NERVES OF STEEL

CHAPTER 15- THE BITTER VOW

            Very early the next morning, Diane drove her mom to the hospital before making her way to the Fedorcenkos  Residence. She was met by the security who denied her access even when she showed them her ID. She wasn't allowed in not until a call was passed through to the inside and Russo gave the order for her to be let in.

                She was glad he let her in because at one point she had lost all hope. Diane was urshered into the Mansion's living room by a housekeeper was made to wait for him till he came downstairs. The seconds turned into minutes and after awhile, she could hear footsteps coming down the stairs prompting her to her on her feet.

                Russo came into few and she could see he had an expressionless look on his face. But even that meant something, she just didn't know it yet. He came down to her and she immediately saluted him the military way.

"Good morning, sir."
"Morning."
"I'm sorry for coming on such a short notice but I really need your help."
"In what way?"
"Financially, sir."
"My father....he was one of the victims of the ship that exploded on the last mission we embarked on."
"I'm aware." Came Russo's curt reply.
"We've run out of money to continue with his treatment sir and I was wondering if you could find it in you to assist with...."
"Major Alvarin, you've been absent from your duties for the past two weeks now." He said, cutting her off as if her words meant nothing to him.
"Well, yes. My father needed my atten.."
"Without permission?" Russo asked with a look of distain on his face.
"I'm sorry, sir." She apologized.
"I'll be expecting you back to base by tomorrow. I'm only sparing you for the relationship my family had with your father."

Had.

                   How quick he was to put everything in the past tense. Diane thought bitterly but bringing her out of her thoughts was the fact that He turned around and started walking up the stairs.

"Sir....." She called out.
"Yes?" Russo turned to her, sourly.
"We were having a different conversation earlier, remember? About my father's health?"
"How much has been spent to revive him?"
"Everything we have, sir. We have nothing left. Please, we really need your assistance."
"And has he been getting better or worse so far?"
"Worse, sir."
"There you have it, Major." He said, coldly.
"What?"
"The Man's time is up and honestly even if I give up all I also have, his case is a lost one."
"W-hat?" Her eyes were clouded with tears that threatened to shed.

Fuck him! Damn the pompous jerk to hell!

"See your way out, Major Alvarin, I'll be expecting you back in gear, by tomorrow or there will be consequences." He added and with that he left her.

                     The silence afterwards haunted her. This was it. The last hope, gone! Her father sacrificed his life for a Man that worth less than a trashbin. For a man, that couldn't even do the same for him now that it mattered. If only her father could see how the people he served with all his years had turned their backs at him. Oh, how this hurt her to the very core!

"I'll make you pay, Russo Fedorcenko. I will."
She vowed, bitterly.

                    With a heavy heart and tears streaming down her eyes non-stop, Diane made her way back to the hospital. The Doctor had given them twenty four hours to pay for the next dose of medication or else he wouldn't administer it.

"How did it go with the Commander?" Tanya asked, desperately but the downcast look on Diane's face said it all.
"I told you those people didn't care about us."
"Where do we get the money now? It's already less than twenty four hours."  Tanya panicked.
"I'll see what I can do."
"Hurry up, please."
"Don't worry, mom. He'll be fine." Diane assured before rushing out of the hospital.

                  She tried seeking out a loan but since they had no physical property of any worth to stand in as collateral, she was denied one. She tried reaching out to a few relatives but they all turned her down. After a fruitless day of running around, Diane returned to the hospital but something shook her. Her father was not in his ward.

                She rushed to the doctor's ward only to find her mother on her knees, weeping and begging.

"What's going on?" She asked, confused and nervous. "Doc? Has my Father's ward being changed? I couldn't find him in the previous one?"
"I'm sorry, Miss Alvarov. Your Father, Mr Warner Alvarov, passed away a few moments ago."
"What? No!" She said in disbelief.
"I'm sorry. Without the medication, death was inevitable and you couldn't keep up with the payments anyone. If you ask me, I'd say this is probably for the best."
"No! Hell no! He isn't dead! My father is not dead! He's alive, you fucking hear me?!" She yelled, breaking down in tears. She hugged her crying mother as they both cried their hearts out in sorrow.
"No mom. I can't believe this. Father can't be dead!" Diane cried out.
"Sssh baby, ssh. It's gonna be fine." Tanya consoled her, whilst still crying, herself.
"I can't take it...." Diane cried. "Dad please......."

8:00pm

             That evening, the balcony to Felix's house could be seen lighted up in different colored glass bulbs. In the middle of a Snooker table and the cue balls scattered all over the top. Two voices could be heard talking rather cheerfully. One was his and the other was, Russo's.

                Russo went ahead and racked up the balls. Felix had suggested they hung out over a game to take his mind off things but even while present, Russo didn't appear present. He was rather too absentminded. Obviously still mourning the tragic condition of his Father.

"That's everything." Felix broke the silence on seeing that everything was set. Russo handed him one of the snooker sticks.
"Think you can take me down, Felix?" He asked, grinning.
"Oh, I'm gonna crush you. Just like always. You know that."
"May the best player win." Russo said.
"Thanks. I will." Felix smirked.