Critical condition

Everyone was shocked, Brigitte was the most shocked. She followed Ricardo to the hospital, and so did Camilo. Alana was in critical condition. Ricardo kept yelling at the doctors to do their jobs correctly, or they would face his wrath.

Brigitte felt guilty, she didn't know what to do besides to pace in the waiting room. Camilo entered the private waiting room and Brigitte stopped.

“Did you give her anything?” Camilo walked up to her and asked coldly, she stared at him in disbelief. How could he ask her such a question? She considered Alana her friend. Why would she do anything to harm her?

“So you knew about this…why didn't you tell me,” Brigitte asked, ignoring his question completely. She wanted to know if Camilo was aware that Alana was Ricardo's wife.

“Does it matter…she's his wife,” Camilo scoffed and walked right past her. Brigitte was furious as she turned around to look at him.

“You two are just the same…this is what you do huh…she's his wife, but he treats her like a stranger,” Brigitte lashed out disdainfully, Camilo glanced over his shoulder, not understanding why she was angry. His eyes narrowed into slits as he turned around fully.

“He didn't treat her badly, if they decided to hide their relationship…no one was allowed to meddle,” he simply said and Brigitte scoffed bitterly.

“You disgust me, you men are all the same…she's his wife, but he made her his secretary…everyone kept painting her bed and pointing fingers at her, and he didn't do anything!” Brigitte couldn't stop herself, but got angry. Ricardo was the best, he wasn't an ordinary man, and Alana was his wife. It wasn't right that he made her his secretary. He should have told everyone that Alana was his wife. Everyone looked down on her and treated her like nothing.

“Is this about us…are you saying this to upset me or to point out my flaws…isn't it enough that you decided to break your marriage,” Camilo remarked with rage in his eyes, even if he was angry, he didn't dare let it known but the fire burning in his eyes Brigitte noticed.

“This isn't about us, and I didn't break our marriage you did… you are the one who ruined our marriage, so stop acting as if I ruined it!” She shouted breathlessly, she hated him for everything, just like Camilo, Ricardo did the same thing with Alana. From what she knew, Ricardo's marriage was arranged. The Difference between her and Alana. At least Alana didn't have to suffer at the hands of the man she trusted.

“This is a hospital…let's not ruin the peace of others,” saying that while suppressing anger. Camilo walked out on her and left the waiting room. Brigitte sunk to the floor and fisted her hands tightly. It seemed she and Alana were in the same boat. Married to men who wasn't concerned about their wives.

____

Marcela was the first one to reach the hospital and found Ricardo standing outside the room Alana was in. She was worried when she heard what happened to Alana.

“What exactly happened, how did she fall ill so suddenly?” Marcela fired Ricardo with countless questions. She was agitated, she was entrusted with the safety of Alana, but she let her down.

“The doctors said it could be food poisoning or allergies,” Dennis answered with a bow, and Marcela turned to look at him. Ricardo wasn't saying a word. It was hard to read exactly what was going on in his mind.

“Food poisoning?” Marcela asked in disbelief, how did it happen, and where did the poison come from?

“We are not certain, the doctors will come out and tell us” Dennis replied calmly and Marcela started pacing around.

“Dennis, find out what Alana ate in the morning…what she drank and who gave her…this is serious,” Marcela said and Dennis nodded right away.

“Sir, already issued an order…” Dennis said and Marcela turned to look at Ricardo. She just hoped Ricardo didn't do anything to get rid of Alana. He was forced to marry her, but she would rather not think like that. Ricardo was a changed man, he wasn't as cruel as before. Marcela's expression darkened as she walked up to Ricardo.

“She's your wife, Ricardo, even if you don't like the idea… you two are married…we trusted you to take care of her, but what did you do!” Marcela reprimanded him coldly, he didn't react but kept quiet. His expression was blank, making it impossible for Marcela to know exactly what he was thinking about.

“Tell me, I'm sure she was sick even before, but a selfish man like you didn't notice it…how can you be so heartless Ricardo,” Marcela added, shaking her head in disbelief? Ricardo shifted a little and slowly lifted his head to look at Marcela. He didn't say a word but simply walked away, leaving Marcela wondering what sort of man Ricardo was. Dennis was hesitant to move, but saw how angry his boss was. He decided to go after him.

“He's impossible, I need to fix this,” Marcela muttered, knowing full well she had to take things into her hands. Her friend was right, the only way to tie Ricardo to Alana was if Alana fell pregnant for Ricardo. That way, he wouldn't dare regard her as a stranger. But before that, she needed to know the state of their relationship. Of what she knew, Ricardo never allowed women close to him.

___

Ricardo left the hospital since Marcela was there to handle some pending issues back at the office, he ordered everyone to gather around including Brigitte who rushed back from the hospital. What if the pie Alana ate caused the trouble? Everyone had gathered in the main hall.

“How come she's his wife, she doesn't look like it,” one of the female employees whispered to Eva, who kept instigating everyone to point fingers at Alana. Eva was angry, finding out Alana was the boss's wife was shocking. She was not even beautiful, but a good-for-nothing girl. Anger boiled within her that all she wanted was to make Alana pay.

“It's too good, if she's the boss's wife…they equally share rights over the company…why is she is secretary?” This time it was a man who whispered in surprise, the entire time Felix was thinking. All those times he caught his boss staring at Alana with interest now he understood it. But why didn't Alana say it?

“I'm sure the boss is ashamed of her, why didn't he announce to the world that she's his wife,” Eva scoffed disdainfully at the remarks others were saying, her words died in her mouth when Ricardo walked in majestically and everyone lowered their heads. He was like a predator seeking his prey to devour. Just his presence gave them chills.

“Who did it, talk now or… I'll make you all pay a million times for harming my wife,” Ricardo spoke with rage as his sharp eyes darted around the room, scanning every one of them. No one dared to move an inch, Brigitte was on the verge of collapse thinking she was guilty.