Be My Lady

CHAPTER ONE. “ I'm sorry, we lost her” “ Please doctor, save my mother, please I'm begging you” “ I'm sorry kid, we did our best” * * * * * Lim Sara sat up bolt upright, her breath came in ragged, shallow gasps, sounding deafening. A cold, clammy sweat drenched her shirt, sticking to her back and chest. She didn't know where she was until her eyes finally adjusted to her familiar surroundings to the restaurant she works at. It was just a dream. But it was also a memory, one she thought she'd locked away for good. Lim Sara wiped the bead of sweat rolling down her nose. She peeked at the wall clock hanging on the wall, she realized she had stayed out late. “1:30 pm, s**t,” she cursed. She quickly dashed to the changing room to change out of her working clothes, she gathered her things after changing, and ran towards the restaurant's main door. Her boss's voice sounded from behind. “ I thought you wanted to spend the night here,” Madam Liu said playfully. “Sorry, I nodded off,” Lim Sara replied. Madam Liu walked closer to her, carrying a black nylon bag in her hand. “ We had a very stressful day today, i didn't wake you up because I know you are tired.” Madam Liu said She patted Lim Sara on her shoulder before handling her the black nylon bag. “ Hurry home and eat it while it's still hot, and don't forget to wash up before going to bed,” she lectured. Lim Sara smiled, revealing her dimples. She collected the black nylon bag from her. “ That's why I call you the best,” she said, grinning from ear to ear. Madam Liu has always treated Lim Sara like a family from the very first day she employed her.She was always lecturing her like a daughter and not like an employee. Her act of kindness drew Lim Sara closer to her. Lim Sara hugged Madam Liu before leaving. She was so tired and all she needed at that moment was rest. She was so tired that she could hear her bones cursing her at her. City A was not just a city, it was an achievement. The skyline, a dazzling assembly of chrome and crystal-glass towers. Streets were immaculate, lined with lush, curated foliage where even the busiest, crowded pedestrian walkways felt carefully designed. Lim Sara ran to the bus stop but before she got there, the bus had already left. She felt frustrated. She tried booking a taxi, but no taxi was available at that moment. “ Damn it!,” she exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice. ‘Why today of all day!?, She yelled in her head. She really doesn't have the strength for this, at least no today . Lim Sara decided to trek home. She remembered the shortcut Yang Xi her best friend once told her about, she decided to take the part. She walked as fast as her legs could carry her. She was half way gone when she suddenly noticed a shadow staggering towards her. She quickly deeped her hand in her inside her bag to bring out the pepper spray she kept in her bag for situations like this. ‘What!, she exclaimed,when she couldn't find the pepper spray. Fear gripped her, she wanted to turn back when a strong smell flashed passed her nose. ‘That's the smell of blood’, 'she said in her head. She watched as the shadow drew nearer, she told herself not to run. At first she thought it was a drunkard but watching closely, she noticed the man was holding his shoulder as if he was in pain. Lim Sara quickly dashed forward towards the man,on getting close to him the young man looked at her. A glimmer of hope flashed through the man's eye and Lim Sara noticed it even when everywhere was dark, but before she could get to him, the young man fell down. Lim Sara stood there feeling confused, she knelt down beside the man lying on the floor. She tapped him on his chest, but he wasn't responding. She called out for help but no help came . Feeling scared and confused, she quickly ran to the roadside to see if she could get a taxi. She sighted one immediately she got to the main road. She hopped in immediately when the taxi stopped in front of her, and she commanded him to drive. and the driver drove the taxi to where the young man was lying. She got out of the taxi in a rush immediately after they got there. She begged the driver to assist her in carrying the man. One could see hesitation in the driver's eyes. Lim Sara became impatient and shouted at the taxi driver. “ Don't just stand there Mister, help me carry him.” I don't want to get myself involved in any mess, I have a family who waits for me to come back home every evening. I can't afford to make them worry” the driver said calmly, turning around and walking towards his taxi. Lim Sara understood his fear, of course nobody wanted to get involved in a mess. But for some reason, she can't bring herself to abandon him here like this. “ Don't you think we need to save this man first before judging him?”,Lim Sara asked in annoyance. The taxi driver stopped and looked t Lim Sara in the eyes. Why is she so stubborn? the taxi driver asked inwardly. The man on the floor suddenly groaned, and it startled Lim Sara and the driver. “ Please Mister, this man is in pain. We can't just let him die here please.” Lim Sara begged with a soft tone. The driver bent down to carry the young man but his strength couldn't let him, the man on the floor was just as heavy as a rock. Lim Sara joined him , but they still couldn't carry him. ‘Why is he so damn heavy like a rock’? She asked herself. They had no choice but to drag him into the taxi. That was the only way.