Chapter 3 Damn Cancer

"Lymph node cancer?"

Doctor Nodt looked at the young man in front of him with sympathetic eyes. "That's just a preliminary diagnosis, Tristan. I still have to do a lot of tests to determine how far the cancer has spread and what to do next after we confirm the diagnosis."

"That means, maybe it's not cancer, doc? Just some kind of mild tumor or gland disorder?" asked Tristan hopefully.

Doctor Nodt sighed. He wanted so badly to justify Tristan's words, as well as all the other patient cases he had worked on before.

Telling the patient or the patient's family about what they have to face next after confirming that the diagnosis is about what the patient is suffering from is the thing that makes him sad the most. "

Forgive me, Tristan, but I can confirm that it is lymph node cancer. I just can't say for sure where the cancer has spread and how fast it has spread."

Tristan took a deep breath and lowered his head.

"Tristan, if you entrust your father's care to me, believe that I will try to do the best treatment and care that I can do for your father," said doctor Nodt.

Tristan raised his head and smiled at the middle-aged man in front of him, who had been his family doctor for a long time since his mother was still alive.

"Yes, Doctor Nodt, you are my only hope because you have taken care of my family since mother was still alive. Just do everything that needs to be done, as long as my father can recover. I will pay whatever it takes for his recovery," said Tristan with full confidence.

However, Doctor Nodt could still hear the tremors in the young man's voice. Tristan returned to the room where his father was being treated, after discussing in more detail what to do for his father's next treatment process.

The old man he loved looked pale and helpless, lying in a large hospital bed with needles in his arms and tubes flying around him.

Ken Franera must have been in pain for a long time, but as usual, the man never wanted to say anything when it came to his difficulties or pain. He is stubborn.

Tristan smoothed the blanket that covered his father's stomach and bent down to kiss his forehead. "I'll be back later, Dad."

Tristan left the hospital and returned to the office. There was one report he needed to submit to the division head as soon as possible and because of his father's current condition, it seemed that tomorrow he would have to ask permission not to come to work. He had to accompany his father to undergo a thorough examination as he had agreed with Dr Nodt earlier. He also had to start looking for someone who could take care of his father on a day-to-day basis while he was at work.

John saw Tristan walking through the lobby as he was paying for his coffee order.

"Tristan!" called John as he quickly picked up his just-done order and pocketed the change from the cashier.

Tristan stopped walking and waited for John to approach.

"Why did you come back here? I thought you would accompany your father in hospital. How is he?" muttered John as he touched the elevator button.

"I have to finish the financial report for the public relations department soon, John. Tomorrow I may not be able to work because doctor Nodt doesn't want to delay a thorough examination of my father and he asked me to accompany him," Tristan replied in a languid tone. "I have asked Wion to look after my father tonight. The child is in need of money to buy a skate board and he is happy to accept my offer to look after father tonight until I come tomorrow."

John and Tristan were getting into the lift when the door opened.

"Oh, good afternoon, Mrs. Jan," John greeted, bowing his head, when he saw a woman who was in the elevator. Tristan did the same.

The elegant-looking woman nodded her head with a faint smile. "Good afternoon John."

"You want to go up?" John asked. "12th floor?"

"Yes. Thank you, John."

John pressed the buttons on the 11 and 12 and stood beside Tristan behind the woman.

"What did the doctor say?" asked John in a low voice. "It's nothing dangerous, right?"

"Lymphoma, initial estimate, stage two," Tristan answered in a languid voice.

"Oh my God, cancer?"

"Yeah. I've been feeling a headache since I came out of the hospital lobby earlier, seeing the initial bill I had to pay earlier."

John patted Tristan on the back sympathetically. "I'm sorry, Tristan. However, you should be optimistic that your father will recover. Just tell me if there's anything I can help with, I'll help you."

Tristan laughed bitterly. "Find me a sugar mommy, because my father's medical bills are going to be very expensive and I may have to sell myself to get the money."

John hit Tristan on the back of the head. "You are crazy!"

The elevator dinged with a loud sound and opened slowly on the 11th floor. John and Tristan stepped out past the graceful woman in front of them and John took a moment to say goodbye to the woman, who was looking at Tristan closely.

Tristan held John's hand after the elevator closed again. "John, is something wrong with me?" asked Tristan while observing himself. "My clothes are wrinkled? Or are there stains on my face?"

"Hmm? Why?"

"Why is Mrs. Jan looking at me as if I had horns on my head?"

John studied his best friend closely and shook his head. "Nothing strange. You're still handsome as usual, like a grown man magazine model."

"Bastard!" cursed Tristan while flicking John's forehead.

Tristan returned to his desk and turned on the laptop. "By the way, my cousin opened a bar behind this office and I heard they need a barista. Who knew you might be interested? Your skills as a barista haven't faded, have you?" asked John with raised eyebrows from behind his laptop.

Tristan stood up and looked at John's booth which was behind his. "Seriously?"

John looked up. "Hm. I'll recommend your name to him. Tomorrow."

Tristan smiled broadly. "Thanks, John!"

"But, Tristan, how can you manage the time?"

"No worry, I'll find a way."

John gave a thumbs up and returned to his work. He was closing his laptop when his phone rang. His brow furrowed when he saw the number on the screen. The operator number from 12th floor. Personnel division.

John touched the green button on his phone. "Hello?"

"John, come up here before you leave," said a woman voice on the line. John feel surprised. Its the voice of Mrs. Jan. "I need to ask you something about your friend who was with you earlier."

John was surprised and looked at Tristan who was tidying up the files. Confused. "Y-yes, Ma'am."

***