Chapter Two

Immediately Antonio heard his sister's words he ran back to his car and zoomed off straight for the hospital.

He did not even remember that he lift his sister in tears at that moment. All he wanted to do was get to his father as fast as possible

It was only by share luck and good fortune that he was not involved in an accident himself as he drove without caution, ignoring the traffic light that showed red.

On his way to the hospital, he could not help but think the worst. Things were not normal with his dad for a while and this probably attracted bad luck.

He picked up his phone and called his best friend Lucas.

"Hello Bro", Lucas said over the phone.

"Hello Luc, I need you right now?" Antonio said as he fought back the tears that threatened to burst out at any moment.

"What is the matter, Anton?" Lucas asked sensing that something was wrong already.

"My dad is in the hospital!" Antonio said as he burst into tears. "They say he was involved in an accident and I'm on my way to the hospital right now".

"I didn't know when I left Elena at the mansion. Please could you help me go and get her and bring her to the hospital?" Antonio said.

"It's okay Bro, just take it easy", Lucas replied. "I will head straight for the mansion right now! Take it, easy Bro!"

Lucas dropped the call and sat on his bed for a few minutes, thinking about what Antonio just said.

"Could this be the chance I've been waiting for?" He thought to himself. And then he got up and got ready to leave the house.

*****************************************************

His car screeched to a halt in front of the hospital and he hurried down from the car and sprinted into the hospital.

"Antonio Martinez asking for Emiliano Martinez," he said to the first nurse he met on the way.

"Calm down sir! Please calm down!" the nurse urged him. "Your dad is in the theatre", she said

"What!" exclaimed Antonio. "What happened?" He asked with a worried look on his face. His hands were trembling.

"How, where, and when?" He said as he took hold of the nurses' hands unknowingly.

"Your dad was involved in a ghastly motor accident". The Nurse replied calmly.

"He suffered multiple fractures and brain hemorrhage and our doctors are operating on him right now, we are doing our best to stabilize him", she said in a calm tone.

"Good evening Mr. Antonio," a voice said from behind.

Antonio turned around to see Dr. Rico his high school classmate standing behind him.

"Hey Rico"! Antonio said as he took his friend by the shoulder. " Please do all you can to save him, he's all I've got".

Antonio's voice broke as he choked back the tears that threatened to burst out again.

"We are doing our best to save him", Rico said looking really concerned. "Just be calm and hopeful he is going to be fine".

Rico said assuredly as he walked back into the theater.

Lucas and Elena arrived at the hospital a few moments later.

"Hey bro! How are you holding up?" Lucas inquired as he approached Antonio and put his arms around him.

"I don't know bro!" Antonio muttered. "I don't know what I would do if I lose him". Antonio said apprehensively as he fell into Lucas' arms.

"You have to be strong for Elena," Lucas said. "She can't see you like this you know? You are the only one she has left"

Antonio raised his eyes only to see his younger sister slouched on the chair with her head in her hands. She was sobbing uncontrollably.

He immediately left where he was standing with Lucas and ran to her side

He sat down next to her and putting her head on his chest, he said, "It's all going to be fine Elena. We are going to be good. The doctor said dad would make it".

But deep down Antonio's heart, he didn't believe his own words. There was this gloomy feeling about this day.

It just seemed as if everything would work against him and the worst would happen.

And even if his father survived, it would only be a miracle and he would probably become a vegetable.

But all he could do was keep his guard up and encourage his younger sister.

After about six hours in the theatre, the doctors came out.

"We were able to stop the internal bleeding but right now he is in a coma," Dr. Rico said

"Can we go in and see him now?" Antonio asked anxiously.

"Yes, you can". Rico replied. "But it would be better if you spend a few moments and let him rest. It is not advisable to disturb him in any way right now"

"So please no touching or any unnecessary loud movement or talking". Dr. Rico warned them.

"Yes, yes!" Antonio said

"We understand doctor," Antonio said as he nodded in agreement

Antonio, Elena, and Lucas walked briskly into the ward where Emiliano Martinez was admitted.

