CHAPTER 23

After much thinking, I decided to attend to my phone first, then the door, and lastly, my headache. When I glanced at the caller and saw Adrian's name I quickly deduced that he was the one at the door. My gaze quickly diverted to the wall clock and my eyes almost popped out of their socket. What! It was past the time for the event.

I rushed to the door to open it, but on second thought, I decided to peep through the door hole first. What I saw scared me to my marrow; Adrian was standing outside sweating profusely and banging on the door in anger; some of the hotel workers were with him, trying to calm him down. I took a step backward in fear, I had never seen Adrian so enraged.

The only reason I was able to summon up courage and open the door was because of the workers who were with him outside. At least they would protect me if he tried anything funny.

I twisted the door knob clockwise and opened the door hiding behind it. Adrian ran in with the workers immediately, looking around for me but I was at the back of the door. Honestly, I did not know what I was doing but I just decided to see how it would end.

Unfortunately for me, Adrian saw my dress sticking out from behind the door and reached for it, pulling me out. My heart jumped into my mouth instantly and I covered my face with my palms because I couldn't behold his face and muttered.

“I can explain”.

Before I knew it, he flung me on the floor, and I went numb; my sight went blurry, and I heaved a sigh, succumbing to darkness.

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

I opened my eyes slowly and shut them back almost immediately because of the bright rays that struck me at once. After a few seconds, I tried again, and this time my eyes were able to accommodate the light rays.

I looked around and saw nobody at first until I spotted a figure sitting adjacent to the bed I was lying on. I tried to say something, but it only came out like a squeak. Luckily, the person heard it and came to me immediately.

“Oh, ma'am, you're awake, thank goodness.” She said in one breath beaming with smiles.

“where am I?” I whispered glaring at her.

“Ma'am you're in the hospital”. She replied gently.

“What am I doing here?” I asked with furrowed brows.

“Unfortunately, you passed out at the hotel room you checked in earlier, so you were rushed down here for urgent medical attention”. She explained.

“Passed out? How?” I was confused.

“Uhh, ma'am I think that is not important for now. Worrying your head about it would delay your recovery”. She shrugged in reply.

“Who are you?” I asked again, raising an eyebrow. “Oh, I think I remember”. I added before she could respond.

“You're the worker at the hotel I met earlier today right?” I asked, gazing at her keenly.

“Yes, ma'am, you're right”. She replied.

“Hmm”. I moaned, heaving a sigh of relief.

Before she could talk more, a doctor came in with a stethoscope hung on his neck and a man following him behind: Adrian.

“Welcome back, Mrs. Sterling. Please endeavor to take enough rest.” He said warmly touching my forehead to feel my temperature and using the stethoscope to check my heartbeat afterwards.

“The tests we conducted on you show that your blood pressure is on the high side which is very dangerous for your health and unusual for your age. Try to avoid situations involving anxiety and uneasiness. We will prescribe some medication for you. Please endeavor to take them consistently. Thank you.”

He left when he was done, and the hotel worker followed suit, leaving me alone with Adrian. I looked away before our eyes met but I could still feel his gaze fixed on me. The both of us remained silent for some seconds before I finally cleared my throat to speak.

“Please I would love to be left alone if you don't mind”. I mumbled.

I could hear him inhale and exhale before replying.

“I am sorry”. He muttered.

“What!” I exclaimed in surprise.

“It's not my thing to lay my hands on a woman; what happened earlier was a mistake.” He added and walked out of the ward slowly.

I tried my best to wrap my head around what just happened but failed. Was Adrian seriously apologizing to me? I guess not because if that's what an apology looks like, then I doubt its essence.

What exactly was he apologizing for: the future I have gone through since we got married, or is it the trauma he has put me through, the pain he keeps inflicting on me? I told myself that what I needed now was not an apology, what I needed was magical powers that would help make time fly faster and take away the contract duration.

The hotel worker came back inside and grabbed her bag to leave.

“I will be leaving now ma'am, do take care of yourself”. She said,

“Don't go”. I replied instantly. “Please”.

“Is there anything you want me to do for you?” She asked, turning around.

“Not exactly”. I replied. “I just need company”.

“Oh, you know what, I will just call your husband to come,” She said walking out.

“No please”. I shouted calling her back.

“Okay”. She replied in stammers and came in. She sat by my bedside and grabbed my left palm.

“I will stay, but I would want to make a call outside; just give me a minute, and I will be right back.”

She quickly grabbed her phone and went out. I found myself smiling for no reason. After a few seconds, I heard footsteps behind me.

“You're back already”. I said without looking at who it was. I thought it was the hotel worker.

“We are leaving now”. A deep voice came from behind, making me twist my neck to see the person.