“We’ve arrived ma’am” the cab driver announced to Rachael through the rearview mirror.
“Thank you for your service” Rachael replied with a sense of gratitude as she placed some tips in his palms and pulled Isabelle down from the car. Then they both stood in front of a male silhouette dressed in a slightly rough black suit that accentuated his well-toned body, a sign of a hectic day. His disheveled blonde didn’t look too bad with the bright smile on his lips that lightened up his ocean blue eyes behind the pair of glasses. His height was perfect for a male model.
Rachael’s mouth was left agape at the sight of a man she hadn’t seen in person for years, the phone was the only means of communication between them. His current appearance was a huge contrast to his clumsiness back in high school.
“Um… William” she stuttered as she called the name of the man that felt so familiar standing in front of her “You came”
“Of course, Rachael”the you man chuckles heartily. “I told you I would be available for you anytime you called… Well, here I am”
The cute smile on his lips made Rachael’s heart skip a beat. She was stunned for a moment. Yes, they were best of friends in their high school days. But certain circumstances pulled them apart. They finally lost physical contact when she met Damien Russo at her college graduation. He proposed a partnership with her and she agreed readily with hesitation. Back then, she was smittened by him. She felt embarrassed for calling him just for an emergency after ditching him.
“Is this the lady?” William asked jolting her from her thoughts. “We should go inside before it gets worse in the cold”
“Yeah, let’s go in” Rachael replied distantly as William helped her carry Isabelle into her house.
“How much time do we have left?” William inquired as he glanced at the wall clock in the house.”I don’t think we have much time” he concluded as he threw his pulled jacket on the sofa making Rachael’s face turn red with embarrassment. She thought it was unnecessary to add a few touches to the house since she never had visitors. But now, she was starting to regret it.
Max opened up the box he had brought in with him. As a doctor, it was compulsory in case of an emergency. He injected a fluid into the arms of the now unconscious Isabelle lying on Rachael’s bed.
“The fluid will reduce the burning fever,” William remarked with a solemn look on his face.” from what have seen, the drug is quite dangerous and could have been more problematic to solve this way if she was brought in late”
“Thank you, William” Rachael mumbled with a voice barely above a whisper. “You’ve just saved me a whole lot of trouble”
“It’s fine, Rachael. Anytime” Williams responded with a wide grin on his face. “But you owe me one”
“No problem, William” Rachael replied equally with a smile as sparks flew between them, staring right into each other’s eyes. “I’ll make it up to you”
Suddenly, the room was engulfed in an awkward silence. Only the heavy breathing of Isabelle was heard.
Ugh… Ugh
William coughed slightly as he rubbed his sweaty palms together. “So, how have you been, I mean your job with the Russo company?”
The mention of Russo’s company made Rachael’s expression turn sour. “I don’t want to talk about it” she replied curtly as she tried to avoid his gaze.
“Oh! Sorry about that” he said as he smiled apologetically. He knew better than to meddle into her affairs since they weren’t anywhere close to being friends. He had surprisingly received a call from her after his hectic day with the patients was over. He heeded her call, regardless of the throbbing pain in his head. He still felt a connection to her even though they were walls apart. He was willing to get to know her again, both her good and vulnerable side, he would take his time.
***
Isabelle stared in her sleep, her eyes fluttered open as they scanned the unfamiliar environment. She felt a throbbing pain in her head as she tried to recollect the event that had transpired before she succumbed to darkness.
“She’s awake”
“She slept for three hours straight. You should take her home”
Those were the words she heard but she couldn’t pinpoint the exact location or owner of the voice until someone tapped her slightly.
“Isabelle” a female voice called out softly. “Wake up, you have to go home before your fiance finds out you’re missing”
Isabelle’s eyes widened when the lady spoke. Fragments of the earlier event began to converge together in her head as she recalled what had transpired. Then, panic kicked in.”Liam, where’s is he?”
“Calm down, Isabelle” the young lady held her down. “You’ll meet him soon”
“You…” Isabelle exclaimed as she recognized the voice and face of the lady holding her. “We’ve met before… Yes, it was you….”
“Shh…” Rachael clamped her mouth to keep her from spilling anything that would make William suspicious of her.
“My name is Rachael and yes, we’ve met before” Rachael uttered with a tone of severity. “But that’s not the problem. I don’t know the relationship between you and Liam’s cousin but you have to go back home before Liam gets there before you”
Tears welled up in Isabelle’s eyes as she realized something. “Did he…..” She choked on her tears.
“No… I saved you on time. Like our first encounter, I will always be ready to lend a helping hand”Rachael declared. Getting close to Isabelle was the first step to getting her revenge. Only through her can she get to Liam.
“Thank you….” Isabelle sighed in relief. “I owe you a lot”
“It’s fine. You can pay me back later” Rachael said with a dismissive tone. “Let the doctor examine you”
“You called a doctor for me?” Isabella asked with a sense of gratitude.” What about the cost?”
“You worry too much, Isabelle. He’s a friend of mine” Rachael said with an assuring tone.
Williams walked over to Isabelle and checked her pulse.” she’s just having a slight fever. No one would detect anything if she could avoid going to the hospital”
“I won’t. I’ll find a way” Isabelle nodded in affirmation. “Thanks a lot for your help”
“It’s alright, let’s get you home. I’ll drive you”Willam offered. He had come with a car. He rendered support to the sloppy Isabelle and walked her straight to the car.
A few minutes later, Isabelle was in the bed covered in the duvet due to the burning fever when she heard a knock on the door. She quickly hit the business card she had gotten from Rachael to contact her.
“Come in” she uttered in a shaky voice as the door opened “Li. Liam”