Chapter 3: The Revelation

Amanda 

We drove to the company in silence. Jason had an important meeting to attend. The driver was going to drop him off, then take me to my grandparents. I wanted to see them as soon as possible, else, I would go crazy with thinking and worrying.

"What's on your mind?" Jason looked up from his phone and stared at me emotionlessly. I had not yet recovered from the shock of his sudden desire to make reckless love to me a few hours ago, but the thoughts of Lena occupied my mind and kept me from dwelling on it.

"Nothing," I smiled wryly, hoping he'd let the conversation die, because I was in no mood for a chit-chat, especially not with him.

"You've met Lena, haven't you? Why aren't you asking me anything?"

I wondered why he was bringing Lena up. I had clearly avoided having any conversation concerning her with him.

"I have nothing to ask," I said briefly, not bothering to look at him.

"You're learning to mind your business," he laughed, throwing his hand with abandon, then, he took my hand and squeezed it, as though he were trying to hurt me. Well, he succeeded, "Pay no attention to us, just play your roles as a good housewife. After all, that was the reason I married you."

I struggled to free myself from his painful grip, and when I didn't succeed, I bit him hard, which made him scream in pain. The driver looked back momentarily but continued to drive. If he had interfered, he'd lose his job for sure.

Jason grabbed my neck with his two hands after he had recovered from the shock and pain of the bite. It was the first time I had retaliated to his violence. I didn't know what gave me such courage, but I was thankful for it.

I gasped for air, flailing my arms and begging with my eyes to be released, but Jason wasn't having any of it, "It seems you've grown wings, Amanda," he pressed harder, "you now challenge your husband, you filthy thing," his face was scrunched up, and his lips were pursed with determination. He was clearly disgusted.

"I wouldn't have any of this, anymore," he said, and continued, "Today, I'd kill you and send you to your dear father," I noticed that the driver had stopped by the side of the road, but I knew that he was too scared to help me. He wouldn't just lose his job if he did, Jason would also do everything to ruin his life, generally.

"J_Ja," I gasped for air. I could see my own death right before my eyes."

"Shut up, you bitch!" He repositioned himself on top of me in the car, making sure we were both lying down, and then he kissed me, licking my tears, and smiling sinisterly, while still choking me as though his life depended on it.

There was a knock on the car door, and Jason left me immediately. He quickly used a scarf that had been lying carelessly in the car to cover my mouth as I coughed vigorously, struggling to catch my breath, but I could barely notice. I was sinking into oblivion, and I was vaguely aware of my surroundings…

"Open this door, Sir," a man's voice rang out from the driver's window, but Jason wasn't having it. I felt him inject me with something. Whatever it was caused me to be unconscious immediately, because I was unaware of my surroundings, instantly.

********

I woke up with a slight headache, hungry as ever! I was about to get down and go and freshen up when I noticed the driver still sleeping with his head bent slightly at the edge of the bed. That was when it hit me. I was at the hospital!

Everything that had happened hours ago, in the morning, flooded into my memory. I must have slept for a long time because the room curtains were raised up, and it was very dark outside. As I made to step down from the bed, the driver woke up.

"Ma'am, you're up,' he sighed with relief, and I could see that he must have been very worried. My makeup had been cleaned off, and there were obvious bruises on my face and neck, "how are you feeling?" He helped me up and I sat upright on the bed, just a few meters away from him. 

He held on to my hands as though his life depended on it. It was the first time I paid keen attention to him. I didn't know his name yet, but I had resolved to quit being passive about the people who worked for Jason. I needed to understand what was really going on.

The driver looked to be in his early thirties. He had on a white designer's T-shirt and blue jeans. He wasn't as hairy as Jason, but he had a beautiful face, you could almost mistake him for a lady, easily. He had the beauty of a woman and he looked pretty delicate.

"What's your name?" 

"Anderson," he said and adjusted properly on his seat, "you've been asleep for twelve hours. I had to step out to get changed and get you something to eat at some point."

He was sweet and very kind, but I wasn't sure if it was all right to trust him. Maybe Jason put him up to this…

"I know what you're thinking," he said gently, "but Jason didn't ask me to do anything. He actually told me to take you to the hospital and return to the company shortly after; however, I couldn't. You needed someone by your side."

I smiled weakly and felt a sharp pain in my neck.

"I'll get the Doctor," Said Anderson who returned right after with a middle-aged woman trailing after him.

"How are you feeling? You were unconscious for some time," she took my hand and felt my pulse while looking at her wristwatch.

"I'm fine, Doctor," I said, trying to fake a smile.

"What happened?" She persisted, "What brought you to the hospital?" 

"Well, she..." Anderson began to talk, but I cut him short abruptly.

"I'd rather not talk about it, ma'am," I said, hoping she'd let the matter die.

"You're covered in bruises young lady. Were you involved in a fight, or did someone beat you up?"

"Doctor, I'm fine. If you think I'm better and it's safe for me to go, then I would leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Seeing that I wasn't going to give in and talk to her, she stopped trying. Her eyes darted to my stomach and she said, "Are you aware that you are pregnant? You're probably some days gone. You should be careful. You don't want to lose your baby. You can leave in the morning. I'll give you some drugs and ointment before you leave."

Pregnant? How? How can it be? The last thing I wanted was to be pregnant with Jason's baby. No! This can't be happening!