"We have a problem; the young man is still alive and is recovering. What are we going to do?"
"I am sending you one of my men, make sure you give him whatever he wants," replied the deep raspy voice of Mr Fox.

Major Erikson mumbled a reply as beads of sweat trickled down his forehead. His assistant brought in his medication. The major was suffering from lung cancer and no one knew of this except his doctor and assistant. His doctor had prescribed him some medication and bed rest but knowing the major very well he decided it best to leave him. The major had not told his family as he did not want them to worry. As he settled down in his chair, he fell into a deep slumber. He always made sure no one saw him in this state as he did not want to be considered a weakling.

*Back at the hospital*

"Thank you doctor for all your help but I should be going home now," said Ricardo.
"Sorry to disappoint you Mr Andrews but you are still in here for a few more weeks. Besides you have a visitor."

"It is wonderful to see you alive and well sir," Larry said in a jovial tone.
"Who did you leave in charge of my office!" Ricardo asked in a threatening tone.
"The managing director is taking care of everything. Do not worry yourself everything is running smoothly and your new program should be ready for release soon sir. You see what I told you sister it's always business with this man."

"Sister? You never informed me you had a sister."
"Pardon me Dr, I do get bored when I have nothing to do except sleeping and go through physical fitness for my day-to-day program. Larry please tell Miss Baker, wait it is a Miss is it not? Anyway tell her that I have a lot of urgent work to do," said Ricardo.

"Mr Andrews if you must know you would be in a wheelchair right about now if I had amputated your leg for it was highly damaged. But I had faith and told myself that I could fix it with God's help, which I did. And from the way you are behaving I would have easily removed it. Now if you are not serious about your recovery you might as well find another hospital or doctor!" Juliet told him as she left the room fuming.

Larry left the room at that instant to calm his sister down.
No one had ever talked to Ricardo in that tone except his parents. He was the one always in control wherever he was. As he looked outside through the window it started to rain as the thick black clouds produced loud claps of thunder. Ricardo then knew he had to throw in the sponge as he was to be in the hospital for some time.

A few days later Dr Baker came into his room and he greeted her with a broad smile which was very rare of him for he did not laugh or smile much from what she had seen so far.

"Good evening doctor. Before you say anything I would like to apologise for my behaviour the last time we met. I was under a lot of stress for it seems I treasure my business a lot. I was frustrated from just sitting in this bed the whole day as I prefer to spend my day being rather productive. Anyway, will you please forgive me?"

"It is not entirely your fault Mr Andrews; I would put most of the blame on your ego maybe, not being judgemental or anything per say. However I accept your apology only if you do not mention your work in my presence."

"Thank you Dr, I will do just that."

Ricardo was improving tremendously even though his leg gave him a few problems as he had to work out the stiffness in it. The major had sent a physical therapist to help Ricardo through his recovery. Titanium had been used to strengthen his leg as most of leg bone had been damaged beyond repair. Dr Baker was pleased with his fast improvement as he was very much physically fit.

*3 weeks later*

On a sunny afternoon whist Ricardo was preparing for his afternoon stroll in the hospital gardens just to loosen his stif muscles, he asked one of the nurses to inform Dr Baker where he was in case she came to check up on him.

"Well good afternoon Mr Andrews. How are you fairing with your leg this afternoon. Please let us go and sit down on that bench over there," said Juliet pointing to one of the closest benches.

They followed the small pathway which was covered by multi-coloured pebbles at a slow pace as Ricardo was still getting used to walking with crutches. The rich scents from the roses filled the air making it sweet with the salty sea air.

"Since you decided to leave your room I will have to examine you out here. Now please try bending and unbending your leg please. Tell me if you feel any discomfort," Juliet said as she started probing his leg.

"Well it seems your recovery is coming along Mr Andrews."

"Dr please enough of this Mr Andrews business, call me Ricardo. Besides I wanted to ask if you would care to join me for dinner tonight?"

Dr Baker looked flabbergasted; she looked at him and saw that he was not joking. Just then one of the nurses down calling her for an emergency. Juliet quickly excused herself and left for the emergency.

As the days passed it seemed Dr Baker was avoiding Ricardo by all means, even though he was hear patient. A few more days passed on by before Ricardo made another dinner invitation which Dr Baker could not refuse as long as it was in the dining hall.

* elsewhere *

"What are you doing about him Mr Fox? I told you I would get close to him which I have done, now you do your part, shouted the general."
"Just be patient I have already sent someone," said Mr Fox.