My tears mixed up with the rain that started to pour. I sat on the roadside bench, devastated. I had no idea how much time had passed and how much I had cried. It was impossible for me to arrange that much in just three days. Even in three years, I knew I couldn't make much money.
As I continued thinking, not even caring about my wet dress, Matthew stood beside me with an umbrella, confused. As soon as I saw him, I started to cry loudly, saying, "Mira's condition has gotten worse."
He sat beside me and held my hand, saying, "Nothing will happen to her."
"I don't know what to do. I am scared, Matt."
He pulled me to him to give me a warm hug, despite my wet clothes. He said, "Hey! Calm down."
Then he cupped my cheeks, saying, "Let's go from here. We'll think of something."
He held my hand and took me to his apartment, which was located just two streets away from the hospital. He spotted me when he was on his way home.
I stood in the main hall, feeling nervous and trembling. Only when I looked at myself did I realize my entire boobs were showing through my top. My nipples were clearly visible, and Matthew's gaze on them embarrassed me.
His entire face turned red, and I bent my head down at the same time, covering my chest with my hands. Mira's condition weighed on my head so hard that I even forgot to care about my appearance.
He let out a sigh and went to his bedroom to give me the towel and his T-shirt. Quickly, I ran to the shower, took a hot bath, and changed my clothes. His clothes were too big for me; I almost looked like a homeless person.
"For you!" He gave me the coffee mug, sitting beside me.
"Thanks!"
We both kept silent for a few minutes, then he broke the silence, saying, "Now, tell me. What happened?"
"Mira's condition got worse. They need to bring some specialists, and it needs a hell of a lot of money. It needs to be arranged in three days."
He was worried as well. He didn't say anything after hearing me.
I continued, "I don't have that much money, and I can't even make that much in three days."
I bit my inner cheeks, letting go of my self-respect. Even though I didn't want to ask him, my situation made me ask, "Matt, do you have money? Can you please help me? I will definitely pay you back."
Tears rolled down my cheeks. His face turned pale as he heard me, and he pulled me into a comforting hug.
I knew he had no money except the remaining salary of the month, but a hope of him having at least some money made me ask him, which only saddened him.
"Elira, we'll figure it out. I will ask my contacts if they can arrange any. Nothing will happen to Mira, trust me."
I simply nodded, believing him. Without wasting time, he called someone to ask for money, but we had no luck.
As the disappointment kicked in, he said, "It's only our first try. We have three days."
We didn't even realize when it happened, but two days had already passed, and we both were still trying. I asked Hydes' manager, who helped me with some money, which was not enough.
With every day, every hour, the hope in me started to vanish. At times, I even thought of Mr. Wolfe, but I knew better than to take his help. It was a good chance for him to bring up the contract topic, so I chose not to contact him.
I understood it was impossible for both of us to arrange the money, so I decided to take help from the doctor.
I paid off whatever money we both gathered, and I reached the doctor's cabin. With a small smile, he greeted me and asked, "Have you paid the money?"
I shook my head negatively. "I paid whatever I could."
He looked at me with a disappointed face. He nearly shouted, "Ms. Yung, you don't know the severity of her condition. Her immunity system is bad along with her existing medical condition. Do you know what it means?"
I pressed my palms together, saying, "Please. Help me this time."
His angry face softened as he looked at my teary eyes. He said, "It's not like I don't want to help. Even though you were unable to pay earlier, I took care of your sister sometimes. But this is different. It's not in my hands, Ms. Yung. Please understand."
"Doctor…"
He avoided my gaze, not wanting to listen to me. It was selfish of me to ask for help from him when he had already helped us many times.
"I am sorry." He let out his final word.
I walked out of his cabin and sat on the chair in the reception. My strength collapsed, and I began crying, putting my palms on my face, and that was when I heard his voice.
"Funny. I can solve this in five minutes."