The Contract Wife

Bella I swirled on the bed only to be blessed with a sight that made my heart race and fall into my stomach. “Damn!” I mouthed quietly. The room was so scattered, and I blinked to have a clear vision of everything while breathing heavily. Beside me was a man—he was still asleep. He laid on the other side of the bed with his face turned away. I quickly pulled the duvet off my body only to find out I was naked. My clothes and undies were littered in every part of the room. My mouth fell open in shock. “Oh no!” I quietly gasped because I was so ashamed of myself. I covered my face with my palms because I felt like I was such an empty brain. It reminded me of twelve hours ago… After having a big relapse at work, I got a short gig. Being an event planner was always my dream, but I had no idea how tough it could get. It was my first client in six months! I decided to do something different, and all the roads led to the clubhouse downtown. It was a good way to do something new to feel better. I mean, that's what they say alcohol does. I guess I also didn't know alcohol would get me in a man's bed! I turned to look at the man who was so deep in sleep. All I could see was the tattoo on his arm. It was not easy to understand, but I could see a beautifully crafted pattern with the letters ‘A’ and ‘B’. Before thinking about what happened last night, I quickly grabbed my clothes to dress up. For some reason, I didn't want him to wake up to find me there. I couldn't find anything to carry, and when I checked my account to order an Uber ride, I realized I squandered most of the payment I got at the club last night. “Bella, you've messed up!” I whispered to myself. As I was about to open the door, the man woke up. “Why are you gone so soon? " I had a good night with you…” his broad voice made goosebumps raid my body. It was a good mix of pleasure and disgust! It made me remember some parts of last night. The sound of him moaning into my ears while thrusting deeply in me. He pulled my hands up over my head, and caressed my body while driving me nuts. At the thought of that, I opened the door and stepped out without saying a word. I didn't have the courage to face the man I slept with at the clubhouse. I was so pissed that the money I had planned for other things was squandered on things I would regret. Nothing still changed after going to the club and waking up in a hotel room. My business was on the verge of crumbling and the loans were in my neck. I mean, my father was trying his best to settle all of that. I frantically refused to think about the consequences of what just happened. I stood outside the hotel waiting for a taxi, but it was so difficult to find one. It felt like everything was going south. I was extremely confident about how my day was going to be. Just at that thought, my phone beeped in my bag, and at that same moment, I could see an empty taxi from a distance. I waved my hands across the road while trying to get my phone from my bag with the other hand. “Damn!” I whispered softly. Whoever was calling should have no idea where I was, or where I was last night. Before now, my deepest secret was putting on my mother's clothes. Her underwear was inclusive. I fantasized about growing up, but now I'm all grown up, I don't have her in existence. “Hello, Valerie,” I smoothly called out as I hopped into the taxi. The pearls of sweat broke, and ran down my face as I smiled—I thought it was my best friend. “Hello, ma’am!” The voice was official and straightforward. It sounded like nothing familiar. “Yes, who am I speaking with?” my breaths hitched as I paid so much attention to knowing who was calling. My heart was pounding— a good mix of excitement and fear. Was it a new gig? A job to make up for all the money I spent last night. This is the Hills General Hospital, and we are calling to let you know of the current state of your Father. He has been admitted…” The call was aborted, and my hands quivered in shock. I was numb for a moment, trying to understand what was going on. “Driver! Driver! Please, I need to go to the Hills General Hospital now. Please,” I panicked, and the driver nodded, changing his route. He was fast enough, and there was no need to tell him so. I tried calling the number over and over again, but my efforts were aborted because it did not go through. Endless thoughts came to my head, but I decided to hold my faith up high because I knew my Dad was a hero—Nothing was going to happen to him. Less than ten minutes later, I ran into the hospital. I could feel each side stride on my bones. I ran down till I couldn't breathe. “Please, I'm Bella Anderson, the only child of Leo Anderson. He was admitted,” I struggled to catch my breath as I spoke. The lady checked the system, and she looked up to me in so much concern, “Ward 3, Room 306!” Without saying thank you, I ran to the closest corridor while looking at the number on each door. “128?” I whispered, then I moved to the escalator. My anxiety was going to make my brain burst. When I got to the escalator, it was full. “s**t! I need to take the stairs!” I was mortified. I ran towards the stairs. I jumped on the stairs as fast as I could. It had been forty minutes since I got the call. I still can't explain how time ran that quickly, but I had to know what was wrong. When I got to the floor where room 306 was, I ran with everything in me just to find it closed. I couldn't see what was going on inside. I tried opening the door, and the force of opening it pushed me into the room. There was my helpless father, laying on the hospital bed. How did he get here? What was wrong? “Father! I'm here, father. Nothing in this world is going to happen to you!” I wailed, moving towards the hospital bed. The nurses and doctors were gathered around him. “Give him space to breathe!” I called them out, and they stood still watching me without saying a word. “We're sorry, ma’am,” the doctor apologized, and I saw the nurse pull the white cloth over my father's face. “He's not breathing anymore!” He added, and I felt like the world stopped. The world had to be rotating, because I couldn't feel my legs. I saw myself falling, but I couldn't help myself. I had nothing left—only the shattered pieces of myself which were about to be melted by pain. Where was I ? What was wrong with my father? “No, no. My father is my hero, he can't stop breathing…” I muttered, before shutting my eyes on the floor.