All Too Late

flying. He reached out and tried to grab it. Before he could, someone who was wearing a pair of shiny

leather shoes stepped on the man’s hand and hissed, “You have a death wish!” Then, the sound of

another gunfire shot rang out. The man was dead. After confirming that Desi was all right, Gizem turned

to look at the man who saved her. Oddly, she found the man’s slender figure blurry. The pain in her

shoulders was making her drift in and out of consciousness. In a semi-conscious state, she thought she

saw Samuel. She mumbled softly, ”Samuel… Samuel…” Samuel approached and supported her.

Only then did he realize that she was bleeding profusely. His blood-stained hand held Gizem’s face as he

urged, “Wake up!” Gizem looked at the man and mumbled softly, “Samuel, you’re all right. Samuel, I

won’t let you die.” Then, she fainted. Samuel was stumped as he held her in his embrace. For some

unknown reason, he felt a numbing pain in his chest. Then, he rushed Gizem to the hospital and waited

outside the operating room. His sleeves, shirt, chest, and hands were all stained with blood. He stood

frozen, still as a statue. Gemma approached him and reported, “Mr. Macari, Desi and Madeline are all

right, but they’re on sedatives and will only regain consciousness after some time.” Samuel nodded.

“Luckily Gizem has managed to stall them,” Gemma said and pursed her lips. “I hope she’s all right.”

“She’s going to be all right,” Samuel said coolly. Gemma paused for a moment before she said, “Mr.

Macari, do you think —” She had wanted to say something when the door of the operating room was

pushed open. A doctor made his way out of the room. Samuel stepped forward and asked, “Doctor, is

she going to be all right?” “Her shoulders are injured. Luckily, her bones are not affected. Nonetheless,

she had received ten stitches and lost a lot of blood. She’s going to need ample rest to recuperate,” the

doctor elucidated. Samuel nodded. “Yes, I understand.” The doctor then turned around to leave. Gizem

was pushed out of the operating room and sent to the ward immediately. “Mr. Macari, you may want to go

take a look at Desi. I will take care of Gizem.” “Okay. I will head there later.” “Sure.” Gemma nodded.

Samuel turned around to leave while Gemma headed for Gizem’s ward. Gemma took care of Gizem,

while both Madeline and Desi had people to take care of them as well. After some time, Gizem started to

mutter a string of slurred sentences. “Samuel, please don’t… Don’t die. Samuel, why… are you doing

this? Why? Samuel, I just hope you are alive…” Gemma could not clearly discern what she said.

However, she did notice that Gizem had repeatedly mentioned Samuel’s name. She gave a long sigh.

Samuel entered the ward right then. “How is she doing?”

Samuel asked, his brows knitted. “She’s sleep-talking,” Gemma answered hesitantly. Sleep-talking?

Samuel approached Gizem’s bedside and bent over to listen to her. However, she had already stopped

sleep-talking. Samuel cast a sideways glance at Gemma and asked, “What did she say just now?”

“Nothing much. I can’t hear her clearly.” Gemma thought it was best to not tell Samuel about it. Things

could potentially get really awkward, considering that Gizem still had to treat Desi. Given Gizem’s

personality, Gemma reckoned that she would want to keep her feelings to herself. I don’t think that she

will ever want to let Samuel know. Hence, Gemma thought it was best to bite her tongue. Samuel

furrowed his brows. “Is she going to be all right?” “She’s going to be fine.” Gemma paused. “Mr. Macari,

do you think we should inform Gizem’s family about her condition?” Samuel shook his head. “She’s an

orphan.” An orphan? Gemma was surprised to hear that as she had no idea Gizem was an orphan. “I

see… But, her injury…”

Samuel appeared quite impassive. “I will be responsible for that. After all, she was hurt for saving

Desi…” “Mr. Macari, let me take care of her on your behalf,” Gemma said. Samuel trained his eyes on

her. “It’s more convenient for me to take care of her as a woman,” Gemma explained. Besides, she did

not wish to let Samuel overhear what she just heard Gizem utter. Samuel nodded in agreement. “Thank

you.” “Well, I am a nurse,” Gemma stated plainly. “Do let me know when she’s awake,” Samuel said.

“Sure.” Samuel then eyed Gizem before turning around to leave. Gemma sighed with relief. She looked

at Gizem and said helplessly, “Gizem, you really shouldn’t have fallen for Samuel. Your feelings are futile

and irrelevant.” Samuel headed out of the ward and leaned against the wall by the corridor. He heard

every word that Gizem had uttered clearly before she fainted. Why did she say that? Who is she? Could

it be that… No, that’s impossible! Unless someone’s changed her face and voice completely, otherwise…

He pinched himself between his brows and reckoned that he must be overthinking the matter. How is it

possible that Gizem is Kathleen? That’s impossible. A dark look crept up his face when he marched

away.

The next day, Gizem finally woke up. She looked at the white ceilings atop her and instantly deduced

that she was at the hospital. Gizem started to recollect her thoughts. She sat up and stared blankly out

the window at the gloomy sky, contemplating her dream about Samuel. In the dream, she had a crush on

Samuel. When he did not reciprocate her feelings, her heart ached. Gizem touched her face and realized

that she had been crying. What’s happening? It was just a dream. Why did I cry? Have I really fallen for

Samuel? How is that possible?