CHAPTER 5

Hours later, Emily sat still, her gaze glued to the emergency room door. The lights finally went off, She lunged forward from her seated position, her vision blurry from crying the entire time.

Emily approached the door and almost immediately the doctor walked out with a concerned countenance, but with Emily being too eager she missed that look.

“Doctor? How did it go? Emily questioned with pleading eyes that whatever came out of the doctor's mouth was the good news she had been hoping and praying for”.

Doctor? Emily probed...

The doctor’s expression remained unreadable 

“The surgery was a success Emily”, he said solemnly, “but...”

Before he could continue, Emily released a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding in. She collapsed to the ground, all her fears dissolved into relief, tears streaming down her face.

“Thank you, doctor,” she repeated sobbing. Thank you so much.”

Doctor Maxwell’s expression softened, he stared at her, torn between delivering the rest of the news and allowing Emily bask in her moment of relief and apparently chose the latter.

He would tell her much later, for he had witnessed the struggles of this young woman firsthand. Still surprised by how she was able to get her mother’s surgery done, when hours ago she didn’t seem to have a way out.

Doctor Maxwell’s eyes held deep compassion, “Emily?” He called gently, offering his hand to help her up. “You should go rest now, you seem tired and your face doesn’t look so good. You can come back in a few hours to see her when she’s transferred to a regular ward”.

Emily stared at the emergency room door, then at the doctor and her gaze shifted back to the door, her eyes lingered as if unwilling to leave her mother’s side.

Emily’s eyes welled up with tears once again as she nodded slowly.

“Thank you, doctor,” Emily whispered softly, her voice barely audible.

“You’re welcome, Emily. Doctor Maxwell responded. Go take care of yourself first. Your mother will need you soon”.

Emily cast one final glance at the door and made her way out of the hospital. Her head buzzed with several thoughts, there was still some lingering fear, a knot in the pit of her stomach, a feeling she usually had when something wasn’t quite right.

Stepping out into the sunlight she squinted, the bright rays piercing her eyes. But as the warmth hit her skin alleviating the chilly vibe. She seemed to feel a lot better.

She wandered aimlessly without a clear direction, her feet carrying her into the hospital garden, she settled onto a bench at a corner observing the diverse crowd: doctors, nurses, patients and maybe the families of the patients she wondered.

Her gaze drifted, lost in thought. Time passed and Emily’s momentary trance was broken by her own exasperated sigh. 

She stood up and walked forward, where she was headed was something she thought she’d figure out along the way.

Emily sauntered absentmindedly, when suddenly she heard a faint cry from a passerby, she turned to see an elderly woman stepping off the curb, oblivious to the oncoming bus.

Without hesitation, she sprinted towards the woman, grabbing her arm and pulling her back onto the sidewalk. The bus roared by inches away from where the old lady had stood.

Out of breath, Emily steadied the woman who seemed shaken by the incident. “Are you okay?”

The woman, still recovering from the shock, focused her eyes on Emily. “Oh dearie, I....I...I think so. Thank you”. 

Emily helped the woman to a nearby bench. “You should sit for a while”, she said politely to the kind looking old lady.

Just as Emily turned to leave, the lady grasped her arm, she turned with a surprised look. “Do you need help with anything ma’am?” 

“Will you sit with me for a while?” She requested. Emily, silent for a moment, decided to stay behind, she hadn’t decided what to do next or where to go so she might as well spend time here.

“I’m so sorry,” I wasn’t watching, I suppose old age is catching up to me. She chuckled, patting Emily’s hands gently. “You saved me.”

“It was nothing,” Emily replied smiling, “anyone could have done the same, I’m just glad I was there.”

The woman’s gaze, meaningfully, lingered on Emily, “You’re a kind soul, my child. What’s your name, dear?”

“I’m Emily,” she replied.

“Margaret, but you can call me Maggie,” the old lady said with a playful wink.

Emily found herself smiling at Maggie’s charming demeanor.

