ThE BRIDE THEY BURIED

A new beginning

Monday morning, Vanessa woke before her alarm. For a few seconds, she stared at the unfamiliar ceiling above her.

Then she remembered. Her new city, her tiny room, and her job. A smile slowly spread across her face. Today was her first day at St. Catherine's. Suddenly she sat up wide awake.

For the first time since she left home, she felt something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in days, pure excitement.

She hurried to get ready. After a quick shower, she put on her white nursing uniform and carefully pinned her name tag to her chest. She tied her hair into a neat bun, checked herself in the cracked mirror, and adjusted the collar of her uniform.

She looked tired, but she looked happy too. “You're starting over”, she whispered to her reflection. And a small smile touched her lips.

No more looking back and no more fear. This was her chance to build something of her own. Vanessa grabbed her bag and left the guesthouse.

Outside, the morning air was cool and the streets were already busy. She flagged down a taxi and climbed into the back seat. “St. Catherine's Private Medical Center, please”.

The driver nodded and pulled into traffic. Vanessa rested her head against the seat and watched the city pass through the window.

She was nervous, but underneath the nervousness was hope. Maybe this was where her life would finally change. The taxi stopped at a red light and the radio crackled.

Vanessa wasn't paying attention at first, until she heard her name. “...authorities are continuing their search for a missing young woman identified as Vanessa Williams...”

Her entire body went still and the smile disappeared from her face.

The radio continued. “Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is urged to contact the number currently displayed on the station's website. A substantial reward has been offered for information that leads to her safe recovery”.

Vanessa stopped breathing. “What?”

The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror, the radio continued talking, but she barely heard another word.

Vanessa Williams.

That was her name, Her fingers began to tremble. No. No, no, no. They were looking for her.

She leaned forward. “Stop the car”.

The driver frowned. “Ma'am?”

“Please! Stop the car!”

He pulled over. Vanessa practically threw the door open and stepped onto the pavement. She stood there, breathing heavily.

Her mind raced, “They are… They are looking for me.”

She looked around as though someone might suddenly appear behind her. The street was crowded, cars passed and people walked along the sidewalks. Nobody seemed to notice her but Vanessa felt exposed.

She reached into her bag with shaking hands and pulled out her phone. She needed to call Grace. Her finger hovered over the number for a moment, then she pressed it.

The ringing tone lasted for some seconds.

Grace answered. “Hello?”

“Mom?”

There was silence on the other end, Then Grace's voice broke. “Vanessa?”Thank God you finally called me, I have been trying your line but you have not picked up, Grace demanded. “Do you have any idea what you've done? Why would you run away like this? You're putting yourself in danger!”

“I know”.

“No, you don't know!” Grace's voice cracked. “They're looking for you”.

“I heard”.

“Then come back”.

Vanessa's throat tightened. “I'm okay, I'm fine. I don't want to marry that pot-bellied man. She lowered her voice. “Let him go, return everything you took from him.

“Do you think this is some game? Do you think you can disappear and everything will just stop?”Grace swallowed hard.

She looked down at the envelope inside her bag, her father's envelope. The one thing she had carried with her and the one thing she still didn't understand.

Her father's words returned to her. Don't open it yet for six months, and don't tell your mother about it.

At the time, Vanessa had thought it was about money, property, or something her father had left behind.

She hadn't understood why he had sounded so serious, why he had specifically warned her not to tell her mother. Now, for the first time, she wondered if the envelope contained something far more important.

“I just need six months”, she whispered.

Grace's voice softened. “Six months for what?”

Vanessa looked toward the road. “After six months, I'll come back”.

“Where are you?”. Vanessa didn't answer.

“Vanessa?”

“I love you, Mom.”, She ended the call, broke the SIM, and threw it away.

For several seconds, she stood there with the phone pressed against her chest, then she wiped her tears. She had just said goodbye to her old life.

There was no going back now, Vanessa looked at the hospital building in the distance, her new life was waiting. She tightened her grip around the strap of her bag.

Six months. She had six months to make something of herself, six months before she could open her father's envelope, six months before she returned, and six months for the unknown.

She turned toward the hospital. “New life”, she whispered. Then she started walking.

A few hours later, Vanessa arrived at St. Catherine's almost forty minutes before her shift.

She wanted a good first impression. After everything she had lost, this job wasn't just employment, It was survival. She changed into her white uniform, pinned on her name tag, and tied her hair neatly before walking into the nurses' station.

"Good morning", she greeted.

