Chapter 37: A TEXT MESSAGE

I don't know how long I have been sitting on top of my bed, staring at my phone as I waited for Albert's call. 

I stare at my phone without a break. Even when Anna called me back, I ignored her calls, as it wasn't the call I was expecting.

The day went out, and the night came. I was already exhausted from not having anything to eat all day. It felt like the baby was beginning to eat my intestine and every other organ in my stomach.

I knew I had to eat to regain my strength and also for the baby, so I ordered room service. When the food came, I devoured it like I had been starving for years, and when I finally felt satisfied, I started having the urge to purge.

It was like the food didn't sit well with me. I tried holding it in but couldn't. I rushed to the bathroom, where I vomited everything I ate into the toilet. That left me even weaker than I was.

Sitting on the bathroom floor, I tried to regain my strength. I wasn't breathing properly, and I couldn't stand on my own.

I managed to crawl my way back to the bedroom as I closed my eyes to get some rest, but it was like the baby was running around inside me, and that left me in more pain.

I was restless. I tried to steady my breath, but it wasn't working. Every breath that I take comes out heavy and shallow. 

When I heard the buzzing of my phone, I reached out to grab it from the table, but I was too weak. The room was being spun as everything became double in my eyes. 

My eyes became heavy as I struggled to keep them open. When I finally reached my phone, I saw an unknown caller ID, and I picked it up with the last strength I had before I felt myself drifting away.

Xender's POV

“Hello, Alda, can you hear me?”

“Albert, Albert, is that you? Please, you need to find me." From the way she sounded, I could tell everything wasn't alright with her.

"Alda, where are you?” I asked, but I got silence as an answer.

"Alda, say some to me!” She wasn't responding. I panicked. Where am I supposed to find her? I grabbed my car keys immediately and rushed outside.

“Where are you going?” Charles asked.

“I need to find her. Can you track a phone number?”

“Yes, but what is going on with you lately?”

“I don't have much time to explain; let's go,” I said to Charles, who followed me to my car immediately as we drove off.

Charles was able to track Alda’s phone number down to a hotel in town. Immediately after I drove in, I left the car for Charles to pack while I rushed in to meet the receptionist.

“I'm looking for one, Miss Barnard; she booked a room here this morning or afternoon; please check.”

“I'm sorry, sir, but do you have an appointment with her?”

"No, but I think she might have passed out in her room; we need to check on her.”

“I'm sorry, sir, but I will have to ask you to leave. You can't come in here and make up some stories about our customers.”

“Does this face look like someone who is making things up? If anything happens to her, I will be holding this hotel responsible for it.” I barked at her in anger. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again, and just then Charles joined us.

“This way, gentlemen, you better be telling the truth, or I'm calling the cops on you.” She said that and led us to the second floor, room 56.

She rang the doorbell, which left me surprised. Is this lady really kidding me?

“I told you she might have passed out; please tell me you came with a spare key.”

“I did, but I was just trying to confirm.” She replied before she opened the door. I rushed in immediately and found Alda passed out on her bed.

“Oh my god, should I call 911?” The receptionist asked in panic.

“Not yet; we need to know how serious her situation is before considering doing that.” 

“Is she breathing?” Charles asked.

“Yes. Alda, open your eyes. She is awake but weak; try calling Mike and see if he will pick up.” I told Charles.

“What should I do?” The receptionist asked.

“Can you ask or check if there is a doctor lodging in at the moment? We need someone with medical experience here.”

“That I can do,” she said, and she left.

“Alda, can you hear me?” I called out for her, but she opened her eyes weakly and stared at me.

“Xender?”

"Yes, it's me; don't worry, we will get help soon.”

“I don't want to go to the hospital; please don't take me there,” she pleaded with me.

“I'm not taking you there. Charles, were you able to get Mike on the line?” I asked before pushing Alda up as I supported her weak body with mine.

“No, he is not taking his calls.”