On entering the ward and at the sight of their father, Elena burst out into a new round of tears.

Ashe could not bear the sight of her father limp with his hands and legs broken.

"Why is this happening to us?" She asked

as she turned to face her brother Antonio in tears

"Why, why?" She asked as she cried helplessly

Antonio stood there for a few minutes staring at Emiliano and walked out of the room in tears.

While in the hallway of the hospital, Antonio suddenly turned to the nurse and asked furiously.; "Where is the driver? Where is he?"

"Why would you suddenly ask that?" Lucas asked in surprise.

"If my father dies, He must die also!" Antonio said with anger in his eyes.

He then charged towards the reception desk to speak with the nurse at the reception.

"Please was anyone brought here along with my dad?" He asked

"Yes!" replied the nurse. "He also just came out of surgery but he is already conscious as his injuries were less fatal than your dad's". She concluded

"Take me to where he is!" Antonio ordered the nurse.

The nurse was startled at Antonio's sudden order but knowing who he was she decided to inform the doctor first.

The doctor obliged and then she took Antonio and his friend to see the driver.

Immediately they stepped into the room the driver could not look directly at Antonio because of the heat of his gaze.

"He is already behaving suspiciously!" Antonio muttered to Lucas.

"Why can't he look at me?" Antonio asked.

"Calm down!" Lucas whispered to Antonio. "If you want to get anything out from him then this is not the way to go"

They approached the bed on which the driver was lying down.

"Good day, Mr. Antonio," the driver said. His voice, shaky with fear and also, body pains.

Antonio didn't even bother to reply to him, he just continued giving him a suspicious look which caused the driver to cringe with fear.

Lucas quickly stepped in and asked the driver; "How are you and how are you feeling?"

"I feel like a truck ran into me", the driver replied.

"We would like to ask you some questions!" Antonio cut in.

On hearing that, the doctor interrupted and said; "No Antonio, it's too early for questioning. He needs to rest and perhaps when you return tomorrow you can ask him a few questions".

This angered Antonio and he wanted to protest but cautioned himself when he saw some police walk past the room.

As they walked out of the ward into the lobby they saw Elena speaking with a man dressed in a white long sleeve shirt and navy blue pants.

He was scribbling some things as Elena was speaking to him.

"Yes, who are you?" Antonio interrupted their conversation.

"Oh, Antonio!" Elena said as she wiped tears off her eyes.

"This is Detective Sebastian and he has been put in charge of our case".

"Good day detective!" Antonio said as he offered him a handshake with a straight face.

The detective shook his hand firmly and said.

"I am detective Sebastian and I am the one who has been put in charge of your father's case".

"This case is a long-running one and I sympathize with you and your family".

"I sincerely hope your father will make it through," detective Sebastian said.

"Thank you, detective Sebastian," Antonio said warmly. "It is nice to have you around but as you can see, this is a critical time for me and my family. And we may not be able to answer any questions, for now," Antonio said

Detective Sebastian smiled and then closed his notepad. "Well understood Mr. Antonio". He said.

"I do not mean to be of any discomfort to your family, but as I said earlier, this case is a long-running one and we would love to get it wrapped up as soon as possible".

"It's fine" Antonio replied.

"We will be seeing then," detective Sebastian said, turned around, and began to walk away.

"But wait!" Antonio called out to him.

"Why do you say the case has been a long-running one? What has the FBI got to do with my father's accident?" Antonio asked with an inquisitive look at the detective

Detective Sebastian smiled and said to him; "There are so many things you do not know but in time Antonio, in time!"

Let's just hope and pray for your father's recovery. I believe that it will be sorted out," Detective Sebastian said and then he left.

"You guys go home," Antonio said to Lucas and Elena.

"I will stay here to see if there are other things dad needs"

Elena protested at first. but finally gave in to Antonio's request

Lucas then offered to take her home in Antonio's Porsche Cayenne.