After She Fell

Chapter 5

A few minutes after that call, Lottie boarded a cab to her father’s residence, meeting Ophelia and her cousin, Sonia, walking ponderously at the first gate.

In his bedroom, Mr Wade laid on the sick bed. His eyes dimmed shut, his fragile hands shook subtly, and his sagging skin showed how aged he was.

Mrs Wade, seated beside him, gently touched his neck, and felt him burning with fever. His temperature felt so high that she swiftly snatched back her hand. Besides, she was doubtful of Lottie’s coming.

Afterall, the college and Jones’s business group being the only places she could move unrestricted. Though on rare occasions, Lottie showed up at the Wade Residence, but not alone — handful of soldiers followed.

She gazed up at the doctors standing, and spoke in concern, “I don’t think Lottie will come now. Let’s begin with the diagnosis. It is better done now than when he’s awake.” For she was concerned about losing her husband if the young lady didn’t appear on time.

The doctors, seeing that the condition could only worse, took positions to check his heartbeat and pulse.

However, at that same minute, the door burst open, and there emerged the three ladies, with Lottie at the forefront.

Her eyes frantically searched the room before settling on the bed. A lone tear cascaded down her feeble cheeks as she watched her father lie in a vulnerable state. This wasn’t how she left him a couple of months ago.

As at then, he looked agile and had some strength left, even in his wheelchair. But the man lying on the bed at that moment was different.

“You have arrived just in time, Miss Lottie.” They exhaled. “ We were about to start all over.” The doctors rolled up their sleeves, placing a sthethoscope on his hairy chest.

Lottie reached the other side of the bed, and grasped unto the cold shaky hands of her father. His breathing was heavy and unstable. A small, relaxed smile lingered on his face upon her soft touch. He had missed her more than she could imagine.

Some minutes later, the doctors diagnosed him to have had a Chronic Obstructive Pulmory Disease, accompanied by high blood pressure. And as a result, daily check-ups alongside supplemental oxygen tanks, and some other treatments were necessary to balance the uneven, difficult breathing.

For the rest of the day, Lottie stayed beside her father and watched him sleep until she also dozed off.

The bright sunlight peered through the window curtains, shining directly in her face, making her wake from a deep sleep.

Lottie gazed at the still figure whose arm served as a pillow all through the night, and gasped in shock, jumping in the process. She had spent the night at the Wade Residence—something she never mentioned to Jones.

In time past, Jones never allowed her to appear at Wade Residence. This is because of a terrific incident that occurred after being granted permission. This caused her to be almost entirely secluded from her family.

The thought alone made her cringe.

By the time she was done checking his nostrils, she noiselessly walked out of the room, gently closing the door behind her. She hurried through the hallway and nearly collided with a maid, holding a few neat napkins and a bowl of soup.

She tendered an apology with a bow, walked and dashed off. Thus, in the space of twenty minutes, she arrived at the Estate.

Upon her arrival, she found every worker still on their duty, and casually made her through the grand living room, ignoring the curious stares and whispers among the live-in maids.

She had just walked past the dining table when someone suddenly cleared their throat, drawing her attention. She swerved swiftly to see Jones majestically seated at a distant point.

But that didn’t get her attention - his unbuttoned white shirt stopped right on his abdomen, revealing smooth, defined muscles flexed under his skin. And his glowing skin, which seemed to radiate warmth, made her long to reach out and touch them.

However, she snapped herself from having these inappropriate thoughts and looked at his face. She had a lover and wasn't supposed to ogle over another man who was even her nightmare.

“You disappeared from the mansion like every other time,” His expression, though very unreadable, seemed gentle as he quickly added, “You do not need to explain yourself, you visited your father. How is he faring?”

What?

With a soft push, he pushed back his system, and lifted a cup of coffee to his lips. As his eyes locked into hers, her heart skipped, beating faster with each passing moment. She quickly averted them, holding her chest.

“He’s — good.” She stammered. The response sounded awful, but Jones’s behavior was creepy. She could swear that Jones never cared about her family!

All he did was to make them suffer for her errors. Now, he was on the hunt for her lover. He had no iota of compassion in him.

“Good to know.” He dropped the cup, and arose after picking up the system. His tone, back to being firm and commanding. “Seans Jr will drive you to college. Go change.”

-

The gloss black luxury car rapidly passed through the school entrance, drawing admiring glances, and halted a few meters to Lottie’s department.

Lottie alighted, heading straight to her department, just in time to see a lecturer entering. After a few hours of learning, she grabbed her stuff and hurriedly left the class.

She wasn’t trying to get away; she was heading out to see Kelvins at his workplace. She had missed him, and was determined to clarify what happened the other night. Knowing that he might have taken her absence for a deliberate act.

However, she was shocked to the marrow when Sean Jr suddenly appeared from the left corner, making her stop abruptly. His mere presence, already thwarting her next move.

He also understood because he had a knowing smile that lingered on his face.

“President Jones asks that you should go to a mall for a change of new wear. He has a party coming up tonight and wouldn’t want you putting on a black dress.” He gestured towards the white sports car packed nearby with a courteous bow.

Lottie hesitated. If she entered that car, she wouldn’t be able to meet Kelvins that day, and they would eventually meet, he would be so pissed off.

But Jones’s punishment would be more grievous, so she entered the car, pushing the thought of Kelvin aside, but for a moment.

The car braked to a stop at one of the most luxurious shopping malls that was constantly visited by wealthy families in town - “Le Jardin”, owned by a French business executive. Since he was a close business associate to Jones, getting the goods at discount prices was definite.

With the help of a worker, they found their way into the fashion department, particularly the section with female clothes on the second floor.

Lottie selected a sleek black evening gown, black stilettos, shoes, and a white oval-shaped purse that gave out the vibes of a stylish look. The time she used in choosing them was so quick that it left others stunned.

After Seans Jr might have paid for the items, she quickly turned to the man and said,“ I have elsewhere to go. I’ll return in a jiffy.” She promised, rapidly dumping the bags inside the booth.

Perhaps she had mistaken him for a fool by expecting a positive response, but a ridiculous laugh escaped his lips as he shook his head. The woman never stopped scheming.

“That sounds absurd, Miss Lottie. If you are going to see Kelvins Leon at Standard Group, I’ll advise you to think twice.”