New Beginning

CHAPTER FOUR

Adelaide’s P.O.V

I sat there in the car, feeling like a zombie. I can't believe what just happened, Daemon cheated on me... I eventually stopped crying. I bet my eyes are red and puffy now. My heart feels like it has been ripped out of my chest. I’m so glad my friend knows me well enough to know that I don’t want to talk about what happened, just yet. I will tell her everything once I’m ready. 

We are on our way to drop Lydia of at her house. Everyone is silent. I think they know I just want to be in my own little bubble right now. As I look to my right, where Benji is busy driving, I can see he is also enraged about what happened. His grip on the steering wheel is so tight that his knuckles started turning white.

“Benji once we are at home, will you please help me to my room? I’m not in the mood to face my parents. I just want to go straight to bed and forget that this day ever happened.” I look at him but his eyes are still on the road, and his face is blank. It is like he didn’t hear a word I just said. I tap him on his left shoulder and he startles. 

“Sorry Benji, I did not mean to startle you, but did you hear what I just said?” He looks at me with a confused expression. Yeah he did not hear a word I said. “I wanted to know if you will please take me straight to my room when we get home. I’m not in the mood to face my parents.” 

He looks at me and gives me a small smile. “Of course I will Adelaide. I will just tell them you fell asleep in the car, because of the pain medication. Well, that is if we can dodge them if we go into the house.” I chuckle at him. “I’m sure you have the skills to dodge them so please try your best.” “All right Adelaide I will try my best.” He replied. 

At last we stop in front of Lydia’s house. She gets out and come to my side of the car. I open my door to give her a hug. “Thank you so much for all your support Lyds. I appreciate it so much and remember I love you.” I pull away from the hug and give her a warm smile. “I love you too Addie. Please let me know what time you are going to the hospital tomorrow. I want to go with you.” She smirks at me. “So do you want to go with to support me or to see a certain Doctor?” I say in a teasing tone. I hear James scoff at the back of the SUV. We all start laughing, except James who sits there with a grumpy face. “Of course I’m going with to support my best friend! How can you think so low of me” She puts her hand on her chest and has a shocked look on her face. I just chuckle at her. “Go on, get inside your house. I want to make sure you are safe before we leave.” She blows me a kiss and says goodnight. Once she is inside her house, we drive of to my house.

(15 minutes later)

Thank goodness I could dodge my parents. Benji carried me up to my room and told me he will tell my parents that I’m already asleep. I took a quick shower and put on my silky nightgown and got straight into bed. Surprisingly I fell asleep immediately.

(The next day)

I woke up by the sun shining through my balcony’s sliding door. I should definitely consider putting a curtain in front of my sliding door, so I can sleep in a bit later. I got up slowly, careful not to hurt my ankle. I’m still walking with my crutches, but at least it feels as if my ankle is less swollen. 

I go to the bathroom to brush my teeth and do my business. I take a look at myself in the mirror and realize my eyes are still a bit puffy from the previous nights' crying. Once I am done in the bathroom I walk to my walk in closet. I put on a white lacy bra, with matching panties. I get a dress out of my cupboard and put it on. It’s a light blue sunny dress with white flowers on it. Then I slip on some white sandals. 

I go to my dressing table and comb my hair out and let it hang loose. I’m not going to put any make-up on. I’m not a big fan of putting make-up on. Unlike most girls my age, I only wear make-up once in a while, like on special occasions. My mom always says I should do more effort and wear make-up so that I can look my best whenever I leave the house. She wants us to look good in public, since they are famous lawyers and are well known in South Africa and even in some parts of the world. 

I prefer my natural look. I still look good without any make-up on. At least I do some effort with my hair and outfits. I always try to look appropriate in public. I think I dress quite modern. I always try to keep up with the latest trends. I have new clothes imported every 3 - 4 months from Paris, New York and Milan, just to name a few. That’s one of the perks of being one of the richest families in South Africa. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think I am better than anyone. I never look down on other people, In fact I like helping people. I regularly help out at a soup kitchen in Cape Town city and donate money to some of the Children’s orphanages and all my old clothes I give to church so that they can hand it out to less fortunate people.

