Chapter 4
1455 Words
Annabelle carefully examined Jack, muttering. ‘The new caregiver is so handsome with a caring appearance. Although I don't like him, I can tell he genuinely wants to help me. I will give his routine procedures my best effort.’
When she caught her maids overtly over-excited over Jack, ‘Sarah, Juliet, and Daniella are so shameless. They want him. I’ll show them who is boss in this villa,’ she glowered.
“Hello, Jack!” Flashing her peerless set of teeth in a smile, she extended her hands for a handshake. “I am pleased to meet you.”
Jack shook her slender right arm and replied, “The same here.”
When their hands touched, both of them felt a tiny spark of electricity creep into their hearts.
“You remind me of someone I met in college. I studied at Watford Southern University. Did we attend the same institution?”
“You are right! I left in the same year as you did. That's awesome. Let's work together and who knows, you might start playing lawn tennis again,” he responded.
“Am glad you are not overly confident about your capacity and positive outcome of … of the treatment”
“On the contrary, I am convinced you’ll get better faster than you think. Besides, there is an agreed time in the contract for getting positive results early. Unlike others, in my contract, failure or quitting without a positive result is not an option. We’ll see dividends if we diligently follow the program. Let's begin immediately if you don't mind.”
“I don't mind,” She replied.
Jack launched the exercises, diet, massages, and counseling sections with Annabelle's full cooperation.
Annabelle thought. ‘He has become my third inspiration to walk again. He is bold but has a plan. Who knows I… might walk the aisle with him,’ she smirked.
……
It was a bright, sunny day, and Annabelle was eager to stay outside and enjoy the sun.
“Jack! Let’s go out and sunbathe near the swimming pool.”
“That’s a good idea, Annabelle. Let's enjoy the sunshine.” Jack said.
He pushed the wheelchair outdoors and locked the wheels far from the pool.
Jack, seeing the shimmer in the pool, asked “Would you want to go closer to the pool?
Annabelle nodded, catching the glare of the sun in the pool. “Ain't that beautiful? How I wish we could go on a boat cruise and watch the serene Mediterranean.”
“Yeah, I sure would like to take you on a cruise. Let's add it to a list of events we will explore later.” Jack chuckled.
Juliet and Daniella, her maids, came to keep her company.
“Mam, I hope you don't mind us joining you outdoors,” Juliet asked.
Annabelle, who knew they weren't coming because of her but wanted a chance to flirt with Jack, replied “Don't be silly, I need you ladies around me.”
They took their position behind her to watch Jack unobstructed.
Helen couldn't help but join them outside. It was the weekend, so she didn't go to work. She went out, and on seeing Jack, her eyes sparkled with delight, and she strode over for a chat.
“Annabelle! How are you doing, splendid I hope? Isn't the sun brilliant today?”
“Yes! I feel fortunate to be alive. I just couldn't resist coming outdoors.” She said with a knowing smile.
Turning to Jack, “Hello! I am Helen, Annabelle is my Cousin.”
“I am Jack, glad to meet you,” Jack responded with a radiant smile that sent all the ladies' hearts racing.
“Doesn't it feel good to see this beautiful Sunshine, this morning, Jack?” Helen asked, flashing him a teasing, dazzling smile.
“It’s indeed,” Jack replied.
Annabelle shifted uneasily in her wheelchair, as she could tell Helen was up to no good.
Above, a blackbird squealed ominously above Annabelle and her heart started racing.
‘That’s odd. Why would a bird be howling over my head? Why is my heart pounding? I don't feel good about that.’ She mumbled.
“Jack, please move me away from the pool. Suddenly, I don't feel too confident near the water."
“That’s no trouble at all. If you like, we could go inside,” Jack answered, pushing her wheelchair away from the pool.
“No! There is no real threat inside this compound. Let's enjoy this sun a bit more before going inside.”
“Your wish is my command,” Miss Annabelle Jack said.
At that moment, Helen called, “Jack, can you give me a hand, please tie these sandals for me with your strong arms. I don't know why it keeps loosening.
Jack looked at Annabelle and when she didn't show annoyance, he went to help Helen.
“Aren't you thirsty, Jack? I am. Juliet, Daniella quickly, go and fetch us glasses of fruit juice.” They obeyed and left Annabelle's side.
Helen got up and ostensibly tripped on the stool nearby and shouted. “Arh my leg!” Jack acted swiftly and caught her before she could fall on the floor.
She clutched her right leg, all of a sudden, grimacing. “I have twisted my leg; it hurts so much,” Helen cried aloud.
Annabelle didn't know what to make of the situation as she was a bit far from Helen. “Jack, please help me.” Jack offered support and she leaned on his arms.
“Please take me inside for a message. She said," "I know you are skilled at this sort of thing,” Helen said, feigning unbearable pain in her right foot. Jack took her inside.
Before Annabelle knew it, she was alone, and in the twinkle of an eye, it happened.
Suddenly, Annabelle noticed that the wheelchair was in motion and speeding towards the swimming pool.
Afraid and shocked by her sudden movement towards the pool, she shouted.
“Somebody help me! Jack, where are you? Help?” At that instant, an idea crossed her mind to try and use this attempt to hurt her to flex her legs underwater and fight to save herself.
When she shouted, her maids raced towards the pool and halted.
“Hey look at that.” Jack was stumped. "How did that happen? Miss Annabelle is about to fall into the pool.”
Instantly waking up from the shock, he sprinted towards the pool to try and prevent her from falling into the swimming pool.
By the time he got there, Annabelle had already tumbled into the water. She didn't panic but was underwater trying to move her limbs.
Jack dived inside the water, and carried Annabelle out, looking at those around the pool with an icy demeanor. “Who pushed her?” They all flinched, trembling.
Soaking wet, afraid he had failed in his duties, “You could have killed her” he spat out at them.
“Annabelle, are you okay?” he asked, laying her on her side on the floor, and gently tapping her on the back, thinking she may have swallowed some water.
Annabelle coughed and spat out some water, then replied with teeth shattering, shoulders shaking.“Am fine!”
After reflecting on the surreal occurrence, she realized she would have died if she didn't know how to swim and Jack wasn't near.
Wet and trembling, the betrayal awakened a burning rage inside her. She lashed out.
“Who pushed me? How could anyone in this villa want to kill me? This place is my father's house. Clenching her fist … she must find the culprit and mastermind and …punish them.”
Instantly, she phoned Black.
“Hello Black!”
“Yes Lady Annabelle, how may I help you?”
“Hurry, please, check the CCTV footage near the pool. Someone tried to kill me … pushed me inside the pool.”
“What! That's detestable. Who could have done that? Give me a minute. I will be back with the report.”
“I’m expecting that, thank you.”
Jack couldn't imagine losing Annabelle.
“I am taking you inside… away from this horrid scene.” He quickly carried her without her wheelchair and laid her gently on a leather settee inside her sitting room.
“Juliet, Daniella, please go and change her clothes. I’ll fetch the wheelchair.”
While changing, Annabelle's phone rang.
“Well, Black!”
“It's unbelievable, Mam. The cameras were off. Pushing you into the pool wa
s deliberate … attempt to take your life, Mam. That's serious.”
The report chilled Annabelle’s blood. “Who have I offended?” She asked aloud.
- Writer
