Chapter 2

        DARKEST HOURS 

         CHAPTER TWO

         JOHN PAUL'S POV

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I was still driving with my head running wild, with thoughts and my hands fisting tightly to the steering .

I had not realised there was a old woman that i almost hit by the road side. She seemed like a beggar and my heart constricted for her.

I quickly came down from my car and saw the impact of  the incident, in which she fell on the cold rough floor.

I helped her up and held her as if she was my mother. 

As if she’d been craving for such comfort, she snuggled in my body and wept bitterly saying: “Son, I’ve always known that I won’t ever be happy or anyone ever batting an eyelid if i died, but showing me such love is okay for me. Before I finally kiss this world goodbye, I wish to thank you for your kindness. No one has ever treated me so nicely before except my young daughter who takes care of me,”

" That okay ma, let me take you to the hospital" I replied her as she held onto me for dear life.

" What your name ma'am, and who is your daughter and her number to contact" I enquired.

" my-my, my n-ame is Fe-li-felicia" she stuttered and her eyes closed, her body felt still in my hands.

I took my phone and quickly dialed my personal physician telling him of what occurred today and the condition of the patient . 

In no time, Dr. White came with an EMT ambulance. He took Ma'am Felicia  to the best hospital in Philadelphia according to my instruction, ensuring that she got proper medical care. 

Without much hesitation, I employed medical experts that took special care of the sick woman while taking my time to see how to get to her daughter .

I have tried to find clues on why she was there at the point in time, but most clues i could find led to she was a random beggar on the streets. 

I was a bit taken aback what if she was a set up ? What if my life was in danger ? I've lived with my parents for years until their untimely demise and one thing was sure they disliked strangers .

I am a man with the heart of gold and watching an old woman who was perhaps my mom's age , spiralled on the floor almost getting hit by a car broke my heart .

I threw all cautions and all my mother's consistent cries to be wary of strangers to the wind, I just dont care at this point if she was a fraud.

My heart felt i did the right thing and that all that matters at this point.

It was bewildering that Ma'am Felucia responded positively and fast to the treatments given to her in the hospital.

Even though I’d been too busy in the office to visit her, I tried my best one calm summer evening to check out her state of recovery at Pennsylvania Hospital.

Getting to her ward, she was sleeping soundly and didn’t need to be disturbed. The nurses were watching her with delight and  happiness, that their  patient was showing signs of a return to normalcy in health.

She looked up at me and smiled showing her full set of teeths, i could see genuine happiness etched on her face. 

If she was faking things i really do not know, but definitely she appeared to be really grateful and happy towards my kind gesture meted to her .

“Hi dear,” I greeted and sat close to her observing her glee.

“Hey, you’re here. Aren’t you busy in office?” she asked, sounding so concerned about my job.

 “By this time,” she said and i checked on my wristwatch, “you should be in office,”

“No, I’m not busy. I actually came to discuss something with you,” I quickly said to avoid diverting my attention from the reason that I came. “Are you free for a talk?”

“And what could that be, dear?” she enquired quickly with keen interest.

“I want you to stop begging , and rather start working, and I’ll ensure that I pay you well in my company,” I proudly announced feeling positive that she’d like it.

“Wow! That’s so thoughtful of you,” she hollered but her glee dropped a while making her face grimaced,”

“Why the change in mood?” I asked and held her by the shoulder.

“I’m not well educated to handle such jobs,” she complained, “but if I can work as one of your maids, I’d be glad,”

I wondered why she loves going for lower positions. I believe that her lowly status in life had made her have such inferiority complex, that she couldn’t handle bigger responsibilities.

“Why do you want to work as a housemaid?” I asked demanding to understand her fully.

 “Don’t you think that…?”

“That’s what I want,” she interjected and i looked at her amused .

“If you insist,” I replied knowing full well that I couldn’t make her change her mind, “but I can’t make you an ordinary maid but the head of the maids’ services in the mansion,”

I gave her the appointment as she demanded; even though I never planned to allow her to do lower jobs but simply to have the opportunity to be seeing her around. My plan was to take proper care of her needs.

“I want to thank you for your magnanimity,” she appreciated and tried hugging me but she was still mousy and afraid.

I didn’t want to embrace her either because she may feel embarrassed because of her condition and plight.

“You’re most welcome,” I said and patted her back, “for now, allow yourself to be nursed by the professionals that I’ve paid for it. You’d be coming to the mansion tomorrow and your work starts immediately,”

“I’m so grateful, Sir” she gleefully said and bunched her fingers into a fist out of happiness.

“Meanwhile, John is the name, and keep that title aside,” I reminded her and left.