Be Mine

Chapter seven

The next day, I decided to give my dad a call. It's been a week since he's left and I wanted to know if he was doing okay.

"I'll come back up with some breakfast so you have some privacy time with your dad." He gave me a small smile and closed the door slowly. I reached for the bedside table and dialed my dad's number. As I placed the phone against my ear, I clutched my chest tightly, hoping to hear some good news.

It rang twice, but no answer. I decided to go again.

This time it went to voice mail. 

I was deserate. What could he be doing? I paused for a moment and thought of opening William's phone instead, to dial Tim. I bit my lip. I couldn't, could I? It was for an emergency anyways. I slowly reached for his phone - CLANK

I jumped at the ruckus that was heard from downstairs.

"William? Are you alright?" A short pause.

"I'm fine, just looking for some coffee." He shouted back. I drew a long breath and quickly snatched William's phone, scanning through his contacts list. A message popped up - jerkface.

A teasing text was shown on the top bar: "Save it - I'll get her no matter what."

I scrunched my eyebrows and froze in place. My thumb hovered over the 'open message' button and I flicked it over, trying to concentrate on dialing Tim. I decided to let that message slide. Sliding down to Tim's number, I rang him. Again, no answer. But almost immediately, a message popped up. This time I couldn't ignore. The keywords were there, each word a stab through my heart. 

"In the hospital. Can't talk."

* * *

I brought my kneesup to my chin and a loud sob escaped my mouth - followed by helpess whimpers and rocking my body back and forth. Loud footsteps echoed the room and William barged in the room, his eyes were bulging out of its sockets. He ran over to me and scooped me up, cradling me in his chest.

"Rose?! What's wrong? Did you hurt yourself?" He placed me on the bed slowly and started scanning my face, feeling every inch of my skin with his fingertips.

"Please, talk to me Rose. You're scaring the shit out of me." His worried face twisted the knots in my stomach. I sobbed harder in his chest, drenching his whole shirt.

"My d-dad.." I whimpered out, at first he stroked my hair and inhaled my scent deeply - thinking of something to say.

"Y-you didn't say anything to me.." Alas, he let out a sigh. He pulled my shoulders back so we were looking at each other.

"He told me not to.. He didn't want you to worry over him," I stared at him, the weariness drained out, replacing frustration. I looked away, closing my eyes shut. He placed a hand on my cheek, slowly rotating it back so our eyes were fixed at each other. I didn't want to fight over this again - the first time was bad enough, throwing a tantrum over how my dad wanted William to look after me. This was his sign - he wanted me to let loose of life - his life, most importantly. I gripped the matress beneath me, William's hand was still on my right cheek, his thumb caressing my cheekbones softly.

"Look at me, Rose." His alluring voice got the best of me. I looked at him from the corner of my eye, bitiing my lip as I did so. 

"He fainted.. A few days ago. For a moment his heart stopped beating - He started taking in short breaths and after several minutes he collapsed." I turned my face around slowly, staring at him through swollen eyes.

"My dad was on the other side of the lake - he fell asleep. Luckily a young fisherman nearby was there when your dad fainted. He was rushed immediately to the hospital where his heart started beathing normally again," His hands dropped from my cheek and he rubbed his neck.

"My dad got a call from the hospital, he was advised that your dad should stay for a few days and run extra tests to make sure he's strong enough to go home. He must've still been in the hospital when you found out. But your dad should be home right now." At that moment, my phone vibrated. William picked it up for me and I gave him a nod. 

'Daddy?" Tears were welling up in my eyes already - fearing it would trickle down right before I say another word.

"Baby, how are you doing? Have you been crying? Why is your voice so hoarse?" I clutched the phone tightly.

"Daddy, are you alright?" He coughed for a moment there, sighing.

"I'm fine honey, I just got home..." He trailed on.

"From the hospital, I know." Another long sigh.

"I'm really sorry, I know I should've told you. I just -"

"No, it's alright. I should'nt have reacted that way in the restaurant, I was being overprotective. Just... Call me when you need anything?"

"Of course, baby girl. And come visit me if you'd like, bring William along. Tim misses his old boy." I laughed - a real one this time.

"We'd love to." I looked over at William and he was already smiling at me. My dad hung up and William took a sip of the coffee he made earlier and winced.

"What's wrong?" William let out a groan and his features were pinched with disgust.

"I swallowed something hard." 

"Must be the coffee residue?" He blinked at me and nodded.

"You're probably right." 

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I apologize for the short chapter and the long update! The next one's going to be longer, I promise :)