Hospital visit (2)

Sarah froze. 'Did I hear this right? Did this Victoria person just introduce herself as Gabriel's girlfriend?' Sarah looked at Victoria and noticed that she is still sizing her up with malice in her eyes. Sarah concluded that Victoria must think of her as a love rival or something like that. Why else would she look so hostile towards Sarah and protective of Gabriel? But Sarah didn't care at all about Victoria. She turned her head and looked at Vivian who was so pale that it looked like there is no blood left in her.

No one spoke, and only heart rate machine was making steady sounds: 'beep-beep-beep'. After some time, muffled sounds could be heard, and they could see that Gabriel's arm is moved slightly. He was waking up. They all looked at him. He opened his eyes slowly and his gaze was unfocused. Gabriel blinked few times, and his eyes locked on Vivian.

"Oh, Gaby, you are awake!", his mom cheered. "Look, your friends came to visit you. Isn't that nice of them?" His mom stood up and walked toward Gabriel. She gestured with her hands towards Sarah, Vivian and Aiden.

Gabriel didn't respond. His eyes didn't leave Vivian.

Vivian looked at him with disappointment in her eyes. Vivian's hands were trembling, and Sarah can tell that she is struggling to keep her tears from falling.

Victoria put her hand on Gabriel's shoulder. "I'm glad you are awake. I'm worried to see you this weak." She had a sweet and concerned expression on her face.

Vivian looked at Victoria and then back to Gabriel. She stepped forward and placed bouquet of irises on the bed, next to Gabriel. Vivian weakly said, "I'm glad to see you are better." Her lips trembled for a second before she pressed them into a thin line. She turned around and left the room without a word. Sarah noticed how much her friend is suffering, and her heart was aching. She turned to Mrs. Long. "We just wanted to see Gabriel and wish him a quick recovery. We will not stay longer, because we don't want to disturb his rest. It was nice to meet you."

Mrs. Long nodded in understanding.

Sarah started walking out, and then stopped and turned toward Gabriel. She was suppressing her anger. "I hope you recuperate well, and we get to see you soon back on campus. Then you can explain in detail what exactly happened." Sarah stepped out of the room and hurried after Vivian.

"Mrs. Long." Aiden nodded toward Gabriel's mom, and then looked at Gabriel with a complex expression for a second before leaving the room.

Victoria looked after them, upset that they ignored her. But she didn't say anything. What can she say, they already left.

…

Vivian, Sarah and Aiden are sitting in a café, across the street from GHC hospital. No one is talking.

"I will go and sit over there. You two talk." Aiden told Sarah.

Sarah nodded, and Aiden moved to a different table. He pulled out a laptop and started working.

Sarah looked at Vivian with a concern. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Vivian's eyes were empty, staring into space. Her voice was cold. "What is there to talk about? How stupid I am?"

Sarah's heart was breaking. She didn't know how to console her friend. "There must be..."

Vivian raised her hand to stop Sarah from talking. "What? There must be some explanation? What is there to explain... Don't try to come up with excuses for him, in order to make me feel better." Vivian's eyes were full of tears. "There is nothing that can make me feel better."

Sarah understands that her friend is suffering. 'Vivian likes Gabriel for a long time, and she was so happy that they finally started dating. And then it turns out he is two timing.'

"What do you want to do now?" Sarah gave up on trying to come up with excuses for Gabriel.

"I just want to go home." Vivian's voice was very weak.

Sarah nodded. She pulled her phone and checked balance on her account. The amount from selling stocks was deposited and available for her to use. "How about two of us go shopping?"

Vivian frowned. "I don't feel like it."

"Come on, I want to buy something nice, and I can use your opinion." Sarah hoped to cheer up Vivian.

"It seems I don't have a choice." Vivian sighed.

Sarah asked Aiden to drop them off at a car dealership, and then to head to Hertz to return the rental car. He can wait for them there until they are done.

...

After returning the rental, Aiden found a comfy sofa in Hertz waiting lounge, and worked on his laptop. He was late with his work and wanted to use every available minute to make up for it.

...

At the car dealership, Sarah and Vivian are looking at available cars. Sarah picked the car online before coming to the dealership, it was a black 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo. Car is loaded with most of the options, and it is available at the car dealership. Sarah prefers customizing cars, but then it will take few weeks before car is ready. This car is a very good one, with a huge bonus that it's available right away. Sarah did a test drive with Vivian, and both approved.

"Nice small ladies' car!", Sarah exclaimed.

Vivian laughed and shook her head while trying to hide her bitter thoughts. 'She talks about this like she is buying shoes.' Vivian does not know much about cars, but she can tell that this is an expensive one.

Since Sarah paid full amount for the car, and didn't take a loan, paperwork was done fast.

When Sarah got the keys, two of them got in the car to pick up Aiden. "Let's see what my baby can do!" Sarah was lovingly stroking the steering wheel.

Vivian laughed. "So, the car has a nickname right away, but your boyfriend does not?"

Sarah thought about it for a minute. "Is nickname really important in a relationship?"

Vivian nodded. "It makes you feel closer when you use special names that you picked for each other."

That put Sarah into serious thinking. 'It seems that nicknames are a must. I will think about this.'

Vivian saw that Sarah is deeply contemplating and laughed. 'All this car shopping really helps me not to think about Gabriel, if even just temporarily.'

When they picked up Aiden, he checked out the car and gave two thumbs up in approval. Sarah was happy to show off her baby. When Aiden heard that Sarah is calling the car 'my baby', he didn't approve. "How can the car get a nickname right away, and you didn't give me one?" He was sulking.

Sarah put her head in her hands. "I know, I know. Vivian scolded me already. When I find some time, I will definitely think about it."

Aiden laughed. "You are so easy to tease."

Then he suggested to Sarah that he should drive so that she can sit in the back with Vivian.

Vivian heard him and refused. "No need. I'm fine. Let her drive, she is excited to see what her baby can do."

Aiden didn't object and took this as an opportunity to tease Sarah some more about giving him a nickname.

For the ride back to Vivian's place, Vivian was sitting in the back. She was staring unfocused outside window, without a word.

Every few minutes, Sarah was checking on her in the rearview mirror. Aiden noticed that, and admired Sarah how caring she is towards her friend.

Before they reached Vivian's home, Sarah stopped at a grocery store, and came out few minutes later with large pails of ice cream. "There is nothing better for an achy heart than loads of ice cream!"

Vivian wanted to protest that it's not healthy but gave up. She was happy that Sarah is thinking about how to comfort her.