CHAPTER 2 Meeting Mr stranger

As I drove through the busy road my mind was still reeling from the tense conversation with my grandma. I couldn't shake the feeling of panic that had settled in my chest ever since I blurted out the lie a few hours ago. I was eager to see Joan, I needed to know where this was heading.

Lost in my thoughts, I failed to notice the red light ahead until it was too late, with a startled gasp I slammed on the break, but it was too late to avoid the collision.

The screech of tires and crunch of metal filled the air as my car collided with another vehicle, the impact sent me snapping forward, and just then my forehead struck the steering wheel.

I heard a car zooming off but I was too weak to raise my head. I wished for a miracle, was this how I was going to die? I couldn't help but feel the weight of pain in my head like my brain had been sliced up, my heart was pounding like I ran a marathon race. “God I can't die this way, I believe in miracles and I know you won't let me die,” I prayed silently

For a moment everything was blurry, then as the haze began to clear, I became aware of the trickle of blood running down my forehead.

Panic took hold of me as I tried to push open the door but no matter how I tried with the little strength in me, the door was jammed so hard. I was able to whine down the window, Desperate for help I glanced around, my heart pounding in my chest.

Just then I saw a man coming towards my vehicle, oh please God if you sent him, I'll forever be grateful, I stared at the man wishing he was coming towards me.

I watched him closely as his eyes widened in concern as he took in the scene before him, without hesitation he rushed forward and pulled the door open, his hands gentle yet firm as he pulled me up carrying me in a bridal style.

“Are you ok?” He asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

I nodded weakly, my head still spinning from the impact. “I-I think so,” I stammered.

He carefully carried me to his car and laid me down in his backseat, his movement gentle and precise.

As he climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine, I couldn't help but feel the sense of gratitude wash over me. What if this man didn't cross by?

He glanced at me worriedly from the driver's seat, his brow furrowed with concern. “Hang in there,” he said softly.

I nodded weakly, my thoughts swirling with confusion and fear. I have never been in a situation like this and I didn't know what to expect next. All I could do was trust that this stranger would get me to the hospital safely and everything would be fine.

The only thing I remembered was stealing a glance at his perfect jawline before I drifted off to sleep

*******

My eyes snapped open, my head pounding in pain, the lightening that flashed on my eyes made me shut them back immediately, I tried opening them again, this time gently, I slowly pulled my eyes open as I blinked away the blurriness.

the smell of antiseptics filled the room, I tried to feel the heavy cloth on my head, but I couldn't move, I looked at my hands to see I was fixed on a drip, I was trying to make sense of the environment and why I was lying down with my head heavy like a whole building was loaded on my head.

Just then I felt the memory of my car colliding with another car, rushing back to me, I turned to my right, and behind me was a man in a perfect midnight black suit with his hair well styled by the side, his jawline was perfect, his face was fixed by the window, he turned towards me, making me turn to the other direction.

“You're awake?” He spoke, his voice gentle and soothing.

Before I could utter any word the door of the hospital swung open, and figures emerged from the hallway. My heart skipped as I recognized my father and grandmother entering the room.

I turned to him, my brow furrowed in confusion.

“I called them from your emergency contact,” he explained immediately, understanding the confused look on my face.

I watched as my father rushed to my bedside, his expression a mix of relief and concern, he bent down and squeezed me in a tight hug, he was careful not to go too tight on me. I was just about to reciprocate, when he suddenly pulled out, his relief face now replaced with anger.

“How did it happen?” My Dad looked from me to the handsome stranger sitting at the side of my bed.

But he was met with silence, the stranger looked from him to me and turned his focus back on his phone. My Dad turned towards me again and continued.

“Haven't I told you to be careful when driving Liv?” Do you want to leave me childless? Why do I always have to worry about a twenty-six-year-old lady like you, you're not sixteen anymore for crying out loud.” My Dad thundered, his eyes fixed on me scanning from my head to the drip on my hands.

I could feel the fear In his eyes, I wanted to stand and hold him in a tight hug but it was impossible, I could just blink at him making him understand that I was fine. Just then his gaze shifted to the man beside me

“And you are?” My father asked, gesturing at the stranger beside me.

I noticed his mouth open but before he could utter anything, I chimed in, I could not explain where the strength to voice out my words came from.

“He's my fiance, Dad,” I blurted out, my voice trembling slightly, I could feel the stranger's gaze turn towards me, and his expression hardened as he furrowed his brow in confusion.

My father's eyes shot up in surprise. “Your fiance? But you said he wasn't in town,” he protested

I was just about to say something, I was losing strength and this was not the time for all these questions, just then my grandma came to my rescue.

“Son, can you stop all this, can't you see your daughter's condition? Is this the best time to ask this question?” He turned towards the guy and expressed her gratitude.

“I'm Lucas,” I watched as he introduced himself to my father and my grandma. My dad was silently sending him death stares.

My father nodded, still eyeing Lucas with suspicion, “Thank you, Lucas, we appreciate your help,” he said, his tone guarded.

*****

After some hours, I was discharged, and they had several checkups to make sure I was fine, it was just something minor, I just needed to rest while I took my medicine and come back in two days to dress my wound. My head was wrapped with a small bandage.

After the doctor prescribed my drugs, we were discharged. We were on our way to leave when my father voiced out

“Liv, you're coming with us, right?” My dad asked.

“No Dad, we need to stop at the pharmacy to get some medication before I head to my apartment, I'm okay, Lucas is here to take care of me you don't need to worry,” I assured him, slipping my hands on Lucas's arms with a smile on my face I rested my head on his shoulder.

I could feel the shocked expression on his face, but the last thing I wanted now was to be with my dad at the moment. He is going to make sure I'm dead with the amount of questions he's about to throw at me for a man I know nothing about.

“It's fine, Lucas please take good care of her and make sure she gets to her apartment please.” My father pleaded with him. “And I'll love to have you over for dinner once Olivia is strong,” he continued

“It will be my pleasure sir and you have nothing to worry about, sir, I'll take good care of her,” he responded.

I watched as my dad and my grandmother stepped into the Range that was parked, I could see one of his drivers holding up the door immediately after he saw them coming, my Dad turned back at us, and I pulled a smile waving at him, my head still resting on Lucas's shoulder. As I watched their car zoom off

I stood up straight and pulled my face off his shoulder, my eyes fixed on my toes while I played with my pinky finger.

“I'm so-s…so..sorry about that, I didn't mean to,” I managed to look up and address him

Lucas ignored my apology and instead took me by the hand leading me to his car. “I'll give you the address to go pick up your car when you're much better," he said, pulling the passenger's door open and making me sit gently, he slowly pulled the seatbelt while he buckled it on, and his breath was grazing my skin, I felt a big lump on my throat, he gently closed the door and went by to the driver's side.

We stopped at the pharmacy to fill my prescription and stopped at a restaurant to get some takeouts, then I gave him directions to my house and he drove me home. He helped me up to my apartment making sure I was comfortable on the couch before he turned to leave without a word.

But just as he reached the door I couldn't hold it in any longer. “Lucas, wait?!”

He turned back to me with his eyes questioning.

“I know this might sound stupid, but can I ask you for a favor?”.

Lucas raised an eyebrow, “What is it?”