LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 5: Mr & Mrs Hunt
Johnson moved to the foot of the bed as Doctor Hermes came to Rafe's bedside. He looked briefly at the open file in his hands before closing it and looking up at Rafe.
"I'm glad to see you awake, son." Doctor Hermes had been doing checkups on Rafe since he was a little boy. He considered him his second son. It broke his heart to see him in this state. He once had such spirit in his eyes. Now he just looked lifeless. And so skinny he feared the next health scare could be the one that kills him. He was amazed that Rafe had survived this one.
"It's a good thing Johnson found you in time to Narcan you, Rafe. Or you would've died yesterday."
Richard clenched his fist when he heard that part. His wife grabbed his hand and gave it a pat to calm him.
The Doctor pressed on. "Given the amount of cocaine we detected in your bloodstream, I'd say you very nearly succeeded in giving yourself a heart attack."
Davina looked away as another one of Rafe's internal thoughts echoed in her mind.
The Doctor saw it. "Though that was your intention, was it not?"
She didn't respond.
"You are only 30 years old, Rafe. You still have so much to live for. It breaks my heart to see you toss your life away in this manner." His tone was laced with sorrow.
Davina clenched the hospital gown she was wearing. She was feeling so guilty over what Rafe had done. Especially under the weight of the painful stares of the family doctor and Johnson. Bit by bit, information about these people were flitting through her mind. She could tell that unlike his own parents, Doctor Hermes and Manager Johnson cared for Rafe deeply. He considered them family more so than his own blood kin.
"I am terribly sorry," she replied, not knowing what else to say. It was a strange feeling, being surrounded by people who actually cared whether she lived or died. Or rather, they cared for Rafe. But their eyes were on her right now and it was making her heart pound with longing and pain.
When was the last time anyone gave a damn about her? Her own mother had barely acknowledged her and selfishly took her own life when Davina was only 12. She had been raised to believe that she did not matter. It was why, despite having lofty dreams she lacked self-esteem.
Davina wiped away the tears that dripped from her eyes.
The Doctor was shocked.
Johnson was shocked.
Even his own parents and their intended daughter-in-law was shocked.
Rafael Hunt was not one to shed tears. No matter how bad things got, he always handled it with a stoic calm.
Doctor Hermes recovered first and patted him on the shoulder. "There, there. It's alright, son. If this near brush with death has opened your eyes and given you perspective, you do not have to apologize. As long as you realize the error of your ways and do better going forward."
Johnson wiped away his own sadness upon seeing his tough as nails, best friend shed tears.
"Your will recover from this, Rafe, but not if you continue your bad habits. Your body managed to pull through, but I'm not certain you'll be so lucky next time." Doctor Hermes's tone turned very stern and sharp. "You will be staying here for 3 days, so I can closely monitor your vitals before I discharge you. I'll also bring in a nutritionist to devise you a diet plan that will aid your recovery. More than anything, you need to put more fat on you. And no buts, Rafe. If you truly are sorry, then show me you mean it by following all my instructions. Understood."
"Um, yes sir." Davina replied, giving an awkward smile.
Both Doctor Hermes and Johnson's lips twitched at Rafe's response. There was something different about him right now. He did not look as morose as they thought he would. As he normally did. Usually, when he wasn't on stage or in front of the cameras, he wasn't ever smiling.
The only ones unamused and boiling with frustration were his parents, who hadn't stopped scowling from the moment they'd walked in. But this was also normal. They were never not scowling at their son. Rafe had long since gotten used to it. So too had Doctor Hermes and Johnson.
Davina's eyes briefly meet those of Rafe's father. She's surprised by the level of hostility she saw there. Even the mother's expression was set in dissatisfaction.
Davina looked away. So these two don't care that their own son OD?
Seeing the way his son had avoided his gaze, Richard Hunt could no longer contain himself. "Leave us, Doctor. We need to have private word with our son. He has a new tour to plan and a bride to take to the alter. We can't allow this hiccup to sidetrack us. Rafe has already been inactive for too long."
Doctor Hermes and Johnson just shook their heads. They didn't have the words or the energy to deal with these two. Their son had almost died. He had intentionally tried to overdose so he could kill himself. Yet, here they were, acting like loan sharks.
Ruby Ray, the redheaded woman standing next to Rafe's mom, finally spoke up. She had a clear goal to achieve and she wasn't going to let anything get in the way of that. She had already gotten both of Rafe's parents to accept her as his fiancée. They even called her their daughter. The fact that Rafe didn't accept her meant nothing to her. She knew he would cave to his parents demands sooner or later.
She knew he did cocaine. They all knew. But they didn't really think anything of it. Rafe had said he only took it on occasion to deal with his stress. Which made sense. After all, as an international popstar and the heir to the Hunt fortune, he certainly had a lot to manage. Many popstars and elites drank and did drugs.
Besides, a lot of Rafe's prior visits to the hospital was the result of overworking. Not cocaine.
It was only two years ago that he'd gotten addicted to cocaine and lost a lot of weight. His parents had left him be to kick the addiction. Which they knew he would. After all, the doctor had told him to quit. And if being on drugs would prevent him from being able to do his duty to the family, then he had to stop.
