Opportunity is missed by
most people because
it is dressed in overalls
and looks like work.
-
Thomas Edison

_________________

The whole family rushed to the hospital. I didn't utter a word throughout the journey. All I felt was numbness. Once we reached the hospital, we spot Daniel's assistant, Aby.

"Listen, they won't answer any questions to us about Daniel because we're not listed in his emergency contact. Thomas is listed as his family, and he's on his way. Nurse says he was bleeding from the head, but he seemed fine," Aby informs, stepping towards me.

I move in front of the hospital, grabbing my phone and walking toward the entrance.

"What floor?"

"He's in the ER. Ground level. He just got here not long ago. I was trying to get more information before calling Ryan."

I round the corner to see the waiting room. I stop when I find Annabelle standing in front of the ER. Aby quickly steps towards Ryan, holding him back when he make to charge toward Annabelle.

"Don't," he cautions. "They'll kick you out if you cause a scene, and they can't let anyone back except for family. Daniel's unconscious right now."

"We're his family," Ryan grits out.

"I know but in the emergency contact list, only Thomas' and Annabelle's names are listed. This is an accident case so they're careful about letting people inside. We have to wait till Daniel gains consciousness."

Caniel, Ryan and my Dad tries to argue but I ignore them as I settle on the bench. Judge sits beside me without uttering another word. Everyone stops talking and stares at me with concern.

An old woman, whom I assume is the nurse comes out of the room. Annabelle steps towards her with a smile.

"He's in the back. He's unconscious. Do you want them hearing this?" she asks, motioning toward us. Annabelle stares at me while I slowly calm down.

Anaconda glances my way, but turns back to her. "I don't want then hearing anything about Daniel," she replies, smirking at me.

"What in the world?" Caniel snaps. "That's my son."

Annabelle snarls. "But still it's my name he listed as emergency. He doesn't want any of you near him."

Caniel gasps, probably shocked with the sudden change in Annabelle's behavior. I rise to my feet, steps towards the nurse. "Is he okay?" I ask, ignoring everyone else.

"I can't tell you," nurse replied, her gazing moving from Anaconda to me.

"I don't want any details. Just tell me whether he's fine or not."

The nurse stares at me for few seconds before muttering. "He's okay."

"Thank you," I whisper before settling back on the bench. I'm not going to shout to see him because there's no use of it. They won't let me see him and I know rules better than anyone. So I satisfy myself with the information that he's okay. Because right now, that is all that matters.

"Bring me some coffee," I order Hope who blinks at me for few seconds before walking out.

The nurse and Annabelle moves towards the corner to talk about Daniel. After few minutes she walks inside the room, casting a glance at my way. Hope comes back with two cups of coffee, she gives one to me and the other to Judge.

We both mutter a cheers to each other before taking a sip. Hope stares at us with wide eyes, wondering why we look like we're enjoying this.

After almost fifteen minutes, the nurse steps out of the room. "You can come in. He may wake up soon," the nurse tells Anaconda who grins before walking inside. The nurse stares at me with confusion.

"I can't believe this," Caniel mutters, holding Daliya in his arms.

My gaze moves towards entrance when I find Thomas walking in. His gaze falls on me and then he listens to Aby before stepping towards the nurse. "I'm listed in Daniel's emergency list. Can I see him?"

Nurse nods her head. "Okay. I have to check your ID but anyway you can see him once his girlfriend comes out."

What?

"Girlfriend?" Thomas asks, his brows pulled together.

"They're talking about Annabelle," Leila whispers.

Thomas grits his teeth before looking at me. "Bu-"

"We'll wait," I tell, loud enough for everyone to hear. Thomas looks like he wants to argue but shuts his mouth when he sees my expression.

After few minutes, we hear a shouting from the room and my body freeze when I recognize the voice. The nurse immediately walks inside the room as I rise to my feet. I stand near the door when I hear the voice getting louder.

