Call from Destiny | COMPLETED | English

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX: Ray's Unexpected Call

E T H A N

Claire and I had spent our week going through dates to forget the events that happened beforehand. Claire and I go right on our dates after school and Benedict and Sam on theirs. Claire had already told her aunt about our relationship as well. 

She wasn't really going to agree with me being the boyfriend but after a few convincing, her aunt decided to let us but she'll inform Claire's parents about it.

Judging by the day that her aunt said that, I could tell that I'll meet Claire's parents sooner or later.

Though with that solved, we were able to openly travel. The amusement parks, movie marathons, and stroll through the park, were already scratched off her bucket list. 

I wanted her to choose since I want her to gain my trust. But, most of the time, she told me that she had love surprises so I take her to some of the places she had never visited before.

I was already on my way home, my hands on the steering wheel. Today, Claire and I had gone to this seafood restaurant and the cuisines were some of her favorites. 

Of course, being the gentleman that I was, I never told her that I haven't tried some of the dishes she ordered. But, I was more willing to try for her.

And these days, I noticed that Vanessa had completely tried to give me the silent treatment. I was afraid that she was finding out everything that she can about Claire --- trying to make sure that our relationship fails miserably. Though, it was weird for her to take this approach. I knew Vanessa since she was my childhood best friend.

She was never this silent.

As I was about to park inside our house, I noticed how everyone was gone. Wait, it's rare to see that there was nobody home. 

My sister and my parents never really leave the house without the car. Where did they all go? 

I decided to get out of the vehicle, expecting my sister to come out of the house and possibly tell me to talk to Vanessa.

But no one came.

Suddenly, a familiar ringtone rang in my ears. I immediately looked for my phone in my pocket, took it out, and looked at who it was.

Ray Guitterez.

Benedict's brother is calling me.

I immediately accepted it and answered. Of course, my thoughts were still wandering off. Why the hell would Ray call me so suddenly? I thought he hated my guts. 

At first, I thought that he would speak but apparently, all I heard was deep breathing. So, I was the one who called his name. "Ray? You there?"

I raised an eyebrow at him even though he didn't see me. How am I even sure that this was him calling me through his phone? It could be Vanessa for all I know. 

For seconds, what I heard was a mumble before someone crying. I cringed immediately. Ray was crying? I really can't imagine.

"Ray? What happened?" I asked again. I tried a few times, knowing that whatever happened probably traumatized him too much. 

"Vanessa's at the hospital," he answered me, suddenly becoming silent on the other line. When that news came in, I felt like I couldn't breathe. Why was she there? Surely, it wasn't something that bad, right?

"What happened? Why is she in the hospital? " I asked him while I waited for his answer. I heard the doctor's call to him and the sound of the chair he was sitting on when he stood up.

"Are you relatives of Ms. Jimenez?" There were some short answers of yes and a few mumbles on the back. I could hear my mom asking if Vanessa was alright. Judging by the tone of her voice, it already seems that she was shocked and most likely affected.

There was a slight pause before the doctor continued to address Vanessa's condition. "Ms. Jimenez is currently unconscious. The impact on her head is far too severe. So, I recommend that she rest and when she wakes up, stress should be avoided at all costs to prevent any complications."

I heard Ray and some other people agreeing with the doctor before footsteps are heard from over the line. After that, Ray's voice went back and he decided to tell me where to go.

"I'll explain later when you're here. Vanessa's at Acadia Med. Hurry up, Ethan. She really needs you," Ray told me before dropping the call.

I immediately took my phone and dialed Benedict. I know where Acadia Medical Center was but I'll tell Benedict what happened. At this time, he's probably playing games or talking to his girlfriend so I expected that it would only take a minute for him to take the call. 

But, I tried almost three calls and he wasn't responding. 

The fourth time was successful though.

The drowsiness in his voice surprised me through the phone. I could tell that he had just woken up from a nap and wasn't really in the mood to talk yet. "Hello?"

I decided to cut off to the chase and tell him shortly what I was planning to do. I'm not even sure if he'd take this lightly or if he'll tell me not to go. Either way, I have to tell him so he won't get worried and ask where I've gone. "I'm going to Vanessa. Don't tell Claire or Sam."

I immediately heard him standing up from the bed and him swearing a bit. "You're going to come back to Vanessa?"

"She needs me right now, Benz. She's been in an accident. I can't just leave her like that." That was the only thing I could say before I ended the call to drive immediately to the hospital.

No matter how Vanessa becomes who she was right now, she will still be my childhood friend. It's hard to throw that friendship away when someone you spent time with in the past needs you the most at times like this.