A few nurses smiled back. One of them, a cheerful lady with curly hair, waved her over. "You must be the new nurse".

Vanessa smiled. "Yes".

"I'm Lily".

"Cyn…" Vanessa stopped herself, the name almost slipped out. She frowned for a second before correcting herself. "I'm Vanessa".

Lily laughed. "Nervous?"

"A little".

"It gets better".

Before Vanessa could reply, Martha Collins walked into the station with a clipboard. "Morning, everyone".

The conversations stopped immediately. "I hope you all had a restful weekend because this week is going to be busy".

She glanced at her clipboard before continuing. "As most of you already know, we admitted a VIP patient on Saturday night following a road accident".

Several nurses looked at each other. Martha continued. "His name is Adrian Cole".

"His condition has improved significantly over the past two days. The concussion has settled, his vital signs are stable and the doctors are satisfied with his recovery. However, because of the bruised ribs and the mild internal injuries he sustained, he will remain under observation for a little longer".

She looked around the room, making eye contact with every nurse. "Anyone assigned to the executive floor is expected to remain professional at all times".

Her tone became firmer. "Mr. Cole is one of the country's most influential businessmen. He is a high-profile patient and people like him attract attention from the media, business partners, and the public", She paused.

Vanessa noticed how almost every female nurse suddenly looked interested. Even the nurse standing beside the window quickly adjusted her lipstick using her phone screen.

Lily leaned closer and whispered, "Watch Isabella". Vanessa looked in the direction Lily was pointing.

"I don't want unnecessary conversations, gossip, selfies, or anyone trying to impress him. You are here to do your job, nothing more".

A few nurses lowered their eyes. "I've also been informed that Mr. Cole is a private man. He doesn't enjoy unnecessary chatter, he rarely smiles and he has little patience for incompetence".

The room grew even quieter. "So if you're assigned to his care, remain respectful, do your work properly, and don't give him a reason to complain".

She closed the clipboard. "Our hospital has spent years building its reputation. One careless mistake with a patient of his status could damage that reputation. I expect every one of you to remember that”.

Before Martha could continue, Isabella stepped forward with a bright smile. "If you need someone to look after Mr. Cole, I'm available".

Martha barely looked at her. "I haven't assigned anyone yet".

"I know, ma'am. I'm just saying I'd be happy to help". Although Isabella answered respectfully, disappointment flashed across her face.

A few nurses rolled their eyes. Lily suppressed a laugh. "She says that every time a handsome billionaire walks into this hospital".

After the briefing ended, the nurses dispersed to their various departments. Vanessa collected a tray containing medication for several patients and headed toward the executive floor.

She had barely reached the corridor when someone stepped in front of her, It was Isabella.

She folded her arms and looked Vanessa up and down. "So… You're the new nurse".

Vanessa smiled politely. "Yes".

Isabella's eyes drifted to the tray in Vanessa's hands. "Those medications are for the executive floor?"

"Yes".

Without warning, Isabella reached for the tray. "I will take them".

Vanessa tightened her grip. "I'm sorry?"

"Mrs. Collins asked me to handle the executive floor".

Vanessa frowned. "She did?"

"Yes".

"I will take over from here".

Vanessa hesitated. "I wasn't told that".

Isabella's smile disappeared. "Are you questioning me?"

"No, I just thought…"

"You've only been here for one day". Her voice turned cold. "I've worked here for three years. I know how things are done". Vanessa remained silent. "So hand them over".

Something didn't feel right. "I think I'll confirm with Mrs. Collins first".

The words had barely left her mouth when Isabella's expression hardened. "Are you calling me a liar?"

"No".

"Then stop wasting my time". She grabbed the tray before Vanessa could react. "Mrs. Collins doesn't have time to explain every little change to new staff”.

Vanessa reluctantly let go. "Alright".

"Good". Isabella adjusted her uniform and smiled to herself. "Oh, and one more thing". Vanessa looked up.

"The supply room is a mess". She pointed down the hallway. "Go and help the cleaners organize it".

Vanessa blinked. "The cleaners?"

"Yes. They're shorthanded today. Go”.

Vanessa frowned slightly but nodded. "Okay".

She turned and walked away. The moment she disappeared around the corner, Isabella looked toward the executive door with a satisfied smile.

"No new nurse is getting close to Adrian Cole before I do".

She lifted the tray confidently and walked toward the billionaire's private suite, convinced that before long, Mr. Adrian Cole would finally notice her.

She had no idea… That fate had already chosen someone else and it wasn't her.