The Doctor was stunned. The different information did not tally in any way. Anyway, that was not the most important issue at the moment. "Mr.…?" Alex responded sternly "Alex!"
"Alright Alex. I need you to know that Julian is fine. She is in no danger at the moment."
"So, can I go now? I would fix the bills on my way out and send you a driver to take you home," Alex responded as he turned to Julian.
The doctor cleared his throat. "You seem to be in a hurry, Alex. I wasn't done talking."
"So, what this time? I do not have all day." Alex replied sounding impatient.
"But you would have if it was you in her shoes. Where is the place of empathy, Mr Alex? Anyway, the issue at hand is that she has an ankle dislocation and would need to have her bones in shape. I have recommended she be transferred to that section already."
Alex mopped the beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Not only did he have to deal with a failed appointment, he also had to deal with another problem. It was almost like the day should have ended already. How worse could it get? His phone was buzzing already. It was Annie. Possibly Jacob must have told her already. He ended the call as he wasn't ready to discuss.
The doctor walked away albeit abruptly. Perhaps Alex's manners were beginning to get on his nerves. Julian was transferred to the orthopedic section. Before long, after due process, she was given some pain relief to cope with the pain. Although she felt slightly better, the doctor informed her that she wouldn't be leaving until a month later. She thought of her job but there was simply nothing she could do.
"Julian! My God, how did this happen?" Linda asked as her face was full of shock. She had just been directed by the nurses to see where Julian was admitted. She took a seat close to Julian and patted her hair. "I am so sorry. Does it hurt?" Linda asked looking very worried and confused at the same time.
Alex naturally wasn't cut out for emotional drama. If there was one thing he didn't like, it was a show of emotions. He grew up knowing that and disliked anyone who tried to seek self-pity. Any logical human should know that. "Anyway ladies, I do not mean to interrupt your crying baby hour but I need to go now. I have more important things to do than to babysit. Julian, I hope I pronounced your name well". His accent gave him away though Alex was more concerned about his failed appointment than the current predicament. "Your leg should be fine soon and you should be able to run with it. I would have ended this speech with my pleasure but unfortunately, there is nothing pleasurable."
Jacob nudged on Alex trying to get him to be nice. He, like Linda also came in a few moments ago to see Alex and to assess the situation. Knowing Alex, he knew more than everyone that his manners would get in the way of anyone. Most people seemed not to understand Alex. To some, he had completely lost his mind. To others, he was just so arrogant and full of himself. "Don't mind him, Julian. Today, he is just in a bad mood. I am sorry about your leg. I would make sure he checks up on you. Here is his complimentary card. You can call him any day." Jacob said as he dropped it on her bedside.
"Wow, wow, wow!" Linda said with a look of surprise. "Wonderful! Is this how you have been treating her? How dare you?" Linda stood facing Alex.
Jacob had to come in between. "Hey please, it's okay. I apologize on his behalf. I am so sorry."
"Then you better teach your friend how to talk to people. If he is not well raised, then I would teach him to be polite. How heartless!". Linda went on raving in her dialect.
"Please, hospital policy! The noise is too much." A nurse said as she walked in frowning at the commotion ongoing.
"We are sorry ma". Julian managed to speak as she had been quiet all day. Her head was beginning to ache and she needed some quiet time. She was tired already and needed her space. It was better Alex left the scene since it was no use arguing with him. Linda was merely wasting her time.
"Alright Lady Tiger, I have seen you. You have guts actually but I no longer have the time plus today is not the day. I have some other important things to do before the day runs out". With that, Alex briskly walked away. Her fury and daunting attitude were remarkable though. He guessed it was something he was getting used to in this part of the world. Or perhaps, he wasn't much of a charmer around women. Alex silently chuckled as he thought about it.
Jacob was sorry for the ladies but there was little he could do. He also dropped his contact card as he walked away. Even if Alex was generally irresponsible towards women, he would take the pain to check up on them himself.
"I need to go to a bar to cool off. It's been one hell of a day." Alex said as he started to drive off the premises.
"Alex, why were you mean to her? That woman has the right to sue you if we were back in England. I also know you can't take half of what you spill."
"She deserves it, Jacob. Because of that woman, I have to reschedule. God help me! And she isn't even apologetic. All she did all the time was run her mouth. Probably she didn't know it was Alexander Blackwood. No woman talks condescendingly at me."
"And you have to stoop down to her level just to prove what point actually?" Jacob asked staring at Alex.
"Jacob, I have just had a terrible day". Now, you can either choose not to piss me further or you can go back and join your lady tiger". Alex said with an angry tone.
The argument had made him temporarily distracted that he did not know he had left the highway and the map was directing him into the unfamiliar streets of Lagos. The tall, dilapidated buildings and the maze of narrow alleys made him feel like he was trapped. The sound of honking horns, shouting vendors, and the distinct rhythm of life in Lagos added to his sense of unease.
He tried his best to follow the GPS on his phone, but the signal was spotty at best, leaving him feeling more lost than ever. As he navigated through the congested streets, Alex suddenly found himself confronted by a group of rough-looking men who surrounded his car. Their attire and demeanor immediately marked them as the notorious "area boys" of Lagos. He swallowed hard, feeling a knot of anxiety form in his stomach.
One of the men tapped on Alex's car window, smirking as he did so Alex reluctantly rolled the window down, trying to keep his composure. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice tinged with annoyance.
The man grinned, revealing a gold tooth. "Welcome to our territory, Oyinbo," he said, using the local slang term for foreigners. "If you want to pass through here, you've got to pay the toll."
Alex's irritation flared up. He was in no mood for this kind of nonsense. He glanced at Jacob, who looked equally uncomfortable. "How much?" Alex demanded.
The man's grin widened. "Two thousand naira."
Alex's eyebrows shot up. The money seemed excessive just to pass through. He glanced at Jacob, who shrugged in resignation. "Pay them, Alex. It's not worth the trouble."
But Alex's pride wouldn't let him back down so easily. He clenched his jaw, his frustration morphing into defiance. "I'm not paying you two thousand naira to pass through here," he said firmly.
The area boys exchanged knowing looks, and the man leaned in closer to the car. "Then, my friend, you won't be going anywhere."
Just as tension hung thick in the air, Jacob interjected, trying to mediate. "Look, we're just passing through. We're not causing any trouble."
The man grinned again. ".Tell your friend that he either pays the toll or he'll have a hard time getting out of here."
Alex's patience was wearing thin, and he decided to take matters into his own hands. He opened the car door and stepped out, facing the men head-on. "Listen, I don't care who you think you are. I'm not giving you a dime. Now, move out of my way."
The atmosphere grew tense as the area boys closed in, their postures becoming more aggressive. Alex's heart raced, but he stood his ground. It wasn't long before the situation escalated. The leader of the group threw a punch at Alex, landing a solid blow on his cheek. Alex stumbled backwards, his head spinning from the impact.
Jacob rushed to Alex's side, trying to defuse the situation. "Okay, okay! We'll pay. Just let us go."
But the area boys were no longer interested in money. They were enjoying the confrontation, relishing their power over the foreigner. Alex's vision blurred as he felt more blows raining down on him. He struggled to defend himself, but he was outnumbered.