Drawing the Line

Chapter 18

"By increasing our marketing budget, we'll be able to create bigger and more impactful ads that will reach more consumers," Joel nodded his head as he listened to his co-worker describe the new plan for the company.

Buzz Buzz

His cell phone was on vibrate but it sat on the corner of the desk and proved to be distracting. After a few seconds, it was still going, and Joel started to wonder who it was. When no one was looking, he grabbed his phone and put it between his lap, under the desk. He was able to glance at the name on the display and immediately got up.

"Excuse me, I'll just be a minute. I need to go to the washroom."

He found a quiet corner away from the meeting room and called Rylie back. When she picked up, all he heard on the other line was sobbing and jumbled words. As soon as he heard 'hospital', he sprinted to collect his belongings and rushed into the elevator.

Even for a weekday, the streets were pretty backed up, but with Joel's driving skills, he was able to weave in and out with no issues. He backed into the first parking spot he saw and sprang out of the car.

"Miss, where's...the...ICU?" he panted. She stuck up four fingers and before she could say anything, Joel was out of her sight. Following the signs, he turned right and found Rylie pacing back and forth nibbling on her thumbnail.

He approached her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Startled, she jumped out of her skin. Seeing that it was Joel, her lips started to tremble, and her face was again drenched with tears. In the heat of the moment, she stretched out her arms and embraced him. As if it came natural to him, he hugged her back and held her tight.

"It's okay, everything will be all right," he said in soft hushes while stroking her hair.

A surgeon came through the swinging doors while removing his mask. They ran over to him immediately.

"Are you a relative of Mrs. Jang?"

"Yes, I'm her daughter. Is she going to be okay?" she asked shakily.

"I'm sorry but she was already very ill and there was significant damage already done."

"D-damage?"

Rylie tried to process what she was hearing but was confused.

"Yes, the tumor in her brain has spread. We removed what we could, but we don't know if she'll wake up. She's in a deep coma. If she doesn't wake up after a week, I'm afraid she will remain in a vegetative state."

Although the doctor had broken bad news multiple times, it never got easier. Especially when they were this young and didn't have other family.

Joel thanked the doctor and comforted Rylie who was in disbelief.

"This has to be a dream," she mumbled. Coming home to her mother berating her was what she was used to. It had been her whole life. The possibility of that being gone put her in a tailspin. A part of her was trying to imagine a life where she might be free. The other part of her grieved because she was still her mother at the end of the day.

Feeling a sudden rush of emotions, she bent towards the floor to hug her knees and cried her heart out.

----------------------------------------------------

"Thanks Miles! I could really use the break!" exclaimed Mickey over the phone to his manager.

He had been modelling for various companies and publications for the last few months and his social life had suffered because of it.

One of the clients had rescheduled so he finally had a few days to catch up on sleep and partying.

"I wonder what James has been up to..."