"I want to see my wife," Daniel shouts, bringing chills down my spine.

I smile, leaning against the wall. Stubborn as always.

"Ask her to get out."

"Mr. Avery, your girlfriend just wan-"

"She's no one. Ask the bitch to get out."

"Okay, I can call Thomas who is also there in the emerg-"

"I don't want to see anyone. I want my wife."

I hear the sound of things breaking. Jesus!

"Mr. Avery! You can't get up. Please calm down. I'll call your wife and the doctor. Just calm down."

I chuckle when I hear the sound of glass breaking. My gaze turns towards a man who's probably in his early thirties stop in front of the door. "I take it that you're the wife," he says, looking at me.

I nod my head.

"Nurse Elom cares a lot about damn stupid rules. You all can come inside," The man whom assume is the doctor opens the door, letting all of us in.

I stare at Daniel, who was lying on the bed wearing a thin hospital gown. His right leg wrapped with a white bandage. He had a small bruise near his temple. His hands are spread out beside his body, and there's an IV and he looks ready to kill someone.

My knees fucking buckle, and I almost fall. I swear I've never been hit so forcefully by relief. I didn't know how badly I needed to see him until now. Swallowing down the emotional knot in my throat, I force my legs to start moving again. I'd been helpless countless times in my life—too many times really—and once more, as an adult, was nearly too much to bear. Because there was nothing you could do when someone you care about had something like that happen. I couldn't shake off the guilt or the disappointment in myself for not doing something faster.

Those blue irises raked across the room. He was fully aware that everyone within the room was focused in on him. He raised his eyebrows at me, the corners of his mouth pulling up when his eyes found me. Those thick eyebrows seemed to climb up his forehead an inch higher, his cheek ticking in this strange way that made him seem a little embarrassed. "Why are you looking at me like I should be scared?"

"Because you should be," I reply, glaring at him. I don't step towards him though I know that's what he and me wants.

My gaze turns towards Anaconda who's walking out of room without another word. I want to follow her but I didn't because right now, I should be here. With Daniel.

"Is he alright?" My mom asks the doctor who nods his head. "He looks weak," she comments, giving Daniel a sad look.

I roll my eyes. Seriously? "For a person who cursed him just before few hours, you're awfully very nice to him, mom," I reply, shaking my head. She looks down, her lip quivers and I know she's trying to control her tears but I didn't care.

I move towards the doctor. He smiles. "I'm Dr. Arthur, I'll be treating Mr. Avery. You all can see him once we shift him to the room so please leave within another two minutes." I nod my head with a smile. "There's nothing to worry, ma'am. He's fine, all he need is rest."

"Thank you," I mutter, giving him a small smile.

Dr. Arthur steps towards Daniel, careful to not step on the glass pieces on the floor. He examines Daniel while others mutters something about getting well to him before walking out. Ryan gives me a nod before following them.

Thomas steps towards Daniel. "Get well soon," he mutters, before walking out looking defeated. Daniel is still angry at Thomas and he knows that very well.

Now it was Judge's turn. He sits beside Daniel on the bed. "You were stupid, son."

Son? Since when?

"She's angry," Daniel mutters.

"You're in her bad side right now. Careful when you deal with her. She looks like she might get horns and poke you with it."

You got to be kidding me! They're badmouthing about me when I'm here in front of them.

"We'll go to play golf once you're out of here," Judge says, rise to his feet. Daniel nodded his head in approval. Then Judge walks out without another glance. I nod at Hope who follows Judge, leaving me alone with the doctor, nurse and Daniel.

After few minutes, the doctor was gone after assuring me once again that he's fine. I walk toward Daniel and stands beside his bed. "What were you thinking, Mister? Have you lost your sense? Since when did you start rash driving?" He frowns at him and I roll my eyes. "Mister, what you did was incredibly nonsense and incredibly stupid. You could have been killed." His eyes blazes and I know he's filled with anger.

