UNTIL DAWN

Chapter Three

I watched my dad sleeping and my chest started to tighten. How was he going to survive this damn brain tumor? Doctor Roberts told me that it was spreading faster than he imagined. He has to get surgery as soon as possible.

At least not later than this week.

I held his flail hand in mine and uninvited tears welled in my eyes. He was getting thinner every second he got and it scared me more than I can imagine. How can a man who raised me alone to my best, my hero, be lying motionless here? He used to call me his strong beautiful girl. How can he react when he knew how broken and weak I was. How can he react knowing that I did something unimaginable to get his medical bills? Well not only his medical bills. That sum of money was a lot to help me get a simple but elegant suit to start my job at Don Corp as my dream company.

Even though everything was at odds, I liked my first day working at Don Corp. my seniors were welcoming and I liked my boss. I got a job as an assistant director in the film production department and the salary was amazing. It was enough to use as a collateral for the loan. My dad's surgery bills have to be ready by tomorrow or at least the day after tomorrow.

My thoughts went back to the café and I rolled my eyes.

Did they really expect me to mix myself in the messy life of rich people? Donovan's were not rich. They were wealthy. Dad would be relieved knowing that I had someone reliable on my side when he was at his lowest but I didn't want to play their games. It was true that I could get a luxurious life along with my dad but I was done with mixing my life with rich people. That night was the first at the same time the last.

Dad stilled in his sleep and I became aware of his frail warm hand holding mine.

I quickly wiped the tears before he could notice. He gave me a weak smile when his eyes managed to open. He didn't look like he was in so much pain like earlier.

"Hi. "

My voice was so small that I almost couldn't hear myself.

"Ooh my poor girl!"

his voice was hoarse because of sleep. I smiled at him and went to bring him something to drink. In the small fridge there was fruits and juice which Mike brought in in the morning. Well we were still not on better terms but he still came to visit dad. We haven't talked much since the argument.

I poured him some in a glass and pulled my chair close to his bed. I helped him drink some and he coughed a little. "Dad, are you okay? Can I call the doctor?"

He waved to dismiss me." I'm fine honey. You did all you can to take care of your sick dad. Always my strong girl."

He raised his weak warm hand to cup my cheek. He wiped a tear. I was not aware that I was crying again.

"I never wished for you to be this strong. I wanted you to be weak so that I could be the one taking and protecting you. I wanted you to whine and throw a tantrum like other kids. I wanted you to be a brat. But look at what I made you do. Wasting your teenage and youth years taking care of me." he said and I frowned. 

I didn't waste anything. I was happy to take care of him. I didn't waste any of my time as he was implying.

He was my papa, my only family I had. I didn't do anything compared to how much he sacrificed to raise me after my mom passed away.

"That's not true dad." wanting to change the topic I told him about my new job. As expected He was so proud.

We talked many more before he drifted back to sleep.

I prepared everything the nurse would need then left to get some rest before my other day at Don Corp.

***