“Doctor, when will she wake up? It’s already been a whole freaking day!” I imagined a hazy voice of someone. It seemed as if my soul had been attached elsewhere. Powerless to change positions, I attempted to unfold my visions, but the veins in my entire body felt lifeless.

“Is her situation critical? For god’s sake, doctor! I asked you to fetch all the specialists of your damn hospital and wake her up!” I picked up another desperate voice, a narrow cord in my imagination that I’m too vulnerable to catch. I believe I’m near that individual, too close, but incapable to soothe them.

“We’ve tried our best. It’s precisely that her mind is in panic disorder and isn’t back to normal. She will be awake in no time. Let her rest. Only one of you can stay inside this room. Others will have to wait outside, please.” A considerably gentler voice, which I reckon the doctor spoke.

“Wait, what! I’m in the hospital?” my fussy brain instantly sent pictures of what exactly transpired.

“Johnson! I smacked him on his head. Then a shockingly familiar hazel eye met mine, and I fell back into nothingness.” That’s it? Ugh, I don’t remember what happened after that! I freaked out, my mind in a frenzied mess. 

I felt a gentle tug near what I assume, my hands. A warm, delicate touch agitating my body with unknown sparks. I concentrated on what that person was speaking, which was all gibberish at that moment. “Princess, please wake up.” I could only hear a portion and immediately knew that the voice belonged to Dima.

My body felt like it has been floating in the air in one second, and then an intense pain as the weight of the entire world was thrown at me. I winced when my eyes shot open and discovered silver light piercing through my iris. Sudden nausea hit my senses, and I wheezed, grabbing my already throbbing brain. 

“Liara? Princess?” I heard Dima’s trembling cry from a corner. 

I opened my eyes again, shielding it from the harsh lights, and then saw a blurry image of Dima hovering over me. I smiled slightly, even if my body was screaming in agony. 

“My princess, you scared me!” She squeezed the life out of me. I yelped in discomfort when the pressure was too much for me. 

“Dima, she is in pain!” I picked up Emma’s squeaky voice from somewhere, tugging Dima’s body away from me. I thanked her when her profile popped up beside Dima. 

“Old bones are powerful, huh?” I asked almost quietly, my throat groggy because of lack of moisture. 

Dima momentarily scowled at me, and Emma snickered beside her. I heard heavy footsteps entering the room, a middle-aged man covered with a white apron and stethoscope around his neck, a few grey hairs peeking from black ones, wrinkles like chicken feet in the corner of his eyes. 

He beamed with joy when his eyes landed on my limp figure. “Hello Miss Liara, how are you feeling?” He asked, keeping the stethoscope near my chest. Taking a deep breath, I nodded at him, powerless to gather energy to talk. I gulped down the entire glass of water that Emma offered me, noticing my uneasiness.

“Miss Emma, Miss Liara needs complete rest as her bruises are still recovering. I would suggest she should be under observation for two further days and then I will sign the discharge papers,” I peeked at the doctor through the glass of water I was holding. ‘Is he kidding me? I’ve to stay in this awful hospital for two more days? Nah, not happening!’ My inner self panicked. 

“Doctor, is it possible if I get discharged today? I assure you I will follow every instruction you provide.” I composed myself up, sitting upright, just to sound confident and convince the doctor that I’m fine. His eyes narrowed at me and studied my moves as if I am going to break at some point. I sensed a tinge of discomfort in my abdomen, but I didn’t show it on my face, instead smiled at him. 

“Miss Liara, you have some internal injuries and concussion. Eat a proper diet and complete rest. No CEO ship for two more days. Alright?” He questioned, I nodded instead of speaking as I knew my voice would betray me because of the immense pain surging through my entire body. It seemed to me like I’m going to collapse at any minute, but I cannot rest. Not when I have a business to take care of and I’ve to learn what happened to Johnson and where he is. I have so many questions that need to be taken care of as soon as possible.

****

Several questions popped up inside my mind when I thought about Johnson. I don’t even know whom I should ask and who saw me first. 

A knock echoed in the room, giving my mind a break. “Come in,” I responded, furrowing my brows because of the pain in my forehead. Anthony’s face appeared in front of me.

“Anthony” I whispered, feeling relieved that finally, I can get answers to my queries. I slowly sat up a little and leaned back towards the headboard. “So, when are you taking me back home?” I inquired, patting at the nearby armchair. 

“You know what? You should stay here for two more days. You need rest and a complete check-up.” He amused me and dragged his ass to the armchair near me. I threw a pillow at him that fell midway. I huffed in annoyance because I knew I looked horrible and I felt terrible about it. I just have to get out of here as soon as possible.

“Stop with that troubled look already! The doctor will discharge you tomorrow morning. He claimed that you have few tests to go through and then you will be back to business.” Flashing a cheeky grin, he grabbed an apple and started slicing it into finely chopped pieces. 

“Okay,” I grumbled, picking the first slice of apple and shoving into my mouth. “Who brought me here? And what happened to Johnson?” I inquired, my voice bitter when his name rolled down my tongue.

