Empty

~Stay~

Irene's P.O.V.

"They scheduled my operation after 3 days, they said they're going to monitor my vitals and heart rate before doing the operation" I spoke, after the tear felt and angsty situation Slater and I had faced yesterday I slept because I cried so much, then when I woke up Slater was already no where to be found.

A nurse came to my ward yesterday and informed me about my upcoming surgery which will be held after 3 days, Jared also came here yesterday and was surprised to hear that I'll be doing the surgery, I explained my encounter with Slater, he said that Slater wasn't really planning to go out of his room, if it wouldn't be with him then Slater wouldn't be here with me.

"Are you still mad at me? Slater please don't avoid me" The man infront of me heaved a sigh and stared on the nightstand beside me, never did our eyes met when he visited here today. I was sitting on the bed as he sat on the foot of my bed but he refused to look at me.

"I asked Wendy, Vincent and Jared to be the leader for the mean time. We're both unsuitable to be leaders for now, they need strong leaders who can handle things professionally"

He has a point, I'm physically unstable while Slater was mentally unstable, we're both unstable at the same time and if we'll continue to be like this then our team will really fall.

"How are the basketball team members? Are one of them injured or cannot play during the game?" I asked even when I know I can ask Jared about this, Slater still doesn't want to talk even if I'll try to urge him to speak.

"The game will be held after 3 days, your operation and the game will proceede at the same time" Then... he has to choose... me or the game....

I know how much important the game is for Slater, he's our school's MVP and he'll always be the protagonist in every story. I know how much he wants to bring the throphy back to our school especilly when all of the teachers, staffs and the students here are all waiting for their victory. Between me and the game....

"Time comes that you'll have to chose, one person is enough to lose than losing a team. I am someone who isn't capable of being with you and yet you're still here by my side without me knowing the reason why" I spoke, this caused Slater to look at me.

I accept my defeat, this is the sacrifie made by the heart to make one person happy. Slater will be more happy if he'll chose the latter one than me.

"Love. That's the only reason I need to continue persuing and supporting you in every decision you make, I've already convinced you and I hope that in the end you'll be able to chose the right thing"

His hand clasped mine as he slowly pushed himself forward and gave me a small kiss on my forehead, my eye sight suddenly turned blurry as I just realized that I'm already crying. Slater slowly smiled as he wiped the tears falling down on my cheeks and pulled me in for a hug.

After a few minutes, someone knocked on the door which made me pull away from Slater, he sat beside me and tucked a fringe behind my ear. The door opened and my personal doctor appeared.

"Ms. Irene Bae? I came here for a short consultation, I would want to inform you once again that you'll have your operation in the next 3 days. Please have a soft diet before that day and sleep well so you can relax and have a rest"

"Yes Dr." Slater answered, Dr. Min just smiled and stared at Slater and back to me with a really happy smile. It seems like she knows everything that's happening to his patients.

"How are you feeling? Is your head still hurting?" She asked as she keeps on checking my breathing and heartbeat, she also checked my eyes and auditory acuity.

"7, but it just hurts sometimes. The painkillers are making me really drowsy but I'm feeling good" Instead of giving me injectable pain killers they started giving me morphines which lessens the pain inside me, though I usually feel groggy so when I drink the pill I'll immediately go to sleep.

"Okay, so I'll leave you as of now but please do take care of the patient." She said to Slater.

"I will Dr." We waited for her to close the door before we could finally talk again, throughout the whole time Slater never unclasped his hand from him. He never wanted to leave my side until now...

"You should leave" I spoke hinting about the practice he usually does before the game, he wants to break all his limits in basketball so he can really win the game.

"You're asking the person who wanted you to live leave? I won't leave your side until I am convinced that you can do this on your own. I will not leave you alone even when you're inside the operating room because I will be inside your heart letting you remember that you should live for me"

"There can never be anything more valuable than you to me" Now he's starting to make me feel fluttery, my heart keeps beating irratically as he slowly placed his hand on my chin and pulled me closer.

"I love you and I'm not going to just stay still and see yiu slowly die, I want you to keep living because there's still a person who wants you to live for him" Slater softly pulled me towards him as our lips met, I smiled softly as Slater also did the same, I placed myself in his arms as he welcomed me with his warmth and beating heart...

In his arms, I feel comfortable. In his arms, I felt safe. In his arms, I felt happy. In his arms, I felt relieved. In his arms, I felt loved...