Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Are you alright, sir?" Patrick asked, his voice laced with worry as he scanned the deserted street for a safe place to park. He occasionally checked on his boss through the rearview mirror concern in his eyes.

Alex's face twisted in a grimace, his hand clutching his chest as he struggled to breathe. "Stop the car..." he gasped, his voice barely audible. His face had turned pale, and he was fighting hard to stay conscious and get a hold of himself, but it was hard to do so because the car had suddenly become so stuffy, making it harder for him.

Patrick slammed on the brakes, and Alex stumbled out into the night, gasping for breath. The place was on the opposite side of where he lived, but Alex didn't notice. He was too busy trying to calm his racing heart.

As he walked away from the car, the streetlight above flickered, casting eerie shadows on the ground. Alex loosened his tie, feeling suffocated by the tight collar. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the feeling of unease. He had forgotten to take his pills with him, further increasing the pain in his chest. He had to deal with it on his own... he couldn't risk anyone finding out about his condition, not a a vulnerable time like this... After walking for a while, he was finally able to steady his breathing once again, but there was this tight feeling in his chest that didn't seem to go away. It was like someone was squeezing at his heart...it was a feeling he was familiar with, but it was hard for him to get and to such pain, he didn't want to...

That's when he saw her – a woman, walking down the street, her hair falling around her face like a curtain. She seemed lost in thought, oblivious to her surroundings. Alex didn't notice her at first, too caught up in his problems. But as he turned a corner, he collided with her, sending them both stumbling and this was finally able to catch his attention.

"Are you okay?" Alex asked concern etched on his face.

The woman looked up, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. She nodded, but Alex could see the pain in her eyes, a kind of pain he recognized.

The woman's shoulders shook as she sobbed, unable to hold back her tears anymore, her body trembling like a leaf. Alex's hand instinctively went to her shoulder, trying to offer some comfort, afraid that he had hurt her when they collided, but she pulled away, her eyes flashing with a mix of fear and wariness.

"Miss, are you alright?" Alex asked again, his voice soft and gentle this time. The look in her eyes said it all, and he felt a tug at his heart for this stranger...

The woman nodded, still sniffling, and took a few shaky breaths. "I'm fine," she muttered, her voice barely audible. She was visible, but not fine.

Alex hesitated, unsure what to do. But something about her demeanour tugged at his heartstrings. He couldn't just leave her like this, alone and vulnerable in the middle of the night.

"Let me walk you home," he offered, trying to sound reassuring. That was probably the least he could do. He didn't want to seem nosy but it just didn't sit right with him leaving her all alone when she was this disoriented and vulnerable.

The woman looked up at him, her eyes searching. He could see hesitation in her eyes filled with fear and confusion. For a moment, Alex thought she'd refuse, but then she nodded, a small smile on her lips before she started to walk off, She quickly followed after her. I was wondering if she was walking alone so late at night.

As they walked, the silence between them was punctuated only by the sound of their footsteps and the woman's occasional sniffles. Alex tried to make small talk, but she didn't seem interested. He couldn't blame her; he wasn't exactly the best company himself. The silence Was probably better for both of them and, he had stopped crying which made him relieved in a way.

They turned at a corner, and the woman stopped in front of a small park bench. She sat down, her head in her hands, and began to sob again. Alex sat down beside her, feeling helpless. Unless of what exactly he could do to console her and make her stop sobbing.

"Are you alright?" he asked again, his voice barely above a whisper.

The woman looked up, her eyes red and puffy. "I'm sorry," she muttered. "I just...I lost someone."

Alex's heart went out to her. He knew that pain all too well. "I'm sorry too," he said, his voice sincere and, he smiled slightly at him as she wiped her tears. He could see her trying to gain control of her emotions, but it was a struggle. Sometimes it was better to let it all out, but Alex couldn't bring himself to say that to her...

They sat there in silence for a moment, the only sound was the woman's quiet sobs, she had lost the battle with her emotions once again. Then Alex stood up, feeling like he was intruding on her grief.

"I should get going," he said, his voice soft.

The woman nodded, still sniffling. "Thank you," she muttered.

Alex turned to leave but then stopped. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, looking back at her.

The woman nodded again, a small smile on her lips. "I'll be fine," she said.

Alex hesitated, unsure if he believed her. But he couldn't force her to accept his help. He turned and walked away, leaving her alone in the darkness. He could only hope that she would be

Alex stopped walking when he looked back and realised she was no longer sitting on the bench but had taken a left turn and he had to take a right. He sighed deeply as he continued. She didn't seem okay to him…he hoped at least she would be fine unlike him…

Patrick was outside the car waiting for him when he got back. “Sir!” Patrick immediately ran to his side to make sure he was okay. Concern etched on his face for his boss. "I was worried sick sir! I almost came looking for you... We should go to the hospital or should I call the doctor to the house!"

“Let's go, it's late already” Alex simply answered as he walked to his car door, his still mind on the mysterious lady he had just encountered…