Chapter four

Henry POV

“Where am I”? She asked, opening her eyes after six hours of being semi conscious. I jolted up from where I had dozed off on the hospital bed,the antiseptic scent of the hospital filling my nostrils.

You're finally awake...!" I exhaled, relief washing over me. "Are you in pain? How are you feeling now?..." My voice cracked with worry.

“Why am I here?I only remembered being in your uncle's office”, she stated.

“You passed out Camelia, But the doctor said it was just stress and your blood pressure is also elevated and it needs to be controlled”, I explained as I continued rubbing off sleep from my eyes.” You'll also need a lot of rest”, I added.

She only nodded without saying a word and started crying. “Can we leave the hospital”? she asked, sobbing. “It only brings horrible memories”, she sobbed. “Please I'm begging you, she said clenching onto her chest like it was hurting.

I had no idea on how to console her. I have never been in such a position before. I only understand that she wants to leave the hospital. But Gabriel interrupted my thoughts.

“A call for you sir” he said, And who could that be? I asked.

“It's”...he took a pause for a few seconds. “Who Grabiel?" I asked , clenching my teeth.

“It's Lydia sir” he finally answered. Hang up! I shunned without giving it a second thought. “And don't disturb me over such measly calls!” I snapped at him. Camelia was still sitting on the bed all shaken. I couldn't think of what to do. I've never taken care of anyone before. It has always been the other way round.

“Prepare the car, we are taking her home” I said to Gabriel, “but before that get the discharge summary and her medications” I added, or better still…. I said, having a second thought.

“Don't worry about preparing the car, give me the keys, I'll take her home”.

Sir?? Gabriel stammered.

“Is there a problem Gabriel?” I could tell what was on his mind, it was strange I was behaving this way, but I only felt pity for her.

“No sir”, he replied, handing over the keys to me.

I stretched out my arm and collected the key from him and he went to the doctor to prepare the discharge note.

I assisted her from the hospital bed, and we made our way out of the room to the reception. “Sir, you'll need to sign the discharge note, the nurse whispered to me”.

“Can’t my assistant do that?” I muttered.

“No sir, her guardian has to,” she replied.

“Give me a minute” I said as I gently placed Camelia on a chair so she could sit while I sign the note.

“Where am I signing?” I asked the nurse.

“The note would be ready in a minute or two sir,” she replied. The note wasn’t even ready, I glared at them and looked at my wrist watch. It was already 9am, I stole a glance at Camelia, but she looked distorted.

“Here is it sir” the nurse said, calling my attention. “You're signing here” she said pointing to a blank box on the note. I dipped my hands into my pocket to look for a pen but I couldn't find one. “Can I get a pen?” I asked the nurse. Yes sir, she said, scrambling the table to look for one.

*****

“Look who we have here” a female voice echoed from behind, “Camelia is that you?” You look like you've been through a lot she said, letting out a mild laugh.

I turned around to get a glance of who was talking but the nurse already found a pen. “Let me quickly sign”, I said , grabbing the pen from her. What I heard next was a scream, the strange woman had pushed Camelia to the floor.

“What are you doing?” I barked, running towards where Camelia was.

“And who are you?” She smirked as her eyes hovered around me.

At this point people had already gathered, including the security officers.

“Why would you push a sick person to the floor?” I barked, lifting Camelia from the floor.

Are you fine? I asked her.

I could only see Camelia's cheek burning red as she tried to withhold her tears.

And the strange woman interrupted me again, I was losing my patience already!

“Wow, so you've gotten another man?” Camelia, she continued. “You're really something, I've always known you never loved Brady as you claimed, I'm happy he finally let you go”. Now he'll get a chance to enjoy true love! She added.

“Or wait did you sleep with him”? She shrieked.

“You little whore! I've always known your true colours would show one day!”. “You don't deserve Brady”, which is why I'll help you take good care of him, she giggled touching her belly.

I don't know what this chaos was all about but I just wanted it to end.

“You won't speak to my wife that way!” I barked.

“Would you just stand and watch her insult a sick lady in this manner?” I said turning to the security officers.

I could see the shock on Camelia’s face when I mentioned “my wife”, but I ignored her look.

“Don't touch me," she barked as the security officers tried to propel her out of the hospital. " I'll go out on my own, I'm pregnant," she added.

“Is that why she is behaving like a maniac?” I thought, but I'm sure that the two ladies know themselves.

“As for you Camelia, I'll let everyone know what you've been doing” she hissed, walking away with the security officers behind her.

Come here, let's go home, I said, offering Camelia my hands to grab on, which she actually did.

“Here are the medications,” Gabriel muttered from a distance as he walked towards us.

“Take us home,” I said, handing the car keys over to him.

“Right away sir” he replied as he led the way out of the hospital.

*******

Camelia POV

As I sat at the back seat of the car with Henry my mind reeled about the event that had taken place, I stayed mute as shock took over me, I wiped off my tears with the back of my palm. What has come over Maddie? and why would even go to this extent. “She wants Brady, Now she has him, why won't she let me be!.”

“We are here” Henry said as the car finally came to a stop at the front of a mansion.

“Let me help you Camelia”, he said , offering his hands to help me get down out of the car. A little blush covered my face as I remembered he called me his wife when he was talking with Maddie earlier.

“Why are you not asking me any questions?” I asked him as I finally got out of the car. “You can tell whatever later, after you get enough rest.” You really look like a mess right now he said , letting out a subtle smile as we walked into the building.

I was struck by the grandeur of the building before us. A majestic fountain standing at the entrance, its unique design unlike anything I'd seen in Washington D.C. There were people in black and white uniform going to and fro, all of them greeted us with their courteous smiles as we passed, which made me question who he really was. “They are my workers," he said, noticing the confused look on my face. I nodded with a grin.

As we entered the house a maid in uniform walked up to him and whispered something into his ears, I couldn't tell what it was but his expression changed, “what is she doing here?” he said as he stormed inside, I followed him looking confused.

But all I saw was a tall beautiful lady in her mid 20s with her exquisite dress sitting on the sofa.

“Where have you been Henry? And why have you been avoiding my calls?” She shrieked,

“When did you come back? And Why are you here?” Henry asked her.

“Because you've been avoiding me or is that not obvious?” She barked.

Henry gave his head a little massage “Please Lydia don't start, I've had enough for this morning!

“And who is she?” She asked, looking at my direction as she smirked.

“Ooh…Lydia I said recalling, the lady from the call he ignored earlier”. I don't know who she was but I could tell he doesn't want to be in the same space with her.

It was time to play my part of the deal.

I strolled to where Henry was standing and grabbed his hands as I looked into his eyes.

“I am his wife,” I uttered.