"I made my decision, Boss!" Mariel courageously announced. Though his fist was uncontrollably trembling and his knees were weakened, his earnest determination filled his eyes as he fixed his gaze on the magnetizing jet black eyes of Seraphina.
He could lie if he said he wasn't nervous or frightened. Just the thought of him being a mob terrifies him and he might get nightmares whenever he sleeps. Alas, what's the difference with his situation now from before? He already took the path of this dangerous road and he must keep going -- not just for himself but for his daughter.
Regardless of the difficulty and a much death-defying road he unintentionally turned to -- Mariel decided then and there; it's a do or die situation but seeing the apathetic and unfazed look on her eyes, for some odd reason, Mariel relaxed.
Probably, following her wasn't that bad. If it was Seraphina, with those unbending domineering gazed that could incapacitate with a glance and the lenient understanding she was with her subordinates, Mariel relaxed,
The fear that clouded his judgment which made him overlook other angles of Seraphina's side whenever she was with her confidants -- though they respected her, the relationship between her and them was more like a friend, not underlings.
"Oh? That fast?" Seraphina slowly blinked her eyes as if she won't budge from her relaxed figure while she supported her jaw by the back of her hand. In Mariel's perspective, he was like in front of a true ruler; composed, wise, and decisive; that is what Seraphina depicted.
"You asked me if I have a family -- I have a daughter," Mariel added as he somehow held on his brief courage.
"Where is she?" Unmoving, Seraphina languidly asked as she scrutinized Mariel's whole frightened body. It was evident that the semi-old man was rather was afraid yet, his resolute that flashed across his eyes were unbending; which Seraphina commend.
Indeed, she does need a doctor but whether it was him or not, she doesn't care. She only offered him to be under her wing just because he was already there -- it will save her the trouble of finding one so, it's a win-win situation.
"Well, well, well, it seems you're having fun here eh?" Suddenly, Jack's voice rang across the four corners of the room as he made his entrance together with the bulky Tito with his fitted black tank top. Seeing Tuna on the floor while Dragon was leaning in the side, then, Mariel Min standing up yet he was evidently shaking, and Seraphina sitting there like a queen; Jack and Tito guessed what was going on.
Their attention was caught hearing a commotion earlier which led them there. But, it seemed it wasn't as alarming as they thought it was. But since they were already there, Jack and Tito entered and found different spots to hear Mariel Min's story.
"She's at Jin Medical Group. She's sick." Gulping down a mouthful of saliva, Mariel Min pause. He inhaled and exhaled before he continued,
"My daughter, Madeleine Min was diagnosed with leukemia. Since my pay wasn't enough to cover the medical fees, I have to do this side job even if it's against my oath. If you can at least support me from funding her, I will join your organization -- even if I will have to die while doing my job -- I won't abandon the people you want me to treat with the best of my knowledge as a doctor, and I will never betray you even under gunpoint so please, save my daughter." This time, Mariel Min's resolution reached its hundred percent as he spat his condition to the devil.
For a moment, silence dawned on the atmosphere as none of them spoke after Mariel Min's summary of his life and why he ended up treating gangs and other individuals from the underground world.
"I am not God, I can't save your daughter." With the same tune, Seraphina was unmoved as if she wasn't affected by Mariel's promised.
Upon hearing her heartless refusal, Mariel Min's heart sank. His muddled mind that just settled instantly went blank. His complexion went pale as his knees gave in -- crashing to the concrete wooden floor.
"But, I can assure you that she'd die a natural death," Seraphina added which made Mariel raised his head to meet the smirk on Seraphina's eyes. It wasn't a smirk of mockery but reassurance.
'Natural death?'
"Pfft--! You worded it wrongly, doc." Jack chuckled on the side as with a grin on his face. It was the first time that Jack didn't pick on Mariel which slightly confused the 'quack' doctor, or what he called him in the past days.
"You just blurted out a few rules you were about to swear on your oath-taking." Tito nodded with a smile. They weren't touched or they sympathized with him, what made these two welcomed him that moment was his commendable courage.
Though he seemed coward, and he always trembled before Seraphina and lightly whenever they were around, alas, that second, Mariel Min proved himself as fit for a person to be their doctor. His instinct and insight to say such convincing words was enough for them to approve another addition to the group.
"Transfer her first -- Jin Medical Group is not reliable." Seraphina turned her gaze on Dragon who innocently blinked his eyes when Seraphina landed her gaze on him.
"Let me borrow your hospital." Seraphina languidly uttered at the ignorant act of Dragon.
"Ohh… does that mean our relationship took another step closer to marriage?" Dragon impishly grinned. Upon hearing his twisted imagination, Jack began taking his leave.
"I'm outta here."
On the other hand, Tito followed as well as he had enough dog food whenever Dragon flirt with Seraphina.