“I was waiting for you to be stable first and then I would have asked you about what transpired.” He spoke, his eyes gazing at the apple, eyebrows furrowed and I could see his knuckles going white with the amount of pressure he had put, gripping the knife.

“Dude, look at your hand!. Put the knife down, damn it.” I tried holding his hands, but he jerked it off as if I was an intruder in his thoughts. 

“Oooh! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to!. Did I hurt you somewhere?” Abruptly standing on his feet, he asked, all concerned and bothered. 

“What happened Anthony?” I demanded, putting on an authoritative tone, forcing him to spill the beans already. 

“When I received your call, and you didn’t respond, I freaked out and so did Aria. We just rushed towards the elevator and met Emma with her friend coming to meet you. All of us hurried towards your cabin when we didn’t receive any response from your side.” He looked directly into my eyes and I know he was worried.

“When we entered inside, all we could discover was a messed up surrounding with your accessories thrown everywhere. Suddenly we heard a crashing sound, and I felt as if air leaving my lungs,” I could see wetness in his eyes. I tightened my grip around his wrist, feeling weird flutters inside my tummy.

“I am your bodyguard and I found you heavily injured, lying lifeless below that bastard. His forehead remaining in the crook of your neck and your lifeless body fell limply, unable to move. I’m so sorry, Liara, I.. I couldn’t protect you.” He replied between whimpers. I wouldn’t realize he was crying until his sobs split the words he tried to speak. 

I scurried a little closer to him, patting his shoulders to comfort him. “You’ve never been only my bodyguard. You are my friend, and you didn’t know something like this would have happened.” I tried assuring him. My forehead pained so much that I couldn’t focus on who else was inside the room but could only see a shadow standing at the corner. 

“Aria, Emma including me stood shocked but only Emma’s friend broke us from our stunned state. When he pushed Johnson away from your body. I followed him behind and held Johnson’s body and he rushed outside, lifting you.” He chuckled suddenly, surprising me.

“You’ve wounded him badly, Liara! He looked awful and his forehead? Oh! I’m so enjoying it. He has got some fifteen stitches only on his forehead because the vase cracked open his scalp a little!” He started laughing so loudly that I couldn’t stop giggling myself.

“Okay! Enough now!” Panting heavily, I said, clutching my stomach.

“Okay, but what exactly happened? We must know before cops come barging into your room. And that might be possible at any minute because Emma informed the cops as soon as she found that you are awake.” He reported being all serious. 

I took a deep breath remembering his horrible face, “He expressed his love and requested me to be his girlfriend.” I spoke all in one breath, feeling the words stabbing my heart. 

“Okay, and?” He encouraged me to complete my part.

“I did not entertain his nonsense and dialled your number in the intercom. But he covered my mouth, not allowing me to speak, and dragged my chair near him. I kicked him on his sin.” I snickered, recalling the way he reacted. 

“One after the other, we struggled to overpower each other. Him being a heavy built, easily towered over me. I hardly made up to the vase and smacked him hard with all the energy left.” I said munching on another piece of Apple.

“That bastard will be severely punished. I have already retrieved the CCTV footage, I just have to convince Emma’s friend to be the witness from your side as he is an outsider and the cops will consider his testimony first.” Hitting the buttons on his phone, he said without even bothering to look at me. 

“Where is he anyway?” I needed to meet that friend of Emma who helped us so much. 

“Emma must know where he is. I will talk to her.”

“At least give me my phone..” 

“Nah, not happening.” He replied by closing the door and locking me inside.

******

“Liara?” I hear Emma’s voice. I’ve been sleeping peacefully, but her voice woke me up. 

Doctor once mentioned that there’s a blood clot on a small area of my forehead. That is the reason I’ve been having a headache now and then.

“Miss Liara, are you okay?” The police officer asked me, tapping his pen on a notepad.

“Oh no, Officer, I’m fine,” I replied peeking at the door. Emma informed that her friend Zearo must have arrived already. 

“Tell us what happened?” The Cop demanded, and I told him whatever I remembered.

“We have noted her report and collected her blood samples and Mr Johnson’s. We just need a witness. Miss Emma, where is your friend?” The officer asked Emma, barely looking at anyone else here. 

Dima, Anthony, Emma and Mia stood at the corner of the room along with a cop. And the head official sat beside me, noting things on his notepad. I just wanted to get this over with and as if God received my silent plea, I heard heavy footsteps coming our way. 

“Oh, Jesus, Sorry guys, Manhattan’s traffic sucks!.” I heard a not so strange voice hurriedly entering my ears, making my veins tingle and a weird ticklish feeling inside my stomach. My curiousness peaked, and I tried peering at the source of that voice. When I laid my eyes on that person, I felt a truck hit my head harder, his eyes glistening at me with concern and a smirk forming on his lips. 

***

Who do you think entered the room? Did you like the story so far? Do let me know in the comment section!.

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