HATRED AT FIRST SIGHT

            CHAPTER FIVE

       AUDREY'S POV

I opened my eyes to see a white ceiling. Where am I? I wondered as I struggled to sit up, but found I was in severe pains, I couldn't even move my body.

 Ouch, that hurt, I wasn't seeing clearly. What happened to me? I thought as my mind wandered. I tried remembering what transpired before I ended up here, but it seemed like the pain in my head won't let me remember it, Gosh.

I didn't know how long I slept, but I woke up to the voices of people in the room. I could recognise some of the voices in the room. Mum and Jasmine. What are they doing here? Yes, I remembered running from the hotel. Gosh, it wasn't easy, before I could get to the gate, the security were already alerted. I narrowly escaped them. Hitting the road, I continued running, not knowing what the dark night had in store for me, I continued running to God knows where. 

The sirens were getting closer, I didn't know what to do, when I suddenly spotted a tall grass, I immediately went in and laid low. I watched as the patrol cars passed by, God I'm in big trouble, I hope they don't find my address. 

I decided to stay in the quiet grass for 20 minutes, in case the cops were still around.

I stood up and decided to leave when I heard a hoarse voice behind me. Where do you think you're going? You can't walk into our territory and leave freely, you need to give something in exchange of our hospitality". I looked back to see 4 huge men, jeez! Why didn't I notice them when I walked in?I gat to do something about this.

"What do you think beauty. Will you offer in cash or kind?" Jeez, and I'm not with money here. What am I going to do? I need to be fast with whatever I wanna do before I get hurt.

"Please, I don't have any money."

"Don't try to play smart with us, cause we aren't joking."

"I'm not sir, I said as I gradually shifted."

"So, are you trying to say that the police were chasing an innocent girl?"

Bring out all the money you have with you, or else, you are gonna get it hot from us. You'd have a hot night." This was my chance, I decided to run, it's better you die while trying than a coward.

Bracing myself, I immediately turned and ran, but was rather surprised that they weren't coming after me. It was strange, though I continued running, a part of me was expecting a huge man to burst out from the bushes and grab me, but that wasn't happening, I ran and was glad when I burst out on the highway. Wow, the place was so strange. I haven't been here before, don't tell me that the tall grass was a boundary or so.

Yes! I get it now, I was run over by a car. As soon as I got out of the bush a car hit me and I blackout.

Jeez! So this is a hospital.

"Mum" I called, but my voice came out in a whisper

"Baby, Audrey! Mum's here."

"Mum," And she burst into tears while I followed. Gosh, I felt so save with her. I'd miss her so much.

"Its gonna be alright. Okay." She said hugging me, while I turned to meet Jasmine staring at me with watery eyes.

"Jas," 

"Shh, she said hugging me."

"Don't say a word. I understand" 

I turned round to see two guys staring at me. Jeez! are they brothers? But wait! What're they doing here. Are they police officers? No, they don't look like one. I just hope they haven't found the address to my house.

One of them had a big smile oh his face while the other wore a frown. He doesn't seem comfortable as he stared at me.

"You might be wondering who they're right?" Mum asked as I nodded.

"Well, that's Mr Fred and Mr Eric."

"Oh!" I nodded still not getting why they're here.

"Fred, is the guy that hit you. Thank God you're."

Staring at him, I saw no remorse in his eyes, rather that of Anger and hatred. We stared at the other for a while, jeez he looks so spoilt. I dislike him. Have we met before? Why does he look at me with so much contempt? He looks so egocentric. 

"Hello." He's cute friend said to me.

I wonder why he isn't like his jovial friend.

"Hi." I said with smiles.

"Hope you aren't in great pain. Don't mind the asshole over here."

"Yeah." I said with a wide smile.

"Mum, when will I be discharged? You know how much I detest the hospital."

"Soon, dear. " 

Oops, I just noticed that mum wasn't with her crutch anymore. Rather she was on a motorised wheelchair.

"Mum, how long have I been here?"

"A week and some days I guess."

"That long? And how's your leg? I can see some improvements."

"It's fine. Life now flows in it. Thanks to him."

I turned to the direction of her hand, jeez Mr Altruistic, Why him? What's his business with us? Hasn't he paid the hospital bill? Why is he helping us. Or Is he trying to compensate us? Well if it's that I don't need it. He saved my life in a way.

"You need to rest. We will leave you now."

I watched jasmine take mum out of the room. Wow, jasmine is a god sent. She asked for my address before I went to see the head Chef, and she really did visit. My mind wandered around things, not till I was overwhelmed by sleep.

~~~~~~~

I was finally discharged. Jasmine accompanied by Eben and a man I couldn't recognise came to get me. Immediately, I saw Eben, I screamed in joy as we hugged the other. I've really missed him. I can't remember the last time I saw him. Mum didn't permit him to visit cause the hospital holds bad memories. It would have been grave if he saw me in that critical case.

"I miss you so much"

"Same."

"Mum got a new house, it's better than the old one. In fact you can't compare it." He said in joy.

"What, how... I don't understand."

"Don't mind him. Let's get going, your mum is gonna explain everything to you when you get home. She said as we got into the car."

       ERIC'S POV

I watched in amusement as he walked round the house in Anger. 

"What sort of nonsense is this. Eric this is your fault. Who knows if you didn't plan this with them. I regret ever accepting to go to the club with you." He looked so funny saying that, I wonder what's wrong with him and ladies. Wasn't he the one that accepted to get a mistress?

"Come off it guy. This is an answer to prayer, who knows if Anna prepared her for you." 

"Can you stop saying that, your secret is blown. You planned it with them."

"Why do you think like a child? I didn't do that, by the way if I did, is anything wrong? Weren't you the one that told me to find a lady for you? You found one yourself and you're complaining about it, or do you prefer Clara to Audrey? This is just for Clara to leave."

"But her mum said I should marry her. She didn't say make her your Mistress, her statement was make her your wife. By the way what sort of mother would blackmail me for a simple accident? Using it on me to marry her child. 

"Well, you're at fault, when she told you to make Audrey your wife, you would have told her that you already have a wife. But your detest for Clara made you land into a bigger problem. But as always Eric has a solution to all problems."

"Okay, what's that, I'm listening" He said, while I stared at him suppressing my laughter. His face is a total mess. Confusion clearly written on it. This idea is so wonderful.

"Let's make a fake certificate. The wedding should be fake, unknown to the bride. It would be like that till Clara leaves and you emerge as the winner for the election." 

I could see the sparkle in his eyes when I said those words and I immediately felt proud of myself.

"That's so stunning bro, you're the best." He said tapping my shoulders. 

"I'm kinda relieved."

"What for?" He asked me.

"For being a fool." I said as I ran to my room, while he chased me.