Shall I still love you?

Chapter 1- Three months to live

A thin and frail woman in a beautiful white dress was staring blankly at nothing in particular, not noticing anyone walking past by her, her tear stained and hopeless eyes evoking heartache from everyone who saw her, making them wonder what made such an ethereal beauty who looked like she just came out of an oil painting such an anguished and helpless look. Those pair of clear tear filled eyes would evoke sympathy even from the coldest of hearts.

Catarina Krust could still hear the doctor's voice ringing in her ear. It was Thursday noon when she received a call from Dr. Anthony, who was her doctor as well as a friend, reminding her of the appointment the next day, which is about her deteriorating health. Just a few months ago she had been diagnosed with brain tumor, added with her weak heart, she had been on jitters. She had been so shocked, surprised and devasted when she saw the result. Well, the result of her recent health diagnosis will be out on Friday. It could become a deciding factor in her life, in fact. She had an anxious and sleepless night, arriving to City's Hospital an hour before her appointment due to anxiety.

Dr. Anthony had been the only person who had helped her in all her stupid and unscrupulous action. Keeping her identity a secret when she gave away one of her kidney to transplant to Nikolai Sardov. The doctor who diagnosed her brain tumor and the person who had been treating her and supporting her for years. He was not only her doctor but also her good friend who knew almost everything about her.

After just few minutes of waiting, she was escorted to Dr. Anthony's office where they will be having an appointment. It was a very spacious and luxurious room, and soundproofed. There was a large desk at one corner and few luxurious but low key couches and sofas on the other side surrounding a square glass table.

As soon as she entered the room, she heard the door slammed shut behind her and she was pulled into a tight embrace, shocking her greatly. She would have screamed if not for that unique fragrance of mint, and what was that strong cigarette smell from? It was Anthony, but she had never known him as one who like being physical with others, well except for when treating his patients. What's up with him today?

         Drip..... Drip.... Drip.....

Catarina felt something warm on her shoulder, a liquid, what could it be? Tears?

        Wait... Tears?!?! Ehhh...??? Anthony's crying?!?

She froze. Anthony's not a very warm person. In fact he can be categorised as a cold person. What must have happened for him to be like this?

"..... Tony... What happened? What's wrong...???" Catarina was so stupefied seeing her friend like this, having a breakdown.

Instead of answering her, he even cried more. He was crying out loud, bawling in fact,like a kid. His cries, though not very loud, was still audible within the room. It was one of anguish, desperation and helplessness, anger and many other emotions. It was heartbreaking to hear. He was embracing her so tightly it was nearly suffocating Catarina.

      "...... Ri... Ri... Rina.."

A hoarse voice called out to her after a long time.
   "... Yes Tony... Wh.. What's going on? You're scaring me...you know..."

Catarina was very worried about her friend's breakdown that her own worries for her health issues had been pushed to the back of her head, forgetting about her appointment or why she was there.

"..... I... I... I'm so sorry... Rina... I'm so.. so.. sorry..." Anthony was behaving in such an odd way not answering her question so Catarina could only pat his back to calm him down.

After sniffling for a while, Anthony released his tight embrace and wiped his face, looking at Catarina, with his red and swollen eyes, as a result of crying for so long. Eyes which were once a deep blue, perfectly matching his golden hair, were now so red with his always tidy hair, now a mess. A man as prideful, cold and elegant as Anthony was nothing but now a messy broken man with a wrinkled shirt and bleeding knuckles. He must have hit something pretty hard to make his knuckles bruised and bleed.