Love in the Dark

Chapter One: Midnight Call

Waking up to the insistent ringing of his phone, Carlos grumbled as he rolled over in bed, reaching out for the device that continued to vibrate on the nightstand. Rubbing his eyes in hopes of shaking off the remnants of sleep, he glanced at the clock, groaning as he realized how late it was. He expected it to be his friends, eager to celebrate his recent victory before the summer break, even at this ridiculous hour.

"Hola?" he answered sleepily, closing his eyes as he laid back down. But they flew open again, and he sat up with a frown as he heard the voice on the other end. It wasn't his friends. It was a doctor from the local hospital.

Carlos's heart raced, confusion and worry flooding his mind. Why was a doctor calling him in the middle of the night? His thoughts immediately turned to his family. He couldn't bear the thought of something happening to them, not now, not when the season was going so well for him and his team. The very idea filled him with dread. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for the news that was about to come, hoping desperately that his fears were unfounded.

However, Carlos felt his stomach drop when he listened to the doctor mention the name of his childhood friend and a sense of uneasiness enveloped him as he wondered why the hospital decided to call him.

Carlos hadn't had a chance to meet Matteo Reyes since his daughter had been born and the trip he hoped to take to his childhood friend to check in and see his god-daughter again, got further delayed after he had signed with Ferrari, however, Carlos loved Kaia dearly and always looked forward on seeing her again.

"Is he okay?" Was the first thing Carlos asked as he jolted out of his bed, running a hand through his hair as his heart raced wildly, hoping whatever the situation was, it wasn't too serious.

A moment later, the doctor on the other end carefully revealed how Matteo had been involved in a car accident and that he wanted Carlos to come to the hospital as soon as possible.

___

Carlos rushed into the waiting area of the hospital, searching for a doctor, any doctor who could update him on Matteo's condition.

Matteo was an only child who had lost his father a year prior getting married to his long-term girlfriend, Esme. Amidst the chaos, his mind replayed how happy Matteo had been on his wedding day.

"Mr. Sainz?" a voice called from a distance, making Carlos snap his head around as he hurried towards the doctor who had called for him.

"Yes, that's me," Carlos replied, breathing heavily, trying to read the doctor's expression. "How's Matteo?"

"The neurosurgeons just completed his emergency surgery," The doctor replied, making Carlos nod slightly as he took a deep breath. "But I'm afraid, the chances of him regaining consciousness are very slim." The doctor continued, making Carlos' stomach drop as he heard him. 

"Why do you say that?" He asked, desperately wanting the doctor to tell him that friend would be just fine in a matter of days.

"Mr. and Mrs. Reyes were involved in a very serious car accident," The doctor explained: "And Mr. Reyes sustained very serious injuries on his brain, and we've done our best, however, his body isn't responding well to the treatment."

"Esme was there with him?" Carlos asked, shocked by this new piece of information. The doctor nodded hesitantly.

"How is she?" Carlos asked immediately, his heart pounding with dread at the doctor's silence.

"I'm sorry, sir, but Mrs. Reyes died on her way to the hospital," the doctor slowly revealed, watching as the color drained from Carlos's face. He stood there, frozen, struggling to process the devastating news. The weight of the words pressed down on him, the reality sinking in like a heavy stone. His mind raced, struggling to understand how things could change so much in such less time, and a sense of helplessness overwhelmed him.