A VISITOR

The scent of antiseptic and the sterile whiteness of the hospital room surrounded Clara as she lay in the hospital emergency ward, her head still hurting in much pain from the fall in the bathtub. Despite her unwillingness to be at the hospital, her family had insisted on taking her to the hospital, their concern evident in their paled facial expressions.

As Clara's mother paced back and forth over her, checking her bandaged forehead for any signs of worsening or bleeding, her brother paced the room, his brow furrowed with worry. But in the middle of the concern of her family, Clara's mind was consumed with questions about how to reach the Company to make them aware of her absence because the hospital was insisting on discharging her after one day 

"I still can't believe I slipped in the bathtub," Clara muttered, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Her mother's reassuring smile did little to ease the unease persisting at Clara's insides. "Accidents happen, my sweetheart," she said gently, as she rubbed Clara's hands in hers in a gesture of comfort.

Clara sits upright, with a sigh, and lets out a groan in pain. She reached for her phone, the soft glow from her phone screen illuminating the dim room as she scrolled through her contacts

She glanced at the clock on her bedside table, the numbers glow in the dark. It was late past 8:30 pm, far later than she had intended to stay up, but she was having a sleepless night, due to thoughts of missing her second day at the office, causing a nagging sense of unease that gnawed at her insides.

After a moment of scrolling, Clara pressed the call button, her heart rushing in her chest as she waited for Sarah to pick up. The phone rang once, twice, then it finally connected and Clara let out a breath of relief she'd been holding as Sarah's voice filled her ears.

"Clara? Is everything okay?" Sarah's voice was thick as though she was working, but there was a softening edge of concern in her voice that sent a shiver down Clara's spine

"I... I don't know," Clara admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I had an accident after speaking to you. I slipped in the bathtub and fell against the tub edge and hit my head."

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line, followed by a series of worried questions from Sarah. Clara tried to answer as best she could, her words tumbling out in a jumble of confusion and fear

"I'm fine," Clara reassured Sarah, though the uncertainty in her own voice belied her words. "But I'm worried about my job, it'll be my second day at the office but the hospital doesn't discharge me till tomorrow" 

Sarah was silent for a moment, processing what Clara said and steading her breath. "what do you want me to do girl ?" she asked finally, her voice soft with concern.

Clara hesitated, thinking of what Sarah could actually do to help her not lose her job by tomorrow morning by informing the company by any means of her health condition. she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest

"Mr. Matthew's pa usually works late, you could go to the company's building and see her or ask the security man for her number so we could reach and give her a call " Clara said, unsure of how positive her idea was going yield, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Please."

 ...............…

 Clara waited for Sarah to respond, she was biting her lip eager to know if Sarah thought of her idea as brilliant, after each minute stretched agonizing slow, Sarah said," I'm about to book a Ubert send me the company's address or Would you want me to run miles for you ?? 

Clara let a light laugh, making her feel hopeful and relieved that she was going to keep her job. Sarah received the Company's address and immediately her Uber was 2 minutes away, she asked her colleagues to cover for her she'd be right back. 

Sarah arrived and admired how big the company's building was, and texted Clara she was at the company and walking in ...… 

 .................

Clara paced the length of her room, her thoughts spinning in circles as she tried to make sense of the event likely to occur this evening with Sarah going to her workplace. the minutes stretched into eternity, each one ticking by with agonizing slowness, Clara was waiting by her phone for a text from Sarah 

Sarah walked into the company building and found no security at the entrance, She walked her way Upstairs hoping to see Mary the pa. She saw a low dim light in an office right ahead of her and proceeded toward it. "Knock Knock".

Mr. Matthew surprised raised his head up from the documents in front of him, as he watched the door open slowly, meeting an unfamiliar face at the door, His heightened by fear, "Who are you and what are you doing here" Mr.Mathhew asked

Sarah replies in admiration to the Charismatic Man" I'm looking for Mary the PA, I have a message about one of the staff Clara". instantly Mr. Matthew asks, "What is wrong with Clara"? 

"Clara got into a home accident, and she's hospitalized, she would personally want to be at work tomorrow if it was up to her, but the hospital insisted she's watched for a day, as she sustained a blood injury, please she loves her job…." 

Sarah was Explaining with so much affection in her tone and Mr. Matthew interrupted her, feeling so uneasy he asked, " Where is Clara? What hospital is she at? " 

Sarah gave Mr. Matthew details about the hospital Clara was admitted to, and Mr. Matthew left everything he was reviewing rushing out of His office with Sarah leading the way, Mr Matthew's Driver pulled up in front of the company with Matthew's Urus, Revuelto, Huracan EVO a car worth over $245,000. 

Clara was feeling a sense of helplessness wash over her, the fear of the unknown threatening to inflict more pain on her. She felt so impatient like a shadow of unseen dangers lurked ahead of her 

When the doorbell finally rang, Clara jumped, her heart racing with a mixture of relief and anxiety. She hurried to answer it, throwing open the door to reveal Sarah's concerned face 

"Clara," Sarah breathed, her eyes widening in shock as she took in the sight of her friend's pale face and bloodied forehead. "What happened, are you in pain? sorry"

As Clara was washing away the unsettling events of the evening, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching the hospital room. Turning her head, she saw a figure standing in the doorway, their features reflected by the harsh hospital fluorescent light

 ..................…..

"Clara? Are you okay?"

The voice was familiar, but Clara's mind struggled to place it to a face immediately as she was easing her mind off anxious emotions. As the figure stepped into the room, Clara's breath caught in her throat.

It was Mr. Mathew.