Chapter 6

The day could not have been any worse. And nature seemed to agree with the turn of events. 

The sun had dimmed and the morning felt like night time.  The birds were lost in sight and it looked like there would be rainfall.

But that was just the clouds sending a message. 

This same outlook had formed years ago when Tracy was admitted to the hospital. 

She had fallen into a pool. But for the timely rescue of Charles, she would have drowned to death. 

And while on admission at the hospital, the clouds formed and what felt like an earth tremor shook the hospital building.

"Fifty million dollars, fifty million dollars," said Tracy repeatedly while unconscious. 

Her eyes were closed and she kept turning in the hospital bed. 

Louisa had called 911 when she did not respond earlier. 

She stood behind a glass window as she watched her friend struggle on the hospital bed. 

Louisa ran her hand through her hair and consistently asked the doctor whether her friend would be okay. 

She was asked to calm down and put herself together while she waited on an official report from the doctor. 

"Where is she? What did the doctor say?" Asked Mrs Briggs who had come to the hospital in the company of June and Mr Parker. 

Louisa had called to inform them of what had happened and they rushed to the hospital immediately. 

"The doctors are yet to give any official report," she responded to Mrs Briggs's query. 

Mr Parker stood behind the glass window and watched as Tracy battled for her life. 

His old age would not permit him to stand for long so he sat in the visitor's waiting area.

"But what happened?" June asked. 

"She had fainted while at my house. I had gone to get a First Aid Kit to dress her wound and on my return I found her lying lifeless on the floor." She explained. 

Mrs Briggs clutched her right fist and knocked it into her left palm as she watched Tracy trying to read her lips. 

The doctor on duty informed them that Tracy was dehydrated and her wound was infected. 

Her behavior was as a result of a fever.

A few hours passed and Tracy was under control but was yet to open her eyes. 

Immediately, the clouds cleared and the sun was back shining again. 

The doctor informed them that she would be fine. And revealed that the words she repeatedly said were 'fifty million dollars.'

But Mr Parker could not help but notice the sudden brightness of the day. 

He called his son and informed him of what had happened to Tracy and told him about the clouds that had formed and cleared similar to what happened years ago when he saved Tracy from drowning. 

***

The news of Tracy's condition had left Charles confused. 

He was in the company of his friends at Chris' house when his father called. 

"Charles, you think all this is happening for nothing?" Chris asked as he buttoned up his shirt. 

He had just come out of the bedroom after taking a cold shower. 

"I am confused, Chris." He confessed. "I do admit that I am to be blamed partly for all that has happened these past days." He added.

"Partly?" Albert queried. " My friend, I am not like someone who sees red and calls it pink." He said looking at Leonardo with a wild look. 

"I dare say that you are to be blamed for everything that happened, Charles. And I'm not saying this to make you feel bad, but to let you see how unwise you have been." He added. 

Charles sat there on a swivel chair that Chris uses in his home office. And moved left to right and right to left biting on his finger. 

"Albert does have a point, Charles. You caused all this. Don't take our words out of context. But Tracy has been an epitome of wife material." He said.

"I'm sure you do recall the few times Albert jokingly threatened to snatch her away from you. That goes to confirm the asset you had. But what did you do? You threw it out the window and now look at us." He added.

"Hmmm," Charles sighed. 

"Look Charles, I know you have been foolish. But if you ask me, I think you should go back to Tracy." Albert opined.

"I do admit that I've labeled you jealous of our single life a few times and even threatened to snatch Tracy away from you because it was difficult to find a woman. But all of that was a joke and I never meant for you to go on this tangent." Albert remorsefully said. 

"You can still make amends my friend. Go do the right thing before you lose this treasure completely." Albert advised. 

Charles' Posture made his friends believe that he would go and do the right thing and get back together with Tracy.

Leonardo was seated in a chair that was away from his friends. But he could hear all that they talked about.

"I told you our conversation was not over," Chris said in the direction of Leonardo who pretended as though he was busy on his phone. 

"I know you can hear me and you have heard all that we have talked about," Chris said.

"Cut the pretense Leonardo because you and I know that you are not doing anything on your phone. I told you at the lounge that we will finish our conversation." He reminded him.

All along Charles was left in a state of wonder. His friend's words got him thinking. 

"And what do you expect me to say again?" Leonardo asked finally. 

"I made myself clear at the lounge. I warned you to say whatever you had to say to me there and then. You wait for days to go back to a subject that I've lost interest in?" He further asked.

"Quit being sarcastic. What subject are you talking about? Are we not talking about Charles and Tracy? And what did we talk about at the lounge?" Chris put it to his friend. 

"Well, Charles is a full-grown man. I am not the one to advise him on what to do or what not to do. He should do whatever he deems appropriate." Leonardo said and went back to his phone.

"Is that all you would say?" Albert asked.

"You know what Albert, just don't mind this guy. I know our friend here will heed our advice and do the right thing.

Leonardo pretended as though he did not hear Chris' last words.

Just as Charles got up to leave, Fiona appeared. 

Immediately, Albert and Chris locked eyes. 

Leonardo rushed to her side and asked how she was doing and engaged her in a conversation.

Chris and Albert stood aside trying to make sense of Leonardo's attitude. Why was he all over Fiona and pushing Charles to talk to her? They thought. 

But how did she know where Chris lived? Albert thought and asked his friend. 

Leonardo had given Fiona the address when she asked about Charles' location.

She had not seen him in days and was worried about him. But since she had only Leonardo's phone contact she thought it wise to contact him instead.

Chris was not happy about the move and warned Leonardo to never try anything like that without consulting him first. 

At this point, Charles was lost in thought and could barely tell what was going on. 

The information his father had given him and his friend's words had sunk deep into his mind and now he needed a solution. 

He asked Fiona to leave and promised to call her and left for his house. 

Leonardo felt awkward in the absence of Charles and also left, leaving Albert and Chris alone. 

***

Hours passed and the day was almost over. 

Tracy was now fit to be discharged. Her fever had gone away and her wound had been dressed. 

Mr Parker had stayed at the hospital the whole day just to make sure she was okay.

He tried his best to convince her to come back to the house but Tracy did not want that. 

She would rather stay at her friend's house till she recuperates fully. 

June tried to add her words to her father's plea but she was still not going to change her mind. 

After so much talk, Mrs Briggs realized that Tracy's mind was made up and so she asked for Mr Parkers' permission to go with her to Louisa's house till Tracy was well recovered. 

Mr Parker ordered one of his drivers to drive Tracy, Louisa and Mrs Briggs to Louisa's house. 

Mr Parker watched as his driver drove them away till they were lost in sight. 

One of his drivers pulled up in a Range Rover in front of the hospital and just as he was about to hop in, his phone rang. 

"Dad, Dad, Dad, it's Charles." Jean, the youngest sister of Charles, informed her father.