Chapter 5 - Chapter 4

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((( WENZIEL )))

Sympathy poured in as I looked at James' body laid at the hospital bed. It has been years since he was put on life support. He was no more than skin and bones begging to be laid to rest. He's our friend and I wanted him to finally have peace.  

Eriez held the folder tightly. We're both queasy knowing how hard it would be for Zhio to be reminded of such document over and over again. It was the Health Care Directive that was created and signed by James after the three days he was hospitalized.

We both knew it was crucial in case anything happens to him.  It states that James is willing to be taken off the life-support, in case he falls to a vegetative state, at the time Zhio accepts and signs the document.  Eriez and I has signed it as witnesses the moment it was created. The final decision lies at Zhio's hands.

He looked at us with fiery eyes when we handed him the document. He's always been that way when we talked about his father's condition. He's just too sensitive about it. He crumpled the folder and flung it in the trash.  

"Nobody touches my father," Zhio he tried to keep his voice from breaking.

"How many times do I have to remind?"

"For the past five years, your father showed no signs of improvement," Eriez spoke.

His voice always had that power to convince, like a natural paternal talent

"He's just suffering even more. And as a dear friend to him, we feel your grief."

Zhio remained looking at his father's limp body.  

"You've been a good child. You've been exceptional at running the company. You have proven us your prowess and as the sole heir to Zel Cantheliz and Cryzastic Corporation, all you've got to do now is heed your father's will," Eriez continued on.

"It's up to you to decide if you're letting your father free or prolong his restless sleep."

All eyes were on Zhio in that cold room as we waited for his decision. The quietness grew longer until he told us to give them some privacy first.  Eriez nodded in approval and before we left, I saw the first tears Zhio has shed for years. All the pain he had kept behind that steel mask has finally been released. It was heartbreaking.

But I was a little glad that I saw his human side again.

The Zhio we knew…

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