Chapter 59 HE RETURNED
I'm not sure exactly when I fell asleep, but I was awakened by the sound of an ambulance and sirens. I looked around; the CEO and Greg were not in the car. Furthermore, I opened the door and found my building on fire, several injured people on the sidewalk, and the police cordoning off the area.
“What's happening?” I spoke in shock, running towards the flames, being restrained by Patrick, who held me in place.
“It's too late; everything was lost inside.” He explained, keeping his arms around my trembling body.
“It was him!” I looked at the CEO in despair, alarmed, running my hands over my forehead and stepping back, cornered and distressed.
I looked around, searching for any imminent danger, any sign that the damn man was back. Until a pain hit my chest and a strong pressure took over my mind.
“My grandmother...” I whispered, running towards the car we came in.
Patrick ran after me, and when I opened the passenger door, he closed it, restraining me.
“Lis, it was just a gas leak; I told you this building was dangerous!” The CEO emphasized this, staring at me palely.
“I need to make sure my grandmother is safe!” I pulled my arms forcefully, turning towards the vehicle's door.
“Let me drive; you're not in a condition to do so.” Patrick stood behind me protectively. “Elisabeth, I won't let anything bad happen to you...”
“Funny you say that when you didn't even bother to tell me about your ex-wife.” I closed my eyes, opening them again to face the building, some parts still on fire. “No one can protect me from my past.”
I turned around and got into the car. We drove in silence to the nursing home, and as soon as the car stopped, I ran towards the recreation room.
“Mrs. Elisabeth, is everything okay?” The nurse asked while running after me.
Morgan walked, carefully observing around, and Greg, I don't know when, had followed us, with the security guards spreading out in the area.
“What's going on?” The professional looked scared at the men in black suits and turned to me.
“Where is my grandmother?” I spoke loudly, almost in a shout, going from room to room looking for her, feeling a chill down my spine, my hands sweating, and nervousness taking over. “WHERE IS SHE?”
“Please, Mrs. Elisabeth, if you tell me what's going on, maybe I can help...” She began to say, but I grabbed her uniform, pulling her forcefully towards me.
“I want to know where my grandmother is immediately, or I can't be responsible for my actions!” I threatened, and Patrick placed his hands over mine to release the professional, who had wide eyes and was trembling. “And then?”
“Mrs. Eva should be in the recreation room. Have you checked there?” The nurse said it nervously.
“Do you think this is a joke? Do you think I pay you to not be sure where my grandmother, who has Alzheimer's, is?” I pointed my finger at her.
“Elisabeth, enough!” Patrick called my attention, pulling me away from the woman. “You need to calm down.”
“Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?” I glared at him, out of control.
“Your boyfriend!” He replied firmly, without looking away. Before I could object, Greg appeared in the hallway, getting our attention.
“We found her; she's on the rooftop.”
I ran towards the stairs, going up as fast as I could, with Patrick right behind me, instructing Greg to check all the cameras in the area.
I spotted my grandmother in the wheelchair, near the railing, looking at the view. Next to her, there was a bouquet of flowers. I approached, squatting in front of her. She was red, with some spots on her face; she didn't look well.
“Grandma, it's me, Lis... Are you feeling okay?” I called for her attention.
Slowly turning her face towards me, her eyes were filled with tears and widened; she seemed scared. With trembling hands, she brought them to her mouth, trying to contain the sobs that escaped.
“He's going to kill her...” Eva cried, desperate. “The monster is going to get her, and I can't protect my girl...”
I widened my eyes, letting the tears flow. I looked at the table, seeing that the flowers were daisies, to which my grandmother was allergic. Furthermore, I noticed a small note and removed it from the red ribbon, throwing the bouquet over the railing. It was written:
“Hello, my Light... I finally found you. We'll be together soon! P.S.: I liked your new look.”
I knelt, collapsing to the ground. Only one person called me by that nickname, none of it was a coincidence. He was back and already knew everything about me. Once again, I had put my beloved grandmother in danger.
“Grandma, he will never hurt you again.” I whispered, still in tears. Patrick took the note from my hands, read it, and squeezed it tightly.
“Greg?” He shouted. “Boost security and prepare for the transfer.”
“Transfer?” I looked up, surprised, and he looked tense.
“I promised to keep you safe, and I will. You and your grandmother will come with me!” Standing tall, Patrick lifted me from the ground effortlessly, planting a kiss on my forehead. Then he turned to my grandmother, gently stroking the back of her hands. “Send my trusted doctor straight to the mansion; Mrs. Eva needs treatment. Nurse?”
“Yes, Mr. Morgan?” The nurse approached, trembling.
“She's having allergic reactions. Administer the necessary care,” ordered the CEO. “Greg, accompany her, and do not leave this lady's side!”
“Yes, sir!” Greg responded, leaving the scene.
Before they took my grandmother away, I held onto the wheelchair and kneeled in front of her, holding her hands and kissing them in respect, then her forehead.
“I'm sorry for disappointing you so much and for ruining our peaceful lives because of my recklessness... You didn't deserve this.” I bit my lip hard, cutting off what I was going to say, and swallowed the lump in my throat. “I promise I will put an end to this!”
“Lis? My little one? Why are you sad?” Eva spoke sweetly, cupping my face in her hands, as she used to when I was little, and kissing my temples. “You don't need to be afraid of the dark; grandma will always protect you.”
I cried more intensely at her words. She always protected me, always did her best, and gave me everything when I had nothing. At times, this woman got in the middle of my ex and me, protecting me from another beating!
“I love you, grandma...” I kissed her cheeks longingly.
“Can we go? If not, her veins might close.” Greg, assessing my grandma's skin, looked at us. “Please.”
“Of course, I'll go with you...” I sighed as Morgan intertwined our hands.
“Let them take care of her; she'll be fine. We need to talk.” He pulled me into a hug. “You need to breathe and calm down.”