The Story Of Us

12: YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL

"You're beautiful. It's true but it's time to face the truth. I will never be with you." ~James Blunt

~Jade~

Lawrence just hung up from his personal call the moment I realized Dustin was probably a pile of ashes now. I was about to ask him to drive us back to my old house in Paralaya when he rested his head on the stirring wheel of his car.

"Lawrence, what's wrong?" I stammered, refusing to let panic get the better of me. First, Dustin and, now, Lawrence? Seriously, what's wrong with the world?

"I called Elise. She's on her way. Let me just have a second," he mumbled under his breath.

Lawrence wasn't the type of guy to ask for a second to rest. He was always ecstatic, especially when he's with me. I swallowed the lump that was building up in my throat. I stared at my phone. Should I call Victorique for rescue? Will she even talk to me? I told her not to, though. I hit my forehead with my palm. Silly! Stupid! Impulsive idiot!

I let out a sigh and opened the door to let some fresh salty air from the ocean few meters before us. I climbed out of the car to organize my frenzied thoughts. I called Victorique but she wasn't able to answer my call. I was about to call the constable of Paralaya when my eyes caught sight of Lawrence lying on his side, dangling from his seatbelt. I cancelled the call, shoved my phone to my sling bag and ran to his aid instead.

"Lawrence! Hey, are you okay?" I panicked as I opened the door beside him. "Hey, answer me! Lawrence!" I called out, unbuckling his seatbelt.

I was taken aback when I saw his face stained with blood oozing from his nose. I bet his face was paler than mine and his hands were ice cold.

"Dammit! Lawrence! Hey!" tears stung my eyes as I fished my phone from my sling bag to call for an ambulance.

Before the call connected, though, a speedy red car parked beside us and out was a middle-aged woman in a floral dress.

"Help! Please, help us! He collapsed. I don't know what's wrong—" I began as she made her way to me with two long strides.

"Oh my goodness! Mr. Bailey!" the woman gasped as soon as she saw Lawrence's bloodstained face. "Help me carry him to our car, miss!"

"Nanay Lolit! What's wrong? Why are we stopping?" a longhaired girl climbed out from the red car. "Oh my G! Is that uncle Ence?" she gasped as she watch us carry Lawrence to their car.

"Come inside, Elise! We're taking him to the hospital!" the woman, Nanay Lolit, barked to her. "Can you drive his car, miss?" she addressed me.

"I can't," I shook my head wildly.

"Oh silly me. You must have been in shock too! Close the car doors and come with us to the hospital," she said and we were on our way.

The steady voice of the lady made me miss my housekeeper Myra. Then the thought of Dustin came back to my already frazzled mind. I had to know what happened to him—

"By the way, miss, may I know who you are?" the little girl in the passenger's seat next to the driver asked.

"I'm Jade and you are?" I replied, taking the liberty to look at her sun-kissed complexion.

"Elise," she beamed. "Uncle Ence's niece. Well, he took me in and wanted to call him uncle, instead even though we're not related by blood," she explained with a sheepish grin. "You look boring. Are you his new girlfriend?"