Natalie || Bruno Mars

Chapter 15

Bruno's POV

I felt like I was following a completely different person as Natalie – or should I say Persephone – led me and Ali through the hallway of the hospital, to a white door that says "Room 216." I didn't even know what we were doing there and why I was following her after she suddenly turned out to be a complete stranger to me. I was torn between trusting and not trusting her.

She opened the door and then we followed as she entered in. Bewilderment filled both me and Ali as we saw a man who looked like he's in his mid 50's, was lying lifelessly on the hospital bed with tubes and dextrose connected to his body. I heard Ali gasped behind me, surprised of what she was seeing.

Persephone walked towards his bed and said in a low voice, "Hey, Dad. Sorry it's been a long time since I last visited." My jaw dropped after hearing that. Dad. He's her... father? "I'm here with some friends. Ali and Bruno," she said as if the man could hear and see us.

I walked behind her and whispered in a confused and surprised tone, "Natalie, I—"

But she cut me off with, "It's Persephone."

"Right," I nodded. "What happened?"

She looked up at me with teary eyes and whispered, "He won't wake up."

Persey's (Natalie) POV

I ran straight to the dormitory after buying something at a nearby CD store. I headed up to the third floor, to my room where I stay in with my college buddy, Debbie. As I burst in, I saw her busy typing her thesis on her laptop. "Persey! What took you so long? I thought your classes end at five," she greeted.

"Yeah, but I still had to go and buy my sister a gift. Remember it's her birthday today?" I said while taking off my jacket.

"What did you get her?" she asked.

"Oh, just a Rolling Stones record. She's so old school. She loves Mick Jagger," I replied. I went to my closet and searched for something to wear tonight. "I'm gonna see my family tonight, by the way. I'm gonna meet them at some restaurant and we're gonna celebrate Paris' birthday."

"That's great! Are you leaving now?"

"Yeah. Don't want to be late. My mom is allergic to late-comers," I mumbled in exasperation. I finally found the perfect outfit and then put it on. After I was done, I grabbed my duplicate key and my present for my sister, and headed to the door. "I'll see you later, Deb!"

"Yeah! Have fun!" I heard her say before I could close the door.

I walked to the bus stop feeling butterflies tickling my stomach. I was excited to see my family again after three months of not having to spend time with them. I used to live in my parents' house before, but since I go to college now, and my campus is a bit far from home, I decided to live in a dormitory.

I was going to meet up with them at my Mom's favorite restaurant that night, to have dinner and a little celebration as well for my sister's birthday. Paris was turning eighteen. She's the craziest and funniest girl I know. We're best friends. A lot of times we fight over small, stupid things though. But who cares? We're sisters. Sisters fight.

I rode a bus which led me to the restaurant. I was expecting to see them as I went in the place, but they still weren't there. I grabbed a table where I sat at and ordered a glass of iced tea so I would have something to sip while I was waiting for them.

I've been to this restaurant so many times already. The place didn't look that fancy. But they serve very delicious yet affordable foods. Perfect for a middle class family like us.