Tried to Kill Myself, Ended Up In the Last Place I Expected

The silence stretched on. Only the sound of the ventilator and electrocardiogram emitting occasional beeps could be heard. 

Clarissa and Richard searched their son's expression, waiting for him to come to his senses and apologize. Get down on his knees, even. After all, they had made him who he was. How could he not feel anything except gratitude?

But Davina only spared them a glare before looking up at Johnson. 

"I'm hungry. Didn't the Doc say he was going to send a nurse to bring me a meal?"

As if called, the door opened and in came a young nurse wheeling in a trolley of what looked to be fine dining. Davina was surprised. This didn't look like any hospital food she'd ever eaten.

Guess the VIP card goes all the way. It pays to be a popstar.

"Sorry for the wait, Mr. Hunt!" The nurse replied, coming to a stop beside the bed. She had actually arrived much sooner, but due to the loud argument she had been conflicted as to whether or not she should enter. She was considering leaving and getting security when she heard the patient, aka the sensational popstar Rafael Hunt, inquire about his meal. That had been her cue to enter.

The atmosphere was quite tense as Rafe's parents didn't wish to rage with a nurse in the room. On top of that, they were a bit at a loss for what to do about Rafe's sudden boldness.

The nurse asked Johnson to step aside as she reached for the makeshift table that was attached to the bed and lowered it in front of Davina. She took her time laying out the napkin, utensils, plate and bowl. The entire time she couldn't stop blushing. Even sick and thin, Rafe's allure was strong. 

Davina wasn't paying attention to the nurse. Her eyes were on the sliced fruit salad, steaming barley soup, warm bread with butter and what appeared to be freshly squeezed orange juice. There was even a slice of cheesecake with caramel sauce.

Damn, so Doctor Hermes really does consider Rafe his second son. He knows exactly what he likes to eat. I bet if I quizzed these bozos in front of me, they wouldn't even know their son's favorite cartoon. 

"Please finish everything, Mr. Hunt. That is Doctor Hermes's order." The nurse spoke, straightening up. "And please buzz me if you need any assistance."

Davina picked up her utensils and smiled at the nurse. "Thanks so much, sweetheart. You've made my crappy day so much better."

The nurse blushed even more. She was completely dazzled by Rafael Hunt's smile.

Ruby clenched her teeth from where she was standing. Why did Rafe smile for a random nurse when he never smiled at her? Or did he know this nurse? Could they be having an affair? 

Ruby eyed her competition before dismissing the idea. Rafe was not that kind of man. He did not do casual affairs of hookups. If he wanted a woman, he would hire a pricey escort and keep it a secret. Apart from that, the man did not even like being touched. 

This was why Ruby considered herself special. Because, Rafe, despite being a germaphobe who hated skin ship, still let her put her arms around him. He never pushed her away.

Well, that was until today. Her ego burned as she remembered the way he'd just reacted to her falling on him and the insults he'd hurled at her.

Once the nurse left, Richard quickly locked the door and turned his hateful eyes back on his son.

Davina happily ate her meal. She was a massive foodie and Rafe was the complete opposite. Plus, since she wasn't in her chunky body, she did not feel the usual sting of guilt as she proceeded to stuff her face. She only slowed down to take a sip of her orange juice once her chest started to hurt from her pace of consumption.

Once more, shock and silence filled the room. 

Rafe's parents, Ruby and Johnson watched in confusion and bewilderment as Rafe ate without stopping or even chewing. Since when did he have such an appetite? Even after hours of dance rehearsals, he had never eaten like this. He was always calm and poised in everything he did. 

But right now he was eating at a frantic pace. As if he'd been starving.

Well, I guess he has. Johnson thought. Since his addiction, he's lost his appetite. Maybe having all the cocaine flushed out of his system has given his stomach the chance to function properly. 

Johnson smiled. This was a good thing. He's only been awake for 30 minutes and already he appears to be a changed man. But what changed? What did he mean by everything is different so he has to do things differently?

Richard walked closer to the bed until his knees tapped the edge of it. Johnson tensed up. Richard eyed him briefly before speaking.

"Rafe."

No response. Davina kept eating and didn't look up.

Richard swallowed his frustrations. If only they weren't in the hospital and the gorilla wasn't here. He would give this skinny weasel son of his a beatdown he'd never forget. He'd learn to never speak back to his parents ever again.

Clarissa and Ruby also came closer.

"Rafe, I don't know what has come over you, but you will do as I tell you. Once you've discharged, you're coming back with us to Toronto and telling your grandfather that you are getting married. I have already told him of Ruby, but he refuses to acknowledge her unless you're with her. He doesn't need to know about this incide---"

Davina looked up. "You think that clever, old man doesn't already know that I've been hospitalized from on overdose? You think he doesn't have eyes and ears on me watching my every move from a distance?" She laughed. "The old man doesn't trust either one of you with his will and has left everything to me. Naturally, he's keeping tabs to make ensure I stay alive and well."

Richard took another deep breath to calm himself from the anger sparked from being interrupted by his lapdog. "All the more reason, Rafe. He trusts you. He knows how capable and talented we have shaped you to be. So you can't waste anymore time being foolish. And if he already knows or suspects you tried to kill yourself then you may lose his approval and you know that means my birthright will be out of our hands completely. You have to go on another tour as soon as possible and you---"

"I'm not going on another tour!" Davina barked, standing up again. This time she did not need Johnson's help. The food had given her mind clarity and her body no longer felt so weak. "I'm in no state to be put under that kind of stress. I'll only end up going back to cocaine if I have to be in the spotlight. I don't want this life anymore. I never have! You both pushed me into this and I've had enough!"

"RAFE!" His father, unable to control himself any longer, lunged forward with the intention of wrapping his meaty fingers around Rafe's slender neck.

Johnson was about to react, but Davina beat him to it. Picking up the empty glass on her food stand, she hurled it as hard as she could. The cup didn't break but Richard screamed in pain as the impact was like that of a rock hitting his head. His vision sparked with white and an immediate angry purple bruise swelled on his temple.

Ruby's hands flew to her lips in genuine horror.

Johnson's wide eyes snapped to Rafe.

"RAFE!" This time it was his mother who screamed. She grabbed her groaning husband and pulled him away from the bed. She had thought she'd already been shocked enough by her son's sudden change, but nothing could have prepared her for this. He hadn't just insulted them; he'd actually raised his hand against his own father!

"Rafe! How dare you do that to your own father!? Have you completely lost your mind?!" Even as she said this, she continued to drag herself and her husband back. She was scared of her son right now. Something she never dreamed would happen. 

Davina was breathing hard as getting violent like that wasn't in her nature. "I merely defended myself. And I will do far worse if you dare to try and put your hands on me again, father! Let this be the final warning!"

Richard was so angry he could barely see straight. The pain in his forehead throbbed in sync with his temper. "YOU UNGRATEFUL BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU ASSAULT YOUR OWN FATHER!? HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN YOURSELF!? YOU WOULD BE NOTHING IF NOT FOR ME!"

"Ha! If you were so special then why did grandpa skip over you and only consider me?! I got to where I am because of my own merit! What have you or mother ever achieved on your own? You only know how to leech off others!"

Richard charged again. This time with more fury and vigor. Not even the pain on his head and his overweight body could slow him down.

"Darling, no!"

"Knock him out, Johnson!" Davina's voice rang with authority.

The big man stepped forward with a wicked grin. He'd been waiting for this opportunity for over a decade.