Lisa was disturbed. She tried to flow with the kids and Alex but she just couldn’t. The update she got from Benny broke her down.
She felt like good days were wrapping up for Evans. She remembered the arson and got infuriated. If investigations proved the fire outbreak to be arson, they would get handsomely paid by the insurance company but Alex made her stop the investigation. What is he scared of? It wasn’t even confirmed that Marie was the culprit. Why is he trying so hard to protect her? She asked herself but shook her head against her line of thought as Jane’s advice rang in her head; “Do not think… Just trust your man.”
With the latest development, she wanted all hands on deck. Since the building was pronounced safe, she wanted the company to resume its full operations but she doubted the financial status of the company would sustain full fledged operations.
They had spent a fortune on sustaining Alex when he was tied to machines. She drained her savings and the company’s fund wasn’t left untouched.
She thought of informing Alex about the status quo but she knew it would be the most silly thing. His surgery was just around the corner. She watched Alex and the kids play and she heaved a sigh.
*****
Jeff resorted to drinking. He was angry with everything and everyone. He resented Jane as she reminded him of everything he wasn’t.
Despite the resentment, he felt drawn to her in a mysterious way that it took a great deal of restraint to avoid running into her arms. He had to restrain himself severally from putting calls through to her, he also refused to pick her calls. Incessant calls would make him more vulnerable. He has already fallen deep for her.
To him, she was perfection personified. He felt filthy just thinking about her. He wanted to come out clean, he wanted to tell her all about himself but he just couldn’t. She never lived in his world and can never understand nor empathize. Moreover, it was too late. He was at the point of no return. He wished he had met her earlier.
“Jeff, what is all this?!” One of his friends walked in and met him in disarray. “What the heck is going on in your head? Don’t tell me it’s all because of your goddess. Get your head straight and start something grander. You dished your last deal,” the guy said.
“It’s never your business!” Jeff yelled.
“Jane! I am a con artist! I think it’s right that you know!” Jeff shouted out loud and drained the remaining liquor in his glass.
********
Jane remained in the car and watched on as Mrs Jack hugged her daughter tightly. It was a sweet reunion.
“I am so sorry baby. I was busy watching your back and lost my focus. It was painful and overwhelming to see you pass through all that. I beat up myself for not protecting you well enough,” Mrs Jack said to Sandra.
“I am sorry mother, I was gullible, I was…” Sandra said but Mrs Jack held her shoulders and shook her slightly. “No! You ain’t gullible, it was not your fault,” she said and looked assuring into Sandra’s eyes.”
Sandra’s vision became blurry as tears fought it way down her cheeks. She rubbed at her eyes and cleaned off her tears repeatedly.
She noticed a lone figure approaching them from a distance. At a closer look she realized that it was her father.
“Father?” she muttered slowly and made her way out of her mother’s embrace.
She broke loose from her mother and ran all the way. She pressed into her father’s embrace and buried her head in his chest. “I am sorry father… I am so sorry,” she muttered.
Mr Jack pulled Sandra up and looked tenderly into the replica of his own blue eyes. “Let’s go home honey,” he said.
Sandra spared Jane a glance and nodded vigorously at her father’s request. Mrs Jack joined them and they settled in the car.
Jane smiled as she watched the car zoom away. It’s been a long time since she felt accomplished.
*******
Lisa stood rooted to a spot and she locked eyes with Alex as he was being taken into the theater. Alex winked and nodded reassuringly before he was pulled all in. The doors closed after them and Lisa heaved a sigh.
She made her way back into the reception and froze in her tracks as she stared back at Marie. She was seated on one of the benches. Lisa wondered how she got to know about the hospital.
“I know you would be here! You liar! You should get lost. You denied me from seeing my husband. Have you killed him?! Is he dead already?!” Marie shouted and sprang to get feet.
“Ma’am, you can’t shout in here!” The receptionist cautioned and grabbed the telephone.
“Can you just shut up?! I wasn’t talking to you!” Marie shouted and walked up to the receptionist. She dragged the telephone out of her reach and yelled, “Don’t you dare think of calling the security.”
“Where is my husband; Alex Peterson? He is responsible for my pregnancy, what have you done to him!” She yelled at Lisa.
“How dare you! You know nothing right? Fine, I think you should know. You threatened that I would never see my husband again. He’s been in a coma since!” Lisa blurted out and tears welled up in her eyes. “I won’t look pathetic before this bastard,” she thought and held on to her resolve.
Marie was shocked at the revelation but quickly shrugged it off and laughed out loud. “How dare you cling to an empty threat. Remember? You told me you ain’t together anymore and that I should go to hell with him. Well, I am sure he is surely in hell, sorry I did not go down with him,” Marie said and laughed at her own sarcasm.
Lisa groaned in pain. She felt like she was stabbed deep in her heart. “The man you claimed to be responsible for your pregnancy is in a coma and you are being sarcastic? You just showed that you are a bad liar! Get the bastard off to whomever the father is, just leave us alone!” Lisa screamed out in pain and tears rolled down freely on her face.
“What?! A bastard?!” Marie yelled and rushed towards Lisa.
The receptionist had put a call to the hospital security when Marie was carried away with her banter. The security men walked in on time and caught Marie half way as she rushed at Lisa.
They threw both women out of the reception. Lisa helped herself to one of the benches within the premises. She was perplexed and exhausted.
“Do not worry, I will be back,” Marie yelled and marched out of the hospital.
“What a witch!” Benny murmured and served Lisa a glass of water. He had watched the whole scene unfold.
“Thanks Ben,’ Lisa responded and gulped the whole glass at a goal. Just then she heard her name being called at the reception. “Mrs Lisa Peterson?” A nurse asked.
“Yes, that is me,” Lisa responded and rose up like an automated machine. The glass cup fell out of her grips and shattered to pieces as she made her way into the reception.
“Sorry ma’am and please, take it easy… Your attention is needed,” the nurse said and Lisa followed after her while Benny followed closely from behind.
One of the surgeons was there waiting. “The surgery went well but your husband is yet….” The surgeon began but Lisa slumped and went down.
Benny rushed at her and caught her in his arms. “It must be exhaustion, she looked drained. Get her a bed.” The surgeon said.
“Are you a family?” He asked Ben.
“Yes,” Benny responded. “She needs absolute rest. As for her husband, I just wanted to inform her that the operation was Successful but an unforeseen circumstance arose. He lost a substantial amount of blood and he is presently receiving some. We hope he’ll come around soon.”
“Thanks doctor,” Benny responded.
Lisa regained consciousness towards the night. She looked around and her gaze fell on Benny. “How is my husband?” She asked.
“You scared the hell out of me ma’am! I am glad you are back with us. Boss surgery was successful. We are waiting for him to come around,” Benny said.
“What a relief!” She exclaimed and clamped her eyes shut.
The doctor checked on Lisa and insisted she needed more rest. He sedated her after she had eaten.