Richard and Clarissa expected their son to be completely obedient. And Ruby knew, that all she had to do was get them to approve of her so she could take her rightful place at Rafe's side and live the esteemed life of a Hunt.
But Rafe had tried to kill himself. He hadn't OD by accident, he had intentionally tried to end his own life. That had terrified her. So now, Ruby had to shift her strategy, she'd worked too hard and wasn't about to find another rich man to latch onto. Besides, Rafael Hunt was young, hot, famous and filthy rich. She wasn't going to get anyone better unless she went for some old dude. Her pride rebelled against that.
"Dad, please, don't speak about that now." Ruby adopted a gentle and sweet tone. "Rafe's in a really bad place right now. He almost died. We shouldn't burden him with any mention of a tour or the wedding until he's recovered."
She walked forward and went to him, gently taking his hand. "Rafe, if it's okay with you, can I come live with you in your penthouse? I'll be able to nurse you back to health in no time."
Johnson rolled his eyes. He'd hated this bitch from the moment he'd laid eyes on her. She was nothing but a gold digger. She didn't give a damn about Rafe and he had long since been trying to kick her out of his life. A task made impossible once she got his parents approval.
After all, Rafe had to get married if he were to claim his inheritance from his grandfather. Old man, Edward Hunt heavily favored his grandson over his own son. He had rewritten his will to only include Rafe. A move that had infuriated Richard. Naturally, the greedy toad and his wife intended to take the inheritance for themselves the moment Rafe married Ruby.
Johnson sneered at the back of her head. And this stupid, bimbo has been offered a tiny slice of the pie. She probably thinks she can sweet talk her way into more.
Rafe's mother spoke up before her husband could. She did not want him to lose his temper and get violent while they were in a hospital with their family Doctor in the room.
"You're too sweet, Ruby." Clarissa Hunt crooned before turning her sharp eyes on her son. "But our son needs to treated with a stern hand. All that fame and money has gone to his head. He's over here trying to take his life like he's got no obligation towards his parents or a fiancée waiting for a ring."
Johnson wasn't even surprised by her outrageous statement. He looked at Rafe who was staring at his parents and Ruby with a strange look on his face. Not the usually weariness and bitterness, but rather, confusion.
Doctor Hermes was about to tell Mr and Mrs Hunt that if they forced Rafe to tour he may relapse under the strain. That neither his body or his mind was in any state to do anything other than recuperate.
Ruby spoke up first, looking directly into Clarissa Hunt's eyes. "I don't want to force myself on Rafe. I love him and I'm willing to be patient. Right now, I only wish to help him recover from this."
"You're such a good fiancée," Clarissa replied. "I don't know why my son refuses to take you to the alter already."
Ruby blushed with joy.
Johnson simply refused to look at them, they were too gross to endure.
Richard looked at the doctor. "I told you to leave the room, Hermes." He turned his head. "And you too Joh---"
"I'm not going anywhere, Mr. Hunt. I am Rafe's manager. You wish to force him to tour then, naturally, I'll have to be part of the discussion." Johnson's tone was strong.
Richard's eyes filled with anger. How dare this rat cut me off? If he weren't such a good manager to Rafe, I'd have already sent someone to whack him.
Johnson glared right back at him. This man nothing more than a bully and an utter coward. How the hell had his sperm even managed to father a talent like Rafe?
The doctor swallowed his words. He could sense the rising tension. He had already seen Richard rage the night before. He wasn't interested in sticking around to watch a second episode. The man had such a horrible temper, which spiked up his blood pressure so much that Hermes had to prescribe him medication for it.
"I'll see you in a bit, Rafe. I'll send a nurse you bring you food." He patted Rafe on the shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze before leaving.
Davina's mind was spinning. Rafe? Mr. Hunt? As in the Rafael Hunt?! The international popstar! The enormously talented artist who'd broken records with his music and dance! The one who was interviewed on literally every talk show in Canada and America! The man who was the hot topic of discussion on all radio and tv shows which featured music! The man called the next King of Pop, the next Michael Jackson!
What the fuck?!
Her thoughts were interrupted when the sound of a slap pierced the air. She looked up to see that Johnson was standing in front of her shielding her from Rafe's father.
As soon as the doctor had left the room, Richard Hunt had barreled towards his son with his hand reared back. Thankfully, Johnson had reacted in time and stepped in front. Taking the hit for his sick friend.
Johnson wasn't surprised Richard would try to attack his son when he was in a hospital bed. The man was never shy to showcase his anger. And as far he was concerned, Rafe wasn't going to die from a single slap.
Ruby Ray smiled internally when she saw Johnson get slapped. She hated this nigger who always made fun of her for trying to be with Rafe. Still, she plastered a horrified look on her face for Clarissa and Richard.
Richard glared at Rafe before giving Johnson's shoulder a hard push. "Stay out of this, rodent! This little shit has to answer for his crimes!"
Johnson sneered. He stood a full head taller than Richard with an athletic and bulky frame. He could pound this gluttonous toad to a pulp right now if he wanted to. "He's sick and weak. He tried to kill himself and he's in a hospital bed right now. What kind of a coward are you to attack a man who is indisposed?"
Richard took a step back in fear from Johnson's unflinching face. His wife grabbed his hand, but he smacked her away and raised his voice. "Don't overstep your boundaries, Johnson!"