Vexation

Julian POV

Giselle’s hospitalization hit me like a shell bomb, making me more frustrated and confused, especially alongside who rescued her.

I have been encountering Annet Albrecht due to my participation in the racing community. He holds the president position for Velo-Stratos Automobile, situated in Japan and is a sponsor of the racing community.

“That's what I discovered”, Lucas began, “Mr. Albrecht came to Stirling City for business purposes. He’s also here to complete a project with Texta Condos and promote their latest car model.”

My brain hardly registered what he said. I don't give a damn about Mr. Albrecht’s issues. My concern now was his connection with my wife and what gave him the audacity to meddle in my affairs.

Lucas,probably sensing my agitation, interrupted my thoughts, “Boss, I think Mr. Albrecht is the last person you should suspect Miss Giselle is cheating with, he just arrived last night.”

Even though my soul yearned for consolation, his words meant nothing compared to the wrath raging within me. I came home to meet Giselle in the arms of another man, how can I be certain she has nothing to do with Mr. Albrecht. Consumed by anger, I was lost in my thoughts and emotions, not able to fathom what I feel towards her with a different man.

The unrelenting downpour had lessened to a drizzle as the car stopped in front of the hospital. Unable to keep my cool, I exited the car and moved straight to the nurse at the reception area. With Lucas following me closely, we eagerly made our way towards the room where Giselle was admitted.

“Boss, Miss Giselle is in this room”, Lucas pointed out as I nearly walked past it.

Gathering composure, I turned the doorknob as the door flung open, revealing Annet clutched on my wife's hand, gazing gracefully at Giselle. Anger immediately boiled within me.

“What the heck are you doing here with my wife?!”, I vent out the fury burning in my chest.

Annet looked at my direction, his eyes narrowing as he turned his head.

“Your wife?”, He questioned, standing up on his feet, ready to fight me. “ Oh! so you remember she is your wife and you left her to die at the entrance of your villa! Well for your information, your wife has a flu and passed out right in front of your house!”

My body itched and each fiber left in me wanted to punch the hell out of him for meddling with my affairs, but I had to keep my cool especially because of my family’s status plus I don't want any issues with my father.

“Never did I imagine the President of Velo-Stratos Automobile intrude into my affairs and tell me what to do and what not! This is between my wife and I! I owe you no explanation but you do! So tell me Mr. Albrecht, how do you know my wife?!”

His jaw tightened as he clenched his fingers tightly into a fist, confusion portrayed on his face. I looked at him fiercely expecting a response. Without wasting any more seconds, I called out, “Lucas!”

“My wife is done receiving treatment here at the hospital! She will take the rest at home. Get her out of this place now!” I commanded. I don't want Giselle to stay here anymore and I don't owe anyone an explanation.

“That's absurd, you arrogant jerk! Your wife is still in recovery from the flu!” Annet barked out, his anger so visible.

The way he spoke about Giselle ignited a sudden rage in me. I had tightened my fist so firmly that I could feel my bones seeking solace from each other as I fought myself from creating a scene.

“I have made it point blank that this is none of your business! And where I take my wife is not your concern! She’s my wife!” I snapped back, stressing on my wife.

“You are a real jerk! I don't even know how she decided to marry you!” Annet yelled back, his voice laced with anger.

Before we realized, our heated argument was echoing through the walls of the hospital, attracting the attention of the doctor and nurse in charge of Giselle. Tension filled the room as the doctor entered and addressed me. My reputation in Stirling City was far spread and this hospital was no exception. I wasn’t surprised when the doctor address me because every being within the four walls of this hospital knows me as Julian Walker.

“Mr. Walker, we would appreciate if you can tone down your voices”, the doctor’s voice cut through the tension.

“I’m taking my wife home!” I snapped back sharply. I want my wife home at this moment and that’s all I could think of.

“Y- yes, Mr. Walker,” the doctor replied reluctantly.

“You are not taking her anywhere! I brought Mrs. Walker here to receive treatment because she is not feeling well! She is still visibly sick. Can’t you see!” Annet Albrecht yelled , his frustration so evident.

Before I could hold back my anger, I pounced on him, aggressively pressing him against the bare wall. The doctor and nurse withdrew quickly, their eyes shone with amusement as they trembled by my action but Mr. Albrecht, unmoved by my aggression ,looked me straight in the eyes, his disgust towards me radiating through his eyes.

“Giselle is my wife! And wherever I want her to be that's where she would be! And it's none of your damn business!” I seethed through gritted teeth.

“Please Mr. Walker, Mr. Albrecht …please let’s restrain from violence here. Violence is not tolerated in the hospital. You are already disturbing most of our patients.”the nurse begged.

“Mr.Albrecht, I’m sorry but in this case , Mr. Walker has an upper hand. He’s the husband of the patient and we only heed to the wishes of the immediate family,” the doctor explained professionally.

“But I brought her in when that jerk you call a husband threw her out to die in the rain! This makes no sense! Annet Albrecht bursted out as my grip on him loosened up.

The doctor and nurse stood there nervously without uttering a word.

I teased , “ I think it’s settled now.”

Mr. Albrecht feeling powerless at the final statement of the doctor, took a quick glance at my wife before storming out of the ward.

Shortly after, Giselle was cuddled up in my warm embrace as we made our way towards the exit.

The icy cold blowing through the hallway penetrated her skin, causing her to shiver,while her heated breath swayed around my neck. The fear radiating from her body was so palpable, but I couldn’t trust anyone here to take care of her, especially not Annet Albrecht.

“Contact Steve Hetterson”, I commanded Lucas as we reached the car. “Explain the situation to him and tell him to meet us at Pine Avenue.”

“Understood, boss,” Lucas replied duly.

Giselle still gripping my hand tightly, I guided her into the car’s backseat.

“Please turn on the heater” I demanded after her shivers intensified when we entered the car.

Not long after, Giselle drifted into sleep, still nestled in my warm embrace.

Giselle was fast asleep when Steve,my friend, arrived. This made his examination quite easier. Despite his busy schedule, he risked it all to attend to my sick wife.

“When was the last time she received medication at the hospital?”, Steve questioned.

I had no idea when the last medication was given so I shrugged in response.

Steve, unpleased with my answer, gave out a heavy sign before he continued, “I’ll contact the hospital for her info but what happened to your wife though?”

Steve, not only being a doctor but a close friend of mine, I disclosed what transpired that evening which led to Giselle ending up in the hospital.

“Wow, Julian”, he murmured after my story ended.

While Steve stepped out and reached out to the hospital, I gazed at my wife, my hands clenching into a fist involuntarily. I had instructed Lucas to ensure the bedsheets were changed but still the disturbing memory from the previous incident of the night still haunted me as they freshly relayed in my memories.

“I’ll give her an IV for now”, Steve’s voice caught me off guard, bringing me back to my senses.

I watched as Steve dutifully administered the IV fluid before asking to take his leave.

After escorting him to the entrance of Pines Avenue, I rushed back inside and changed into fresh comfortable clothes before reclaiming my place beside Giselle on the bed.

I pulled her closer and she murmured “so cold”, her body physically trembling.

I hold on tightly to her, sharing whatever warmth I could offer. Her beautiful eyes opened briefly, exposing her vulnerability and unease.

My cork, unable to understand the situation, jerked through my pants, wailing to be freed but I ignored it as I fully enjoyed the company of my wife, caressing and kissing her face as if to compensate for what I did to her earlier this night.