Chapter Sixty - two

Aunt Mary was driving down to a supermarket. She got to the major road and saw the long trail of vehicles. People gathered in different areas. 

" What going on there? " Aunt Mary asked.

Alma squinted her eyebrows to make out from a distant, what was happening. 

" I think a car broke down. " Alma answered her. 

Aunt Mary was indeed impatient as she had other places to go to after shopping. So, she diverted to another road that also led to the supermarket. While they moved, Aunt Mary noticed a black vehicle coming behind them. She drove to the left part of the road and maintained the position, but, the car slowed down. Alma looked at the rearview mirror and saw the car coming closer to them.

" This car usually stays behind me most time on the road. " Aunt Mary said to Alma.

Alma's heart skipped, same as Aunt Mary, when she noticed the suspicious movement. Aunt Mary quickly stepped on the accelerator and sped off. Her actions told that she felt suspicious movements around. So, her opponents gave her a hot chase. Unfortunately for Aunt Mary, another vehicle from the front ran into her ( Aunt Mary's ) vehicle and they collided. Immediately, two men came out of the vehicle, and rushed towards the vehicle from behind. Next thing, they got into the car and sped off, leaving the others in the accident scene. 

Soon, people began to gather. Someone called the ambulance, rescue mission and alerted the press about the scene. Not long after that, the three different groups arrived and they swarmed into action at the accident scene. The reporters kept on clicking their cameras. Each wanted to get a solid information to take back to their companies.They were also asking people around,a lot of questions.

The rescue mission, brought out the two accident victims who were soaked in blood and had lost consciousness. They placed them on the stretcher and wheeled them to the ambulance.

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SMITHS RESIDENCE

Sofia was dining with Albert when she received a phone call. She looked at the unknown number flashing on the screen. She then pressed on the receiver's button.

" Hello. " Sofia said to the person at the other end of the line. 

" Am I speaking with Mary's niece? " The voice asked again and Sofia affirmed that. She began listening to the person as he introduced himself and gave her a shocking news.

" What! " Sofia screamed in shock of what she heard. " Please where is she now? " Sofia asked in tears. The man gave her the directions to the hospital, where Aunt Mary was admitted.

Sofia let her phone fall off her hand and she fell backwards but was caught by Albert. 

" What is it Sofia? " Albert queried her.

Sofia couldn't bear it , she broke down in tears, ignoring Albert. Albert hugged her to his embrace and started patting her back in consolation. Sofia later on, managed to force out few words regarding Aunt Mary. Albert understood that something bad had happened to Sofia's Aunt but he didn't know what.

" Let's go. " Albert said and he gently took her outside the room. Sofia typed some words on her phone and gave it to Albert because she couldn't speak , due to emotions. Albert held Sofia's waist and crossed her hand across his back, making her lean more to him. Eva and John rushed to meet the two of them. 

" The car, the car! " Albert yelled and the both of them, rushed to get the car key. 

They got it and rushed off to the garage and got the car ready. Albert asked John to hand him the car keys which he did. Sofia, and Eva sat at the back seat while John sat on the passenger seat.

Albert drove hurriedly to Life Saving Hospital. 

When they got there, they went straight to meet the receptionist and identified who they were. The receptionist was amazed to have the most handsome and the richest of all in the hospital, including all the beauties with him. The receptionist took them to the emergency ward without formal procedures.

Doctors and nurses surrounded the patients in the ward. Albert entered the ward and didn't allow anyone else to follow him. The sight of the accident victims were terrifying. 

" Please Doctor, how are they? " Albert asked in fear.

" Both of them sustained internal injures and had lost consciousness. The woman particularly sustained internal injury in her head. What we should be talking about is how to bring them to consciousness. I can assure you that the young lady will survive but, i can't really tell the fate of the woman. " The doctor said to Albert. 

Albert pleaded that the casualties be transferred to a private ward for special treatment. Albert deposited some bills to the accounting department before that was considered. 