“Damn it, not now,” I cursed out. Alda was beginning to shiver in my hands.

“I found a doctor.” The receptionist said as she walked in with an elderly man following behind her.

"Sir, please help her; she is pregnant.” I said it in a panic.

“Lay her back on the bed. You should have called 911; what if her situation was serious?” The man said it in a calm voice before he began tending to Alda.

A few minutes later, he was done. He packed up his bag before turning towards us.

“She is fine, and so is her baby. She just needs to rest, and she also needs good food with lots of vitamins.” The man said,.

“Thank you so much, sir.”

“Why didn't you do your work as her husband? You should have stayed by her side," the man said, looking angry at me.

“I'm sorry. I will keep a closer eye on her from now on.”

“Hmm, you better do; now I need to get back to my room and get some sleep.” He said that and left. The receptionist walked up to Charles and me and said,

“I don't think it is a good idea to leave her alone. Thank you both for coming for her rescue.”

“I think we should be the ones thanking you for your help. Thank you.”

“It's nothing. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me. I thanked her as she left.” Immediately after she left, I sighed out. Charles has been standing across the room, observing the events that have been going on.

"Okay, I think it's high time you said something to me. What is going on? Isn't she the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Barnard?”

I looked away from him, avoiding his question. Even I cannot bring myself to narrate everything to Charles.

“Let's talk later, Charles; today and yesterday have been the worst days of my life. I need you to go get her some fruit and an energy boost; she will need it. I will go order some food for her.” I said to him, I was glad when he didn't argue the issue with me.

I need a break, or I will just go crazy. I sat besides Alda and took her hand as I stared at her sleeping face.

“Please stay strong; you must overcome all these obstacles.” I said to her in a whisper.

Alda's POV

When I opened my eyes, I felt my head trembling in pain. I was still in my motel room. I tried pushing myself up in a sitting position, but it was impossible for me. I was too weak to do anything.

I heard footsteps approaching my room, and I panicked. I don't remember letting anyone in. I pushed myself up and reached out, grabbing the bed light, ready to attack whoever entered my room.

But my hands went weak when the door was pushed open, and I saw Xender standing at the door with a tray in his hand. So he really followed me here; I thought it was a dream.

"Alda, what are you doing with the bed light?” He asked as he rushed towards me, taking the light away from me.

“What are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay away from me,” I asked him as I tried to hide the tears that were threatening to fall down my face.

I'm not going anywhere until you are okay. I let you off the last time, but see where that ended up. I'm not trying such again.” He said that and dropped the tray besides me before helping me sit more comfortably by placing a pillow behind me to support me.

I looked at him and noticed the frown sitting on his face. He looked tired; did I stress him out? Why does he care if I'm fine or not?

“Have this; it's an energy boaster; it will help you regain your strength.” He said. He gave me a glass containing a liquid, which I assumed to be the energy boaster. I stared at the drink for a while before taking it from him.

I placed it on my lips, taking a sip. The sweet taste warned my mouth, and I drank the rest, giving Xender back the glass.

“Good, now it's remaining this?” Xender said he placed the tray in front of me before he took the cover away. Inside the tray were foods and fruit. I stared at it blankly.

“I need you to eat; you need your strength, and you can't get it without eating. Here, hold on to this; let me get you a bottle of water.” Xender said that and left the room.

I didn't have the appetite to eat anything, so I just stared at the food. My phone started buzzing besides me as I took it, checking who it was, but it wasn't a call. 

It was a test message from an unknown person.

The message said...

"Alda I'm sorry I can't call you, but I know you already know what happened to your parents. Alda I didn't do it; I will never hurt your parents. I was flamed by the person who killed your parents.

I know you must have a million questions running through your mind, but I want you to meet up with me alone. We can't risk the police trailing you to me. I will be waiting for you in the practice room of your company.”

I nearly dropped the tray of food as I managed to push myself out of bed. I need to meet Albert. I need to go now. But I didn't even make it to the door before falling frat on my face.