Blind Billionaire Bride

BEIJING, CHINA

BEIKE EYE CENTRE

A nurse Ian met at the reception led them to an office. An aged man with a glasses on sat at the desk and he stood up immediately they walked into the office.

“Mr Ian Bryant, I guess.” The aged man stretched out his hand for an hand shake.

Ian nodded his head to confirm his words. “Doctor Lui.” The aged man said again.

“It is nice to meet you and this is Ria Robert.” Ian introduced then Ria also shook hands with the aged man too.

“It is good to have you at this eye centre. Please take a seat.” Doctor Lui gestured to the chairs facing him directly.

Ian helped Ria settle on the chair. “I spoke with Doctor Alisa last night. She already explained Miss Ria’s case to me and I have looked into her results which Doctor Hawn mailed to me days ago.” He paused and clicked on his system.

“Stem cell therapy is the new treatment in China to cure certain types of blindness. This therapy is more like a breakthrough to a vision. It is also a recovery treatment for different types and stages of visual function impairments. In miss Ria’s case, undergoing pioneering stem cell treatment is the best option.” Doctor Lui said.

“Doctor Lui, I understand what you are saying but can we at least know how the treatments works?” Ian demanded.

Doctor Lui cleared his throats “The stem cell treatment could be the answer as it works by implanting a patch of stem cells over the person’s damaged part of the back of the eyes. Stem cells are special cells with the potential to repair any damaged tissue and organs. This therapy involves using these cells in injections and tissue transplants to heal and treat all sort injuries. And close to fifteen blind people have taken the stem cell transplant. Like a two years old girl was diagnosed of Septo optic Dysplasia, so we had to take stem cells from an umbilical cord and feed into her forehead to allow her see again. After just three weeks of stem cell treatment she can now see, her eyes are tracking together and she is now able to recognize people and objects without touching them. So I believe the stem cell treatment can also work for Miss Ria too.” He gave a clear explanation of the therapy.

“Doctor Lui, will she feel any sort of pain during the transplant?” Ian asked him again.

Ria turned sideway to look at Ian as if she could see him. She sensed the concern in his tone from the question he was asking the doctor.

“She will be awake during the surgery and will be given oral medication before the procedures so she is fully relaxed and feel no discomfort during the cataract surgery. Here at our center, we believe that our new approach will result in paradigm shift in cataract surgery and it also offers patients a safe and better treatment option.” Doctor Lui adjusted his eye glasses. “And also stem cell transplant patients will go through conditioning treatment which includes chemotherapy, mouth sore -”

“Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dry moth, hair loss and breathing problems.” Ian completed the doctor’s intended statement. He already studied few things about the surgery.

Doctor Lui arched his eyebrows. “Doctor Alisa already informed us about the conditioning treatment. But will she be better after all this treatment?”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Yes. We are going to administer drugs as soon as the surgery is done.” Doctor Lui answered.

“So when will the surgery take place?” Ian questioned.

“In three days time.” Doctor Lui replied.

“But why in three days time? I was hoping she would undergo the surgery as soon as we get here.” Ian screwed up his face.

“No Mr Ian, the surgery can’t be rushed. The stem cell from a human embryo was converted into a patch of a special type of eye cell and it is being grown in our lab. So that’s what we have been working on ever since Doctor Hawn called me.” Doctor Lui explained.

“Will she be admitted till that day?” Ian asked.

“Yes.. but not today. We give our patients enough time to prepare for the surgery and process. Please bring her over tomorrow.” Doctor Lui answered.

“Alright. Thank you, Doctor Lui.” Ian stood up and shook hands with him.

“You are welcome. Mr Ian.”

Ian helped Ria up and they both walked out of the office with his hands clasped around her waist to guide her. “Are you alright?” He asked when they finally settled in the car.

“Yes.. I am fine.” Ria responded.

“Will you like to visit some places in China?” Ian requested as he adjusted the seatbelt.

“No. I want to rest at the suite.” Ria declined.

“To the Suite.” Ian ordered the driver. The engine purred to life and the car moved into motion.

*****************

AT THE SUITE

Ian carried Ria from the car to the suite and placed her on the couch gently.”Would you like to drink something? Tea, coffee, water, soda?” He asked.

“Water please.” Ria muttered

“I’ll be right back.” Ian left. But seconds later he came back and placed a glass in her hand.

“Thank you.” Ria drank from the glass and gave it back to him.

“What would you like to eat?” Ian asked again.

“I am okay.” Ria answered.

“You are okay?” Ian furrowed his eyebrows.

“Yes.” She nodded.

“Ria, you haven’t eaten anything since we arrived and-”

Ria interrupted him. “I am not hungry.” She sensed him close.

Ian held Ria hands in his but she withdrew from his hold gently. “I am fine.” She mumbled.

Ian held her hands again. “Is there anything bothering you?” His voice was calm.

“No, I am fine.”

“Then why won’t you eat something?” Ian asked.

“Because I am not hungry.” Ria replied

“Is this about the surgery?” Ian demanded.

Ria didn’t respond. She doesn’t know what to say! She doesn’t know if it is about the surgery or it is what’s going on inside of her? This weird feeling she gets each time Ian Bryant is so close to her.

“Listen Ria, the surgery will be successful and I also believe that you will be able to see the world.” He said softly.

Ria felt him touch her checks while his other hand still holding her right hand in place. “You just have to believe and overcome whatever fear you are feeling at the moment.” Ian paused and waited for a response which never came from her.

“Doctor Lui said you have to prepare for the process and be strong. And I also want you to remember that your kids are waiting for you. They are waiting to see that you can see and recognize them too.” Ria only nodded slowly since her voice failed her. “So let us be strong okay?”

Ria managed to say. “Yes.”

They lapsed into silence for a few second until Ian spoke up again. “I will place an order now.” He moved away from her.

“Pasta please.” Ria said in a low tone.

“You want pasta?”

Ria shook her head as she fiddled with her fingers. “Alright.” She listened to Ian as he made the call.

The doorbell rang minutes later. She heard Ian exchanging words with whoever was out there. “The food is here.”

Ria stood up blindly and waited for him to help her to the dinning table. “I can do it myself.” She said to him when he made an attempt to feed her.

“Okay.” Ian gave her the fork.

Ria ate slowly but she could feel his eyes on her and staring at her as she ate the food. “You like it?” He asked.

Ria hummed a response. “Okay.” He said.