The mysterious CEO

The Hospital Visit

As their car pulled into the hospital parking lot, Anna's mind was preoccupied with the mysterious note she had found in her father's study. She had been contemplating whether to tell her mother about it, but she was scared. What if the note was just a prank? What if it was something more sinister?

But her mind was also racing with thoughts of the mysterious caller. Who was he? And what did he mean when he said that her dad's accident might not have been an accident? The words kept echoing in her head, making her feel sick to her stomach.

Anna looked over at her mum, who was gripping the steering wheel tightly. Her eyes were fixed on the hospital building, her face pale and worried. Anna felt a pang of fear and uncertainty. What were they going to find out about her dad?

The car came to a stop, and Anna's mum turned off the engine. They sat there in silence for a moment, the only sound being the ticking of the engine. Then, without a word, her mum opened the door and got out.

"Come on, girls," she said, ushering Anna and Melissa towards the hospital

As they rushed into the hospital, Anna's heart was racing. What would they find when they saw her Dad? And what would happen if she told her mother about the note?

Helena burst through the hospital doors, her heart racing with panic with her two daughters, Anna and Melissa in hand, their eyes widened with fear.

As they approached the reception area, Anna's eyes scanned the room anxiously. The hospital's waiting area was filled with people, some sitting in chairs, others pacing back and forth. There was a smell of disinfectant all over and the sound of beeping machines made Anna nervous.

Helena rushed to the reception counter, "Please," she begged the receptionist, "I need to know where my husband is. How is he?"

“I am looking for my husband, I received a call that he was involved in an accident,” Helena said as she could barely stand still

The receptionist, a kind-faced woman, looked up from the counter and asked, “What's the name of your husband, Ma'am?

“Hudson….Hudson Taylor, I received a call that he was involved in a car accident.”Helena answered. At this time, she was pacing around nervously.

“Please, Ma'am, calm down…Lemme just check….” she typed quickly on her keyboard as her eyes were scanning the screen

Just as she was about to speak, a doctor emerged from the double doors behind her. His face was sombre, his eyes filled with compassion. "Mrs. Taylor?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Anna's heart sank. She knew that look. It was the look of bad news.

“I am here”, Helena responded; as they walked towards the Doctor, Anna's heart was pumping, almost coming out of her chest.

“My name is Dr Mark. I regret to inform you that your husband didn't make it; he lost a lot of blood. I want to assure you that we did everything we could to save his life.”

Hellen lost her balance and was quickly rushed to the nearby chair.

“No…no…no…, this can't be true, there must be a mistake”, Hellen whispered, her voice barely audible.

Anna felt a punch in the stomach; her chest ached like someone had removed her heart, and she could barely breathe.

“Why did he have to leave? Why now” Anna thought as her world had been turned upside down.

She remembered the last time they had spoken and he said he would be home before she knew it. She wished she had held onto him more…

Tears soaked her top as she recalled the last kiss he blew at her as he winked. He was always very playful with her and Mellisa, but now he's gone, never to hug them tightly or tell his silly jokes. This was so unfair.

How could this happen..he was supposed to come home..to us not leave forever.

"Why? Why would someone be so careless? So cruel? They took my dad away from me, from us. And then they just...left. No conscience, no remorse. How could they live with themselves?

Anna's voice cracked, tears streaming down her face. "I want to scream, to yell, to make them hurt like they've hurt me."

Anna felt like she was being lied to, she wanted to prove herself that it was her Dad, “Maybe the Doctor was mistaken.”

"I want to see him," Anna said, her voice firm. "I want to make sure it's him."

The doctor nodded sympathetically. "Of course, Anna. I understand. Let me just check a few things."

He disappeared for a moment, leaving Anna alone with her thoughts. When he returned, he nodded for her to follow him.

They walked down a long, sterile corridor, the smell of disinfectant filling Anna's nostrils. They stopped at a door marked "Morgue", and the doctor pushed it open.

Anna braced herself as she stepped inside the morgue. The room was cold and dimly lit, with a single table in the centre. Her father's body lay on the table, covered by a white sheet.

Anna's heart was racing as she approached the table. She reached out a trembling hand and pulled back the sheet, revealing her father's pale face.

For a moment, Anna just stared, taking in the reality of the situation. Then, she felt a wave of grief wash over her, and she reached out to touch her father's hand.

"Goodbye, Dad," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "I'll miss you so much."

Anna's eyes were fixed on her father's face, her hand still holding onto his. She was whispering a final goodbye, her voice barely audible.

Just as she was about to let go, the doctor's voice broke the silence. "Anna, I'm so sorry, but it's time for you to leave. Your mother is waiting for you."

Anna felt a surge of frustration. Couldn't they see she needed just a few more moments? But she knew she couldn't stay here forever. She took a deep breath, and slowly let go of her father's hand.

As she turned to leave, the doctor handed her a box of tissues. "I'm so sorry, Anna. Take all the time you need to grieve."

Anna nodded, taking the tissues from him. She felt a lump form in her throat as she turned to leave the morgue. She knew she would never forget this moment, this feeling of loss and grief.

As she walked out of the morgue, Anna saw her mother waiting for her in the hallway. Her mother's eyes were red, her face pale with grief.

Anna felt a pang of sadness as she walked towards her mother. She knew they would have to support each other through this difficult time.

But as she reached her mother's side, Anna felt a sense of determination rising within her. She was going to find out what happened to her father, no matter what it took.

********

The day of the funeral was dark, the air felt heavy, and the mood was sombre. Anna stood next to her mother while Mellisa was on the other side of her.

She stood there looking at the casket that bore her father's remains, and it felt like she was at the wrong funeral.

Friends and family gathered to pay their respects. Their sobs and sympathetic smiles made it more painful for Anna.

As the minister started to speak, Anna could hear mourners murmuring condolences and it all felt surreal. Grief clawed her chest, and she felt like she couldn't breathe. She felt lost, abandoned and alone. Her Father, her rock, her hero, had gone just like that, never to return. Her eyes stung, but she refused to cry because she knew once she started, she might never stop.

As the minister's voice faded into the background, Anna's thoughts went to the person responsible for his death. Anger and rage filled her heart and she wanted to make them pay for changing their lives forever.

Anna stood frozen as she watched her father's casket being slowly lowered into the ground. The sound of dirt hitting the wooden casket reminded her that her father would never embrace her ever again, and the thought of it felt like a dagger through her chest.

“Dad”, her voice cracked, the word barely audible as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I love you, I will always love you, and You will always be in my heart “, she whispered.

Anna stood scanning the crowd in the cemetery, and questions ran through her mind, wondering who could have done this to her Dad and why they would want to hurt him.

Determination grew within her and she swore to uncover the truth no matter the cost.

“I promise to find out who did this to you Dad, and I will make them pay for their sins”

With a resolute heart and burning determination, Anna turned away from the freshly dug grave ready to face the uncertain future and uncover the truth behind her father's tragic death.

Just as she had turned, Anna saw him, a tall, imposing figure standing beneath a tree. His eyes were fixed unblinkingly on her, and Anna felt a shiver run down her spine.

Despite her fear, she braced herself and began to walk towards him, her heart pounding in her chest and she wondered what he wanted from her.