Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

*Let's go Home*

"All vitals are good. You're set to go Miss Janice." The Doctor declared gaily as he gently patted her back after running a few checks on her vitals with his thermometer.

Mr Jordan heaved a long deep sigh of relief, brushing his fatigued eyes ridden with deep lines underneath them. Drake leaned against the wall at the corner of the hospital room to give them space for a little family time.

He was also relieved.

Today had been one hell of a day! He glanced at his wristwatch, the time reads 9:09 pm. The day is almost over. He had brought her to the hospital around quarter past five, with his heart thumping in his chest forcefully and his hair wet from sweat clung to his face, he carried her in his arms as he scurried to the emergency ward. He was sacred to shit!

Her shaggy blonde hair was pulled up lazily. Father embraced daughter. While locked in their embrace, Drake caught Janice peering her hazel eyes at him. And she mouthed a "Thank you". He smiled coolly at her, his blue eyes piercing hard at her as though he would scamper over there this instant and pull her to him, stroking her hair and planting kisses on her forehead.

Their embrace was caught shut when his phone chimed. " Give me a minute honey I need to get this. Excuse me" he said as he darted outside the patient room.

"Well, I will be in my office if you need anything. The nurse will get your prescribed medications ready. Make sure you take them appropriately and lots and lots of rest. I wish you a speedy recovery, Miss Janice. Take care and... You too gentleman" the doctor said airily.

"Thank you, doctor. I most certainly will." Janice replied with a nod as he walked out of the room leaving the both of them alone in the room.

Silence lingered.

Janice lowered her gaze to the floor, wringing her hands nervously together.

Fuck! Why can't she say anything? He probably knows! He was partly to blame too. I mean, his sudden disappearance compelled her to go back to it. She took a deep breath and jerked her head up slightly to meet blue eyes boring through hers intently. His muscular arms folded jauntily.

"Did you know?" She asked quietly.

"About?" He asked, though he already knew what she meant.

"That I uh... You know was a doper?" She arched her brows at him.

He nodded, his eyes still peering at hers made her more embarrassed. She lowered her eyes again in disgrace. Then there's certainly no way her father didn't know. Damn it! She fucked up!

"Relax. No one is going to crucify you. You just need to focus on getting better". His tone was soothing to the ears. She could hardly believe her ears.

Drake said that?! He can be this sweet too?

Her eyes glinted with hope. It's as if his words mollified the built-up tension that was already becoming palpable.

"Thanks for saving me," she said with a smile.

He shook his head. " I should have done better. It's my fault. I'm sorry."

"No, it's not! I would have ended up far worse if u were not there on time." she entreated.

At that moment, her father stormed in.

Casting the duo a leery look.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, looking at Janice who lowered her eyes and had resumed wringing her hands together again.

"Sure," she said glancing up with a dry smile on her face.

"Sorry I took a while. Business as usual"

"It's fine Dad. Let's get outta here already. It's so depressing in here. I've always hated hospitals!" Janice cringed.

"Sure thing sweetie. But first...." His voice tapered off as he turn on his heels towards Drake's direction, Anger brewing inside of him. He clutched his shirt roughly.

"Do you mind telling me how the bloody hell my daughter was riding a horse by herself without support? Then what have I been paying you for? you numb skull of a horse keeper!!!" He bawled at him. Drake didn't flinch, his features as stand-offish as usual further infuriated Mr Jordan who was stammering to come up with other words to deride him of how much of a big fool he was to have led his daughter in harm's way.

Janice tried to pry her father's arm away from Drake. It was however a rather feeble attempt as her body is yet to adjust after taking up so many drips and needles. Yikes!

"Dad stop! He didn't do anything wrong. Besides, he saved my life." But he wasn't even paying attention to her.

She rolled her eyes desperately. " For crying out loud guys! In case you didn't notice, we're in a goddamn hospital and it's almost 10 pm! " she shrieked.

Her father slowly released Drake's now rumpled shirt, his eyes still blazing hot.

"Is this your welcome gift after your abrupt disappearance? To hurt my daughter? Perhaps we should have a little chat tomorrow about your resignation".

"Dad... Weren't you listening? Drake. Saved. Me. you can't just lay him off like that.Besides he was the only one that made me fall in love with horse riding. He wanted to take a look at the sick horse that was why we both went to the stables and I insisted. He's way better than that mug head Steven if you ask me." she goaded with pleading eyes at her father.

"Alright. Maybe I overreacted. But anything could have happened and the mere thought that I could lose you..."

Janice hugged her father tightly. " It's okay dad I'm fine."

When they parted, she grinned cheerfully at her father.

"It's been a long day. Let's go home". Father and daughter held hands as they walked outside the room to the corridor with Drake following close behind.

Drake pursed his lips wryly. Janice didn't have to stick her head out for him like that. Well, she's kind of saving him a few snags to deal with.

He will need Mr Jordan's trust if want this mission to be successful.

Mr Jordan is very soft when it comes to his family-the only family he's left, is his daughter and only heir and he'd do anything no matter how foolish to protect it.

That's why Janice is the key. The key to his downfall.

A lopsided smile played at the corner of his lips but quickly faded as it came to avoid suspicion as Janice glanced back at him with a smile.