"You all shouldn't be here. Please leave." Nurse looks pointedly at me and I glare at her.

You missed him.

No, I didn't.

I try to step back but stops when Daniel holds my wrist, stopping me from leaving. "Stay with me."

"Mr. Avery, she can't stay. You need rest," Nurse Elom scolds him.

"She's my wife and she stays here with me. It's decided and we need some privacy," he orders and I smile. Bossy as always. The nurse sighs and then walks out of the room closing the door behind her.

I turn my attention towards my husband who tries to get up from the bed. He never stays at one place. I move towards him and helps him to sit properly. I place the pillow behind his back for him to lean back on it. I sigh as I sit beside him on the bed. Daniel closes his eyes, dread etched in his face.

He opens his eyes and stares at me with his blue eyes. "Honestly, Daniel, what were you thinking? You promised to wait for me with pizzas," I said, my voice low and cracking. I clear my throat. "Anyway I don't care if anything happens to you. I really don't care but what you did was stupid." My voice breaks and I struggle to maintain a clear voice.

"Stop crying Allison," he mutters without taking his eyes away from me.

I freeze when I notice the my eyes welled up with tears. I blink them away.

"I'm not crying, Mister. Why will I cry? There's nothing for me to cry," I murmer and my voice cracks again and again. Damn the voice. I clear my throat again.

"You okay?" he asks, and I nod, trying not to cry. Why am I suddenly emotional?

He frowns as he stares down at me, running his eyes down the length of my body. He studies the sheet that starts at his waist, and he pulls my hand up to his lips to kiss my knuckles.

"You could have died," I whisper to myself.

He lifts his hand and touches my cheek. "I didn't plan to die. I just lost the control on driving for a second." I frown without uttering another word. "Anyway, I thought nobody would care. Why would they care about me?" He asks, raising his brows.

My eyes blaze as I hit his arm. "What would you mean by nobody would care? What about me? You thought I wouldn't care. Of course I would care," I snap, not even trying to control my anger.

He smiles and my heart melts. "Really? But now, you said you don't care," he says with a smirk.

He caught you, Ally. No use of hiding. Just admit you care.

Holy shit, that sneaky idiot tricked me.

Huh. I feel my lips twitch against my will. "Just shut up." He smiles and slowly his thumb traces my bottom lip.

"I want to kiss you," he murmurs tracing his tongue on his lip.

"Then what're you waiting for?" I ask as I lean forward and presses my lips on his. He readily accepts and kisses me back. It's a frantic kiss, scared and also desperate as we both cling to each other. I slowly pull back and stares at him. Tears prick at the back of my eyes.

You really missed him.

"Lay down with me," he says patting on the bed and then shift onto his side.

"No," I say immediately.

"Why?"

"I..I don't want to hurt you," I admit in a low voice. Since when did I started care about hurting someone?

After meeting him.

Shut up.

He smiles. "Come on, I can tell that you're tempted. Just lay down." He lifts up the blankets, inviting me into the bed.

I stare at him and analyse the situation.

Stop thinking and sleep with him. Otherwise he's gonna withdraw the offer.

I frown and the slips off my shoes and climbs in beside him. Gently, he wraps his arm around me, and I lay my head on his chest. He kisses my hair.

"You don't have to be gentle. I'm not the one who's sick. It's you."

"Yes but I guess it's you who needs to be taken care," he mutters, his hand drawing circles around my back.

For once in my life, I decide not to argue because something inside me tells that he's right. I don't care about anything right now, I want to stay in his arms. That is all that matters.

"I lost my company," he murmurs and my heart clenches.

"No, because I talked to your parents."

He chuckles. "Talked or threatened?"

"Well... when you put it that way, I guess there were few words of threatening."

"What did you say?"

"I asked all of them keep their nose out of your life." I wait for his reply but there's just silence.

I feel his body shaking and he laughs. "I knew you would have done something."

