Lisa and Jungkook were back to their routines after the wedding. Jungkook was finishing some loose ends before he completed his term in the military, while Lisa was busy with her reporting job.
She was in the middle of preparing some news items in the newsroom with the rest of the crew when a sudden unfortunate news hit them. Their CEO, Bernard Cooper, was involved in a fatal car accident that had claimed his life.
Lisa immediately thought of her cousin, Xander, who must be devastated right now. She called his assistant to ask about his whereabouts.
"He's still at the hospital, Ma'am," answered Ron, Xander's assistant, who immediately briefed Lisa on the current situation.
"Alright, I'll be on my way there," she said before ending the call. Xander was a brother to her, just as much as she was a sister to him.
They were both an only child in their respective families. The only relatives whom Xander was close with were his cousins, Lisa from his father's side, and Bernard from his mother's side. And now that he had lost Bernard, Lisa was the only 'sibling' left for him.
Lisa promptly applied for emergency leave and left for the hospital, so she could be with her cousin, to comfort and console him.
Upon her arrival at the hospital, she saw Xander sitting outside the operating room, with his head down and shoulders slumped. Bernard's dad was sitting beside him. She immediately went to Xander and hugged him.
"Be strong, cousin brother... I'm sure Bernard is in a better place now..." she murmured as she stroked Xander's back. He was now sobbing hard.
Her heart grieved for her cousin because she knew how much Xander loved Bernard, who was like a brother to him.
"How could he just leave like that? He sounded so happy when he called me just a while ago, Lisa. He even threatened me not to dare stare at his girlfriend once he introduces us. He was so excited to introduce his girlfriend to me... I even prepared a feast for them..." Xander said in between his sobs.
It had all felt surreal for Xander. If he hadn't seen Bernard's cold body with his own eyes earlier, while Bernard's girlfriend was hysterically shouting for his cousin to wake up, he still would have not believed that Bernard was gone.
"How is she?" Lisa asked about Bernard's girlfriend, Deyna Song, whom she had the chance to meet previously. Xander's assistant told her that Bernard had protected Deyna with his body.
Deyna must be devastated too. But after seeing how badly wrecked the car was on the news, Lisa thought it was fortunate for Deyna to have miraculously survived with only a minor concussion to the head.
"She passed out earlier after seeing Bernard's body in the operating room, and they already transferred her back to her room," Xander answered as he wiped his tears. He gently pulled himself away from Lisa's hug to check on his uncle, who looked despaired.
"Uncle, please rest for now... I'll take care of everything. I'll take care of Bernard..." Xander said. He was sure his uncle would need some time alone. Bernard was his only son, and it must be difficult for him to accept that he was gone.
Xander shifted his gaze to his assistant, who just arrived, and instructed him to escort his uncle back to his home and tend to all of his needs.
"Thank you, Xander. Please look after Deyna too..." was the last thing Senior Cooper said in a somber voice before he left with assistant Ron.
