Chapter 40 - Arkham

The dimly lit corridor echoed with the hollow sounds of our hurried footsteps as Nicholas and I approached the reception of the mental institution. We had been driving for hours and we finally reached Arkham City. The mental institution was just around the outskirts of the   City. My heart pounded in sync with each step, anxiety coiling in the pit of my stomach. We had barely made any stops, or even had any rest, we just went straight to the mental institution. It was called Arkham city asylum.

But every step I took as I walked closer to the lobby made my chest heaven with anxiety. I couldn't want to see my uncle. He was all I could think of when I was on the trip. All I could wonder about. What he was like?

Why my father never told me about him. What he had to do with the deadly secret that my father was hiding.

"Excuse me, we're here to see Mr Brett Fontana," I said, my voice betraying the unease within. The receptionist, eyes glued to her computer screen, glanced up with an indifferent expression.

"And what is your relationship with the patient?"

She asked and I looked at Nicholas as I replied.

"I'm his niece. Cleopatra Fontana."

The receptionist scoffed. Then she looked at her computer and said quickly shook her head.

"Sorry, Mr Brett Fontana isn't allowed visitors at this time," she monotoned.

"Why?! He is my uncle, and I haven't seen him in years. There has to be some sort mistake somewhere," I pleaded, desperation leaking into my words. Nicholas, standing by my side, placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

The receptionist shrugged.

"I'm just following orders ma’am. There's nothing I can do about that.”

"Is there any way we can speak to a doctor? Preferably his doctor?" Nicholas interjected, his calm demeanor in stark contrast to my frantic state.

"No. There is no way. Doctor Sawyer, the doctor in charge of Mr Brett Fontana is currently out of town," the receptionist replied, not bothering to look up this time.

A surge of frustration bubbled within me. "We've just come from a really long way, all the way here and we can't leave without seeing him. There has to be someone else we can talk to!" I insisted, my voice trembling.

Nicholas squeezed my shoulder gently. "Cleo, let me handle this, please. Stay back, I'll  find a solution."

I nodded reluctantly, watching as he approached the receptionist with a composed resolve, I stayed far behind watching the two of them. He engaged in a hushed conversation, his persuasive tone discernible even from a distance. Moments later, he returned with a faint smile.

"I’m sorry Cleo but unfortunately we won't be able to see him today. His doctor is out of town, but they assured me that if we come tomorrow they can get someone else to look into it," Nicholas explained, attempting to reduce my distress.

"Tomorrow? Nicholas, we can't wait till tomorrow. We can't be here for too long, you know we can't leave Alex alone for that long." I exclaimed, my voice rising with panic.

"Cleo, I understand, but we don't have much of a choice. Let's check into a hotel, get some rest, and come back first thing in the morning. We'll figure it out together," Nicholas suggested, his steady gaze anchoring me.

I shook my head, unable to accept the delay. "No, we don't have time for that. There has to be another way. What if we talked to the management? Or someone in charge. I can't just sit back and wait."

Nicholas sighed, his eyes reflecting concern. "Cleo, I promise we'll do everything we can. But for now, let's just leave. We've had a long trip and we're both tired, we should at least get some rest. What do you think?"

As much as I wanted to resist, his words made sense. Reluctantly, I agreed to go with him to the hotel.

..........

The soft hum of tires against pavement echoed in the quiet night as Nicholas pulled into the hotel's parking lot. We got out of the car and I was able to stretch my legs. I was already starting to feel the exhaustion from the long drive. Nicholas gathered our bags and we made our way to the reception desk to check in. We were given a suite for two nights, despite me protesting to Nicholas that we only needed to stay a night. The lobby's hushed atmosphere enveloped us as we navigated through brightly lit corridors to our room.

Once settled in the lavish suite, I turned to Nicholas with a furrowed brow, worried about how we were going to see my uncle. "So, how are we going to see my uncle? Do you think if we go back tomorrow morning we'd get a way to see him? The receptionist mentioned that his doctor is out of town."

Nicholas, my ever the supportive husband, nodded solemnly. "Don't worry about all of that, Cleo. We should be able to talk to his doctor tomorrow, hopefully on the phone. So he can at least grant us access to see your uncle. If that doesn't work we'd talk to someone else."

As I was about to utter a reply, my phone buzzed, and I saw Jace's name flashing on the screen. I excused myself to answer, and Jace's concerned voice flowed through the line. "Hello? I don't mean to bother you, I just wanted to know if everything was okay?"

Appreciating his concern, I reassured him. "It is. We’re in Arkham already. Jace, I'll be fine. Just focus on your task, and don't worry about me. Nicholas and I have it all under control."

I said as I ended the call abruptly.

Returning to the conversation with Nicholas, I wondered why Jace all of a sudden cared about me even more. I wondered if it had to do with everything I told him.

About how I had found Michael cheating on him and how my mother had died. He had grew very protective of me since then. Did he somehow pity me?

Nicholas, observant as always, commented, "Your bodyguard seems really concerned about you, Cleo. He's quite close to you, isn't he?"

I sighed, "Well, he is a bodyguard after all. Isn't he? Just doing his job I guess."

Nicholas leaned in, his gaze intense. "Well I've noticed, Cleo. I think he likes you. And this has nothing to do with him being just a bodyguard."

My cheeks flushed, and I dismissed the idea quickly. "That's impossible. Everything between us is very professional. It's not what you think."

Nicholas chuckled, "Oh you underestimate the signs, Cleo. I've seen the way he looks at you. It's more than just professional concern."

I started chuckling.

"Have you seen Jace? Come on! There's no way he'd like someone like me."

“What do you mean?”

He asked and I shrugged, pointing at my body.

“He looks like the type that used to date the hot skinny high school cheerleaders back in high school.”

I said nervously and Nicholas rushed to my side, he gently touched my hand, “Cleo! How would you even know? Don't be like that at all.”

I shrugged.

“I’m just saying it as it is. Guys like that don’t go fit girls like me. You’re wrong about him liking me in that way.”

“But you’re a very attractive woman, Cleo. I don't know how you don't know after all these years, but I'm going to tell you as many times as you need to hear it."

I shrugged.

Attractive? Well, I wasn't too sure. Maybe he was just being nice since we were married. I was quite aware of some of my pretty features, but even Nicholas couldn't deny that he'd never go for a woman like me if we weren't on the same level.

"Well... I don't know." I murmured as I played with the hem of the sheets.

"Well I'm telling you now. I heard what Alex said earlier today and I know you pretend like stuff like that doesn't get to you but I know it does. Don't let words like that get to you, Alex is only speaking from a place of hatred."

His words lingered in the air, and I felt a warmth spreading within me. "You really think so?"

Nicholas smiled, "Absolutely. Every inch of you is perfect. Since the first day I met you, I've been drawn to you...."

A mixture of surprise and delight flickered in my eyes. "But..."

Nicholas interrupted, "Oh Cleopatra, just trust how I see you. I wish you could see how you look from my eyes so you would know just how much I adore you."

Touched by his words, I couldn't help but smile. As our eyes locked, I felt the inexplicable urge to kiss him. And I did.

I kissed him.