I grab my crutches and decide to rather take the elevator down, because it’s much easier than to struggle with the crutches downstairs. Once I’m out of the elevator I head straight to the kitchen. I need some tea to start this day off. As I walk in to the kitchen I am astounded to see that my parents are sitting at the kitchen island while Susan is busy preparing breakfast. The reason why I’m this shocked is, because normally this time they already left for work. 

They turn around as they hear me coming in with the crutches. They have concerned looks on their faces. Yeah, right like they care! If they cared, they would have come to my show. If they cared they would have been at the hospital with me last night to support me. I’m starting to get emotional, and I don’t want to get emotional. So I decided to greet them instead. 

“Hello mom and dad. You are still here… Shouldn’t you be at work already?” I give them a questioning look. They both arch their eyebrows at me. Mom speaks first. “Adelaide we are your parents, and we care about you. We wanted to check if you are all right, before we go to work.” She says this with a bit of sarcasm in her voice. 

“Yes Adelaide your mom is right. Come and sit here with us so we can have breakfast together for once. How does your ankle feel honey?” My dad gives me a warm smile. At least he seems a bit more chilled than my mother. I completely forgot that Susan is also here. While I walk to go and sit next to my dad I decided to greet Susan. “Good morning Susan, how are you doing today? And dad my ankle is fine. Thank you for asking.” I give my dad a warm smile and realize that Susan looks a bit shocked that I decided to talk to her. She is always so shy. “Oh, uhh, Hello Miss Saunders, I’m doing good and you?” I managed to get settled in my seat next to my dad. I look at her and give her a small smile. “Well, except for my bandaged ankle, I’m doing quite great thanks.” My mom just stares at us with a surprised look on her face, while my dad continues to drink his coffee. My mom is one of those people who thinks the staff is beneath us and we are not equals. 

Susan speaks again. “I’m sorry to hear about what happened to you Miss Saunders.” She looks at me with sad eyes. “Oh no, don’t worry about me Susan. I will be fine. Would you mind making me a cup of sweet tea please Susan?” I can see my mom is starting to get irritated. “All right you two, enough with the chitter-chatter. Susan please continue with our breakfast and make my daughter some tea. We have to be at the Firm in an hours’ time.” Shame poor Susan she immediately looks down and is embarrassed. “Sure Mrs Saunders. Your breakfast is almost ready.” Susan prepares my tea and puts it in front of me. “Thank you Susan.” She just gives me a small smile and continues with our breakfast. 

Within 10 minutes time she places the breakfast in front of us. Some toast, scrambled eggs, fried bacon. And on the side there is a fruit salad with some yogurt. She places a pitcher of orange juice and another with water and ice in front of us. She then leaves the kitchen.

For the first few minutes we ate in silence, until my dad started speaking. “Adelaide there is something we need to discuss with you…” He hesitates to speak further, but continues anyway. “The attack on the house last night, was not just a random attack.” Just as I thought… “There are some bad people targeting us, because we are keeping the witnesses that are going to testify against them, in a safe place. They are trying to eliminate us, because they know with the witnesses testimony, they are going to jail for a long time.” Dad looks at me for a reaction. 

I take another bite of my scrambled eggs. Dad speaks again. “Why does it seem like you are not at all shocked with what I just told you?” He looks at me again. I give him a smirk. “Because dad, you have one hell of a smart daughter, who already figured out that this, is why the attack happened.” I give him a wide smile. He smiles back. “I should have known you would put the puzzle togrther. Just so you know, we tripled the security around the house and you are not to leave this house without Benji and the other two guards. Please promise me that?” 

