He ran down the hallway of the ER not giving attention to what and who he was passing by which earned him stares and glares and occasional shout outs. Kael did not care, for he was only concerned about her. He got to know that Andressa was in the ICU which was on the sixth floor of the building. The elevator seemed to take forever to come to the ground floor hence he took the stairs. It took him eight hours to get here and he would rather not waste another minute.

Kael pushed open the white double doors that lead to the critical care department. His pace slowed down as he saw the three horrifying letters marked in blood red on another door. Over that door his heart lies. With every step he took toward the door he felt that the fear within him emerge. Every second that passed his own breath felt like a noose around his neck making it difficult to breath. With reluctant eyes he gazed through the small square glass that allowed limited visibility of his life. A throbbing pain engulfed him like a sudden storm when he saw her. His sight got blurred by the tears pooled in his eyes.

"Excuse me, sir?" A voice broke the deadly silence Kael was drowned in. A tear ran down his cheek as he turned his eyes toward the person who was talking.

"Please step aside, Sir. This is a restricted area. Is there someone that you know in the ICU?" The nurse asked in a pitiful voice. Kael nodded he was speechless.

"I think I know for whom you are here for. Please follow me. Visitors are not allowed through that door without permission." The nurse initiated to walk down the hallway and Kael followed her. As his feet dragged him away from Andressa his heart ached as if it was being twisted by a knife. He halted near a door as the nurse instructed and a moment later he was invited in the room which was the doctor's office.

"Hello! My name is Dr. Williams. Please take a seat. I was told that you are a visitor of the patient Ms.Andrade." The doctor said while gesturing to the couch nearby.

"Mrs.Dangelo" Kael said in a whisper,

"It's Mrs.Dangelo, she is my wife" He added. Emotion of hurt was clearly evident in his voice. That was new news for the doctor for he looked at Kael in awe.

"I'm sorry Mr. Dangelo, we were not properly informed." The doctor said but his voice contained a suspicious tone.

"How is she?" Kael questioned the doctor for all he cared was some good news that would lift the pain he felt.

"I cannot say anything until she is conscious. She lost quite a lot of blood and her blood pressure was very low when she was brought in. The bullet had punctured her spleen and there was no exit wound. Immediate surgery was carried out in order to stabilize her."

The doctor's words were like a thousand daggers that pierced his eardrums. He felt range of emotions surfacing, bringing out his inner demon as he visualised the incident. Kael felt a sudden rush of need, the need to annihilate the culprit and bring an end to his suffering. If only it would, Kael had doubted that the blood of his enemy would bring peace to him. Since Andressa came in to his life circumstances have changed. Guerreiro who is feared by all now feared for his own life as it depended on Andressa.

"One more thing Mr. Dangelo. Do you know that your in-laws were here with the FBI" The words were nothing new Kael expected. He knew that all the protocols has been followed by the FBI to tighten the security and they would screen anyone who request to visit Andressa. He chuckled inwardly intensifying the craving he had for Samuel's death.

"It doesn't matter to me doctor; I am her husband. I know my rights." Kael went on shaking his head intently.

"I want to see her!" He requested.

"I am sorry we do not allow visitors to visit highly critical patients Mr. Dangelo it's against hospital policy. Unless you are willing to pay for a private suite with limited access to outsiders. Also mind that I can only allow it after twenty-four hours' post-surgery and that is not until midnight." The doctor refused Kael's request. Kael agreed to what the doctor said and he left the office.

*************

Kael sat on the chrome chairs placed on a side of the hallway near the ICU. The time has stopped he thought, his own breathing was audible in the dead silence. The florescent lights that illuminated the hallway in a bright white complementing the painful emotions Kael had. A sudden noise of a phone buzzing cracked the silence.

"Yes" Kael answered.

"filho!" (Son). It was Jose in the other end. Of course he was concerned and it was not for Andressa Kael knew.

"O que está rolando? Você está comprometendo sua cobertura" (What are you up to? You are compromising your cover.) Jose went on and Kael narrowed his eyes as this was not the time to have an argument with Jose.

"Você está distraído por essa mulher. Este não era o plano." (You are distracted by this woman. This was not the plan.) Kael had enough for one day. His only concern was Andressa. He spoke at last.

"Eu amo ela jose" (I love her Jose) Kael said in a whisper. He felt a rush of relief running down his entire body as he confessed his heart out to the only person Kael considered superior to him. His father figure Jose.

"Eu nunca pensei que iria, mas eu fiz." (I never thought I would but I did.) A slight smile taking over his face.

"Não seja idiota, Kael. Você vai descer com ela e você nos levará junto. Eu não posso deixar você estragar o esforço de vinte anos para uma mulher." (Don't be stupid, Keal. You will go down with her and take us along. I can't let you ruin twenty years of effort.) Jose sounded agitated, practically yelling at Kael.

"Guerrier é impossível de bater, você sabe disso. Eu vou me vingar e minha mulher." (Guerrier is impossible to beat, you know that. I will get my revenge and my woman.) Kael yelled back. His posture screaming anger.

"Você acha que ela vai amar o homem que matou seu pai. Pense nisso agir com sabedoria." (You think that she will love the man who killed her father. Think about it and act wisely.) Jose said and disconnected the line.

What Jose said was the blinding truth. Kael closed his eyes and leaned his head on the wall. Why did everything have to be so complicated. Without you my whole world is empty. I am fighting a battle between my past and you. Which should I choose? My head is spinning Andressa. You offered your heart even when I hurt you as if a demon would devour the soul of his prey. I was your darkness and you are my brightest light. Now nothing matters to me anymore than you. I am a demon in flesh and blood and you are an angel in human form. I don't care what the world brings at me as long as you are with me. I am now in so much agony as the world shut me off from seeing you. I wish that we could have our ever after. I vowed to be your consolation hence I shall never give up on you. I promise.

Here is chapter 29 of the story.  

Some of you guys will find this boring but this is an important chapter that I cannot skip. If I skipped this part story would lose its flow and look poorly constructed. I think it's good to know what Keal feel when Andressa is fighting for her life. 

Sooooooo, I really hope you will enjoy reading this.

Personally I had mixed feelings when I wrote this. If this ever happen to us in real life how would you cope up? Unable to see the love of your life who is fighting for his / her life in a hospital room. I cannot think of it. OMG.

I am planning to bring in some life to Andressa in the next chapter. So stay tuned until next update.

Vote and comment and show your support! It means sooooo much guys.

Until next time.

RASAN