Dear Boss: Wounds of The Past

CHAPTER 8

Brian was pacing nervously outside the ER, his phone clutched tightly in his hand. He needed to talk to someone—to hear a familiar voice.

He quickly dialed the first number on his list Daniel Carter.

"Brian, what’s going on? Bakit ang aga mo tumawag?" Daniel’s voice was groggy, but as soon as he heard the panic in Brian’s voice, he was wide awake.

"Dan, it’s Patricia... She’s in the hospital. There was an accident. I don’t know what to do, man," Brian said, his voice breaking.

"What?! Saan ka? I’ll be there as soon as I can," Daniel responded, already getting out of bed.

One by one, Brian called his closest friends, James Thompson, Michael Reyes, Robert King, Ethan Clark, Lucas Evans, William Bennett, Matthew Taylor, Sebastian Wright, and David Hudson. They all promised to meet him at the hospital as quickly as possible.

Brian was surrounded by his friends, who had all rushed to the hospital after getting his calls. The tension was thick as they waited for any news about Patricia.

"Bro, anong nangyari?" James asked, concern etched on his face as he looked at Brian.

Brian took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "We were at the club. Patricia was dancing... I messed up. I let my guard down, and now she’s here because of me."

"Hindi mo naman kasalanan lahat," Matthew said, trying to comfort him. "But what exactly happened?"

Brian explained everything—how he had kissed a random girl, how Patricia had seen them, and how she had run out of the club only to end up unconscious on the street. The more he talked, the heavier the guilt felt in his chest.

"Don’t worry, Brian," Lucas said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We’re here for you, and for Patricia. She’s strong; she’ll pull through."

Just as they were trying to process everything, Brian noticed Catherine on her phone, her face pale and full of worry.

Catherine was dialing Patricia’s mom, Mrs. Evelyn Fernandez, who was currently in America taking care of Patricia’s father.

"Hello?" Mrs. Fernandez answered, her voice hopeful.

"Tita Evelyn, it’s Catherine," she began, trying to keep her composure. "Tita, si Patricia... she’s been in an accident."

There was a long pause before Mrs. Fernandez’s voice came through, trembling. "Anong nangyari? How bad is it?"

"She’s in the hospital now, Tita. The doctors are doing everything they can. Hindi pa siya nagigising..." Catherine’s voice cracked as she tried to remain calm.

Mrs. Fernandez felt her knees buckle as she clutched the phone tighter. "Oh God... I need to be there. I need to see her. Catherine, can you stay with her? Please don’t leave her side."

"Yes, Tita, I’ll stay with her. I promise. But you need to get here as soon as you can," Catherine urged.

"I’m booking the next flight out. I’ll get there as soon as possible. Your Tito Carlos... I’ll leave him in the care of our doctors and nurses. Just please, Catherine, take care of my baby until I arrive," Mrs. Fernandez said, her voice shaking with fear and urgency.

"I will, Tita. I won’t leave her," Catherine promised before ending the call.

Brian’s friends gathered around him, offering whatever comfort they could. But Brian couldn’t shake the overwhelming guilt and fear in his heart.

"She’ll be okay, right?" Brian whispered, more to himself than to anyone else.

"She has to be," Daniel said firmly. "For both your sakes."