C26 Her Identity

Hazel Aleriya POV

I was busy packing my things when the girl nurse entered my office.

"Doctor?"

I blankly stared at her. "Why? Is there any problem?"

"I'm sorry Doctor, I know it's your last day today but because there is no Doctor available. The Major general of the country has a gunshot wound. Can you at least treated him first before you left?"

"Isn't it your job as a nurse?" I asked her with accused. I'm a cardiologist, not the other way around. She just stilled to what she heard from me. I sighed before nodding at her. "All right, I'll be next, just prepare what we need."

When I entered the operating room, the man who are lying in the bed was stunned the moment We locked each other in sight. His eyes got bigger and bigger every time I made a step to come near him.

While I was busy removing the bullet from his thigh, he did nothing but to stare at me. Every time our eyes met, his eyes widen too much. As if he was seeing a real ghost. I just ignored him, until after I treated him, he was still the same.

I quickly left that place because I was suffocating. I didn't say goodbye to others because I didn't have any friends in that hospital. I first went through the adjacent Café before leaving.

While I was busy driving my car, I answered the caller.

"Hello?" I answered with a low voice. The girl laughed when she heard my voice.

"How are you, my dear Hazel?"

"Just say what you want." I clench when I heard her mocking tone of voice.

"Well! I just want you to know that I'm serious, and I don't want my plans to be ruined."

"Everything was fine,"

"I'm just making sure,"

I clung very tightly to the steering wheel of my car. "You don't have to worry because I'm keeping the agreement. You should be the one I ask for that. I should be the one to make sure, just make sure you keep our agreement."

She laughed, I forced to calm myself, but I couldn't. My hands holding the steering wheel were shaking.

"Oh dear! Wrong move, Are you scaring me? You know, you just can't. I have your weaknesses, remember?"

"Just keep our agreement,"

"The agreement is safe as long as you keep your promises,"

I nodded at her as if she was here.

"I have to go,"

"Ow? Bye, be safe!"

I threw a wireless earphone on the dashboard. I rested deeply before speeding up the vehicle.

Get ready for me when I am free to you.

I gritted my teeth as I remember the things she did to us.

Ryker Luis Monterealez POV

"Did you find anything?" I asked Arnold when he entered my office.

He sighed as he dropped a folder on my desk.

"Negative,"

I quickly picked up and opened the folder. I read its content.

Name: Hazel Aleriya

Age: 28

Parents' name: Mr. Miko Aleriya & Mrs. Akiko Aleriya

Work: Cardiologist at ********* hospital

Hometown: U.S.A.

School: Columbia University

"She's not Zarie, Ryker. Even the age, Zarie must be 24 years old by now. I'm sorry,"

I close my eyes tightly as I remember her face earlier when I saw her. She is different now, she looks mature.

That’s her, she’s my Zarie.

"I need to see her, Arnold. I need to see her in person."

"All right, I'll make a way,"

I nodded at him. We looked at my cellphone when it rang. I gasped before answering the call.

"Mom?"

"Ryker.... Can you get home early?"

"I don't know why?" Mom frowned at me on the other line. "Mom?" I called her with confusion. She just sighed before answering me.

"Your son needs your attention." She spoke the words to me emphatically.

I couldn't speak. Since Zarie’s disappearance, I no longer know how to deal with my son. I only go home once and when I go home, and he meets me, I just nod. I don't know how to communicate with him. Sometimes I thank Arnold because he seems to be my son's father even more because they are so close. He makes my son happy that I can’t do. He was 4 years old, but he looks old when he speaks and thinks.

I sighed. "I'll try Mom."

"Just don't try, Ryker! Just do it,"

"Ok," that's all I can say.

"He doesn't have a mother anymore, and will his father lose him too? Have mercy on your son, Ryker!"

I fell silent at what my mother said. My throat went dry. It was as if my heart was pounding as I imagined my son's suffering while he had no parent with him.

"I-I'll do my best, Mom,"

She didn't answer, just turned off the call without saying goodbye. I looked up as Arnold tapped me on the shoulder.

"Cheer up, bro, everything will be fine." He said with sympathy

Hopefully, really hopefully.