During this entire conversation, mom just continued eating her breakfast, like she doesn’t care at all. It breaks my heart knowing I do not have a strong bond with my mother like most girls do. I decide to answer dad. “Sure dad, I must go to the hospital after breakfast to go and do an X-ray on my ankle. Are you guys coming with?” I ask even though I already know the answer. Mom decides to answer. “I’m sorry Adelaide, we won’t be able to go with because we have an important meeting with overseas clients in an hours’ time.” 

I can’t help the sad face, but why am I even disappointed? This always happens. Dad looks at me with pity in his eyes. I know he would have come with me to the hospital, if he could. “Okay mom. I understand. If you will excuse me, I better get going. Bye mom and dad.” I give them each a kiss on their cheeks and walk away with a tear slipping down my cheek.

In the foyer, Benji is there waiting for me, as usual, but this time with Carl and James on either side of him as well. “Good morning guys.” I greet them all. They all greet back then Benji starts speaking. “Adelaide, if you don’t mind, I thought it would be best if we take the elevator down to the garage. That way you don’t have to go down all those stairs once we are out of the front door. I know it’s difficult with the crutches.” He rubs his neck in shyness, he is not sure if he made the right choice to suggest this. At first I give him a stern glare, to make him sweat a little. I want to tease him a little. 

He looks so weird if he doesn’t have his usual, serious bodyguard look on him. They always wear black suits, with white dress shirts and a black tie. They also wear black safety boots. All the guards working for my dad, had to go through a serious training course, to make sure they are fit for this job. And my dad always chooses the best. 

Benji looks so awkward at the moment. Shame I will put him out of his misery. I start laughing holding my stomach because it hurts. The three guys just stare at me as if I’m an alien. “I’m sorry Benji, I just could not help but tease you. I told you I'd get you back. Of course we can take the elevator down to the garage. Obviously it would be much easier.” The other two starts laughing, but not Benji. He is all serious with his brows drawn together and wrinkles forming on his forehead. 

He gives James and Carl a stern glare and looks at me again. “I will get you back for this Adelaide.” He looks at me with an evil smirk. Oh no, I should not have teased him… We all get in to the elevator and go down in silence. Once we are in the garage Benji brings the car closer so I would not have to walk all the way there. “Oh yeah I forgot to tell you Lydia texted me, she wants us to go and pick her up.” I look at Benji and he just nods his head.

(30 minutes later)

Lydia and I wait in the examination room for Doctor de Luca. The nurse said he will be here within ten minutes. “So Lydia what’s up with you and the Doctor?” I chuckle at her and give her a wide smile. She seems reluctant to look at me but she eventually does. She gives me a small smile but I can see behind it she is actually sad. 

“What’s wrong Lyds? And please tell me the truth.” I say with a serious expression on my face. “Well, the truth is, I really, like in really like him. It’s unlike the other guys I’ve ever liked. And I can see from his side there is a potential for something to happen. But what will my parents say? You know how strict they are. I’m not even allowed to date yet. I always sneaked out when I went on dates. So this is so much worse because I’m 16, well almost 17 when it is my birthday in January. And him, he is probably 25 or 26, since he is still a medical student.” She just gives a long sigh… 

Just as I was about to talk to her a female Doctor comes in. She has dark blonde hair and light brown eyes. Her height is in between Lydia’s and mine. Lydia just eyes me with wide eyes. I give her a questioning look. 

Just then the Doctor looks up from the file she is holding and greets us. “Good day ladies. I’m Doctor Gemma Jenkins.” First she looks at me. “You must be Miss Saunders? I am pleased to me you.” She shakes my hand. She looks at Lydia and gives her a dirty look. What’s up with that? “And you are?” she asks Lydia with a sarcastic tone. “I’m Lydia Marx, nice to meet you Doctor.” Lydia answers with equal sarcasm. Doctor Jenkins gives her a smirk and turns back to me. 

“Addie if you will please excuse me, I will wait for you outside on one of the benches.” Lydia gives me a small smile and walks out of the examination room.

Lydia’s P.O.V

It’s that b!tch again. I wonder what her problem is with me? “I can’t stand fake people like that. I mean seriously, it costs nothing to be polite with someone.” 

