Chapter 2 Best Friend In Trouble

• "Why would you turn him down, Riri?" For the thousandth time, Lex could not still bring herself to accept the fact that I had just rejected the proposal of Mr. Bertram.
• "Why won't I?" I retorted, wishing she would leave me alone.
• "You just turned down the proposal of the only man who can change your life forever, Riri."
• "Marriage is not something to be trifled with, Lex. One have to be in love to be married." I told her frankly.
• "Not to be offensive, but your ex surely was the opposite of love yet you remained with him." She pointed out.
• I swallowed. I knew she did not say it to offend me or taunt me with my past but I still felt bad regardless. I did not want to think of my ex-boyfriend and what I had gone through while with him.
• And Lex was right. He was the opposite of what I preached, yet I remained with him. But what choice did I have? A full belly and sheltered body was important than any other thing at the time.
• He had met me homeless and took me in. I felt grateful and decided I was not going to let myself be homeless anymore. But even that did not work out. I was even lucky not to be in jail with him right now.
• "I'm sorry if I went out of line." She apologized.
• "It's okay. But then again, let's not talk about this anymore." I sighed.
• We were home hours ago and she was about to make dinner.
• "We have to. Do you know who he is? That is a Trillionaire we're talking about, Riri. Not some measly millionaire." Lex was still trying to make a point.
• "No! And that's final."
• **************************************************
• "Lexie please hang on. Please." I dragged my friend out of the taxi and started crying for help as soon as I got to the entrance of the hospital. "I need help, please! My friend is dying."
• It was two days later after our argument. She was ill. Suddenly ill and I had no idea how it came about.
• Two males nurses rushed to me immediately to help me with carrying her. Another came with the stretcher and within minutes, Lex was strapped to the stretcher and wheeled away.
• I followed the stretcher, trying so badly to hold back my tears. "Lex, please." I whispered my plea.
• She was my best friend and though we may have our differences, she was the closest to family. Lex had done what the people I thought were family could not do for me.
• "Ma'am, can you hurriedly say what's wrong with her?" One of the make nurses asked. We were getting closer to the emergency unit.
• "I..." I struggled to pull myself together. "We were having dinner and then she collapsed. I...I don't know."
• "It's alright, ma'am. We'll do everything in our power to make sure she is okay." With those departing words, they wheeled faster and entered the emergency ward.
• I stood helplessly watching my friend being wheeled urgently into the room where she would have to battle for her life. I slipped to the cold, clean hospital floor and rested my head against the wall.
• My gaze fastened on the closed emergency unit door. "Please let her survive this."
• The excruciating wait began. I paced the hallways while nerves knotted tighter with each passing tick of time. What was happening? What was wrong with Lex? I hope she would be better. I needed her to be better.
• She was all I had left. I could not bear to lose her. I continued to pace and pray to whatever powers that be over her life.
• "Hello Miss."
• I turned abruptly at the voice. It was a middle aged man wearing glasses. He was obviously referring to me. "Hi doctor."
• Was he here for Lex? My stomach clenched tight at that. I hope it was good news all through. My knees were currently buckling but I was holding myself from collapsing to the ground.
• "You brought the young lady in, I presume? I was told you said she collapsed. I want to make sure we're on the right page." He was poring the file in his hands with too much seriousness that rattled my bones with fear.
• "Y-yes, I did." He raised his head up. The look on his face told me he had heard the tremble in my voice. I could not help it.
• "Who is she to you?" He questioned, his tone cool and professional.
• "My friend. My best friend." Even my voice was growing weak with fear. This was why I hated hospitals and doctors. They made everything so dramatic and would only heighten the suspense.
• I was literally dying here and this doctor was still speak as though this was not a matter of life and death. I bit my lips to prevent from snapping at him to be out with it.
• "Alright. Her name? She is unable to speak so I had to come ask you." He brought out his pen ready to write.
• "Lexie." I informed him.
• He raised his head looking at me expectantly. What was he waiting for again? What he expecting something else from me? "I'll need her last name, Miss."
• Dang it! I forgot. "I'm sorry. Grey. Lexie Grey."
• I watched him scrawl words across the file. He was probably writing the name down.
• "And what's yours?" He inquired again, his pen on the ready.
• "Riana Tanning." Where was Lex? My gaze darted to the emergency ward behind him. If I went in there now, would I be chased out? "Can I go see her? How's she?"
• "She's stable but in a really bad situation." He began to reveal.
• I did not know if I still wanted to listen to the news he had. Lexie? Bad situation? What could be so bad? And bad meant money. Where would I get it from? I was broke and presently surviving on Lex's kindness.
• I made myself ask despite the fear of knowing. "What bad situation?"
• "Her liver has failed. She needs a new one as soon as possible."
• Blood drained from my face. "Or w-what, doctor?" I was almost afraid to ask.
• "She dies."