2 Chapter 2: Decision

A week after the dinner, she kept thinking about the proposal and the pros and cons of accepting it. She became a bit restless, and working became a bit hard for her as her mind was somewhere else. She felt bad for her workers because, as the co-CEO of her father's company, she should have been more professional.

"Miss Frost, the meeting with Mr. Williams will soon be held at 9.00 a.m. sharp." Her personal assistant, Sarah, informed her.

She nodded. "Have you prepared all the documents I need?"

"Yes, ma'am, everything is ready."

"Good."

She heard her cellphone ringing. Dr. Kylle, her father's personal doctor.

"Go ahead first, Miss Bridge. I have to take this call first."

She nodded, obediently leaving her room.

"Hello?"

"Diana," she said in a panicked voice. She suddenly had a bad feeling about this. "You have to come to the hospital; your father has just collapsed."

Two hours later, she was already in the hospital. Dr. Kylle looked at her sadly.

"Your father has cancer." How can that happen?

"We can still treat him, right?"

"Sadly, it's already stadium four."

She felt so lost, how could this be happening out of the blue? Her father always looked so healthy to her.

"My father had always had a medical checkup at least once a year, how can this happen? He should have known beforehand, right?"

"Yes, he already knew. He was diagnosed with cancer three months ago," she confessed regretfully.

"What…" She looked at the doctor in disbelief. "H-How can he never tell me about this?! How can you not tell me about this?!"

"He never wanted you to worry, Diana," she replied weakly. "So, he had asked me to keep it a secret from you too. I'm sorry."

"I'm his daughter, he should have told me." Now she felt like crying. "Not like this…"

"I had tried to tell him too, but he had already made his own decision. You know your father too, once he made a decision, it could have never changed."

Imagining him feeling the pain and hiding it behind his smile so that she wouldn't worry for him. He hid his pain alone.

She felt so disgusted by herself, as she hadn't noticed that before, thinking everything was well.

"How long until he..." She couldn't even continue to say what was on her mind. Tears poured from her eyes.

"It depends on your father's treatment and his will to live. It could be more than six months or less than that, unfortunately." Dr Kylle held her hands. "Diana, you have to pursue your father to take chemotherapy, since he had refused that and said that he didn't want to spend his last moments in a hospital."

She nodded. "I will, I wouldn't let him leave me just like that."

…

Two days had passed, and her father was still in a coma, he had undergone the operation. Hopefully, her father will wake up soon. She already missed talking with him.

She never left his side and hadn't gone to work either. She heard a knock, and when she opened it, she was quite surprised to see Adam.

"Adam? What are you doing here?"

"I've heard what happened to your father, so I've come to visit. I'm sorry if I've bothered you."

"No, it's okay. Please come inside." She led him towards her father who was still unconscious. Adam then gave her the flowers on his hand. "Thank you."

Some of his colleagues did come visit her father since yesterday.Diana knew that Adam and her father had a good relationship, but to think Adam would come too, knowing how busy he was, was just surprising.

"How is he?" He asked, and there was a genuine concern in his voice.

"We are still not sure. He had the operation, but the result has not shown yet as he is still unconscious. I'm afraid he...She almost sobbed but stopped when she realized that she was now in the presence of Adam, whom she never wanted to show this pathetic side. Maybe it's due to her lack of sleep that she became emotional like this.

"Your father will recover soon." He said it with such confidence."He wouldn't leave his daughter just like that... I know how much he loves you." Adam stated in a calm tone.

Did he just try to comfort her? That thought somehow warmed her heart.

"Did he always talk about me?" She asked curiously.

"You have no idea. Every damn time, he always talked about how great you are "My daughter is the best of the best" That's what he always says." He was imitating his father yet still maintaining his serious tone.

"That sounds like my father." Most girls would blush with embarrassment if they heard this, but she couldn't help but laugh at her father's antics. She knew how much he loved her. But the thought that his life might only last six months depressed her. How much she wished she could trade her life for her father. If she could, she would do anything for her father's recovery. She just wanted to see his gentle smile again.

"It could please your father..." Suddenly she remembered Adam's words from a week ago. He had said that their marriage would please her father. If their marriage could at least give her father joy, maybe she really should accept his proposal.

Was that why Adam was here, to hear her final answer? not because he truly cared for her father?

After talking for more than twenty minutes, he hadn't brought up the subject yet, she had waited, but it seemed he wasn't here today for that. She let out a sigh of relief.

He looked at his Rolex. It seemed Mr. Busy had an appointment to attend. "I have to go now. If you need anything, do tell me, okay?"

He almost sounded so sweet there. She nodded.

"I hope for your father's quick recovery, and Diana, I think you should rest."

Perhaps he noticed her tired eyes. She gave him a weak smile. "I'll try. Thanks for coming."

Then Adam went out without asking her any questions. Adam might not believe in love, but he at least never brought any harm to her, and the fact that he truly cared for her father's well-being was also a good point. She looked at his father's weak form. "It could please your father..."

Then, after thinking for a while, she dialed Adam's number.

After three tones, he answered the call. "Diana?"

"Are you still in the hospital?" She asked.

"Yes, do you need something?"

"Where are you exactly?"

"At the parking."

"Wait for me there."

When she went to the parking garage, she found Adam on a phone, perhaps talking to someone regarding a late meeting since she seemed to just take away his time. After he saw her, he ended the call.

After she was only one meter away from him, she looked up at him. "I accept your proposal."

There wasn't any joy or emotion in his eyes once he heard her answer.

"Are you sure about this?" His level-headed eyes stared back at her.

"Yes," she answered seriously.

"Have you thought carefully?" He asked again, as if he didn't want her to regret her decision.

"Yes."

Then he offered his right hand, which she took. "Then it's a deal, Diana."

Her heart pounded, hoping that this was a decision she wouldn't come to regret later. As long as this could give her father joy... she thought to herself.