The Last Option
Chapter Sixty-Seven: Two Women, Two Purposes

That evening the three friends continued to enjoy all that the Palm Jumeirah had to offer, in addition to the food. They walked through almost the entire complex and enjoyed seeing everything and buying a few things as souvenirs. Already well into the night the atmosphere was getting more lively and they were about to decide whether to stay a little longer at Bernadette's request.

"I've heard a lot about the nightlife here," she told them, pretending not to know it, since she had already gone a couple of times with other friends before Rebecca came into her life. "Many clubs hire DJ's to spice things up a bit." "Sounds good to me. I stay," Rebecca said with a mischievous smile.

Although he was a bit hesitant because he wasn't used to staying up late, much less "partying", Bernard decided to stay as well, encouraged by the new experience. Overall, he should make the most of the fact that he was already there in Dubai, although he was a little worried about wasting Phil's money. Also, he didn't want to disappoint the girls, who seemed quite excited to share more with him.

Especially Rebecca.

After walking through almost the entire place, they arrived at a club where a well-known DJ was starting his show. The girls drank cocktails while Bernard settled for beers. At one point Rebecca asked Bernard to dance and it was at that moment that she took the opportunity to ask him what the message that had come to him in the afternoon said and that affected him momentarily.

"I already told you it was something related to the company," Bernard replied, pretending not to be very willing to talk about it.

"Forgive me, but I don't believe you. I have a feeling it's something to do with your illness. If there's anything I could help with, don't hesitate to let me know."

Bernard kept dancing and staring at her, as if he was deciding whether or not to tell her what was related to the message.

"Okay," he finally said. "I'm going to tell you, you already know about my disease anyway, but I'm not going to tell you about it here. Let's enjoy the night and the atmosphere, let's not ruin it with bad news."

So this is bad news, Rebecca thought, keeping a cautious silence.

From the table where they were sitting, Bernadette watched them dance. Apparently Rebecca was already on the attack and she couldn't allow her to take advantage. It was time to appeal to her charms.

She got up and walked over to them, dancing with them at first and then stepping between them, drawing Bernard's attention back to her, dancing provocatively. Bernard tried to pretend that his friend's performance didn't bother him at all, although he was. Bernadette was really seductive. Rebecca also began to dance provocatively seeking to get his attention and Bernard realized that they were competing for him. They stayed like that for a few more minutes until Bernard decided it was enough.

"I need a drink," he told them before walking away to their table.

The two women looked at each other and stopped dancing. Rebecca just shrugged and followed Bernard. Bernadette also returned to the table.

"Excuse me, girls, but I don't feel quite right," he told them once they were together again and after finishing drinking his beer.

"I think something is wrong with you, Bernard," Bernadette said. "You have to trust us to be able to help you in case of an emergency or something."

Bernard thought at that moment that it would be convenient to tell Bernadette about his illness, so that the girl was not delusional about him due to the proximity of his inevitable death. Maybe that will convince her not to fall in love with him and thus not break her heart when it is time to leave there and tell her that he will not have contact with her again in the future.

"I have to be honest with you girls," he paused to add some drama. "I have Amyloidosis, and my doctor told me this afternoon that I need to start chemotherapy to try to avoid the inevitable."

"Amyloidosis? I hadn't heard of that disease," Bernadette commented, a little surprised. "How's that for avoiding the inevitable?"

Bernard paused briefly again, as if not wanting to say what he was about to say.

"I have a few months left to live, and my doctor just told me that maybe chemotherapy can give me a few more months. My heart, liver and lungs are very affected."

Bernadette raised a hand to her mouth in surprise. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"But you don't look so affected," Rebecca said coldly. "Anyone would say that you are not sick."

"It is because of the medications I am taking, which prevent me from having pain and other symptoms. My doctor told me that at any moment they will no longer have any effect, and I think that moment is getting closer, since I had not been dizzy for a while."

"I can't believe what you're saying, Bernard. God, I'm so sorry," Bernadette looked sincerely affected.

"There is little hope with chemotherapy, although it doesn't guarantee anything. At most, it could give me a few more months."

"A hope is better than nothing," Bernadette said. "And when will you start the treatment?"

"As soon as possible. As soon as I get back to New York I'll start it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to go back to my hotel, I'm very tired. More like fatigued."

"Sure, let's go. Let me ask for the bill."

Bernadette called an innkeeper and asked for the bill, which Bernard paid a few minutes later, getting up to leave. Bernadette got up too and they were both surprised to see that Rebecca didn't. She was really upset with Bernard for revealing his illness to her friend.

