20 Chapter 20

The doctor returned later that evening just as he mentioned he would do. He asked me some questions, and he constantly asked how I felt. He rounded the check-up in a matter of time. He informed he would be checking up on me twice a week, beginning from Sunday-tomorrow. The doctor also didn't leave that evening until I had dinner. After dinner, he gave me some pills, and not long after that, I fell asleep.

I didn't know how long I had slept, but it was cut short due to a phone call.

I reached for my phone and held it to my ear.

"Hello" I said in faint voice

"Elena hi" a male voice responded.

I pulled the phone from my ear just to see who I was speaking with. It was Arthur.

Why was he calling me now?

I looked at the time and it was 2am

"Arthur" I called still in a faint voice.

"Yes, did I disturb your sleep?" he asked

"Yeah" I answered

"I'm so sorry for that. I just wanted to hear your voice. I have been calling, but you've been declining each call. Is something wrong?" he said with a concerned voice.

"Oh no....I was at the hospital." I said

"Oh dear! What happened?" he asked

"It's a long story."

I noticed he had been whispering ever since the beginning of our call.

Curious, I asked "Why are you whispering?"

"I'm at a friends place, and I don't want to wake him up." "Would you be free for lunch tomorrow?" he asked

"I can't leave the house Arthur. My brothers won't agree to that." I answered

"Alright, I'll come see you instead. Just let me know when your brothers aren't home okay." he said

"Alright...goodnight now...I'm really tired" I said

"Sweet dreams love" he said and the call ended.

I woke up to the sound of a car horn. It seemed the car was driving out.

I heard Rodrigo and Diego's voices.

They were talking about what vehicle they were going to use, and who would drive it.

I got out of bed and crossed over to my window. Rodrigo, Jana, and the children were dressed in matching outfits. Diego stood out amongst them. He was dressed formally.

Just then I remembered it was Sunday and they were all off to church.

I watched Jana lock the door to the house from the outside, and place the key under the foot mat.

Normally, they would leave with it, unless someone they fully trust would stop by later. And that someone would need to come inside the house.

Rodrigo and his family got into Rodrigo's car, while Diego got in his; which looked smaller and faster than Rodrigo's car.

Not long after their departure, I went down to the kitchen. I wondered if Jana had left me something to eat.

I felt tired and weak that morning, but I could manage to move about.

I saw a note on the dining table which said ELENA PLEASE READ, in capitalized letters.

I picked it up and turned it over to read.

Elena dear,

It's Rodrigo. Hope you slept well? I bet you're wondering where everyone is, well we are all at church. Lorenzo would be with you soon, but he would be delayed because I told him to get some of your pills. He already left for the first service this morning, and he would stay with you till we return.

My wife- Jana, already prepared breakfast for you. It's inside the basket next to this note. Your pills are inside as well. Please do take them and eat. We would return soon dear, take care of yourself. Oh...and if you need anything. Text Lorenzo or Diego. They would both respond to you immediately.

Don't let anyone else into the house except Lorenzo or Diego, till I return.

Love...Rodrigo

I put the note aside and I opened the basket that was next it it. There was a flask containing hot water, three wrapped Turkey sandwiches, two fingers of banana, a half filled orange juice bottle, and my pills wrapped in a tissue.

I returned to my room with the basket. I had my bath first before I began to eat. I ate the first two sandwiches and I washed it down with some orange juice, before I took my pills.

I had a feeling the pills the doctor prescribed were for me to relax. I always felt sleepy whenever I took them.

I lay down to sleep again and probably get up later to watch some TV.

"Elena...Elena" someone called at the same time rocking me.

I opened my eyes, and to my surprise, I found Arthur looming over me. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"Arthur" I called softly at the same time rubbing my sleepy eyes. "How did you get in?" I asked

"The back door was open" he said

That was odd, Jana never left the back door open whenever she's leaving the house, even if we were all home.

"Which back door?" I asked

"The one that leads to the kitchen" he answered.

Gosh! his breathe smelled like alcohol.

"Are you drunk?" I suddenly asked

"No-no-no" he began to say.

He moved aside and sat next to me. "I'm just tired. I was up all night though, I just couldn't fall asleep. I have something big planned, and I'm still trying to implement it safely." He placed his finger just below his nose, and I think he sniffed something.

He shook his head and hit it with his hands repeatedly.

"Arthur...what's up with you?" I asked

I began to adjust, just to maintain a distance from him, but he pulled me back.

"Come on Elena, where are you off too? I just got her. By the way, do you have some water nearby, I'm really thirsty"

"Yeah...it's by the table." I said pointing at its direction.

He got up from my bed, and he crossed over to the table. I looked around for my phone, but it was nowhere to be found.

"Looking for this?" Arthur asked in a sinister tone. He had my phone in his hand, and he held it out.

"Can I have my phone please" I said

I tried to remain calm and not show any sign of fear. I didn't have the strength to run or scream for help.

"Why?" "Do you want to report me to your brothers?" he asked

"No Arthur" I answered

"Then why are you requesting for it?"

"I just know where it was." I answered

Arthur stared at me for some time, and before I knew it, he was unbuckling his belt.

I tried to get out of bed to run, but he grabbed my hair and yanked me back, then he climbed on top of me.

He leaned closer. His breathe was hot and it still smelled like alcohol.

"Relax, it's not what you're thinking." "I really have missed you. It's been 8 years you know. You're more prettier and vulnerable than the last time I saw you." he said

"Arthur...please...get of me" I pleaded.

I tried to struggle free, but he had me perfectly pinned to the bed.

"Gosh, I missed you" he said

"Arthur you're drunk. You're not yourself right now. Snap out of it."