"If you knew I would do something to stop all this, then why did you rush out of the house?"

"I was angry. I did everything to prove that I'm worthy of what I own today but one mistake and they decide that I don't deserve anything. They don't even want an explanation from me. I just wanted to get out of there."

I lift my head from his chest and stare at him. "I don't know about them but I always want an explanation from you if you do something. You get me Mister?"

"Yes, Mrs. Avery." I blush, biting my lip. I immediately cover the blush with a frown and then lean in and places a soft kiss on his forehead. I stares at his deep blue eyes and smile. He nuzzles my neck and I giggle. "I missed your smell, Allison. God, I missed you so much," he says tightening his arms around me. I grin as I rest my head on his chest and I snuggle up against Daniel.

After few minutes when I feel his breathe turn even, I pull away from him as I get out of the bed. I wear my shoes before leaning in to place a soft kiss on his forehead.

Tears forms in my eyes. Through blurry eyes, I stare down at him, and in that moment, I realize despite the anger that I've been harboring for the past few hours, it has nothing on the love for this man I've been trying to hide. He might have hurt me, but he also made me feel alive again after so many years. He brought back my smile, my laugh, my ability to enjoy life again.

I walk out of the room and I ain't surprised to Judge right in front of me.

Judge steps towards me. "You have two options," he explained, sizing me up. "Would you like to break something or would you like to cry?” he asked in a completely serious tone.

I blinked at him and then licked my lips before pressing them together. Tears pooled in my eyes, and I blinked more and more as my throat clogged up. "Both?"

His facial expression still didn't change. "I don't have anything for you to break right now, but why don't you start crying."

I throw my arms around his waist and hug him so close later on I'd wonder how he managed to breathe. Judge didn't  hesitate wrapping his arms around the tops of my shoulders, his head tipping down so that his mouth was right by my ear.

The tears just poured out. My frustration, my disappointment, my embarrassment all went right for it. Every insecurity was present. "I’m sorry,” I told him in a watery voice.

"For what?"

Oh my God, my nose was running faster than I was capable of keeping up with. My heartbreak right there on display. "For spoiling your suit," I forced myself to say. My shoulders were shaking with suppressed hiccups.

His head moved, his mouth edging closer toward my ear. Those big muscular arms tightened around me. "Don't worry about the suit. You can buy three of them instead of the one you're spoiling with your tears." Did his voice sound strange or was I imagining it?

"Papa," I whisper, not being able to stop the tears. The image of Daniel laying on the hospital bed is too much to handle.

"It's good that you didn't cry in front of Daniel. He might have run to the mountains when he finds out how annoying you're when you cry."

"You're mean," I snap, sniffing.

"But still you're not leaving me alone."

"You're lucky that I'm with you. I'm sweet, beautiful and intelligent."

"Always cocky," he whispers, rubbing his thumb across my skin.

I pull away from Judge only to freeze. Everyone were still here. They didn't leave? I was such a mess that I didn't care to notice the people around me.

Hope gives me a handkerchief to wipe my tears which I accepts gladly. My eyes focus on my Dad who's staring at me with vulnerability. The sight of me in Judge's arms must have been a direct blow for his ego. Mom had tears in her eyes as she stared at me. She looked like she wants to say something but decided against it.

Thomas stared at me internally but all I did was glare at him. I turn towards Judge. "I want some ice-cream."

He nods. "But you should pay. I'm not going to take care of your crying mess and also pay for the ice-cream when you'll definitely steal mine."

"I want chocolate flavor," I reply. "And pizzas too. I want to buy pizzas."

"Now?" I nod my head. "For whom?"

"I promised Daniel to have pizzas with him," I reply, tears forming in my eyes.

"I'm not sure he's allowed to eat but we can order some just in case they allow."

I wrap my arm around his, pulling him out of the ER. "I need to be back before Daniel wakes up."

"He's going to be okay."

"I know." But I'm scared.