They used the emergency exit to take John Howard to the ambulance and was immediately brought to the hospital and only a few knew what happened since it will cause an uproar to the guests.The family were immediately notified about what happened through trusted supervisors who handles emergencies such as this and to follow to the hospital while Lance was the one who a.s.sisted the old man.
On their way to the hospital, Lance hold tightly to John"s hand and he whispered,
"Uncle John, please hold on, your daughter, your wife, your grandson and… I… need you."
Overwhelming emotions creeps in to Lance that his shoulders shake uncontrollably as he cries. His anxiety grew when he noticed the uneven breathing on the old man"s chest
He prayed earnestly.
"Oh G.o.d please, save him, I beg you! Please! Please! Please! He"s been a father to me. Don"t allow it. I don"t want to lose another father again. Ingrid still needs him and they"ve just reconciled, they needed more time to spend and get back those times they"re absent from each other, he"s a grandson now, an adorable Clark and… oh G.o.d! Aunt Rose… she…" he sobbed even more, "…she couldn"t live without her husband…"
Lance weeps bitterly.
The love and respect he has for the old man is so strong that he"s willing to exchange his life for him. John Howard has been the best father for him ever since.
They"re much closer than his biological father. John taught him all he knew, his life has been the great example that he aspires to follow.
John had been through a lot. He saw him struggle and wept the moment Ingrid ran away from home. Lance was angry with Ingrid at first for what she did to her family but later, it was the old man who made him understand why Ingrid acted that way.
From that moment on, John Howard"s smile never reached his eyes. There"s a hollow in it. So, he swore that he"ll find Ingrid whatever it takes.
However, when he found her, he"s caught in a dilemma. His conscience could not allow it. He saw the happiness radiates from the face of Ingrid the moment he found her. If he revealed himself now, G.o.d knows what will happen.
He couldn"t take that joy away from her. Once again, he swore that he"ll find the right time to take the Howards to Ingrid.
Looking at the old man now, it"s time that he should have a serious talk with Ingrid. He knew the old man"s illness. He"s been following him secretly every time he went for a medical check up.
In one of those occasions, he personally checked and cornered John"s personal doctor and did not left him until he revealed the present condition of the old man. He felt devastated at that time.
That"s why he bear all the worked that are heavy for John. He screened all the heavy loads, but still, John would find ways to take it from him and even scold him for doing so.
Reaching the hospital, they were immediately attended. His private doctor was already waiting for him to arrive to a.s.sess him and ask for some events prior to the attack. Lance answered all of it.
His phone keeps on ringing while the doctor was asking him some information, but he ignores it and his focus are glued to the motionless John.
"Please doc, save him… doc, please." Lance uttered the same words over and over again.
The doctor faced him with a calm face.
"I know John can make it, he"s been through a lot, and this is just chicken for him." the doctor winked at Lance before he wears his mask.
Turning around, the doctor instructed the medical staff what to do.
After that, Lance feels like he becomes deaf, he could not understand what the people around him are saying. His phone keeps on ringing and vibrating.
"Sir, your phone"s been ringing hundred times now, I think you should answer that." Someone from the nurse station called his attention.
"Huh?"
"Your phone, sir." The woman pointed at his pocket.
"Oh, ahh… thank you…" he stood up waited for another call. He"s no strength to take even the phone.
When it rang again, he immediately swiped to answer it without looking who called.
"Ye-yeah…"
"Lance, where are you? Which hospital are you now?" he could not recognize the voice so he looked at the screen, but it"s just a number.
"who"s this?"
"Clifford." Lance told them the hospital"s location and he overhears someone sobs loud enough for him to take notice of.
"Who"s sobbing?"
"My wife."
"Where"s Aunt Rose?" Lance heard Clifford sighed.
"She fainted. Don"t worry my parents are there to a.s.sist her. We"re on our way."
Clifford consoled his wife and gently tucks her beside him, hugging her to soothe her.
"Cliff, please tell me if he"s okay. Tell me he"ll make it. I could not forgive myself if something happens to my dad." She wailed.
"Ssshh… don"t say that, father, wouldn"t want to hear that. He"s tough like you. I believe he can pa.s.s this test."