✨✨JEREMY WHITE✨✨

It was dark when I stepped out into the parking lot, by my time it read eleven forty PM. There were days like this when I worked till midnight, stuffing my face with work till my eyes hurt. I frowned when I recalled Dad's stupid request to change the company's name.

The thought itself drove me wild with anger, how could he disregard my efforts? I spent my entire life trying to build the company that he left in shambles, yet he had little respect for me. The only thing keeping me sane was work. I intentionally busied myself to avoid thinking back to my pathetic life.

I scrolled through my emails and saw several messages from the same guy who claimed to work for A&T firm. I hissed maliciously and in a bid to end the charade I googled the name of the firm and was surprised to learn they had quite a reputable office in Austin, Texas.

There was no name attached by the sender so I replied in the most appropriate manner I could. "The next time I'll get such silly messages from you, I'll have your case up with the feds, moron."

That was the most appropriate response I could give. Before I tucked my phone away, I saw another mail from my lawyer, he had dropped off an important document at my office this morning and wondered why I hadn't given him a call back. I racked my brains searching to recall if Miss Wembley handed me any of such when I returned to the office. After minutes of fruitless thinking I became frustrated with my inability to recall memories. I think I need to get my head checked.

I went back into the elevator, heading to my office to search for the document since it was so important that I had to give my lawyer feedback. I prayed it was concerning the matter we discussed in private. Suddenly my curiosity heightened, I needed to know what he found, was it worth the stress and time? Or was it fruitless like my life.

The elevator tingled and split open to let me out. I strolled through the passage and to my office but my legs stuck to the floor when my eyes met my office door slightly open. I saw the shadow of a person through the glass door, I couldn't tell what they were up to. I contemplated calling the police in case he was armed, it would mean risking my life if I went in without backup.

Without looking at my phone I dialed the number and put it close to my ear. It started to ring, I waited impatiently with my eyes stuck on the target. The door squeaked and my heart raced, I felt my hands wet with fear.

I regretted not owning a gun, in such circumstances where a bullet through the head could end everything. It was scary to be so defenseless, I didn't even think to hide somewhere safe and even if I tried, my legs were stuck on the floor because they seemed to have a mind of their own.

Finally the line connected. "911 what's your emergency?"

The burglar sneaked out of my office and my eyeballs almost fell from its sockets. "Miss Wembley?!" I exclaimed in sheer relief.

"This is 911, what's your emergency?" The feminine voice on the line repeated. I quickly ended the call.

"Sir..." was her raspy response.

"Why are you here miss Wembley? I thought you left earlier?" I asked, trying not to get pissed at her.

"I forgot my purse err—in the office," she mumbled scratching her neck.

"My office?" I furrowed my brows in wonder.

I came closer to where she stood and dropped my suitcase on a nearby table.

"You care to explain how that got into my office in the first place? Or do I have to call security on you?"

"Sorry, I had left some documents of mine in my office and I came to get them but they weren't there. I seem to have forgotten where I left them." she said in a hushed tone.

I walked past her in swift motion and into my office to get the needed document and be on my way, I wasn't cut out for some midnight charade. But she seemed to think that I was about to hurt her because she ducked, squirming underneath.

I balled my fists and turned to look at her.
"You really have a poor image of me Miss Wembley." I said and walked into my office.

She stood there perplexed.

My head banged so hard and my eyes began to blur. For a minute I stood to catch my breath, I had overworked myself without eating a thing and I was paying for it.

The ache in my head felt too strong, like a knot was drilled in every side of my head. I grabbed the envelope on my desk and slowly made it out of my office.

Miss Wembley was nowhere in sight, I was relieved. No one was going to see my sick face. I only had to manage down to the parking lot and drive home safely. It would all end once I'm back home.

That was my thought when I rammed into the glass door by the entrance and felt my body drop to the floor. I didn't feel a thing, most importantly I didn't see a thing. I just felt darkness and voices echoing from afar as I fell deeper into a river of darkness.

******

✨✨Anna Wembley✨✨

"Is he gonna be okay?" I asked one of the nurses who helped us take him to the emergency ward.

She gave me a reassuring smile and said.
"Of course dear, just go over to the registry and open a folder for him."
When I got to the counter, a nurse stood behind the computer in her neat tailored outfit, clicking away on her desktop.

"Hi I want to register a patient who came in few minutes ago?"

"Oh the tuxedo guy?" She said with a little bit of elation.

"Uhm, yeah."

"Is he your husband?" She asked handing me a form.
My eyes flicked up at her brazen question.

"No, he's not."

"Oh," was her disappointed reply. "Well, there's always a second chance to make that better yeah?"

I wasn't sure what she meant but I didn't bother asking. After I was done I went back to the waiting room, it was past midnight and I was worried no one would stay with him through the night.

I recalled the feeling of fear that enveloped me when I heard the sound of bone cracking back at the office. And when I called out his name there was no answer. Upon then I knew something bad had happened.
It took the help of John and another of the security man to get him to a hospital.

"Hi..." a female doctor appeared before me and spoke.

"Annie__ Annie Wembley," I offered.

"Your fiancé is anaemic, very anaemic and under nourished. Have you no idea?" She asked in concern.

I shook my head "No I wasn't aware."

The woman stared in confusion but kept a straight face afterwards. "I have him on drip for now but he'll need some blood support."

"No! No transfusion," I panicked. How will my boss feel when he finds out I allowed such major decision. Not everyone liked the idea of sharing blood. I'd rather he recovered on his own and with time.

"Of course not dear, I understand your choice but I was going to suggest he take supplements and eat well."
I let out a quiet sigh. "Thank you doc,"

When I returned to the room, Jeremy was fast asleep. The sound of the machine was the only noise that could be heard. I moved closer and stood by his side, noting every corner of his face.

His lean hands were splayed by the sides as he took shallow breathes. I could see the shadow cast below his eyes. He was indeed looking malnourished.

I wondered why a man of his class would suffer such sickness when everything was at his beck and call. My mind went back to the bottles of drugs I found in his drawer and it clicked.

He had developed an eating disorder, he barely had one square meal a day. My mind went far and wide but was brought back when he shook and peeled his eyes open.

He reached for me. "Please take me home," he mumbled.