Over at Lucas’s office, he receives a call from one of the personal bodyguards for his grandmother.

Lucas’s gaze narrowed as he answered the phone “Speak,” he ordered

“Well boss...we...we’re...”

“Will you speak or waste my time no further,” his tone impatient and icy.

“Well...boss, we have a bit of a situation.”

“The thing is boss...the...the chairwoman is missing.” Mike hesitated anticipating Lucas’s wrath.

Lucas felt like a bombshell had been dropped on him. His eyes widened and his face turned pale. He shot up from his chair, roaring to the other side of the phone...”WHAT???....” 

How did this happen? I pay you to protect her not lose sight of her!!!

Sir, she was home as usual, she sent me on an errand. But by the time I got back she was nowhere to be found.

I’ve been searching for a couple of hours sir, and I thought to inform you, Mike narrated in a somber tone full of regrets. He knew he was definitely in trouble with his boss, but finding the chairwoman was most important. 

Lucas growled, “Find her, Now!!!...”

Mike’s response was instant. “Yes sir. Right away, sir.”

There was a beeping tone indicating the call had been disconnected, Mike scurried off in search of the chairwoman.

Lucas slammed his fists on the desk, his mind racing. Where could she have gone? He had dialed  her number, but the housekeeper answered the phone, informing him that she didn’t leave with her phone and was yet to return home.

Lucas paced back and forth, frustration etched on his godlike face. He dashed out of his office to the underground parking lot, got into his Mercedes, and zoomed off. Driving aimlessly, unsure where to begin his search.

Meanwhile, Emily on the other hand had spent a delightful hour chatting with Maggie and she seemed to like the carefree grandma, as she called her on Maggie’s request and persuasion.

Maggie didn’t look like it but she was quite chatty for her age, regardless she was able to take Emily’s mind off all of her worries during their little time and Emily was somewhat thankful for it.

“You’re a breath of fresh air, Emily,” Maggie said.

 Their time was short lived when they both heard someone call out to the old lady.

Madam chairwoman, Mike called out of breath from running around.

The old lady scrunched up her face in irritation, muttering under her breath. “How did he find me so easily?” She seemed utterly displeased at being caught after running away from home.

Emily watched, amused, as Maggie’s expression transformed from frustration to cunning. 

She was definitely tired of being stuck in that mansion all by herself with no one to talk to, Maggie sighed.

“Emily dear,” Maggie said, her eyes sparkling. “I’m so tired of being alone at home. My grandson refused to get married and give me grandchildren to play with.”

Suddenly an idea struck her. “Emily,” she called.

“Yes grandma,” Emily responded, eying the burly-looking young man, Mike, who stood feets away from them.

“Grandma? She called, do you know him? If you don’t I could call the police right away, Emily questioned with concern.

Oh my child, don’t be bothered about him. Would you like to come visit this old grandma sometime? 

You see Maggie started, being as dramatic as ever, I live all by myself she said to Emily, if it wouldn’t be so much of a bother, could we spend time together again? I really enjoyed your company, my sweet child, Maggie pleaded.

Emily stared at the lady’s pleading eyes, unsure of what to say. She had only recently signed a fake marriage contract with a billionaire she barely knew, even if she wanted to, Lucas might not let her do as she pleased, she thought to herself.

Emily my child, how about you give me your contact information, and I will reach out to you, Maggie suggested.

Emily couldn’t bear to refuse her and so she exchanged contact information with Maggie despite her reservations.

On the other hand, Mike updated his boss. “We found her Sir.”

Lucas finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Take her home, I'll be there soon.”

Whilst Emily and Margaret bade their farewells, Maggie had a sly smile spread across her face. She liked the young lady Emily, she’s charming, her grandson would adore her too, she thought to herself.

They should definitely meet up, she said out loud, smiling contentedly as she walked away escorted by Mike and a few other bodyguards.

Emily is left to herself, her mind wandering, unaware of the connection.

How shocked she would be when she finds out Lucas is the grandson Margaret spoke about.