300: A Call for Help

For several days, Alex had immersed himself in work, showing no signs of personal distress, leading his assistant and secretary to believe that he was managing well. In the middle of an intense official meeting, Alex's voice faltered mid-sentence, his face paling noticeably as he struggled to maintain his composure. The room, filled with the focused energy of corporate strategy, suddenly shifted into chaos when Alex's knees buckled and he slumped forward, unconscious. "Alex!" his secretary shouted, rushing to his side, her hands shaking as she checked for a pulse. The room erupted into a flurry of activity, with colleagues scrambling, chairs scraping back against the floor. "Call an ambulance, now!" barked Collins, his assistant, pulling out his own phone but seeing another staff member already dialing. Everyone hovered, unsure but deeply concerned, as whispers filled the air about Alex's recent non-stop work schedule and apparent lack of meals. Within minutes, paramedics burst through the conference room doors, quickly assessing Alex's condition. "He's hypoglycemic, needs sugar immediately," one paramedic diagnosed swiftly, his experienced hands setting up an IV line with practiced ease. "Has he eaten anything today?" he questioned the room at large. "No, he's been skipping meals for days..." someone from the back muttered, guilt and worry evident in their voice. As they wheeled Alex out on a stretcher, his team followed closely behind, their expressions a mix of fear and guilt. They could hardly keep up with the barrage of medical terminologies that went back and forth among the hospital staff. The brisk walk to the ambulance was tense, each step heavy with the realization of their boss's serious neglect of his health. Once at the hospital, doctors confirmed the severe hypoglycemia diagnosis. "He needs to be more careful," the doctor advised sternly after stabilizing Alex, "Skipping meals is no minor oversight for someone managing his responsibilities. He’s lucky it wasn’t worse." Alex's team gathered outside the hospital room, their earlier debates about business strategies forgotten, replaced by a shared concern for their boss's well-being. The close call served as a harsh reminder of the physical toll of their high-stress environment, and silently, they all vowed to encourage Alex to take better care of himself from now on. The medical emergency brought back painful memories of past crises, usually mitigated by Emma's intervention. Now, without her, Alex's team felt lost and helpless. In the hospital room, as Alex lay unconscious, his team discussed their next steps. "Should we contact Emma? Alex's situation is deteriorating, and we're out of our depth here," one of them suggested, aware of the complexity due to Emma and Alex's strained post-divorce relationship. Another team member, Nazboi, voiced his concerns. "That sounds good, but realistically, what can Emma do now? They're practically strangers since the divorce, and Emma's disdain was clear at the last committee meeting. Do you really think she'd come?" The room fell silent, the weight of their boss's condition pressing down on them. They needed to ensure Alex's well-being, but without Emma, their options seemed limited. "We need to make sure he eats regularly, at least. That's something within our control," they concluded, deciding to focus on immediate, practical steps to aid Alex's recovery. Unexpectedly, Emma appeared at the hospital on a random business visit. Nazboi spotted her first and hesitantly approached. "Miss Emma!" he called out. Emma turned, surprised but composed. "Nazboi, what's happening? Is it Alex or Lillian this time?" Nazboi, caught off-guard by Emma's direct approach, explained the situation. "It's Alex, Ma’am. He's been pushing himself too hard, neglected his health, and now he's hospitalized. We're really worried. If you could just see him, maybe it could make a difference." Emma was visibly stunned by the news of Alex's hospitalization. Despite their estrangement, the old ties of concern tugged at her heart. "I'll see him. It's mainly for you, Nazboi. You've been loyal to him for years. It's the least I can do to ease your burden." Relieved, Nazboi led Emma to Alex's room. It never even entered his mind to ask what business Emma had to do in the hospital. As they entered, Alex, who had been staring blankly at the ceiling, turned towards the door. Recognizing Emma, a mix of emotions crossed his face. Impulsively, he asked, "Will you save me?" The room fell silent. Emma, taken aback by the unexpected plea, exchanged a bewildered look with Nazboi. Nazboi quickly intervened, trying to smooth over the awkward moment. "Miss Emma was nearby and agreed to stop by. She's here to see how you're doing." Alex, realizing the impact of his words, attempted to regain his composure. "I... Thank you for coming, Emma. I didn't expect to see you here." Emma, maintaining a professional distance, responded, "I'm here because Nazboi is concerned. I'll stay until you're stable, but remember, I'm not getting involved beyond this visit." As Emma sat by Alex, reflecting on the past and the tangled web of their relationships, she realized how much had changed and yet how some feelings, like concern and the instinct to help, remained stubbornly persistent. Alex, on the other hand, grappled with his vulnerabilities, his family's turmoil, and the unexpected realization that Emma's presence still offered a strange comfort.