Is this destiny?

JoAnna pushed the door of the VIP room open and saw Oni and Michael sitting on the hospital bed and kissing.

She exhaled in frustration before clearing her throat.

"Helloooo!", JoAnna called loudly to get them to stop kissing because they didn't react to her throat-clearing sounds.

Oni and Michael turned to the door and observed JoAnna who was fuming.

"Both of you have stitches everywhere, including on the lips and inside your mouth! You don't see them because I am an expert but trust me when I say that they are there. You can move and do things only thanks to the medications I pumped you with! Oni, lay back on the bed!"

JoAnna glared at Michael. "And you! If you don't let her rest and heal, you can forget about a second bed being brought here because you will go to another room!"

Michael didn't dare say anything. He helped Oni to lay on the bed and took a step away, so that JoAnna can check on Oni.

"Michael…", Jeff called from the door and gestured him to come out.

"I will be back in a bit.", Michael told Oni softly before going after Jeff.

"How about we grab a coffee while Anna checks on Oni?", Jeff suggested.

Michael lifted his hands and looked at them helplessly. One is like a puffy mitten, and the other one is in the cast. "I can't grab anything…"

Jeff made a face. "I will grab a coffee for you, and you can drink with a straw."

…

JoAnna blocked the whole floor, so the only patients on this level are Oni and Michael, and that is why Jeff and Michael are the only two people present in the lounging area of the VIP ward.

Jeff filled two cups from the coffee machine and took a seat at the round table opposite from Michael.

He was adding cream and sugar and mixing the dark liquid while thinking from where to start.

Jeff is definitely out of his element, but JoAnna asked him to come and have man-to-man talk to Michael who is miserable, and Jeff had to agree because Aiden is not here.

Of course, Jeff asked Felix to do it, but Felix said that he can't come because he is busy with Lia and drone-production due to Sarah and Aiden invading Europe.

Jeff put a straw in the coffee cup for Michael before taking a sip from his.

"How are you doing?", Jeff asked.

Michael shook his head. "I never felt this guilty in my life. Part of me wants to leave because I don't deserve to be by Oni's side, and another part of me is forcing me to stay so that I can take care of her and atone for my sins somehow."

Jeff exhaled. "I know how you feel."

"You do?"

Jeff nodded solemnly while remembering that because of him JoAnna was kidnapped, and there was that case of her falling off a horse because the saddle was sabotaged, and paparazzi, and several other attempts which were prevented by his hidden bodyguards who are following JoAnna around.

Jeff decided to pick one incident as an example and drifted off into his memories. "Anna was kidnapped by a man who wanted to get to me. I was at work when I received a message; it was a photo of Anna tied up and unconscious. That happened about one year ago. Aiden and Sarah did most of the thinking about Anna's rescue because I was so consumed in guilt and helplessness that I was paralyzed."

"How did you get over it?"

"I didn't.", Jeff admitted before adding: "But I learned not to take things lightly. Anna has more security following her around than what I have. The truth is that I need her more than she needs me and without me around, her life would be less complicated."

Michael thought how this applies to him and Oni as well, especially the last part. He wondered if Jeff thinks that is OK. "Isn't that selfish?"

"Yes. There were times when I thought that she will be better off without me, but I couldn't make myself stay away from her. The most important thing was to know that she wants me in her life. That fact is what makes it all worth it." Jeff paused and looked at Michael seriously. "Don't stay by her side because of guilt. Spending your life with someone is worth it only if you love each other and in that case, be ready to fight for it. Together."

Michael looked at Jeff, unable to believe that he is getting relationship advice from the CEO of the White corp. and the Master of the White family. But he had to admit that it was a good advice which lifted some of the weight from his chest. "Thank you."

"Before I forget, I got what you asked me for…", Jeff said and reached into his jacket pocket.

Jeff placed two rectangle-shaped jewelry boxes on the table and opened them, revealing a simple chain platinum necklace in each.

Michael smiled. "Thank you. They are perfect. Can you help me carry them to Oni's room?"

Jeff agreed. Not only necklaces, but he also carried coffees as well.

When Michael and Jeff entered Oni's room, the checkup was done and JoAnna was chatting with Oni.

JoAnna turned to Michael. "She is doing well. I'm going home to rest. Emma will be here in about one hour. Until then, use the buzzer if you need something. There are two other nurses on this floor who are reliable and they will not come here unless you call for them."

JoAnna was about to leave when Michael stopped her. "Can you help with something…?"

Michael explained that in the box on the side are two rings and he asked JoAnna to put them through necklaces, one for Michael and one for Oni.

JoAnna also attached the necklaces around their necks because between Michael and Oni, only Oni had one usable hand (her right one).

JoAnna and Jeff bid them farewell and JoAnna said that she will stop by later in the evening to check on them.

Oni smiled while holding onto the ring which is like a pendant around her neck.

"Thank you.", Oni told Michael. "Like this, I can still wear it, and when my hand heals, I will put it on my finger, where it belongs."

Michael smiled. "Same here."

Oni looked at Michael and thought about more practical things. "Are you hungry? Anna told me that we can call for food to be delivered here. I can feed you." Oni lifted her right hand enthusiastically, indicating that it's ready to be used.

Only then Michael realized that he didn't eat in a long time. He didn't even take a sip of the coffee that Jeff got him. It's probably completely cold by now. "Let's eat together."

Oni happily made a call and ordered food.

A minute later, she remembered another thing… "Do you need to use the restroom? I can help you…"

Michael shook his head awkwardly while declining her offer. "The gown is wide, and I can lift it up and sit on the toilet. But thank you."

Oni blinked while observing his embarrassed expression. "Why are you shy? I've held it many times."

Michael cleared his throat and avoided her gaze. "This is different. Can we change the topic?"

Oni laughed. She was happy that she got to tease him.

The melodious sound of Oni's laughter filled the room and it felt like it carried a pleasant breeze with it. Michael smiled because he was able to hear Oni's laughter and see her bright smile which lights up his life.

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