Chapter 44 - Chapter 43

CHAPTER 43 PAID BY STRANGER

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(((  CLAIRE )))

I waited until he too fell asleep and met Nadine on my out.

"Hey."

She looked at me irritably and sighed deeply as if the burden of the world was in her shoulders,

"Don't talk to me. What a damn unlucky night. Not even a single customer for today!"

I gulped. How could I ever tell her?

Pressing back my anxiety, I spoke in spite of her warning,

"Brother was taken to the hospital."

"Did he do something stupid again?"  

"He was lethally stabbed. A-and…we need money for his surgery."

"Let him die!" she spat.

"It's not none of my concern. It was his fault he became like that! Besides, you got a rich suitor. Go ask him for help."

I felt an eerie coldness at the thought of begging Derick. It was shameful enough to reject his affection and still ask something from him. I hurried to my room to get the remaining money I had stashed for Pa's therapy and temporarily use it for the medicines I was expected to buy.    

The sky was already peeking in the horizon and I still hadn't gotten some sleep. Despite all exhaustion and weariness, I trudged out to the pharmacy then to the hospital I had just went in that night.  

"Miss Claire Masadra?"

I turned around as if hallucinating.

People rushed in and out so I easily lost direction as to where the voice came from. The call repeated and this time I caught someone in the front desk cheerfully looking at me. Her hands were waving for me to come near.  

How could someone I don't know recognize me and know my name?

Based from her expression, it wasn't my brother's death she was about to announce.  

"Hello. Miss Claire Masadra?" she spoke sweetly.

"Before we proceed I'd like to see an ID for final verification."

"Why?"

I was confused but snatched my wallet for an ID anyway.  

She briefly checked it and smiled at me again,

"Here's the statement of bills settlement for your brother. Please sign both copies. One for you and one goes for our record."

My mouth went wide open.

"P-paid? By whom?"

"A huge foundation has set up an endowment fund in this hospital wherein your brother was stipulated to be one of the receiving beneficiaries," she explained.

"I didn't know the basis for the selection but you are surely lucky. Most probably, someone from that foundation just wanted to help you or your family."

Did the angels hear my prayers? A huge weight was suddenly lifted off my chest but was replaced by curiosity instead.

Who could possibly ever think of helping us?

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