Chapter Three
1255 Words
Anna’s POV
I was shivering and then I heard it.
“Miss? Miss, can you hear me?”
A voice pulled me back and my eyes opened slightly and then the iron gate of the Hayes mansion hung above me and a guard bent beside me, and fear was written across his face.
“You fainted,” he said. “I will call the doctor.”
“No,” I whispered and then my throat burned.
“I… I need to go to the hospital.”
He pause;. “We can call the family…”
“No,” I said again, and it was louder this time. “Please.”
He then studied me, he was unsure, but then he nodded. “I will get a car.”
I sat up slowly and then the ground moved, but I forced myself upright.
I couldn’t stay here, not tonight.
…
The car broke through the city streets and I leaned my forehead against the window, and my eyes closed.
In my past life, I collapsed many times but no one noticed and no one ce.
The driver then slammed the brakes.
“What’s happening?” I asked.
“There’s an accident,” he said. “Right ahead.”
I immediately lifted my head and then a black car crashed against the roadside barrier and smoke moved upward and people crowded around it.
“Stop,” I said suddenly and the driver turned. “Miss?”
“Stop the car.”
He hesitated, then and then pulled over and I pushed the door open and ran.
My legs trembled, but I didn’t stop.
“Has anyone called an ambulance?” someone yelled.
“I think the driver is still inside!”
I then forced my way through the crowd and the front of the car was destroyed, the door twisted inward.
Inside, a man slumped over the steering wheel and blood trailed down his forehead and my heart jerked.
“Sir!” I shouted. “Can you hear me?”
No response and then I reached in and pressed my fingers to his neck, there was a pulse, it was weak, but it was there.
“Someone help me open the door!” I shouted and two men rushed forward and we pulled together and then the door broke open with a sharp sound and I climbed halfway inside.
“Be careful!” someone yelled but I didn’t listen.
My hands moved on instinct and I moved his head and checked his breathing.
“Don’t move,” I murmured, even though I didn’t know if he heard me.
His eyes fluttered open for a moment, his eyes were bright even like this, he looked straight at me and I pressed my jacket against his wound.
“Stay awake,” I said. “Look at me.”
His lips moved but no sound came out.
“It’s okay,” I whispered. “You will be fine.”
I didn’t know why I said it, blood soaked my hands and my arms shook, but I kept pressing.
Sirens rose in the distance and relief washed over me.
“The ambulance is coming!” someone shouted and then suddenly, the man moved and his hand shot up and gripped my wrist.
The strength in his hold shocked me and then I gasped and his eyes were locked onto mine.
“Don’t forget,” he said but his voice was low and rough.
“Remember this.”
I stared at him.
“I will repay you.”
The world moved and then the sirens grew louder and my strength drained away, then I tried to answer, but darkness rushed in.
……
I woke to a bright white light, and a nurse looked down at me.
“You’re awake. Are you dizzy?”
I nodded.
“You were exhausted and dehydrated,” she said. “You did well back there.”
“Where is he?” I asked and she paused. “The man from the accident?”
“Yes.”
Something then shifted in her expression.
“I don’t know,” she said slowly. “He was transferred immediately.”
Transferred?
I then closed my eyes, maybe that was better but I didn’t even know his name.
……
Later, I sat alone in the hospital hallway and a television hung on the wall and the channel suddenly switched.
“Breaking news.”
The anchor’s voice turned serious.
“Earlier tonight, a severe car accident occurred on Riverside Road.”
I then looked up.
“The vehicle belongs to Lucas Reed, CEO of Reed Group.”
My breath caught.
“As of now, Mr. Reed is missing, his condition and location are unknown.”
The screen blurred and my wrist still held the warmth of his grip.
For days, the name stayed with me.
Lucas Reed. Missing.
I told myself it had nothing to do with me, I saved a stranger and that was all.
I returned to the Hayes mansion as if nothing happened.
I still ate alone and still walked behind everyone and I still didn’t exist.
On the third day, Margaret stopped me in the hallway.
“There’s a charity banquet tonight,” she said. “You will attend.”
I lifted my head.
In my past life, I begged for chances like this and now, I only nodded “Okay.”
Emily then stepped beside her and smiled gently. “Sister, don’t worry, I will help you choose a dress.”
Her hand linked through Margaret’s arm and I followed behind them.
……..
The banquet hall glowed and Crystal light hung from the ceiling, music flowed through the space and everyone looked flawless.
I wore a simple black dress, no jewels and no brand.
Emily wore white, it was graceful and bright and people gathered around her.
“She’s beautiful.”
“She looks just like Mrs. Hayes.”
“She must be the real daughter.”
No one looked at me.
Good.
I stood near the corner, holding a glass I never drink and everything was steady, until the music stopped.
The room shifted, it was as if the air locked in place and whispers rose.
“He’s here.”
“Is that…?”
“No way…”
I lifted my head and the doors opened and a man walked in, he was tall, straight and unshaken.
He wore a black suit, his eyes were bright and the entire hall rose.
Even Richard lowered his glass and Margaret straightened.
Emily’s fingers tightened around her purse and my heart skipped.
I knew that face, the man from the car, the man who grabbed my wrist, the man who promised repayment.
Lucas Reed.
He was alive and then he moved forward.
Every step was calm, people smiled, greeted him, and even tried to stop him.
“Mr. Reed…”
“Mr. Reed, over here…”
He didn’t stop, and he didn't turn, he just walked straight toward me and my fingers moved and then my breathing slowed.
He stopped in front of me and he closed, his eyes then met mine, it was sharp, deep and familiar.
And for a moment, no one spoke and then he said gently,
“You didn’t leave your name.”
The hall fell still and my lips parted, there was no sound that came out.
“So I looked for your eyes,” he continued.
My heart struck once and it was hard.
And behind me, I sensed it…
Emily’s smile finally broke.
- Writer
