light, and her body was weak. Sosuke noticed how she was moving back and forth. "Esmeralda, you need to sit." He motioned her to a nearby chair. "Thank you, doctor. We will take it from here. We can discuss treatments later; she needs time to process the news."

The doctor nodded in response as he left the room. Esmeralda ignored Ace and Sosuke; her eyes slowly made their way to her father, who was still unconscious. Tears formed in her eyes. Suddenly, she cried as the young woman fell to the floor. "No, my papa has cancer! Cancer!  Doamne, de ce tatăl meu!? Ce ți-a făcut ca să dai o asemenea boală ( God, why my father!? What has he done to you to give such an illness)!?"

Ace and Sosuke could only watch Esmeralda cry out in pain. They knew that whatever they said would not take the pain and worry. Ace knelt, making her look at him. "Esme, I know everything is a shock. I can't blame ya for feeling the way ya do, but it won't change the situation." He looked at her with softness yet seriousness. "Ya can't just be here moping like this. Do ya think yer pa would want to see ya like this? Hell, I think he wants ya to get a grip."

Esmeralda's eyes were a bit wide open as tears still dripped. She slowly began to calm down and wipe her tears away. "I-I know, Ace, but my papa is my only family. He did so much for me after my mama died. I-I couldn't even give him a time's rest even when I wanted to."

Sosuke hugged her tightly, making Ace lose his grip on her. "No matter what, you won't be alone. You have me and everyone. We will never abandon you." He made her look at him. "Never feel helpless or alone; don't worry, your father will be in good hands. Your father will have the best medical attention."

"B-But we c-can't afford it. I-"

"Don't you even worry about it; we will cover everything. We brought you into this mess, and we will fix it."

Esmeralda looked down. "I don't feel right. You always try to fix my problems. I feel even more of a burden, Sosuke. I can't rely on you and your family to fix everything."

"You are family to us. Don't feel like a burden because you're not."

"That's right, Esme. We will do everything we can for ya and yer pa."

Sosuke assisted Esmeralda to stand. "We have to head back to my uncle's place."

Esmeralda cringed as she looked at Sosuke. "I'm not going to leave my papa here alone! I'm staying here!"

"I understand you want to stay here, but you can't. Remember, you can't be alone because of Yhwach."

"But..,"

Sosuke shook his head. "You think he won't know, but I know he will. He has spies everywhere, and we can't afford to have your father in this hospital. I will talk with my Uncles to plan where to put him while he receives care. We will try to have it resolved by today." He slowly touched her face. "You won't have to worry; you will be with your father soon. We need to play it safe."

Esmeralda bit her lower lip. She didn't want to leave her father alone but knew Sosuke was right. His words convinced her that her father would be alright and he would get treatment. All she wants is for her father to be okay. "Fine, but promise me he will be okay and safe."

"You have my word."

All three began to leave the hospital room; Ace and Sosuke looked at one another, worried.

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

Yhwach just finished having a Zoom meeting with some colleagues about their companies. He was annoyed at how boring it was. However, what troubled him even more was his difficulty concentrating. All he could think about was Esmeralda.

He knew that Loly had visited Sosuke, but his resources told him that Sosuke was in the hospital with Esmeralda. Although, Yhwach didn't know why. Eventually, he will learn from his help. He massaged his head until the door to his office opened; it was Loly. The older man noticed how she was fuming; he knew something was wrong. "You look angry, my dear. I assume that your meeting with Sosuke failed."

"Oh, it failed, alright! That son of a bitch!"

Yhwach raised an eyebrow. "Were you able to meet with Esmeralda?"

Loly let out a huff. "No, that bitch wasn't there when I got there!" 

Yhwach gave her a warning glare. "If you want to keep complaining, I will get my money back. When you work for me, don't expect to come back unscathed. There's always a money price." The older man then let out a smile. "Now run along before you begin to piss me off."

Loly stood there shocked but decided to leave, not wanting to anger him further. Meanwhile, Yhwach sat on his chair, contemplating his next steps. His mind was interrupted when his cell phone rang; he smirked as he saw the caller ID. "Wonderful for you to call. I assume you have the information I need."

"Y-Yes, sir. I saw the young woman in your description. Along with Sosuke and your nephew, she was in the hospital because we found out the young woman's father was in critical condition."

Yhwach raised an eyebrow. "Her father?"

"Yes, sir. I come to find out that her father has lung cancer, and it seems it's in an advanced stage."

"I see. Thank you for your report. I expect updates from you. I am sure her father will not be in the hospital for long. You will also receive your first payment by tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, sir."

The two hung up. Yhwach was surprised that her father was brought close to home. Now, his plans had to change. A slight smirk came across his lips; he thought it was perfect. Esmeralda was at her most vulnerable, as was her father. It would make his job more accessible, but he knew his brothers would try to intervene. It didn't matter; he would come out victorious. However, he needed a little assistance.

Yhwach got out his phone once again and dialed another number.

"Hello?"

"Jugram, it has been a while since we spoke to one another, son." In the background, Yhwach could hear a faint male whisper. Yhwach scrunched his face; he knew Jugran was with his male lover. Yhwach thought it was disgusting; he disliked the LGTBQ community intensely. His brothers would call him old-fashioned and homophobic, but he didn't care. The older man felt disgusted that people of the same gender could even consider marrying one another.

"It has, Father. Though you only call when you need something."

"Indeed, I need you to call many hospitals to put restrictions on medications and machinery for lung cancer for a certain patient."

Jugram was silent on the other end. "May I ask why?" It wasn't the first time Yhwach asked Jugram to cut certain things. People could say it was like an assassination attempt, and it wasn't the first time Jugram was ordered to do it. At first, Jugram felt guilt, but he got used to it. However, there was the main reason why Jugram tolerated such orders. His father knew of his lover Bazz-B, who he disapproved of.

"My reasons are my own, Jugram. Just do what you're told."

"You know, father. I heard you are interested in a specific young lady, an 18-year-old. Is it true?"

Yhwach let out a humorless chuckle. "People like to talk, like how you're still seeing that little homo, even when I told you not to. You're still disobeying me, Jugram. Marriage to a young woman is what you need if you ever want to take my place. I would never allow a homo to be my heir or be part of this family."

Jugram was silent on the other end. "I will do what you want. I want to be left in peace." He hung up, as did Yhwach.

The older man let out an annoyed huff. He knew Jugram still saw his lover even when Yhwach planned his marriage. However, Yhwach had the nagging feeling that Jugram might return on the decision to marry the woman he had planned. Also, Jugram might speak out on Yhwach's plans, but Yhwach wasn't too worried about it; he had Jugram's weakness that would make him keep his mouth shut.

Yhwach knew he would see Esmeralda again but had to find the right time. He would now wait for his plan to be put into motion.