Chapter two: Best Friend In Trouble

"Why would you turn him down, Riri?" For the thousandth time, Lex could not still bring herself to accept the fact that I had just rejected the proposal of Mr. Bertram.

"Why won't I?" I retorted, wishing she would leave me alone.

"You just turned down the proposal of the only man who can change your life forever, Riri."

"Marriage is not something to be trifled with, Lex. One have to be in love to be married." I told her frankly.

"Not to be offensive, but your ex surely was the opposite of love yet you remained with him." She pointed out.

I swallowed. I knew she did not say it to offend me or taunt me with my past but I still felt bad regardless. I did not want to think of my ex-boyfriend and what I had gone through while with him.

And Lex was right. He was the opposite of what I preached, yet I remained with him. But what choice did I have? A full belly and sheltered body was important than any other thing at the time.

He had met me homeless and took me in. I felt grateful and decided I was not going to let myself be homeless anymore. But even that did not work out. I was even lucky not to be in jail with him right now.

"I'm sorry if I went out of line." She apologized.

"It's okay. But then again, let's not talk about this anymore." I sighed.

We were home hours ago and she was about to make dinner.

"We have to. Do you know who he is? That is a Trillionaire we're talking about, Riri. Not some measly millionaire." Lex was still trying to make a point.

"No! And that's final."

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"Lexie please hang on. Please." I dragged my friend out of the taxi and started crying for help as soon as I got to the entrance of the hospital. "I need help, please! My friend is dying."

It was two days later after our argument. She was ill. Suddenly ill and I had no idea how it came about.

Two males nurses rushed to me immediately to help me with carrying her. Another came with the stretcher and within minutes, Lex was strapped to the stretcher and wheeled away.

I followed the stretcher, trying so badly to hold back my tears. "Lex, please." I whispered my plea.

She was my best friend and though we may have our differences, she was the closest to family. Lex had done what the people I thought were family could not do for me.

"Ma'am, can you hurriedly say what's wrong with her?" One of the make nurses asked. We were getting closer to the emergency unit.

"I..." I struggled to pull myself together. "We were having dinner and then she collapsed. I...I don't know."

"It's alright, ma'am. We'll do everything in our power to make sure she is okay." With those departing words, they wheeled faster and entered the emergency ward.

I stood helplessly watching my friend being wheeled urgently into the room where she would have to battle for her life. I slipped to the cold, clean hospital floor and rested my head against the wall.

My gaze fastened on the closed emergency unit door. "Please let her survive this."

The excruciating wait began. I paced the hallways while nerves knotted tighter with each passing tick of time. What was happening? What was wrong with Lex? I hope she would be better. I needed her to be better.

She was all I had left. I could not bear to lose her. I continued to pace and pray to whatever powers that be over her life.

"Hello Miss."

I turned abruptly at the voice. It was a middle aged man wearing glasses. He was obviously referring to me. "Hi doctor."

Was he here for Lex? My stomach clenched tight at that. I hope it was good news all through. My knees were currently buckling but I was holding myself from collapsing to the ground.

"You brought the young lady in, I presume? I was told you said she collapsed. I want to make sure we're on the right page." He was poring the file in his hands with too much seriousness that rattled my bones with fear.

"Y-yes, I did." He raised his head up. The look on his face told me he had heard the tremble in my voice. I could not help it.

"Who is she to you?" He questioned, his tone cool and professional.

"My friend. My best friend." Even my voice was growing weak with fear. This was why I hated hospitals and doctors. They made everything so dramatic and would only heighten the suspense.

I was literally dying here and this doctor was still speak as though this was not a matter of life and death. I bit my lips to prevent from snapping at him to be out with it.

"Alright. Her name? She is unable to speak so I had to come ask you." He brought out his pen ready to write.

"Lexie." I informed him.

He raised his head looking at me expectantly. What was he waiting for again? What he expecting something else from me? "I'll need her last name, Miss."

Dang it! I forgot. "I'm sorry. Grey. Lexie Grey."

I watched him scrawl words across the file. He was probably writing the name down.

"And what's yours?" He inquired again, his pen on the ready.

"Riana Tanning." Where was Lex? My gaze darted to the emergency ward behind him. If I went in there now, would I be chased out? "Can I go see her? How's she?"

"She's stable but in a really bad situation." He began to reveal.

I did not know if I still wanted to listen to the news he had. Lexie? Bad situation? What could be so bad? And bad meant money. Where would I get it from? I was broke and presently surviving on Lex's kindness.

I made myself ask despite the fear of knowing. "What bad situation?"

"Her liver has failed. She needs a new one as soon as possible."

Blood drained from my face. "Or w-what, doctor?" I was almost afraid to ask.

"She dies."