“Am I interrupting something?” I jump in fright. “No need to be so scared. I won’t bite. I promise.” A deep sexy voice whispers next to my ear, almost touching my earlobe. I turn around, our noses almost touching each other. He is sitting next to me on the bench. I move a bit to my left, putting a bit of distance between us. 

“Doctor de Luca. How are you?” I can feel my cheeks turn crimson red. I look down, trying to avoid his gaze. ”Look at me Lydia…” I stare up into his beautiful golden-brownish orbs. And I give him a small smile. “Doctor, I don’t mean to offend you…but… uhhh… don’t you think it’s well… inappropriate to be this way towards me?” I feel so awkward talking to him about this, so I try to look away. Looking at my shoes, or playing with my hair. 

“Look at me Lydia…” I look at him again playing with my lower lip with my teeth. “Oh gosh Lydia please stop biting your lower lip.” He brings his hand closer to my mouth and pull my lip from my teeth with his thumb. After he removes his hand I miss the warmth of his touch. 

“What is inappropriate Lydia.” Oh my word, the way he says my name… This feeling is just too much. It feels like the whole zoo is running around in my stomach. "You are a Doctor, I’m still in school. I’m 16 years old, well almost 17, next month the 17th of January. And you… You must be 25 or 26. Don’t you think the age gap is too much?” He looks at me with the cutest smile on his face which shows the dimples on his cheeks. Damn, He is really making this hard. 

“Lydia, please call me David. So what you’re trying to tell me is that the age gap is a problem for you?” He takes my hands in his. I look him directly in the eyes. I smile at him. “The age gap does not bother me at all, but it will bother my parents.” He has an understanding look on his face. 

“I tell you what… Give me your phone.” I look at him confused. “I want to give you my cell phone number Lydia.” I chuckle at him and hand him my phone. Our hands briefly touch and I feel sparks where our skin touches. We look at each other’s eyes for a moment and we smile at each other. 

He takes my phone and punches his number in. He then gives himself a missed call so he has my number as well. He hands me my phone back. “There… now I can take you for coffee sometime and we can discuss everything.” He takes my hands in his again. Just as I was about to reply the door to the examination room opens and Adelaide walks out with her crutches with Doctor Jenkins following her.

I realize too late that David and I are still holding hands. I quickly retract my hands from him. Adelaide has a smirk on her face, but Doctor Jenkins’ expression is one of fury. Now I know why she hates me. She must have noticed the way David looks at me. Well, too bad b!tch… It’s not my fault he doesn’t like you. 

David stands up and so do I. He speaks first. “Good morning Doctor Jenkins. Thank you for standing in for me, I had an emergency I had to attend to. I came as soon as I could. So how did the examination go?” She gives him a flirty smile and I can’t help but roll my eyes at that. Of course Adelaide noticed… 

“Good morning to you too Doctor de Luca. The examination went great. Luckily Miss Saunders only sprained her ankle, so she should take it easy on that ankle for at least six weeks. She can continue with the medication you prescribed her.” She flips her hair in a flirty way. Damn she’s pissing me off. 

Adelaide speaks up. “Thank you Doctor Jenkins and Doctor de Luca for the way you treated me and took care of my ankle. I’m really grateful. I’m just glad I did not break anything.” She chuckles. At least I agree with her on that. 

“Doctor de Luca, may we leave now?” I say seriously. This b!tch can’t stop glaring at me. “Sure Lydia. Let me walk you out. Doctor Jenkins there is another patient in room 107, will you please attend to him?” He looks so sexy when he is being so commanding… Stop your dirty thoughts Lydia. I look over at Gemma, (Doctor Jenkins) and to say she looks pissed is an understatement. Doctor de Luca and Adelaide already started walking to the entrance of the hospital. I give Gemma one last look and smile at her before turning around and catching up with David and Adelaide.

