There is much trouble in Paradise

Chapter 9

The party started after both Robert and Garret's speechs. A band was playing and most of the pairs were dancing.

"Have a moment?" Robert asked Doug as he prepared to take Fiona to a dance.

"Say it!"

Robert led Doug to another place before saying:

"I can't belive you brought Herron."

"That's your problem? Look, I have no need of this drama."

"It's the drama you're creating by yourself. Photos will appear and people will say Mrs Herron moved forward." It followed an awkward silence. "Valerie wouldn't have accepted anyways!"

"He accepted Shane!" Doug said. "I lied to myself that she's shy or she's busy or anything else, no, she plainly doesn't want me."

"Heads up! It's not the end of the world. But don't take the first beauty that enters your sight. You're tarnishing your name." Said Robert. "That's my opinion, you do as you think." He said and left.

The party ended late in the night. Shane agreed to drop Cara home because Garret had to stay with Robert for some more time to do formalities.

"Garret? You good?" Robert asked his brother who untied his bow tie.

"Yeah. Tired as hell. Let's get this done."

"Are you sure? Hey, let me take you home."

"No! Don't argue with me, just finish the damn work!" Said Garret.

"Fine. Well first it's the ann-" Robert was stopped by Garret's coughing fit. Garret dropped to the floor on his knees."Garret!" His brother rushed to him.

"I'm fine. It's just a-" he coughed again before he could finish.

"Garret! It's blood!" Both of them were starring in shock at the red spot Garret has left on the floor. His coughing eventually subdued.

"Rob...I..."

"We're going to hospital!" Robert said helping Garret get up.

"What are they going to do? Robert, I'm dying and that's the truth. Stop with your damn hospital and hope. I'm sick and I've got less than a year! What can possibly happen?"

"You're a coward. Not telling your family! You want them to suffer that much? At least let them try to help you!" Robert said.

"I can't be helped."

"Let them convince themselves." Robert said. "Now get up! You're burning! I'm taking you home if you can't take the hospital."

"Your home...please."

The two reached Robert's home just when Shane was exiting his car.

Robert locked eyes with Shane as he held his brother.

"Call me if you need anything." Shane said as he entered his house.

Robert nodded and entered his house too. Robert set his brother in a bed and helped him get changed.

"You told him, right?" Garret asked.

"No. But I will. Is that a problem?"

"He'll keep his mouth shut so no." Garret said before falling asleep.

Robert texted Cara to let her know Garret is sleeping at his house tonight and then put a blanket over his sleeping brother before he himself went to bed.

Night turned into day as Garret, now feeling better, left home so it won't be suspicious. Robert got dressed and went straight to Shane.

"Sorry for the last night. I can explain." He said as Shane opened the door.