Chapter 19: After the Accident

Oh, God... Her head was hurting she couldn't open her eyes and she could barely move her limbs. She had so many blanks. "What happened? Where was I?"

She fought a bit more and managed to crack one eye open. Blinding lights assaulted her eyes and she immediately shut it. She tried again, this time managing to open both eyes. She slowly opened them her pupils adjusting to the lights. She slowly looked around and saw her leg was plastered and raised, the room was empty, there was no sign of life. "Was I in the hospital?" she asked into her mind.

She heard a couple of voices outside passing but no one came in.

She suddenly felt very drowsy and her eyes against her wish started closing again. Just as someone came in. It was the nurse who checked her vital signs.

At the company.

Maddie sat quietly listening to the various pitches his employees were throwing his way in their meeting when his secretary approached him. He'd managed to get himself a nerdy-looking secretary who despite his appearance, was pretty good at his job. This time around he asked the HR department to pick a man as his secretary after what had happened in Thailand.

"Sir, you have a call from X hospital, they refuse to leave a message." his secretary said

"Tell them I'll return it after this meeting." He waved his hand dismissively returning his attention to the presentation.

"But sir-" Maddie threw him a look that made his blood freeze but he was determined to pass on the message. "It's news regarding your wife, sir." He let out in a rush and took a step back waiting for further instructions.

Suddenly everything went quiet for Maddie. His wife? Jiaye? Hospital? He slowly stood up. What was she doing in France? The questions kept piling on.

Absentmindedly he said, "the meeting is adjourned." He flew immediately to France after hearing the news about his wife.

She slowly opened her eyes after the incessant mumbling of the people around her wouldn't stop. She opened her mouth to say something but her throat was so dry, She changed her mind and croaked out, "Water,"

Both of their heads snapped at her and she forced a weak smile. She noticed Jayden in bandages looking at her worried, he immediately rushed over to her side.

"I'm so sorry, Jiaye. I don't mean for any of this to happen."

One of his eyes was patched up, he had bandages around his forehead and a sling around his arm. Otherwise either the clothes were hiding the bruises pretty well or he was okay.

He handed her the water and helped her sit up then carefully placed the glass on her mouth helping her drink. The warm water soothed her aching throat and she was finally able to let out a few words. He gently placed her back on the pillows then stood back.

"What the hell happened to you? You look like shit." She said in a light tone trying to clear the heavy air that was hanging in the room. It only brought a semblance of a smile to his face.

The doctor stepped forward before he could reply and softly asked,

"What's the last thing you remember?" his face was etched in concern. He means he knew things were pretty bad since she was in hospital but... It all just seemed too much.

"Well..." She tried recalling what happened then she suddenly remembered. A wry smile formed on her face. "Jayden and I were throwing a little party." She wagged her eyebrows suggestive at Jayden before continuing, "to celebrate completing our degree. Were you the one driving?" Looked at him mock furious but honestly just glad that she was done with the campus.

"Well, what are you going to do now?" Jayden prompted urgently.

"I thought we already talked about this!" She told him groaning as she closed her eyes.

"Come on Jiaye just remind me."

"Well, I don't know yet. I'll probably still be the life of the party. Then after I've had my fill, I'll relocate to a different city where we have a branch and takeover."

She finally looked at the expression on the doctors and Jayden's faces and they were both so downcast.

" Look, I know its not the best plan but it's something, right?" She looked over from one to another waiting for some kind of response.

" That's a great idea. At least you have your life planned out. Jayden said and added a weak laugh.

"Anyway Mrs. Ji- Ms. Jiaye, you were involved in a car accident, you sustained minor physical injuries but there was a lot of internal bleeding, we barely managed to save you. A couple broke ribs, some fractured bones, but so far you're in no danger. You are now stable. If all goes well, you should be discharged in a week, 2 tops. I'll leave you two be." the doctor did a slight bow then walked out.

"Not so bad, right?" She tried for the humor again with Jayden. He came round and sat beside her bed. He ruffled her hair a bit then smiled.

"Jaiye!" She turned to the door wondering who it was that thought she was not only incapacitated but deaf too. A man dressed in a smart business suit and looked like sex on legs stood by the door shocked. His hair seemed ruffled like he'd been running his hands in it over and over again. She could practically smell money off this guy. Damn he incredibly handsome to be exact.

"Who's asking?" She threw back at him trying for a smile.

He gave her a puzzled look that didn't quite fit him then stepped in.

"What happened to you?" he increased his speed until he was standing right beside her not acknowledging Jayden's presence at all. He softly runs his thumb across her face and slowly looked at her from top to bottom.

"Look, sir," She emphasized the sir especially, I appreciate all the affection but who in the name of all that's good in this world are you? Who the fuck are you??" Jaiye asked directly to him.