Despite Mary's continual refusal, Smith had ordered his driver to drop her off after their meeting early that day. She had been left with no choice but to oblige in order to save James' skin. She sat at the back of his black Audi. She would have preferred to head for the hospital immediately but because she didn't wish to expose that little fact even to James, she had endured the drive home. Just as they were rounding the corner to her house, her phone vibrated, indicating an incoming message. She opened her inbox to see a credit alert. She rubbed her eyes to see if she was in trance but the figure remained the same. That's double of what she requested from Smith as part payment of her first salary.
She was in fact, shocked for two cogent reasons; she wondered how Smith got hold of her account details, and secondly, why he doubled the money. Mary kept swallowing her saliva for fear of throat constriction as her throat was strung tight. She quickly spared a glance at James who seemed too occupied impressing her with his driving skills, that he was oblivious to every other thing happening around him. Mary hastily got down from the audi when he parked the car, murmured a note of thanks to him, in her confused state before dashing to the front door. She inserted her key into the lock, turned the knob, then stepped inside, shutting the door behind her.
Mary was having a mixed feeling of gratitude and anger. It just seem so unfair that the same instrument behind their anguish, is their only life saver at the moment. She bursted in tears. She felt helpless, being unable to punish Smith, and having to endure his presence, pretending that all was well. As if that was not enough torture, her frail mind would not stop longing for him. Even her own body has teamed up with Smith against her. She sniffled a little, as she used her handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
She went into her room to replace her three inches heels for a comfy flat shoe. She quickly splashed some water on her face, using the running water in the kitchen, dabbed with a face towel which she had exchanged for her soaked handkerchief. Then stepped out of the house, picking her bag on the floor of the living room on her way out. She hailed a cab in front of the house.
She got to the hospital around 1pm. There were few cars parked within the premises. She saw the hospital ambulance just heading out of the premises, as she made her way inside. In the reception area, two nurses were at the counter; one was going through a log book, while the other was speaking to a middle aged man. Mary greeted them both. There was no need for her to tarry since she's a regular around there. She advanced towards her mother's ward, where she met her mother seated upright on her bed, with Jennifer at the edge of the bed. They were having a random conversation.
Mary's face brightened at the sight before her. She walked towards the two, grinning from ear to ear. Jennifer turned to her side at the sound of Mary walking in, since she had her back to the door.
"Mmm, look who we have here!", Jennifer said unable to resist teasing her.
Mary walked to Jennifer first, crushing her in a bear hug.
"Thank you!" She whispered to her ear before moving to her mother
She kissed her mother's forehead, as she examined her closely to detect if there was any foul play on the part of her mother. Mary knows from experience that her mother could be an actress anytime she chose to. To save her from being distressed, she could pretend to be in good condition, even when she wasn't. She enclosed her mother's hands in hers, lifting it to her lips as she kissed it lightly.
"Mother, you scared the daylight out of us. I'm happy to see you are back to us", Mary said, her eyes blurry with tears that threatened to fall any moment.
It had all started at the early hours of dawn when Mary had woken up to a sharp cry of pain. She sat upright in her bed, confused and disoriented. She listened carefully, to ascertain the source of the noise but there was none forthcoming. She went back to bed thinking she heard wrong, when she heard another cry. This time, faintly. She immediately placed the voice as she jumped out of bed, dashing into her mother's room. She saw her mother on the floor, gasping for breath. She rushed to her side, calling out to her. She positioned her well as she eased her clothes and opened the windows to give room for proper ventilation. She quickly conducted a cardiopulmonary resuscitation to keep blood flowing to her brain and other organs.
Her movement had woken Jennifer up. She saw Mary working tirelessly, trying to resuscitate her mother. She immediately flung to action, rushed back to the bedroom to pick her phone so she could dial the emergency button for medical help. She walked back to Mary as she dialed the emergency line. It was answered by a lady on the third ring. Jennifer didn't wait for the lady to speak as she rushed through her words.
"Hello, please we have an emergency. My aunt is gasping for breath. Please send help", she said barely taking a pause.
She listened to the other lady on the line.
"Okay, please be calm. May I know if you have conducted a CPR - Cardiopulmonary resuscitation?" She asked Jennifer.
"Yes, my cousin is working on her as I speak", she answered shakily.
"Okay, good. Can you help me with the address?"
Jennifer quickly dictated the house address. Waited patiently for the lady to jot it down.
"Okay, emergency team will be there in fifteen", she assured Jennifer.
"Okay, thank you. Please come quickly", she said before hanging up.
Oh God, please help! Mary had prayed silently as she repeatedly performed the CPR process until the emergency team arrived. She was instructed to step back while they attended to her mother. An oxygen was passed to regulate her breathing as they checked her vitals before they proceeded into the ambulance with her. Mary and Jennifer followed as they made their way to the clinic.
Kate was rushed into one of the emergency ward, where a young male doctor on duty was to attend to her, while Mary and her cousin were directed to wait at the reception. It took about an hour before Mary was called upon by the doctor. She asked Jennifer to go in with her, as she needed all the strength she could get at the moment. She was physically and emotionally drained. Her eyes were red and puffy from her unceasing tears.