4. Fear

Stacey's p.o.v

"Miss the meeting will start in the next 20 minutes, hey are you even listening?" Kim my secretary said loudly.

I yawned then nodded, the whole night I couldn't sleep, all I could think about was how bad I had treated Lewis, he was sad for an hour then he seemed to forget it all, he later went to bed early after eating his food disturbingly.

"I am, thanks Kim," I answered with a fake smile.

"If you say so," she answered then left the office.

Among the things I was thinking about, Lizzy was what was bothering me, she left for the clinic but didn't return or call me.

I was feeling frustrated. A knock on my door got me sighing loudly.

"Come in," I answered.

The door Opened and Roy walked in, I quickly stood up and cleared my throat.

"Sir," I called in a whisper.

"Evening Stacey, how are you doing today?" he asked calmly then sat down on the chair next to my desk. 

"I'm ok director," I answered seriously.

"I don't know what's really going on but this is the first time I am seeing you like this, you aren't focused at all, and today you were clumsy, you misplaced the cooperation files and failed to meet our clients," he said as my heart picked up in fear, I was bound to be fired. Roy was never the type that saw past one's mistake.

"I'm really sorry sir, it's just that I was recently in an accident," I answered.

He quickly stood up and walked to me.

"Are you fine, Were you hurt?" He asked in concern.

I looked at him in surprise not knowing what to say.

Roy never cared about his employees, he only cared about himself, him asking me those questions and looking concerned was making me uncomfortable.

"Yes I'm fine, I wasn't injured in any way," I answered.

He held my hand and smiled.

"That's a relief," he whispered.

"Sir, I'm sorry for my behavior and actions today, I have been distracted a lot and neglected my work. But I promise you this, I will make it up to you," I said honestly.

He chuckled softly then let go of my hand.

"I'm sure you will," he answered then went back to the seat and sat down.

My cell phone rang startling me, I picked it up from my desk and looked at it.

"Excuse me, sir," I said then answered it.

"Yes, Lizzy,"

"I can't do this boss, he's mad, the man is mad!" She screamed as I heard the sound of glass breaking.

"Lizzy calm down," I whispered loudly.

"No he wants to kill me," she screamed.

I disconnected the call and looked at Roy.

"Is everything okay?" he asked Softly.

"I um... The house..." I said while trailing off my words, how was I to tell him that the maid I hired was in a panicked state that needed my immediate attention.

"Don't worry go, I Will cover for you," he said.

"What?, But you are my boss," I answered.

"Just because I am it doesn't mean I can't do anything, go I will handle the meeting," he said with a smile.

"Thank you, Roy, I will surely Make it up to you one way or another," I answered without thinking then quickly got my bag and rushed out of my office.

I took the stairs while searching my bag for my car keys.

Immediately I got out I rushed in my car and drove off.

In just a few minutes I was home. I got out of the car and walked into the house which was unusually quiet.

"Lizzy," I called loudly as I walked to the kitchen.

I gasped loudly when I found Lewis holding three wine glass cups facing the storeroom door, a few glass bottles were scattered on the ground where he stood. 

"Lewis," I called Softly, he turned and looked at me then glared.

"Calm down okay," I whispered.

"Is that your boss?" Lizzy asked in the storeroom.

"Yes," I answered.

The door slowly opened and Lizzy came out running and stood behind me.

Lewis broke one of the wine glass angrily scaring me.

"Lewis calm down please, whatever Lizzy said to you she is sorry," I said softly.

"Boss I didn't do...."

"Quiet Lizzy," I warned cutting her off.

"Lewis I'm here now, you remember me right?, It's me, Stacey," I whispered.

He dropped another glass and looked at Lizzy.

"Boss he's a mad man," she said as he angrily threw the remaining glass at us, I covered my face with my hands when it shurterd, then flinched in pain when sharp glasses pierced my arms.

I quickly dropped my hands and noticed a few cuts on my arms, Lizzy quickly ran out of the room screaming in fear. I felt weak and my eyes were becoming blurry, something was wrong, my body was hurting badly too. I was about to fall when strong hands held me, I looked up and found Lewis looking down on me in fear.

"Don't be afraid, I'm fine," I whispered.

I tried to keep my eyes open but I couldn't, I closed them as I felt my body become heavier and my mind foggy, the last thing I heard was Lewis Calling my name desperately over and over.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I woke up with a slight headache and sat upright, Becky was standing near the bed looking at me furiously.

"You're finally awake," she said.

"Yeah," I answered calmly.

"Jesus Christ Stacey I told you to take the freak to the mental institution, he almost killed you!, What is wrong with you?, thank God Lizzy called and told me everything, that crazy bastard is too dangerous!" She yelled loudly.

"Don't call him that," I said seriously as she laughed mockingly.

"He's not your freaking relative, for once be reasonable you dumb bitch, if Lizzy wasn't here you could have died," she spat.

"Becky stop," I demanded loudly.

"Whatever, I just wanted to tell you that doctor Jacob came by, he said you had a few injuries, you passed out due to exhaustion and stress, all you need is to get some rest, luckily you didn't lose a lot of blood," she said.

"Thanks for calling doctor Jacob," I answered.

"Yeah, whatever," she answered then left the room. Doctor Jacob was my family doctor, he was discrete and very kind, the fact that he came by was a relief rather than going to the clinic.

I looked at my arms which were fixed with band aid's then looked up when the door opened.

Lewis slowly walked in while facing the ground, he moved closer and handed me a shoe.

"Is it for me?" I asked Softly then got it.

He nodded then looked at me, his eyes held sadness.

"Hey don't be sad, it wasn't your fault okay," I said then gave him back the shoe with a smile.

"Stacey," he called in a whisper.

"Yes," I answered then laughed.

"Boss," Lizzy called outside the room.

"Lizzy come in," I answered.

She walked in and stood near the door.

"I'm sorry boss, I beg for your forgiveness," she said with tears.

"Did you do something wrong?" I asked deliberately.

"No, he just attacked me when I came here to work since I was in the clinic I was discharged late, I was about to start doing house chores when he got those glasses," she answered.

I could tell that she was lying.

"Lizzy, I'm sure you called him a mad man, that's why he became angry and violent, never call him that ever again. treat him like you would treat everyone. Do I make myself clear?" I asked seriously.

"Yes," she answered then moved closer.

"Lewis, I'm sorry that I called you those bad words," she said softly.

"Lewis see, she is sorry okay," I whispered.

He looked at her then clapped happily.

"It looks like he has forgiven you," I said with a smile.

"Thank you, Lewis," she answered happily then walked out of the room.

"Lewis, did you eat something?" I asked.

He stopped clapping and pointed a finger at me.

"Look, I know Lizzy said some very mean words to you, but next time please don't be violent, I know it's strange for you to be here, but I promise you this, sooner or later you will get comfortable and see it as home," I said then held his hand in mine.

He smiled for the very first time, I couldn't help but smile back.