Hailey's POV
"Hey, Hailey. Are you trying to see Nacio again?" Bridgett asked, greeting me with the smile she must have practiced in the mirror daily. Her flowing, blonde hair cascaded in gentle waves around her shoulders, catching the sunlight and enhancing her radiant presence.
"Sure am. Have you seen him?" I gave her an equally fake smile back, letting her know I, too, didn't particularly like her. She was Nacio's number one model for this upcoming fashion show, growing her confidence and turning her into a vapid woman. Three weeks ago, she and I were close, sharing gossip and drinking coffee. Now I was nothing more than an inconvenience to her. For whatever reason, she despised me getting closer to Nacio, but as his underling, I was second in command. He and I would often share lunches as we spoke about designs and predicted upcoming fashion trends.
Thanks to Ian and Nacio, I had gotten many offers, starting out my career with another designer, until Nacio had an opening again. For the past two months, I have been in absolute heaven at work. Nacio really respected my ideas and made me feel heard. He even included one of my designs in this upcoming fashion show. I was bouncing off the walls with excitement when he told me. Poor Ian had to put up with my hyperass all night as I spoke about it over and over again. Somehow, he seemed to be genuinely listening each time, as if it were the first time he was hearing it.
"Nope," she shrugged, walking off as if she wasn't the one who had started the conversation.
I rolled my eyes and continued to make my way towards his office until my phone rang in my pocket. Shuffling the large portfolio folder of designs in my hand, I managed to fish it out and saw Lucas' name flash across my screen. He's been keeping tabs on Liv for me, letting me know everything that was happening since she was shutting me out. However, this past week, his texts ceased, pushing me to the brink of sanity.
"Hello?"
"Hailey!" Lucas yelled my name, his tone laced with panic.
"What is it? What's going on?" His worry seeped through the phone and into my pores, filling me instantly with concern.
"She's being rushed to the hospital. She fainted." Lucas sounded on the verge of tears as he spoke, while Abi blissfully laughed in the background, unaware of what her mother was going through.
"I'll be right there! Don't worry, I will take care of Abi so you can be at Liv's side."
I hung up without waiting for his response, darting back to my desk and slamming the portfolio down. I quickly texted Nacio about a sudden emergency, informing him I'd be taking the rest of the day off. Grabbing my purse and keys, I bolted through the halls, reaching the sidewalk just in time to see a taxi zooming past. Miraculously, the taxi noticed me and screeched to a halt right in front, brakes squealing in protest.
"New York Presbyterian Hospital. I'll give you a hundred extra dollars if you can make it in less than 10 minutes." I tapped the back of his seat, buckling up, already knowing I was in for a wild ride.
The man didn't play around, speeding through the streets as if he were a drag racer. I handed him the money, running inside through the emergency room doors. I paused as I searched the lobby for Lucas' blonde hair, which had grown unruly as Liv had taken priority over everything else. Only it wasn't his blonde head that I spotted as I walked in, seeing Ian look at those metal double doors with worry.
"Where is she?" A voice registered from behind me, causing me to turn and find Lucas. His eyes were wild as he searched the area, more than likely looking for Liv's mop of red hair. The worry and panic etched on his face were palpable, as if every passing second without finding her was a weight on his shoulders.
"I just got here, too," I answered him, feeling just as lost as him. Why was Ian here already? Where was Lucas? I thought that he had been here with her, having followed the ambulance or something, but now I am unsure of everything.
"Ian!" Lucas yelled his name, drawing everyone's attention for a brief second. I took Abi from his arms as anger rose in his expression. What is going on? "What the hell happened?" Lucas sounded almost accusatory when he asked, his voice slightly raised with fury.
"I don't know. I was hugging her goodbye and she just fainted." Ian sounded so scared as he began to explain. His eyes were glossy with tears as his hands opened and closed at his sides. What was he doing with her?
"Where is she?"
"They took her to the back. I told them everything about her health. They wouldn't tell me more since I am not you." Ian pointed to the nurse, who held a scowl as she returned his gaze. He must not have been so friendly when they wouldn't tell him what was going on. "Talk to her and let us know, because I am dying over here."
Lucas didn't bother to argue, as he ran straight for the nurse. A quick conversation ensued, until eventually Lucas was yelling. Then, without a word to either of us, he disappeared to the back with the nurse, leaving us more puzzled than before. Abi began to cry, leaning forward to try and get out of my arms. She saw Lucas leave and wanted to follow him, pushing my arms in an attempt to escape. I held her tightly, trying to soothe her, but she wouldn't have it, at least not until Ian took her from me. She looked at him and sniffled before laying her head on his chest and hiccuping.
"I'm sorry," Ian said, holding my gaze with concerned eyes. He looked guilty, causing my stomach to twist in knots. Dread filled me as if I were about to receive the worst news of my life. Did something happen? Why were they alone together?
"What happened, Ian?" I asked him as I rubbed Abi's back while she rested against him.
"She called me." He sighed, resting his head over Abi's, but keeping his eyes on me. "She looked so bad, Hailey. She was as white as a ghost and struggling to walk. I can't get the image out of my head. She was acting as if she were going to die, giving me some old journals as momentum or something." His head swiveled as he tried to shake the memory out. "She looked so sad...depressed really. I have never seen her like that. Her cancer has spread, Hailey. It's in her lymph nodes."
A gasp escaped my lips, my hands instinctively flying to cover my mouth as I heard the news. The sound that escaped my throat was a strangled, choked noise- a mix of disbelief and anguish. The weight of the words hit me like a punch to the gut. She couldn't be getting worse, not Liv. She was more than just a friend; she was my sister. The thought of losing her was unbearable, and the fear of her slipping away gripped my heart with an iron grip.
"She still has an 80 percent chance of survival, but she needs to fight. We need to be pushy this time, Mi Luz. She seems to be giving up already and thinking only in the worst-case scenarios."
"I'll be a damn monkey on her back. With an 80 percent chance, I'll be damned if I let her keep thinking she's dying. She's going to be glass-half-full by the time I finish with her." With a firm resolve, I nodded my head once, affirming my readiness for the challenge ahead.
"Sounds like you." Ian gave me a small smile, feeling slightly more at ease now.
"I am sorry I didn't call you. My brain went into panic mode, only remembering to call Lucas because the nurses wouldn't tell me anything about Red."
I didn't particularly like that admission, wondering when he would have remembered me. It was extremely selfish of me to think this, but the thought continued to cross my mind. He forgot about me because of her.
"I understand," I lied, feeling deeply hurt but refusing to be selfish and admit it. He was scared, having had Liv faint in front of him. I need to be more understanding. After almost 10 months, I can't be acting this stupid. I know Ian loves me. Today was a strange circumstance, which I won't hold against him. "Let's settle in. It's going to be a while."
I settled into one of the chairs, its worn upholstery offering little comfort with the cushion flattened by the weight of countless patients who had sat there before me. The seat itself felt cold against my skin, a stark reminder of the sterile environment surrounding me. Despite the discomfort, I felt better knowing I was not alone in my wait, with Ian and Abi by my side.
She's going to survive- her and the baby. Liv will live!