Chapter 19 The Night
Elaine opened her eyes and found herself in the emergency room. She could hear noices and voices outside the curtained cubicle where she was in. They were talking about her and her attacker. Fear crossed her eyes when she remembered what happened.
She felt relief when the curtain opened and Marco peek out. He walked towards her when he saw her awake.
“How do you feel? Are you all right?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Elaine quietly checked herself. She could feel stinging pain from some parts of her body, there were few scratches on her elbow, arms but she was sure the nurses applied first aid on them.
“I’m alright,” she answered as she glance at Marco who could not seem to manage his expression. His face angry and grim staring at his palm covered with bandage. Perhaps the wound came from pot she used to strike Jack hours ago.
“I should not have left you until I was sure your husband was home.”
Elaine opened her mouth to speak, Marco’s regretful words penetrates through her heart. She wanted to say it was not his fault and that she was thankful he made it on time. If only Marco knew how relieved she felt when she him running towards her, anxiously calling her name.
Of course she wished the man who ran to rescue her was her husband but she was sure it was impossible for him to do so. He was in a very important meeting with one of the investors.
She was being ungrateful but truth is even up until now, she was hoping it was Tan who would appear in front of her – as worried as how Marco was feeling.
“Totally not your fault,” she managed to say. “Did you catch… him?” she asked. She could not voice out her attacker’s name.
Marco sighed and lowered his face. “I lost him. I was worried about you so I rushed you to the hospital first. When the police came, Jack had already fled.”
She nodded her head. “Thank you for saving me, Marco.”
“Do you want to eat something?”
“No.”
Marco’s phone rang. He excused himself and answered the call. Elaine watched him and listened; She was sure he was talking to his colleague. Marco was able to request medical certificate and was now only waiting for the result. He said he’ll accompany her to the police precinct to file charges against Jack Gusto.
Elaine was now sure why Marco intentionally stayed with her the whole day. He realized Jack could not be trusted. But Jack waited for the right time and it was her fault. Jack returned because he knew Marco doe s not live with her. She even told him her husband comes home late at night, as if inviting Jack to do something bad to her.
“I’ll go grab us some food,” Marco said after the call.
“What time is it now, Marco?” she asked, remembering Tan.
“Past one. Stay for the night, Elaine. Don’t worry I already called my cousin. She made sure the doors were locked. Let the doctors make a thorough checkup – “
“Thank you, but I’m all right. These were just scratches.”
“You fainted.”
“I just got to scared. I’m really fine. I need to go home.”
Tan will arrive soon or perhaps he was already home. He would be worried sick looking for her.
Elaine smiled bitterly. She realized that last time Tan worried about her was more than 3 years ago. She got out of bed, and was stunned not to find a pair of slippers at the bottom of the bed.
Did she runaway barefooted? She could not remember.
“If you’re worried, let’s just call your husband and ask him to come.”
“Don’t!” she protested too quickly that made Marco’s eyebrows furrowed. “I don’t want him to know. He’s a busy and there were too much on his plate now… I don’t want to worry him.”
Marco let out a sigh of resignation. “I’m quite jealous. Your husband’s lucky,” he said quietly and turned to leave.
“Where are you going?”
“I need to buy you a pair of slippers since I don’t think you’d listen to me and stay here.”
“But…”
“I can carry you all the way to your room but I’m sure your husband would not like it and I doubt if you’ll even let me.”
Her smile was thankful. “Thank you.”
