25

I got to the scene I was certain the accident had occured but other than the place being out of access, a few other people were scattered around with news reporter talking to their specific cameras.

There was a heavy traffic jam, knowing this was a major route in the city.

The murmurs were deafening and they blended into one voice. The smell of blood made my stomach clench tight. I turned to look at the woman standing next to me, her phone serving a camera purpose as she took snaps of the disaster.

"Excuse me, what about the people involved in the accident?" I had to know.

"They were driven in an ambulance to City hospital I think, that's how much I know." She said with a smile, returning her focus to the action she had been performing.

"Oh dear God." I found my way out of the crowd. There was no way I could find a cab to get me there in time when considering the hold up that was in front of me.

I knew the best option was my rusty old bike. If I pedalled fast enough, it would take me an hour to transport myself to the hospital, translating to the fact that I would be out of breath by the time I returned.

This was going to take a lot of grace.

*

The receptionist was the first person I ran to when I got to the hospital. I rushed to the counter that separated me from her leaned on it, panting heavily.

She was startled by my sudden presence and made no efforts to hide it.

I raised one finger while I tried to speak but my words failed to catch up with my breathing. She had wide eyes and she leaned backwards in her seated position.

"I'm going to call you a doctor." She sounded unsure as she picked the office phone and punched in some numbers.

"No!" I managed to argue.

"Okay?" She shook her head, putting the phone down. "Is there something wrong?"

"I was.. bike.. all the way here.." I couldn't make an actual sentence.

She pointed in the direction of some stools, "you can wait there if you would like," she picked a pen from her pocket,scribbling onto a piece of paper in front of her, "and you can come if you feel better and have caught your breath." She sounded polite, and that drew me to liking her with an immediate effect.

I knew she was right but I felt like I didn't have enough time to wait.

"But I..." I tried to argue until my eyes traveled to the assigned stools. They had furry heads that looked like I'd sink in them if I sat on it, the type that made the butt feel comfortable. "Oh alright." I gave in and rushed to take my seat, leaning my back against the wall. My feet felt weak and tired, so did my hands.

I wanted to be sure Chad was present in the room before jumping into conclusions and contacting anyone.

Ten minutes rolled by and I felt energised enough to return to the receptionist.

"Do you feel better now ma'am?" She asked me in a polite voice.

I looked around the room, I had been oblivious to the people strolling in and out of the hospital's main entrance.

"I feel better, thank you." I shook my head in response, "there was an accident and someone told me the patients were driven to this hospital. My boss, I want to know if he is doing fine?" My heart beat was no longer in sync as I rendered the information. What if Chad was involved in a fatal scene?

The thought caused me to shudder in fear.

"Okay, where did this accident occur? I need you to fill me in, I'll direct you." The receptionist was kind enough to offer.

*

I scanned through my phone to see if I'd be able to connect with Rebecca. My office email was synced to my phone and seeing she was the only one from Chad's side whose contact I knew directly, I had no choice.

Chad was unconscious but the doctors had assured me he wasn't in a critical condition.

I sighed in relief when I got connected to Rebecca. I took a deep breath in and exhaled with closed eyes, knowing what to expect from her.

I was back to the receptionist and had taken my sitting position on the stool.

"Who's this and how do you have my phone number?!" She snapped into the phone. What a way to talk to an unknown contact.

I pressed my phone tight in my hand, hoping to avoid having to release my anger on her.

"Its me, Nikki, Chad's secretary?" I didn't know how else to refer to myself.

"Oh it's you, what do you want?" She scoffed.

"Chad was in an accident." I informed her and withdrew the phone from my ear, knowing best to expect a tantrum.

"What?!" She panicked, "what do you mean by that?"

"He's in city hospital." I told her instead.

"What have you done to him? I knew you were up to something." She was quick to point accusing fingers.

"Excuse me?" I furrowed my eyebrows at my phone.

"Where did you say he was? Is he okay?" She reduced her pitch and spoke a little calmer.

"City hospital." I told her.

"Fine then." She said, "I'll be there as soon as possible."

"I'll wait for your presence before leaving." I shuddered at the sentence. I couldn't believe I was willing to wait for Rebecca but she was still his official fiance.

"Whatever." She scoffed and hung up on me. Rude much?

*

I noticed Rebecca walk into the building. I sighed in relief at her presence, standing to my feet. I had been keeping watch on the door as if my life depended on it.

I was about to wave so she could spot me, when I realized who she had come with. Chad's mom was here.

I gasped, turning around on my heels to avoid being seen. Was Rebecca crazy? Why would she come with his mom? This was bad. She must have informed her that the secretary has called.

How was I going to be Mandy when I was dressed like I cleaned the floors?

My phone jerked me out of my thoughts. Rebecca was calling to know where I was.