Chapter 9: Fetched
"Sam, your ride is here."
I glanced up and saw Mr. Fredmon standing next to the blue BMW across the parking lot. I've grown accustomed to it now, but it was quite frustrating at first. Michael's unexpected protectiveness is both strange and touching to me.
After I had been discharged from the hospital, he had to take a sudden trip to Switzerland for business and insisted that I stay in his city apartment, saying that it would be easier to see me if he needed something. He didn't even leave the papers that I needed to sign before he went to the airport. When I mentioned it on the phone during one of his nightly calls to check up on me, he said he had forgotten about it. I was expecting him to send it through courier, but until now, no delivery has arrived at the apartment.
"Nan, do you need a ride?" I asked as I grabbed my bag from the desk we shared during this stint for Dr. Garcia, "I could drop you off before I go to the cafe."
"Don't you have a duty in the hospital later?" We are almost in our last year of hospital duty to complete our residency, and we shared our schedule to make sure that it would not conflict with our research assistant's work. She seems to be closely keeping track of mine after the hospital incident.
"You don't want to be a patient again, do you?" When she said that, she looked like a Barbie on display and placed her hand on her hips. With her beach-blond hair, slim figure and tall stature, she certainly looks like one in a lab coat. "Sam, you just got back, and you're already clogging your calendar with work."
"I just have to make up for some shifts I've missed because of my hospitalization." I shrugged before escaping out of the the door and leaving Nancy, who shouted, 'Be careful'.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Smith," Mr. Fredmon opened the back door, "The Bistro?"
"Yes, Calvin. And I have already told you before you can call me Sam." I dropped my bag beside me and looked at my phone. Sure enough, there was one missed call from Micheal.
"You told him." I threw the accusation at the nonchalant driver
"It is my job to report to him, miss."
After checking the time, I called back.
"Why are you still working in that bistro?" no greetings, no salutation, straight to the point, the voice of annoyance.
"Look, I need to give them at least a month's notice before I leave, and I also need the money that I will earn from the job." I shouldn't have mentioned the last one.
"Samantha, you don't need the money. You are rich, remember. " he sighed, "Even if you are disowned by the Kersington, you are married to a rich husband."
"Micheal - " I started but he immediately interrupted
"Think of your health." I sighed, frustrated that he will win this conversation.
"Alright, I will give my month's notice today."
"No. You will end your contract with them today. I will pay or provide a replacement to compensate for the lack of personnel."
"What?!" I couldn't stop shouting. "Micheal, stop making me your charity case. We are getting a divorce, and you are getting married once the papers are filed. What will I do then?"
"You will be getting alimony, I'll make sure of that." I clenched my teeth to prevent myself from shouting again. "And before you say 'charity case', it is not. This is my responsibility as a husband."
"You know I hate you, right?"
"Duly noted." We are already at the back entrance of the restaurant, "I have to go. Give them your resignation today."
As if it was orchestrated, Mr. Fredmon handed me an envelope. Inside is a printed, simple, generic resignation letter that only requires my signature.
One of the things I hated the most was being manipulated and constrained. That was the reason why I had to marry Micheal, and now he is doing it to me. Although I understand his logic, he is still annoying and hateful.
I didn't immediately resign but completed my shift at the bistro. After my shift, I spoke to the manager and handed in my letter.
"So that was the reason for this." He showed me a letter from Smith's company stating an apology for the sudden resignation of a certain Samantha Smith and that if compensation is required, to contact the company.
If Micheal is around, he will get a punch in the stomach the minute I see him.
When I got inside the car this time, I did not greet Calvin. I was afraid that I might vent my frustration to the obedient driver. The drive to the hospital was filled with silence and frustration on my part.
"You don't have to wait for me. I'll take a cab home," I said as I exited the car and started towards the building for my residency.
"But Mrs. Smith, I have strict orders to make sure that you are always accompanied to the destination of your desire."
"Then I'll call you when my shift ends."
"I'll be here 15 minutes before your shift ends," he stated before driving away.
"How did you - " How did Micheal get a hold of my hospital calendar or work shift schedule? I gritted my teeth. "Never mind." I got out of the car and stopped myself from slamming the door like a child throwing tantrums.
The shift with the kids helped ease my frustration and annoyance. Julienne's midnight antics as she tried to scare some unknowing new nurses were funny. Julienne was confined since last year because of her sickness, but her fight with her disease did not even diminish her bubbly nature. It was just frustrating sometimes to see her try to curl up when she struggled in pain.
"Good morning, Ms. Smith." I looked up to see the new guard holding the door open for me. It is after one in the morning, after all.
"Thank you." I could not see Mr. Fredmon or the car anywhere. When I called, I was transferred to a voicemail. "I'll just take a cab then."
I was surprised that I was able to get one immediately. I left a message on Mr.Fredmon's voicemail that I took a cab, giving him the details of the cab and that he does not need to fetch me any longer since I'll be home in 15 minutes.
I blinked and felt my arms stretched above me. When I tried to move them, I discovered they were tied to something, and I was lying down on something hard.
What happened? I remember dialling Mr. Fredmon's number and telling him about the cab information. I didn't notice that I lost consciousness.
I also looked down to see my legs tied to some poles, and I am wearing a loose dress. When I turned my head to the sides, I nearly screamed when I saw a goat's bone head across me. There are torch lights on the wall. The scene looks like a Gothic sacrificial ceremony, complete with a ghastly-looking knife and pewter bowl on the table near me.
No one is in the room, but I'm sure that would not be the case soon. I struggled to reach for the knife on the table, the ropes chapping my wrist and ankle. I could already feel the blood running down my left arm when I was finally able to grasp it.
I felt a sting when I accidentally sliced my hand as I tried to cut the rope, but I just ignored it. The fear and panic gave me the analgesic I needed for any pain. I was already cutting to the last rope when I heard footsteps outside.
"This ceremony is four years overdue." The scrapping of the door being pushed followed as I ran towards one of the alcoves and hid. "It's a good thing you found her."
"It was frustrating that she eluded us before when she sold that apartment."
This is planned? The two men knew about me? Who are they?
"He made sure to track her location after he saw her at that university three weeks ago." The time Micheal approached me for the divorce? Are they connected?
"She's not here." Fear grasped my whole body as I heard an alarm echoed through the hallway. I need to get out. Whatever they plan to do, it's not good.
"There you are." A shadow appeared before me
"We came to fetch you."
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