Arthur leaned closer, and he sniffed me- weird, but scary.

"You smell good" he whispered into my ear. "I wonder if you taste as good as you smell."

"Arthur stop!" I yelled

I tried to push him, but he over powered me. "Please Arthur" I pleaded.

Arthur disgustingly licked my ear and the side of my face. "Hmm...you do taste good"

"Help!" I cried hysterically, but my voice didn't seem to pass my room.

"No one is home remember" he said

Arthur traced his hand down my thighs, and I began to tremble. I was scared, and my heart started to beat like it wanted to escape from my chest.

For once, I wished Lorenzo or my brothers were home.

"Arthur...please...stop" I said in a quavering voice.

Slowly, he lifted my top. "Don't worry, I promise not to hurt you. I loved you, and I still love you" he said looking into my eyes.

He bent his head down, and he began to kiss and suck my neck. He also traced his lips to my stomach, and he kissed it repeatedly.

"Arthur....I beg of you to please stop..." I said in a quavering voice. I tried to free myself from his grip, but he only held my hands tighter.

"GET THE HELL OF MY SISTER YOU PERVERT!" a voice yelled from behind Arthur, and before I knew it, Arthur was off me.

****************************

"Hello, is this MR. Rodrigo Cortrz?" an elderly voice asked.

"Yes" "With whom am I speaking with please" Rodrigo answered

"Pardo me, I honestly don't know if you've gotten to church or you're in the middle of service, but I'm your next door neighbor. I was instructed to keep an eye on your house." the caller informed

"MRS Hart?" Rodrigo suddenly said

"Yes" she responded

"Is there a problem?"

"Yes." "I was busy watering my flowers and I couldn't help but notice a young man dressed in black break into your house. He went to your backyard, and since its fenced around there, I couldn't see what he was doing. And if I'm not mistaken, you told me your younger sister- Elena us alone in her room."

*Damn it- Rodrigo cursed internally*

"Thank you MRS Hart. I'm on my way" Rodrigo said and he ended the call

"What's wrong dear?" Jana asked concerned

"I think Elena might be in danger" Rodrigo answered

Rodrigo immediately stopped his car along the road side, and he stepped out.

He walked towards Diego's car which stopped when Rodrigo stopped his.

"Diego, I need to borrow your car, yours is faster than mine. Please drive my family safely to church with mine."

"Sure no problem, but what seems to be the matter?" Diego asked concerned

"It's urgent and I'll explain later." Rodrigo said

Immediately, they both exchanged car keys and got into the respected vehicles.

"Mummy, what's wrong? isn't daddy coming to church anymore?" Mia asked

"Nothing is wrong dear, daddy just has something really urgent to attend to."

Rodrigo took off immediately without further delay, and had disappeared into a distance before Diego took off.

Rodrigo took out his phone and he phoned Lorenzo.

"Hey what's up" Lorenzo said answering the phone

"Where are you?" Eodrigo asked instantly

"I'm looking for the pills you told me to get on my way to your place. I've tried about two pharmacies now, this is the..." Rodrigo suddenly cut Lorenzo off

"Leave whatever you're doing and head to my house this instant" Rodrigo said with a firm voice "I have a feeling Elena might be in danger."

Immediately, Lorenzo ran out of the pharmacy and into his car.

******************************

I bent my knees to my chest, and wrapped my hands around my face, and continued sobbing.

"Elena, are you alright?" a masculine voice asked softly

I looked up to find Lorenzo with a concerned look on his face.

I suddenly grabbed him by his shirt, and I pulled him closer. I buried my face in his chest, and i cried some more.

"It's alright, it's all over now" he whispered. He wrapped his arms around me to console me.

"Where is Arthur?" I asked in a quavering voice

"Rodrigo took care of him" Lorenzo answered

"I thought he was in church" I said

"He was on his way actually, they were delayed by traffic though. But he returned as soon as he heard you were in danger." Lorenzo explained

"But how?" I asked

How did Rodrigo know I needed help that moment?

"I believe he would explain that better" Lorenzo said

Just then I heard police sirens right outside the house.

"Who called the police?" I asked

"I did" "Rodrigo instructed me to phone the police before I arrived" Lorenzo answered

"Elena!" "Are you Alright?" Rodrigo asked rushing into my room. "Did he harm you? Where did he touch you? Come closer, let me check you..." Rodrigo said concerned. Rodrigo immediately claimed onto my bed and he searched me for wounds or bruises. "...I'm so sorry for leaving g you all by yourself. Diego objected to the idea, but since Lorenzo was already on his way, I instructed Diego to come with us to church" Rodrigo said apologetically

"It's alright" "The most important thing is that you and Lorenzo arrived right on time, and I'm safe. Thank you" I said and Rodrigo pulled me in for a dutiful kiss on my forehead.

"By the way, how did you know I was in danger?" I asked

"I told MRS Hart to keep an eye on the house, just because you were home alone." Rodrigo answered "I told her if she called, and I didn't respond, she should call the police immediately"

If it weren't for my brother- Rodrigo, and Lorenzo, and also MRS Hart who alerted Rodrigo, who knows what would have happened to me.

(*****************)

Hey guys:)

I hope you're all enjoying the story, trust me, there's still a lot more exciting and intriguing scenes to come.

I want to sincerely apologise for my late updates, which really is unlike me.

I have been busy with school and some other personal issues.

I want to thank you all for been patient with me, and also reading the book this far.

I also want to thank you for your support and encouraging words, and the love you all have shown me. From the depths of my heart, love you all.

Do take good care of yourselves, and stay safe....

....Cheers