Chapter 237: Bleeding
So, I was just trying to calm Brad down, but as I kept yapping, I started feeling all kinds of upset. My voice got all wobbly, my eyes got teary, and I ended up spilling way more than I planned.
All the missing him, worrying, and feeling uneasy over the past two months just came flooding out. I went on and on, but the gist was that he had hot chicks around him while I was stuck all alone.
I figured he'd get what I was hinting at.
Brad's icy look totally melted. Hearing me talk all sad and teary-eyed, he felt bad and started comforting me. "Alright, alright, don't be upset. I'm not mad anymore, okay? I know you've been lonely, but I'm coming back soon. When I do, I'll make it up to you big time, alright? Don't cry, how could I stay mad at my baby? I was just messing with you. Don't take it seriously, be good, don't cry, my heart's breaking here."
For the first time, I realized Brad could be so sweet, and it actually sounded pretty nice.
That night, Brad kept sweet-talking me, saying all kinds of nice things. It took him almost an hour to get me to stop crying.
When I finally went to bed, my eyes were all puffy and sore from crying. I used a hot towel to soothe them a bit before feeling better.
In the end, all my frustration and dissatisfaction came from Jenny. On the surface, she was Brad's life-saver, and it made sense for him to take care of her. But from my perspective, repaying such a big favor wasn't easy, and it could cause trouble down the line.
Friday noon, I landed in Regalia, and Yancy picked me up with Mia.
Yancy was young but super thorough. When I got in the car and talked lunch plans with Mia, he quietly said he already made reservations, so we could head straight there.
At the restaurant, we sat in a reserved booth. Mia and I sat on one side, while Yancy, looking like a sad puppy, sat alone across from Mia, feeling left out.
After two days apart, Mia looked pretty good. She and Yancy were huddled together, checking out the menu, when suddenly the phone between Mia and me buzzed.
Instinctively, I glanced at it and my head started buzzing. I quickly looked at Mia.
The message was from Benjamin: [I'm getting engaged tomorrow.]
Mia saw it too. Her hand holding the menu froze for a moment, her eyes filled with a storm of emotions, and tears welled up. I thought she'd break down, but she quickly pulled herself together, gave me a faint smile, and calmly went back to the menu.
But her hand on the table was clenched tight, turning white.
I stared at her clenched, white hand, feeling like my heart was being eaten alive. It made me feel awful.
If Benjamin's past actions had hurt Mia badly, today's message was the final, fatal blow.
Why would you tell your ex you're getting engaged? Benjamin was seriously cruel!
Throughout the hour-and-a-half meal, Mia acted totally normal.
I watched her force a smile, feeling so heartbroken, yet I couldn't do anything. Comforting words had been said so many times that my mouth was tired, and she must be sick of hearing them. Besides, she understood everything better than any of us.
After lunch, I went home to rest, and Yancy took Mia back to work.
Standing at the neighborhood entrance, I watched Mia walk away, her back straight as a rod, and I felt this gnawing unease.
Benjamin was a total jerk, not worth a second of Mia's time. Leaving him was the start of her new chapter. But hearing that news, she was way too calm. If I didn't know better, I'd think she never even cared about Benjamin.
But that wasn't true at all.
The weather was scorching, and the short walk from the entrance to my place left me sweaty and sticky. I dropped my bags and headed straight for the shower.
Coming out of the bathroom, I felt a lot better, though a bit lazy.
I had planned to hit up Crystal House to paint, but after a tiring morning, I just didn't feel like doing anything. So, I decided to take a nap instead.
Taking a nap after a shower, with the AC set to a cool 75 degrees, was one of life's little luxuries.
Before I knew it, I was out like a light.
If it weren't for my phone ringing like crazy, I might've slept till dusk.
As soon as I picked up, I heard Yancy's frantic voice, so panicked it sounded like he was about to cry. "Jane, can you come? Mia is bleeding, a lot. She passed out. What should I do?"
What? I was so scared I shot up straight, clutching my suddenly racing heart.
"Where is she bleeding from? Is she hurt? Yancy, explain clearly. Where are you? And have you called 911?"
Hearing that Mia was in trouble, my sleepiness vanished. I jumped out of bed, yanked open the closet, and threw on some workout clothes. I was so scared my hands and feet were shaking, and it took me a while to get dressed.
"We're at the office. We called 911, but there's traffic, and it might be a while before they get here." Yancy's trembling voice made my scalp tingle.
Of all times to be stuck in traffic, it had to be now.
"I'll be there right away. Stay in touch." Grabbing my bag and phone, I slipped on my shoes and bolted out the door.
The sun was blazing, and by the time I ran from my building to the entrance, I was already drenched in sweat.
But I couldn't care about that. Mia was in trouble, and I was worried sick. I had no time to worry about my appearance.
It was a bad time to call a cab, so I relied on my legs, sprinting down the street like a madwoman, drawing the attention of many passersby.
They were probably thinking, where did this crazy girl come from, sprinting wildly with disheveled hair?
Let them think what they wanted; I had no time to care.
My mind was racing with countless reasons and scenarios for her injury, praying she would be okay, or I would be devastated.
When I reached the office building, a girl with a high ponytail was waiting there. She asked if I was Jane, and when I said yes, she didn't waste any time, pulling me into the building. "Jane, hurry, I'll take you to Mia."
"That room," she pointed to a room labeled "Rest Area."
I ran over, and the sight before me made me lose my composure. The skin that had been burning from the sun instantly turned icy cold, and I trembled all over, my legs almost giving out.
Mia was still wearing the white dress from lunch, lying unconscious in a pool of blood, her face as pale as a ghost. Yancy was holding her head, calling her name over and over.
But Mia's eyes were tightly shut, with no response.
The usually sunny Yancy had his cheek pressed against Mia's forehead, tears streaming down his face.
"Mia, what's going on?" I screamed, my legs weak, stumbling over to her.
I had never seen so much blood in my life, the red so glaring, I was trembling with fear.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
