Chapter twenty six

Sophie was still sitting in the reception at the hospital when the doctors came out. As weak as she was she stood up and practically ran to them.

"How... how's the surgery?" She stammered and one of the doctors stopped to look at her.

"Thankfully, it went well, We were able to remove the bullet and fixing his broken rip. And he was really lucky, for the bullet was just inches away from his kidney"

Sophie sagged in relief and almost collapsed with faintness. But the doctor caught her and helped her back up.

"Are you okay ma'am. Do you need any medical checkup too" he asked her studying her disruptive face.

"N...no....am Okay... thank you."

As he was about to leave. Stella walked in with two cups of coffee.

She quickly ran towards them.

"How was the surgery?"

"It went well" He said giving them a small smile.

"When can we see him" Sophie asked.

"Uhmnnn..... Immediately after the nurses finish cleaning the room and they move him to his patient room. you will be able to see him." He said, smiled and walked away.

Sophie slowly walked to the seats and sat down. Her throat parched, and her bones weakened. She was tired and in need of her own rest but she won't, not until she sees Marcus doing fine. Not until....

A cup of coffee was pushed to her face.

"Drink this" Stella said handling it to her.

"You look like a ghost" She ended and Sophie looked up to catch her expression. There were fear and concern there but she hid it well.

"You need to rest and take it easy,am sure even Marcus won't want you dead before he wakes up you Know."

"Thank you" Sophie said silently sipping the cut coffee slowly.

Stella sat up beside her. Checking out the dress she wore. it was the one Marcus had gotten for her himself.

It was rumpled and would need a good dry cleaning job. But it was still beautiful.

"why don't you go home and freshen up, then change into something else" Stella suggested.

Sophie shook her head.

"No" She mumured.

"Why? Marcus is not awake yet, And the nurses aren't done either. "

"I'll stay here, till he wakes up".

Stella signed defeatedly and watched Sophie.

What could she do to make her go home. She really looked a mess.

Stella checked her wristwatch, It was few minutes past twelve. Even midnight had passed. She wasn't sure if they would get a taxi. Or if there was an hotel around the corner.

Sophie wasn't going anywhere. She was going to stay by his side till he's up. Not even her mother could get her out of here. She signed tiredly and sadly. Her feet's hurt so badly. As she had left her shoes back at the restaurant where the incident happened. It was bruised and red for having to walk barefooted around.

The coffee in her hand has grown cold. For she had only taken a sip out if it. Her stomach grumbled but she didn't mind. She didn't even have an appetite for even her most favorite food. She felt like she would faint anytime.

Few seconds later, A nurse came over and told them they could pay Marcus a visit but just for a few minutes because he was still in a critical condition.

When the got into the private room he was in. Tears slipped down Sophie's face. Her boss, her love, her Marcus was in do much pain. She should have been the one in this condition right now. Not him.

She gently took his hand and sat on the chair next to his bed.

"Am sorry sweetheart... Am so sorry, it's all my fault. I...I..... shouldn't... have....."She was crying hysterically, her hiccups becoming louder and then she felt a hand on her shoulder.

She looked up and faced Stella who also was almost in the verge to cry but she acted strong and kept a straight face.

"Stop crying, He will be okay. You'll only get him more sicker with you tears."

Sophie nodded and cleaned up her face trying her best to smile.

"Thank you Stella." She said.

"You'll stay over with him tonight won't you?" Stella asked.

"Yeah. I will. Could you help me talk to the nurses about that?"

"Ok I will.....and I will go home now, so when I'm coming tomorrow I'll bring you some change of clothing"

Sophie gave her a warm smile."Thank you very much"

"Aren't you hungry? Should I get you something to eat?"

"No....am okay....I do not have appetite for any food now but when I do, I'll get something to eat from maybe one of the nurses"

Stella nodded and walked out few minutes later.

Sophie faced Her sleeping Marcus again. His face had been cleaned up and the color had come back to his face. Thankfully he was looking more okay than she expected him to be and she was happy for that.

There where still drips attached to his arms and wrists, and the heart beat machine beside him keep making a slow, steady noise which means his heart is in a stable condition.

And here she was looking like some remains of garbage. Even her hair was nothing to write home about. She had pulled it up into a loose bum in the ambulance. And it was loosening bit by bit. And strays and strands of hair clung to her wet neck, and forehead.

She dreamed of a long shower. but not here and not now. Maybe tomorrow, when Stella get here tommorow, she'll switch places with her and rush home for a quick shower. She placed her head on the edge of the bed beside his hand, her hand entwined with his on his stomach and she slept off in minutes.

As she was she was beyond tired.