When I Met You

Chapter 6

You called?” He sounded surprised. “Well I'm glad you did,” he said when I didn't give him a reply. “Do you want to discuss this further or go through it with my lawyer?”

“Why are you really doing this?” I spat out, “You can stop the genuine act.” “I'm being genuine,” he replied calmly. “That day-”he paused,” That day I wasn't in the right state of mind. I was drunk and-” “You were drunk?!” I shouted. "Your carelessness almost cost me my life.”

“I saw the news. You thought I wouldn't find out?” A twisted laugh escaped my lips. “One word from me and you're done for.” He was silent

“I'm sorry for the inconvenience,” he said finally, “My lawyer will attend to you if you have any questions.” Then he ended the call. Just like that.

I stared into thin air. What was I even doing? A tear dropped down my cheek, followed by another and another. They kept coming. I let myself cry, releasing all the emotions I had bottled up.

I don't know when I fell asleep but a knock on woke me up. My eyelids were heavy and I struggled to pry them open. I felt a familiar ache on my sides.

“Hi Cassie,” a soft familiar voice said. One of those nurses from earlier. “How are you feeling?” She walked up to me and smiled gently. “I'm okay,” I managed to get out. She nodded. “I see you haven't eaten. I'll assist you so you can take your drugs.” I let her help me sit up and complied as she spoon-fed me. I took a few tablets after, they were disgusting but I didn't want to spit them out, not after how kind she had been. Just before she was about to go, I stopped her. “How long am I going to be here?” She smiled. “Your vitals are good, we just need to monitor you for a little while. A few more days and you'll be out of this place.” I nodded and she excused herself out.

The days passed by quickly with multiple visits from the lawyer. He informed me I would be moved to Damien's mansion when I was discharged. I had argued against the idea but he assured me it was for proper medical monitoring, and I would get my own apartment as soon as I recovered. He was so nice and I couldn't help but lower my guard around him. He was just doing his job.

Just like that the days passed and soon enough, Dr Ash was standing in front of me with a wide smile. “You're recovering very fast. You'll be able to walk in no time. Don't worry we'll see each other again, when I come for check ups.” I laughed. There was just a dull ache in my torso now, something I could get used to. I could finally sit up on my own. In a way, I was proud of myself. Someone tapped on the door and it parted slightly for a bulky tall dark man.

“Good evening Dr Ash,” he said in a deep voice and acknowledged the nurses with a nod. Then he turned to me.

“Good evening Ms Reed, I am Elias, Mr Vance's personal assistant and I am here to escort you to the estate.” “Hello Elias. Mr Vance couldn't come himself or he was too busy?” A vile laugh escaped from my lips.

“I'm sorry I couldn't meet your expectations,” a familiar voice cut through as Damien appeared in front of us. “Doctor Ash,” he said with a nod and another to the nurses, then his eyes met mine. “I planned to wait in the car but I'm glad I came.” The corners of his lips went up and my nails dug into my sheets.

“I am not following you.” “Sadly, the hospital cannot accommodate you for any longer as your admission is over,” he replied “Dr Ash should have informed you.” “I'd rather rot in hell than live with you” He sighed. “If hell is your slum of a house then go ahead, but I will not be the one to take you there nor will anyone in this hospital. Also, starting from now, you are bound by the contract.” A sharp jolt ran through my chest.

He walked up to my bed. “Cassie, I don't want to fight you, this will be very easy if you just comply.” “And be your docile dog? This is basically coercion, you know I wouldn't have agreed if I were in the right state of mind.” “I know,” he replied calmly, “But you did and you have nowhere better to go. I won't get in your way, just come with me. Please.” My face softened, there was something about that please, the way he said it. Then I returned to my senses. I looked at the doctor whose eyes were pleading and the nurses with worried expressions. For the first time since I met him, I didn't want to fight. “Okay”

The car ride was quiet, we were facing each other but he didn't bother to look at me. His head was buried in a book. I was still in my hospital gown and I felt so uncomfortable. The car was big, I couldn't help but gasp when I saw it at first. After our initial show, Damien and I hadn't exchanged any words although I caught him staring from time to time. He looked away each time.

I looked around for the umpteenth time since I had entered this car. A table separated us and on it was a glass, a wine bottle and a laptop. “Where’s my phone?” I asked out of nowhere. Damien looked up, surprised that I had spoken. “It was destroyed in the aftermath, I'll replace it.” I didn't say anything else.

The ride was long and as much as I despised him, I hated the tension but I refused to say another word. I don't know when but I fell asleep and was woken up by a slight tap on my shoulder. “We're here,” Damien said. The doors opened to a large compound, a grandiose white mansion seated in the middle of it. Just in front of the mansion was a marble fountain and a wide flight of stairs. Everything was white. My mouth flung open. Just exactly how rich was he? I didn't notice when my wheelchair was placed in front of me, neither did I repulse when Damien helped me down. “It's beautiful right?” he said in a soft voice. Unwillingly I nodded before I realised. I snatched my hand away from him. He didn't say anything but I could tell it affected him.

A beautiful woman dressed in a navy blue uniform walked up to me. “Good afternoon, Ms Reed,” she said in the perfectly polished voice of one that had spoken for years. “It is a pleasure to meet you. Let me show you to your room.”