Focus

6. Focus on what's important

"Conscience and cowardice are really the same things, Basil. Conscience is the trade-name of the firm. That is all."
— Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

•••

"I know you're going for the whole emo edgelord look right now but must you really associate with stalkers too?" The man asked with a bored tone as he signed off more paperwork. He hadn't looked up yet but the sound of the mahogany door of his apartment opening and closing let him know his brother had arrived.

"I'm just having a little fun." He answered as he took off his cap and mask, giving his white hair a shake with his hands. Michael was nonchalant as he took off his black jacket and threw it over the dark leather couch.

"Well the Fooze girl is in my hospital so I would like for you to leave her alone." Nick had only arrived back home from his business trip a few hours ago and he was already hit with a headache. The man was going to check on his various hospitals when he was greeted with a large crowd of paparazzi and fans camping outside of Viceroy. Fans of different age groups with British flags and heart shaped balloons filled the parking lots holding a bunch of signs and get well soon cards as if they were waiting for someone to come out and address them.

It wasn't unusual that fans would bring gifts and flowers whenever a big celebrity was being treated at the high profile hospital but this time it was particularly overwhelming. Two of the biggest names in the world were brought in because of a crazy stalker. Nick knew that the media sensationalizing the matter made the crowding a bigger issue, causing paparazzi to join the crowds in the hopes to sneak in the hospital and get a glimpse of the celebrities.

When Nick entered the building he was immediately surrounded by board members of the Los Santos Medical Group who dragged him into a meeting to update him about what had happened during the week. In the meeting they discussed April Fooze and Tommy Tate's case and how they were currently treating the stalker in one of their other hospitals.

Michael rolled his eyes as he leaned over his younger brother's desk that was covered in forms and important confidential documents. Michael took a second to look at the Los Santos night sky from the expansive window that was behind Nick before answering. "Relax. I wasn't planning on doing anything to her. This whole thing was a favor for an old friend anyway."

Nick sighed. He remembered his brother's mischievous grin when he caught him from a distance as he left the sleeping woman's room. "I don't want you to mess with Viceroy. The place is crawling with reporters and one whiff of your involvement would be a mess." Viceroy hospital was his biggest money maker. Maintaining their reputation was important.

Michael shrugged but the small grin on his face remained. "Fine, I won't visit her or Tommy anymore."

Nick gave his brother a stern look, "You better not. You forget that April isn't just a celebrity. CG will come after your ass if they find out that you're lurking around the hospital like a fucking creep."

Michael huffed, his arms raised in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, I get it!" He bent down to give Dog a scratch on the head while he mumbled something to himself about him being the older sibling. "Ever since you bought those damned hospitals you've been boring. When was the last time you did something fun!" Nick rolled his eyes. He knew that Micheal's definition of fun was blowing up public facilities and trafficking weapons.

"Last time I checked your fun is the reason why you're for all legal reasons dead." Despite his brother's blasè attitude, Micheal was currently in hiding. He was considered a wanted terrorist who was currently under investigation by the FIB and the Unified Police Department.