The agency agreed to us being private contractors so we basically finished the paperwork late lastnight.
We all went to Darla's Bistro to celebrate and got wasted, hence missing our flights this morning.
Orbyn is currently on the phone making alternate arrangements with the agency to fly us back home.
I'd already checked in with Latoya earlier this week and they were all doing fine, so now I need to reach Paul.
Ever since our engagement, he's been acting pretty closed off but I can't figure out why. The devil in me keeps saying there's a betrayal looming while the good that's left says don't believe it.
He hasn't given me a reason to question his loyalty or devotion to us but I'd hate it, if that were to happen.
Swiping my phone open, I dial his number but it goes unanswered. I try three more times but it's the same thing.
Dragging myself out of bed, I get dressed quickly them grab my gun. Orbyn spots me and signals to me, asking me what's wrong.
I update him and he's taken aback by the Intel I share. He ends the call abruptly, gets dressed and follows me out to the vehicle.
We waste no time heading to the apartment building that we'd dropped him off when we got here.
Somehow, an eerie feeling lodges itself in the pit of my stomach, even as we arrive fifteen minutes later.
Entering the elevator, Orbyn pulls me into him as three other persons enter , nodding politely at us.
He places his lips to my right ear, "From the look on your face, I know your expecting bad news." He sighs and I close my eyes, fighting the tears. "Brace yourself babe."
I exhale a long shaky breath, then steel my resolve. Over the years I've learnt to separate my emotions regardless of any situation.
The ding of the elevator breaks our connection. We exit and head down the hallway to Apartment 26B. Orbyn and I plant ourselves on either side, guns cocked and ready to shoot.
He knocks a few times but there is no response. Pulling my hairpin from my bun, I stoop down picking the lock while Orbyn is on the lookout.
Within seconds, there's a click and I smile smugly at him. "Guess I haven't lost my touch huh."
He rolls his eyes, "Whatever, the record is still between us anyway."
Slowly opening the door, Orbyn and I enter the room and start doing a back to back sweep.
We cleared the living room, balcony and bedroom then move toward the bathroom, with its door slightly ajar.
Water is running inside but there's no sign of movement, causing us to exchange looks.
A million things rush through my mind as I slowly push the door open. The sight before me knocks the wind out of my sail!
Paul is partially naked on the floor unconscious with blood oozing a from a wound on the back of his head.
Rushing to him, I gently tap his face. "Paul! Paul! Can you hear me?" I shout, my voice trembling terribly.
Orbyn helps me to roll him fully onto his back while he dials a number. I assume it's 911 as I watch him check his pulse.
"It's very faint, he needs medical attention ASAP."
Orbyn grabs a towel and places it to the bleeding wound while I continue tapping his face and calling to him.
Hope seemed to be dissipating by the second as I looked down upon his palid face and lightly tinted purple lips.
Glancing around, I look for any sign of foul play but there's nothing that seems amiss. His toothbrush is on the counter wet with a shaving cream and razor.
I gently rub my fingers over his jaw which is cleanly shaved just to ensure this isn't a ploy by someone else.
Orbyn moves to hoist him up just as he starts groaning lowly. A soft sigh escapes his lips as his eyes flicker for a few seconds. A glimmer of hope soars within me as my tears break free.
We manage to get him to the bed and I prop his head unto a pillow. He starts groaning again and this time I realise he's burning up.
"Paul, can you hear me?" I ask worriedly, tossing the covers unto him.
I hear sirens blaring in the distance but I can only hope they're coming to us.
"Annn....Anna...it's really you." He murmurs slowly.
My heartrate skyrockets when he starts coughing up blood. Orbyn looks at me shocked, and I lose my composure entirely.
Grabbing a rag from the bathroom, I start cleaning his face and chest, soiling my hands in the process.
They tremble incessantly as I dab the corner of his mouth. "What's happening Paul?" I ask distressed, "Did someone do this to you?"
He tries speaking several times but each attempt would result in more blood oozing from his mouthm
Ten minutes later, paramedics rush into the room and push me aside. Orbyn leads me to the bathroom and washes my hands clean.
There's talking in the room but I'm too out of it to even understand what is being said.
What the hell is this?
Grabbing the front of Orbyn's shirt, I twist my hands into it as I break down after hearing 'He's not breathing.'
He in turn tucks my face into his neck and I cry my heart out. I watch helplessly as the paramedics work seamlessly to revive him.
After what seems like forever, there's a steady heartbeat on the monitor. He's placed unto a gurney with an oxygen bag and we follow them out.
By this time the hallway is filled with nosey onlookers, some of whom express shock while others are complete snobs.
The elevator dings, they wheel him inside and as soon as they get to the ground floor, it's chaos!
He starts convulsing, blood sprays the oxygen mask and they quickly remove it. Paul leans his head to the right and spits then glances at me.
A look of remorse crosses his face before he groans in pain, clutching his stomach. Orbyn pulls me away, giving them space to work.
I know his intentions are pure but somehow I feel violated. That's my father afterall.
That's when it dawns on me that I haven't told Latoya what's happening. Retrieving my phone from my back pocket, I quickly dial her number.
"Anna! Thank God, why didn't you call me back before?" She answers in a panic stricken voice.
I immediately break down, "Sis. I'm so sorry..." I manage to get out, hearing her sharp breath intake.
"Whaa...what's wrong Anna?" She asks softly but Orbyn takes the phone from my loose grip.
He pinches the bridge of his nose, "Latoya, y'all need to get here ASAP. Paul's sick and it's serious."
By the graveness of his illness, I know deep within that our remaining time with him is limited. I trek through the recesses of my mind and it dawns on me that the cancer may have done its worst.
Whatever else is said on the phone is foreign to me as my eyes are glued unto the paramedics. They manage to stabilize Paul for transport then quickly whisk him into the waiting ambulance.
They ask whether I'm traveling with him but before I can mutter a response, Orbyn nudges me forward instantly.
"Go with him, I'll follow in the car." He orders as he moves away from me.
In this moment, I realise the impact this man has made in my life. The way he knows me inside and out, his caring nature and how he picks up the pieces in this very moment where I'm a blubbering mess.
Once I'm seated, they drive toward Brookdale Hospital. Glancing at Paul, his eyes are closed, his face is deathly pale and there's a light sheen of sweat on his forehead.
I take his hand giving it a gentle squeeze and a few moments later he returns it.
Tears flow from my eyes in torrents as I imagine what could have been with us. I even start blaming myself for not ensuring he was following up with the oncologists etc.
Maybe if I hadn't been so caught up in my blissful life, I would have seen the signs and acted sooner.
At this point, I'm simply awash with guilt.
----‐----
My Loves,
Another chapter that brings us closer to the ending... what do you think will happen?
How do you feel about this chapter?? I'm looking forward to your responses! 😉😉 I must admit I'm conflicted about the ending, hence the delayed updates.😔😔
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Xoxo
JDeCosta
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