Chapter Five
Annabelle's POV
There was a feeling of attraction that I couldn't explain with Mr. Lucian. It felt like I've known for forever as he had a soothing aura around him. I rushed back inside and the rest of the event went well. We rounded up the kids and put them to bed afterwards and I had to head home since it was getting late.
As I walked past the spot I had seen Mr. Lucian few days back I wondered if his bleeding knuckles were fine. He looked extraordinarily handsome and I caught myself smiling subconsciously, I waved away the thought and rushed home. Mom wasn't a fan of my late coming but she was excited when I told her of the success of the fundraising. She had to work the evening shift and Dad was out of town for few days hence she couldn't make it.
I took a bath, ate my own portion of dinner and went to bed. My nape suddenly hurt and I checked my reflection in the mirror, the spot when Mr. Lucian had groped my neck had reddened and it hurt, I applied some tumeric to it and went to bed.
The next day, I woke up the usual time, did my morning chores, the normal routine and headed to college since I had three classes that day. Mom had left earlier and sent me a note that she needed to be somewhere urgently and promised to call me later in the day while she already made me breakfast and packed my lunch. I took the bus and arrived early as usual.
"Pretty girl!" I heard a voice call out.
I turned back to see Evelyn running towards me. Evelyn is a close coursemate of mine and the only person I spoke to on a regular basis at school. She stopped in front of me and smiled widely and pinched my cheeks.
"Evelyn." I chuckled.
"Good morning to you too, early as always!" She praised.
I shook head and began to walk towards the lecture theatre we'd be having our class that morning while she walked side-by-side with me.
"You look happier than usual, spill the tea." She pestered.
"What do you mean? I always look like this." I said defensively.
"I know, but the light in your eyes seems brighter. How was the fundraising?" She inquired.
I chuckled and shook my head but she kept pestering me, I got in front of her, turned to face her while gradually walking backwards, my textbooks held close to my chest, my tote bag hanging from my left arm and smiling.
"Our Practical Arts Professor would be coming in today right?" I asked curiously.
"Yes, wouldn't it be fun? I've looked forward to seeing him the entire semester!" She replied excitedly.
"Well I...." I began but stopped abruptly as I bumped into something.
I slowly turned only to stand face-to-face with the last person I thought I'd ever bump into.
"Oh you... I remember you from yesterday. Are you really following us around?"
The bodyguard from yesterday suddenly yelled at me while his boss stood expressionless, his eyes boring into mine.
"You... I'm sorry." I quickly apologized, flushed and embarrassed.
"I'll ensure you..." The mean bodyguard started but was stopped by his boss, again.
I looked at him and he was still mute and simply stepped aside, my eyes trailed down to his knuckles, they were no longer bruised but there were still dark spots on them. Without thinking, I took his hand in mine and examined it which shocked him and he yanked my hand off of his.
"Don't overdo it." He said coldly.
"Dis you enjoy the cookies? They were delicious weren't they?" I asked cheerily.
His bodyguard's eyes widened in shock and he clenched his fists but Mr. Lucian simply gave me one last look and walked away.
"You should really go to the hospital and have that checked, you're risking it getting infected." I said, sincerely concerned.
He didn't stop or turn back but I could tell that his bodyguard wasn't impressed. Evelyn was dumbstruck all these while. I began to walk into the class while she trailed behind me.
"Who was that devilishly handsome man?" Evelyn asked as we sat down.
I shrugged my shoulders.
"I don't know, he was at the fundraising yesterday." I replied truthfully.
She was about to retort hit the professor's presence silenced her and the class began. We were done with his class three hours later and we were about to go for the next class when I received a call from my Mom.
"Anna." Came her voice, shaky.
"Mom, what's wrong?" I asked, agitated and worried.
"It's your Dad Anna." She cried.
I was alarmed.
"What's wrong with Dad?" I almost yelled.
"You know I said I went for an important business? I went to pick him up at the train station, he wanted it to be a surprise to you. We wanted to throw a mini party for you on the success of the fundraising but he suddenly collapsed and now he's in the hospital bed and the Doctor said he's terminally ill." She narrated.
My world turned upside down.
"Where are you?"
"State hospital."
I hurriedly packed my bag and ran out of the class, I hailed a cab and went straight to the hospital. I met my Mom at the lobby crying and sobbing uncontrollably, I ran into her embrace and she was lost for words.
"Where is he?" I asked.
"The ER." She replied.
After reassuring her that all will be well, I rushed to the ER and saw that he had been moved to a private room, he was unconscious and the nurses were struggling to stabilize him. I retreated and couldn't believe my eyes, my Dad was visibly fighting for his life. As I retreated backwards, I bumped into someone and turned around to see Mr. Lucian.
He stared at me in confusion and I blinked back the tears that threatened to run down my cheeks. He got down on one knee and opened a box.
"Annabelle Diaz, will you marry me?"