"Are you coming?" Bernard asked.

"I think I'll stay a while longer," Rebecca replied, visibly upset. "See you in the morning for breakfast."

"Ok, if that's what you want," Bernadette took Bernard's arm and together they looked for the exit.

The club's doorman called them a taxi and within minutes they were back in the center of the city.

"I can't believe Becca is so cold after what you've told us!" Bernadette was trying to ingratiate herself with Bernard and at the same time to make Rebecca look bad in front of him.

"She already knew, and from what I see she didn't want to tell you anything."

"Did she know? When did you tell her, and why not me?" in her voice Bernard could guess that Bernadette was somewhat indignant. "I thought we were on our way to being good friends. I see that no."

"I didn't mean to make you feel bad and I apologize. I just thought I shouldn't burden you with my problems."

"Of course, because I am a complete stranger and because I am not part of your life. I understand."

"Please, don't see it that way, although it's partly true," Bernard couldn't decide whether to be honest and direct with her, or not hurt her feelings, although it was clear to him that he wasn't going to allow her to fall in love with him as he was suspecting.

Bernadette, on the other hand, had to admit that there was an enormous truth in Bernard's words. They had only known each other for a few days, so they didn't have long enough to consider themselves true or close friends.

She would have to consider letting Bernard go. From what he told her, she didn't have a future with him. It was a real pity that such a man had to leave this world so soon. He was so young, so handsome and successful.

They were silent for a few minutes, during which Bernadette continued to ponder the idea of letting him go or not. She refused to accept that this wonderful-looking man was going to die soon, even though he had a very slight hope that he wouldn't do it so soon if he started chemotherapy treatment.

"Is there any possibility that chemotherapy cures the disease?"

Bernard looked at Bernadette tenderly. The poor girl was trying to hold on to a chance to get on with him.

"I remind you that soon I will go back to New York and we will not see each other again. It wouldn't be fair to you to try to cling to someone like me, who may not be here in a year or less.

Bernadette turned to see him trying to feign indignation, because she didn't want him to realize that she was interested in him even if it was true, or at least figure it out.

"Do you think I'm in love with you? Pst! I barely know you. Forgive me for giving you that impression."

"No, forgive me rather for thinking that. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

"But I do think that it's very unfair that a man like you cannot plan his future because of an illness. Haven't you thought about having a family? Wife? Children?"

"Of course I've thought about it! And it's something that torments me every day of my life. Do you think it's been easy for me to meet so many wonderful women and not be able to get close to them because I'm afraid to make them fall in love and make them suffer when I die? I thought that with you it would be different this time because I would only treat you for a couple of days, but I think I was wrong."

The effect of the alcohol on Bernadette was beginning to take effect and she quickly changed her attitude to the reality of her friend, she considered for a moment continuing to have a good time that night. That man, despite the condition he said he had, did not deserve to have his moment of fun ruined by bad news. She also wanted to continue having fun, but she preferred to do something else, much better for her.

"Is that thing you have contagious in some way?"

Bernard quickly reviewed in his mind the data that Bill had given him about Amyloidosis and nowhere did it state that it was contagious. He didn't suspect what Bernadette was up to. "No. Most of the time it is hereditary."

"It's good to know."

Immediately Bernadette pounced on him and started kissing him passionately. Bernard gently pushed her away, thinking that he didn't want that girl to fall in love with him anymore. He also thought quickly of Camila and the fact that he didn't want to be unfaithful just at the moment when their relationship was practically beginning. But he also thought about the fact that he was there to seduce Rebecca and in view of that at some point he would have to have sex with her if things went his way. But would he only be willing to do it with Rebecca?

"Bernard, please, I just want us to have a good time," Bernadette caressed his cheek gently. "You cannot allow your disease to deprive you of continuing to live. This afternoon you have had a great time and you have enjoyed a lot, don't ruin it now."

"And do you think that where you go with your kisses is convenient for me, or for you?"

"I'm just saying don't ruin your chances of living, and in a way don't ruin mine right now. Just live and enjoy the moment."

"It wouldn't be fair to you."

Bernadette kissed him again, this time with a little more passion, almost fury. At one point she stopped doing it and looked at him with longing eyes. Bernard knew then that this girl really wanted and needed what was about to happen. She seemed to need it more, but not so much on a physical level.

This time he was the one who kissed her passionately, abandoning to the warm sensation of her lips and feeling the woman's fragile body quiver in his arms with each playful touch of his tongue against hers.