While he was walking around to ensure he was given the permission, Sofia was with John and Eva crying. She only wanted to see her aunt but was ignored by Albert. A glint of hope lit in her heart immediately the ward was opened but she was shocked to the marrow when she saw one of Aunt Mary's maid whom she was very familiar with, being wheeled to another ward with a stretcher. Sofia struggled to be free from John and Eva's grip, that they became confused on what to do. Luckily for them, Albert arrived and took over. He held Sofia into his embrace as another casualty was wheeled out of the ward. The casualty was badly disfigured but Sofia was able to identify her. 

" Aunt Mary! " Sofia screamed with eyes bugged out. She was about to pursue the nurses but was held back by Albert. Albert hugged her so tight till the casualty was wheeled into another ward.

" It's okay. " Albert consoled and kissed her forehead but she remained still. " Sofia. " Albert called. Sofia's eyes was locked and had lost consciousness.

Eva and John ran to meet them and were terrified to see her in that state. Albert carried Sofia to meet a nurse and she was admitted and attended to immediately.

" Doctor. How is she? " Albert asked the doctor that went in to check on Sofia. 

" She'll be fine and needs some rest. " The doctor replied and left the trio. The trio walked into the room and came close to Sofia. Tears plastered on her face and even in an unconscious state, she looked so devasted . 

The nurse in the room gave them some instructions, so that they don't disturb the patient, before she left the room. Albert signaled John to follow him and they left the ward.

" I don't know how to tell this to father. " Albert said to John. He needed some money for the consistent treatment of both Aunt Mary and the other maid whom he knew not. Worse still, they were given special treatment which multiplied the hospital bills.

" Call him first. " John replied.

Albert called his father's line and reported the current situation to his dad. But, Smith took it as a minor case and told him that he had nothing to give before he ( Smith ) ended the call without even allowing Albert to react to what he said.

Albert slumped helplessly on the armchairs at the hospital corridors. 

" Young Master. What did he say? " John asked.

" He's not going to help us. " Albert told him and sighed. They needed to do something. Albert decided to put across a call to Clifford. Clifford was quick to answer his call. Albert told Clifford the urgent situation at hand and Clifford rushed down to the hospital with the directions given to him by Albert. 

Clifford called Albert as soon as he came to the reception. Albert sent John to bring him to the ward and John left immediately as commanded. He came back with Clifford who was sweating with anxiety. 

" Where is she? " Clifford queried Albert as soon as he met him.

" Albert " ...

" Where are they? " Albert corrected him and took him to Sofia's ward. Clifford felt like he was stabbed on the chest when he saw Sofia lying down, unconscious. 

"How's she now? " Clifford asked Albert. 

" The doctor said that she'll be fine. She lost consciousness due to shock. " Albert told Clifford. 

Clifford requested to see Sofia's Aunt and her maid and Albert took him to Aunt Mary's ward. Clifford was shocked to see the maid badly wounded, now with bandages all over her head. They bandages were soaked in blood and was terrifying to the eyes. Next, they moved to Aunt Mary's ward. Clifford realized why Sofia collapsed after seeing her Aunt when he saw her. He could tell that she was in a very critical condition. With all the pipes connected to her body and all the bandages on her body. Also, Aunt Mary's face was badly disfigured. Clifford looked at the woman who was bleeding from her head. Despite the bandage on her head, she kept on bleeding. Aunt Mary was in coma and she was been oxygenated artificially. Clifford felt sorry for Sofia when he saw Aunt Mary.

He sighed deeply as he watched the doctors and nurses trying to stable Aunt Mary's life.

Clifford prayed that she doesn't kick the bucket.  

Clifford left the ward with Albert and returned to the armchairs at the corridor. They were lost for words and were weak to speak.

" How much more is needed? " Clifford asked Albert. 

Albert gave Clifford the details. Clifford was astonished to see the bills. He wasn't expecting that much and felt confused at the instance. He asked Albert how much was left and Clifford told him. He transferred some money to Albert's account and there was more needed for the treatment. 

Meanwhile, Eva sat beside Sofia in the room, praying for quick recovery of her Mistress. While she was thinking about Sofia, she felt a certain movement. She looked at Sofia who blinked her eyes.

" Ma'am. "Eva called with anxiety. Sofia slowly opened her eyes and immediately, Eva screamed with Joy.

Clifford, Albert and John rushed into the room when they heard their voices. Clifford was the first to rush to Sofia and hugged her.

" Albert " ...

" John " ...