Chapter 5 Chapter 5
TWO DAYS LATER
It was pretty early in the morning. It was 7am and I was all set and ready to be discharged from the hospital. Despite insisting on leaving the previous day, the doctor refused because he still wanted to monitor my health.
“Good morning, ma'am.” He greeted me as he walked into my room.
“Good morning, Doc.” I replied, sitting at the edge of the bed, fully dressed.
“As you can see I'm as healthy as a horse and I'm ready to leave now.” I joked, smiling innocently.
He chuckled as he said, “I can see that, and I'm so glad.”
“You look so much better too.” He added, nodding his head.
“Should I call Mr Richardson to send his driver?” He asked, but I shook my head.
“Oh no. There'll be no need for that. I have called him myself.” I lied smoothly.
“The driver is already downstairs. I told him there was no need to come up here. So, I'll meet him downstairs.” I added, to make my statement more believable.
“That’s great then. You can sign the paperworks at the reception downstairs and you're good to go.” He said, smiling.
“Thank you so much, Doctor. I'm so grateful.” I said with gratitude, glad deep down that he didn't ask any more questions.
“You're welcome, ma'am. Just take things easy and make sure to always have your inhaler at all times. You know, just in case.” He advised as he walked me to the reception.
“I will. Thank you.” I appreciated him, and as soon as we got to the reception, he bowed and left.
I signed the papers, and walked to the entrance.
“I guess it is time.” I muttered, and put on my sunshades as I headed to the underground parking lot.
As I walked across the well-lit parking lot, a sleek black car stood out among the rows of vehicles. Its headlights flashed three times, a brief signal that caught my attention. I pulled out my phone, cross-checking the number plate with the one which had been sent to me earlier.
A small smile crept onto my lips and I nodded to myself, as I saw that it was a match.
With quick steps, I approached the car, its tinted windows reflecting the fluorescent lights above.
As soon as I got in, I asked the driver, “Did you get all my things?”
“Yes, ma'am.” He replied, and I nodded.
“Should we leave now, ma'am?” He asked me.
“Yes, please.” I answered with a smile,
and he drove out of the hospital, while I stared at it through the side mirror till it was out of sight.
Hours later, Tyler's driver arrived at the hospital.
Surprised, the doctor asked, “What are you doing here? Did you forget something?”
“I'm here to pick Mrs Richardson.” He answered.
Taken aback, the doctor’s head snapped backwards, “Is this a joke?”
“She left very early this morning. In fact, she told me you were waiting for her downstairs.” He added.
Shocked, the driver responded, “Me? I just arrived.”
“Mr Richardson told me she was to be discharged at 11am.” He checked his wrist watch. “That's why I'm here now.” He added, leaving the doctor confused.
“Call Mr Richardson.” The Doctor ordered immediately.
The driver immediately put a call through to Tyler.
“What do you mean you can't find her? She told me she was going to be discharged at 11am.” Tyler thundered through the phone.
“Yes, sir. But I'm here now and the doctor said she left already.” The driver answered, fear rising in his voice.
“Find her!” He yelled madly, and ended the call.
“This is strange.” The Doctor muttered. “Come with me. Let's check with the security center.” He said, heading downstairs with the driver following behind him.
They checked the CCTV and soon saw that I indeed left the hospital but no one knew whose car took me away or where I was headed.
Tyler ordered and they ran a quick check on the vehicle’s number plate but found out it wasn't in the system.
The maids searched the whole house for hours, but still I was nowhere to be found. The worst part of it all— All my things were gone!
“This can't be happening. Not on a day like this!” Tyler paced as panic took over.
“Just calm down. She's probably trying to prank us all.” Hannah said, trying to ease the tension.
Tyler's eyes widened. “Prank? And she took all her things?”
He sent me tons of messages and called me a million times.
“The number you have dialled can not be reached.” That was all the automated voice kept telling him.
Minutes swiftly crept into hours and soon it was time for the party. Tyler got dressed with hopes that I was going to show up.
As he got to the venue, he took a deep breath and stepped into the gigantic hall.
He was led to a table which had “MR AND MRS RICHARDSON” on it.
Unsettled, his eyes kept scanning the whole place in search of me.
Soon, Mr Grayson, dressed in a fitted black suit, noticed him.
“Ah, Mr Richardson. You're here.” He extended his hand to Tyler, who shook it, respectfully.
Noticing no one was with him, Mr Grayson frowned. “Where is your wife?”
“She is on her way. She was caught up with preparing a gift for you, and asked me to come first.” He lied without thinking properly.
“Oh, that's so thoughtful of her.” Mr Grayson smiled gratefully. “I respect women who are very thoughtful, supportive and respectful.” He added and Tyler nodded nervously.
While Mr Grayson was still talking, someone approached them with two gift boxes. “These are from Mrs Richardson.”
“Wow. I guess the gifts are here just like you said.” Mr Grayson said, still smiling.
Tyler faked a smile, and brushed a bead of sweat off his forehead. Seeing the boxes, everyone's attention was immediately directed towards the two men.
One box had Mr Grayson's name on it, while the other had Tyler's name.
A bit confused, Mr Grayson said, “I guess we both got a gift?”
Nervous, Tyler nodded. “I guess so. Claire is so thoughtful. She comes up with random gestures sometimes.” Tyler said, not sure of what he was even saying.
Mr Grayson opened his own box first, and seeing the content, his smile instantly disappeared, and was immediately replaced with anger.
Seeing his reaction, Tyler hurriedly opened his box too. Never in a million years did he expect to see such a thing.
His eyes widened in shock, his jaw dropped, and the box fell off his shaking hands.
“What the hell is this?!”
