Chapter 18 Car Accident
One day, as Jennifer left work, she saw Aria waiting outside, her smile as radiant as ever. "Hey, I heard your studio doesn't let employees take private orders. Did you turn me down because you were worried your boss would find out?"
Jennifer quickly pulled her aside, her face serious. "Ms. Clark, if you knew that, you shouldn't be talking about it here." She kept her side gigs a secret from her colleagues, and if she got caught, she could get fired.
Aria quickly covered her mouth. "Sorry! I didn't know where else to find you. Declan wouldn't give me your address."
Jennifer checked her watch; her cab was about to arrive. "Ms. Clark, I've got somewhere to be and I can't be late." She started walking briskly, but Aria followed her, seemingly not getting the hint. When Jennifer got into the cab, Aria hopped in too.
Jennifer sighed, exasperated. "Aria, I'm heading to a part-time job. Are you planning to tag along?"
Aria grinned. "Is it the Celestial Garden Hotel? I haven't had dinner yet, so I'll just eat there. Plus, we can talk about the jewelry design. Declan says you've got amazing taste. Maybe you can help me pick out a dress too?"
Jennifer took a deep breath. "Aria, I haven't agreed to your request." Normally patient, she was struggling to deal with Aria. Eugene had put David in the hospital, and her house was seized; she couldn't be friends with his current girlfriend.
Aria looked confused. "I already apologized. Why don't you like me? I'm just going there for dinner too. Are you gonna kick out a customer?"
Jennifer was at a loss for words. Aria was probably used to getting her way and wasn't being reasonable. She turned to look out the window. They were already on the highway, and the setting sun painted the sky a deep red.
Aria was on the phone with Eugene. "Eugene, let's have dinner at the Celestial Garden Hotel. Yeah, I suddenly crave their Wellington steak."
Jennifer's face went pale. "Eugene's coming too?"
"Of course. He always has dinner with me unless he's working late." Aria's tone was cheerful. She raised her voice to ask the driver, "How long until we get there?"
The driver replied, "We'll exit the highway at the next junction, then about ten more minutes."
Aria relayed the traffic info to Eugene and urged him to book a table quickly. Eugene thought he heard a familiar voice on the other end but didn't dare ask.
Just then, a large truck swerved into their lane, narrowly missing their car. The driver quickly turned the wheel left and slammed on the brakes, honking in frustration. "These truck drivers are so reckless, thinking they own the road because their vehicles are big. This one didn't even signal before overtaking, almost killed us."
Aria, who was sweet-talking Eugene, was jolted and bumped her head on Jennifer's shoulder. She snapped, "Do you even know how to drive?"
The driver quickly apologized. "Sorry, ma'am, it was the truck in front. It's driving all over the place. The driver might be drunk." He was scared and eased off the gas.
A loud crash followed as the large truck collided with a tanker at the intersection, bursting into flames. Everything happened in slow motion—the explosion, screeching brakes, and screams. Jennifer and Aria's car couldn't avoid the pile-up and crashed into the car ahead, with another car hitting them from behind. Jennifer's body slammed against the seat, and she lost consciousness. Aria's phone flew out of her hand as she cried out, "Eugene, come save me!"
The chain-reaction crash caused an explosion, and cars in the distance stopped. People called for help and emergency services. Only two blocks away, Eugene heard Aria's screams before the call dropped. Then, the car radio blared, "A severe accident has occurred at the intersection of Crimson Avenue and 4th Street. Please avoid the area."
Eugene's heart raced. Aria couldn't get hurt! She was his ticket to a better life. Without the Clark family's support, he wouldn't be where he was. He quickly navigated to the intersection. Aria's phone was unreachable; she must have been in the crash. He hoped her injuries weren't too serious. If she was badly hurt on their date, her parents might blame him.
Soon, Eugene arrived at the scene. Seeing the flames, he hesitated. Aria was important, but not more than his own life. He parked at a safe distance and cautiously approached. If Aria was on the outskirts, he could heroically save her. If she was at the center, it wasn't his fault. Following her phone's location, he found her slumped against the car window, bleeding from her forehead. Next to her was Jennifer, who was pale but uninjured. He opened the door and gently called, "Aria, can you hear me?"
Aria woke up, saw him, and cried, "Eugene, you really came! I'm bleeding, it hurts."
Eugene carefully lifted her out. Her leg was cut and bleeding, and she had many scrapes, looking quite miserable. The movement made Jennifer slowly open her eyes. She groaned in pain and saw Eugene cradling Aria. She tried to crawl out but was in too much pain. Jennifer looked at Eugene with a pleading gaze. Aria noticed and softly asked, "Jennifer's hurt too. Should we help her?"
Eugene glanced at Jennifer but coldly said to Aria, "Your safety is more important. I'll take you to the hospital first. I can't worry about anyone else." He adjusted his hold on Aria. "Aren't your injuries painful? Don't worry about others."
Aria buried her head in his chest. "It hurts! Be gentle, take me to the hospital!" As they left, Eugene thought, 'Jennifer, don't blame me. Blame yourself for not having Aria's family background.'
Jennifer watched his heartless back, feeling colder and colder.