Adelaide’s P.O.V

“Where are your bodyguards today Miss Saunders?” Doctor de Luca asks. I walk in the middle while Lydia is on my left side and Doctor de Luca is on my right side. It seems like they are trying to avoid each other. I know there’s something going on between these two. I will definitely ask Lydia about it later. 

“Please call me Adelaide Doctor de Luca. They are waiting for us in the Hospital’s cafeteria.” I give him a polite smile. I notice Lydia is very quiet and Doctor de Luca try and steal glances at her every now and then. 

“Only if you start calling me David, Adelaide… Oh there your bodyguards are. They are coming this way. This is where I will bid you farewell ladies. And Lydia…” She looks up to him. “Please remember what I told you and consider my offer... Bye ladies.” He gives Lydia one last smile and walks away. Lydia and I need to have some serious catching up to do. The guys join us while we walk out of the hospital.

On the ride back to my house I tell the guys all about the examination. They are all very glad that I didn’t break anything. My ankle is still bandaged up and I will probably still have to walk with the crutches for a few more days, but I can handle that. Lydia and I decided to have a girl’s night tonight, at least her parents gave her permission. So we are going to stop at her house now so she can get her stuff.

Forty minutes later we stop at my house. It’s 3:20 pm now. Lina already prepared us some late lunch and after we ate we each took a shower and put on our pajamas ready to start our night by watching movies, binge watching some series and play some Xbox or PS games. Lina informed me that my parents won’t be home until late, but at least they asked about my ankle and if I’m doing all right. Lydia told me about her and David and that he wants to meet up for a coffee date. I told her to follow her heart. Only she knows what is best for her.

(One week later)

Adelaide’s P.O.V

At last I can walk without my crutches. Lydia and I decided to go for lunch together at a cute Italian restaurant. I decided to wear something casual. A white crop top, with faded shorts and white converse. It’s very hot outside. I didn’t even take a jacket, just a white handbag with all my essentials inside. We already picked Lydia up. Once again we are being escorted by Benji, who drives the car, and at the back are Carl and James with Lydia seated between them. 

We arrive at the restaurant, but just as I was about to climb out, Benji stops me. “Wait Adelaide, there is a SUV at the other side of the road watching us.” I look over at the dark blue SUV, with tinted windows and instantly start panicking. There are five guys getting out of the car and coming our way. 

Benji keeps a close eye on them. Suddenly they pull out guns from behind them and start shooting at us. Lydia and I scream in panic. Benji screams at us to get down. He immediately starts the car and speeds off. I look back and see the guys are running back to their SUV and they start following us. 

“Benji, they are following us!” I scream in a panicked state. Lydia started crying. “I know Adelaide, everyone make sure your safety belts are on. We have to get away from them.” I immediately check my safety belt and look back to see that Lydia, James and Carl’s safety belts are also on. 

My poor friend. She sits there with her knees pulled up against her body and hugging herself, while crying. “Lydia look at me.” She looks up at me with tear stained cheeks and more tears coming out of her beautiful brown eyes. 

“Everything will be all right. Don’t worry okay. Benji is the best. He will get us out of this mess.” She wipes her tears with the back of her hand. “I know Addie, it’s just that I’m thinking. If this car was not bullet proof, we would have been dead now.” She looks panicked. “Well, luckily for us it is bullet proof. But please stop panicking now okay Lyds. We will be fine.” She gives me a small smile. “All right Addie I will try. And Benji, you better keep us safe. I’m too young to die.” She chuckles. I'm glad I could make her cheer up a bit. 

I look back and see that we have at least put quite a distance between us and the other SUV. “Okay everyone hold on tight. Once I take this turn left, I’m going to drive into the parking lot there and go out the other side. I think that way we can evade them and get away.” We all nod our heads and Benji turns left. 

He does what he said, and we leave the parking lot into another street. We speed up and take a few more turns. We look back and it seems we evaded them. Thank goodness. “Thank you Benji, you are the best.” I thank him and Lydia agrees. We immediately speed up more and head straight home. We don’t want to take the risk of going to another restaurant.