CHAPTER 3

"What are we gonna do?" I stared at Nathan worriedly.

I didn't know how far we were from the country manor.

"Get in the car," Nathan ordered.

I nodded, and I rushed into the car, Nathan was trying to make a call, slowly his face was etched with a frown.

"Damn it!" He tossed the phone away. "Network's down."

I frowned, what would we do? We couldn't possibly walk to the manor in the rain, we couldn't head back either, and the road was quiet and desolate.

We were stuck here I realized.

"What do we do now sir?" I asked after a moment of silence, I stared at the raindrops pouring down the glass.

Nathan folded his hands, not answering me.

I sighed, I stared away into space, the silence stretched on and on.

I yawned, drowsy I looked over, Nathan had adjusted the seat to be in a reclining position.

I silently prayed for the weather to get better. As I stared out at the rain my eyes gradually became heavier and heavier until eventually, I slept off.

I woke up with a start, my body felt a little sore. It was still raining I noted.

I glanced at Nathan, he was still in the same position.

"Mr. Nathan?" I called hesitantly, but Nathan didn't answer.

"Nathan!?" I called, could be a deep sleeper? I wondered

I hesitantly tapped him softly, "Nathan?"

He didn't move, my heart sank, what was wrong with him?

I leaned over to touch him, I winced.

So hot, he was burning up I thought in a panic. He must be with a fever.

I touched his neck, as expected. His neck was burning hot.

"Nathan, Nathan!" I shook him a little, but he remained unconscious.

What was I going to do? The rain was falling heavily, I had no idea where we were and there was no way to call for help.

I stared worriedly at him, I couldn't allow him to stay here like this and getting into the heavy downpour didn't seem like a good idea.

Better I than him I thought, I immediately made up my mind, I'd go out and see if I could block a passing vehicle or maybe fiddle with the engine and pray it worked.

I gingerly took off my suit Jacket, I hesitated for a while before I resolutely put it on Nathan, his face looked pale.

Immediately the first chilled drops of rain hit me I couldn't help but yelp in shock.

So cold, the rain was heavier than I expected, and I could barely see past six meters away.

The trees that lined the road on either side looked dark and forbidding.

What could be done here? I wondered as I opened up the hood.

I was about as knowledgeable about cars as I was about fairies.

I fiddled a little with the valves and wires, I could feel my teeth chattering.

"Where's a mechanic when you need one?" I grumbled.

I had to use all my strength to push Nathan across to the passenger seat.

He looked paler I noted worriedly. The road was dark, there was no sign of a car for as far as I could see.

Please let this work I silently prayed as I turned the key in ignition.

The engine stuttered, it began to pick up then suddenly it went off.

I cursed under my breath, I tried it again a few times, and just when I was about to give up the engine picked up.

My mood brightened.                

I needed to get Nathan out of here.

I reversed the car before turning and heading back.

My clothes were drenched, and my shirt stuck to my skin.

I heard Nathan stirring.

" Lisa, Lisa," His voice was so faint I almost didn't hear him.

What was he talking about? Who was Lisa? I wondered, he was probably delirious from the fever I thought.

Nathan shook his head slowly.

"I managed to get the car running so we'll get you to a hospital soon. Just hang on Nathan."

Suddenly my phone rang, it was Justine, I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Where have you been? Aren't you with Mr. Nathan, Media's been buzzing over his absence to bid for the McGregor estate. What happened?"

"Justine, Nathan's sick, I'm rushing him to the hospital." I quickly explained to her.

"What!?" Justine exclaimed, "I'll be right there soon."

I drove on and on, and every minute seemed to drag on, finally, I reached the bend that brought me back onto the main roads, and I heaved a sigh of relief.

I drove into the hospital grounds.

"Help, I need help over here."

Nurses rushed out a stretcher at the ready. Together with their help, we managed to put Nathan on it.

At the reception, a nurse held a small file, "Your name please."

"Isabella Jackson."

"Social security number?... What's your relationship with the patient?"

"He's my boss."

The nurse's eyebrows curved up but she didn't say a word.

Suddenly I noticed the state of my clothes, my shirt was sticking to my body so it seemed see-through.

I blushed furiously,thankfully Nathan hadn't seen me in this state.

"Rose" Justine rushed up to me, "You look like a mess. Where's Nathan?"  

"The nurses took him in, been waiting for a while."

"Tough luck, you did great!" Justine hugged me.

"How about I relieve you a little so you can go get a change of clothes"

I shook my head, I couldn't leave without hearing from the doctor.

Suddenly a doctor walked up to us, her expression looked odd.  My heart missed a beat.

"Are you the one who came in with the patient?"

"Yes, I am" I stood up hurriedly, "How is he please? Is he fine?"

The doc stared at me absent-mindedly a bit, I stared down at my shirt, it was stuck to my skin, revealing my bra.

I blushed, I folded my arms over them

"Doctor?"

"Ah yes," her eyes regained clarity.

"What's your relationship with the patient?"

I frowned confusedly, what did that have to do with anything?

"He's my boss, I'm his secretary."

The doctor's frown deepened.

"Doctor you haven't answered me, how is he now? is he alright?"

She finally answered; " Yes he's out of danger, his condition is stable."

"Can we see him?"

"I'm afraid not, miss…"

"Rose." I stared at her, what was wrong with this doctor?

"Why can't we see him?"

"Hmph, Rose is it? I'll remember you." the doctor surprisingly turned and walked away.

What was that all about I stared in shock.

Justine suddenly coughed awkwardly.

"What was that all about? why was she behaving strangely?"

"If you owned something precious would you give it out?"

"I wouldn't, but what does that have to do with anything?" I wondered.

"That doctor," Justine hesitated.

"That doctor is Lisa Acheron, Nathan's Fiancé."

My expression changed.