Leilani hesitates, “I can go back on my own.”
“Mr. Bamford insisted I drive you back,” the guard answers firmly.
Leilani gets in without saying a word. Waylen hasn’t asked the guards to drive her to be nice; he just wants to make sure she doesn’t go anywhere. There are four people in the car. In addition to the driver, a bodyguard is in the passenger’s seat. Another sits with her in the back seat. He’s uncomfortable being in close proximity to Leilani, and he leans heavily against the door.
Leilani sits as far away from him as she can. She opens the window to let the air in. The passengers and shop windows drift past as unreal as a movie. She wonders where she’ll be tomorrow.
An electronic ringtone pulls Leilani from her reverie. She reaches into her purse and pulls out the white phone Andrew gave her. The caller ID is blocked, but she knows it must be Andrew. She opens the phone and sees a new text message: “Wait for a call at 11:00 tomorrow.”
The car leaves the city and drives past the suburbs and into the countryside. Another car is driving in the opposite direction, and its windows are rolled down. Leonie looks out the window, and she and Leilani lock eyes. Leonie smirks at Leilani, confident in her secret victory. Leilani’s face remains expressionless.
Leilani doesn’t see Waylen in the house. He doesn’t join her for lunch or afternoon tea, and there’s still no sign of him by dinner. Leilani doesn’t mind her absence; she needs to be free from distractions if she wants to finish the diorama on time. The detailed work makes her eyes ache, but she knows she has to finish before morning. She forces herself to keep her sore eyes open.
…
Gabrielle finishes checking Andrew’s blood pressure and heart rate and puts the stethoscope down. She makes a worried expression and looks up at Andrew through her long eyelashes.
“Mr. Clifford, your heartbeat is a bit weak, and your blood pressure is a bit high,” Gabrielle says, “You’re not healing the way you should be, and I confess I’m becoming concerned. I think it’s best we go to the hospital.”
Andrew wears a bathrobe, and it’s open to expose his muscular chest. All-day, he’s been in a good mood in anticipation of Leilani’s arrival. Gabrielle’s words make him frown deeply; if he goes to the hospital, he might miss Leilani’s arrival.
“Why would I need to go to the hospital?” he asks.
“You need a full examination with the equipment I don’t have here,” Gabrielle says gravely.
Andrew frowns harder, “What if I don’t go?”
“That could be very dangerous,” Gabrielle says, trying to put the right amount of concern into her voice.
“Give me some medication first,” Andrew suggests.
He stares at Gabrielle and tries to read her expression. He suspects she’s trying to get him away from the mansion on purpose.
“Medication only alleviates the symptoms; it doesn’t treat the underlying cause,” Gabrielle objects.
“That’s what I want!”
Gabrielle looks down at her shoes to hide her face. She knows that Andrew is staring at her, trying to catch her in a lie. She has to persuade him to go to the hospital so she can run away, and she has to do it quickly. She’s been unable to find a map, and there’s no way she can find her way out of the forest without one. Even if she did have a map, she’d have to get past wild beasts and dangerous snake. Just the thought brings chills down her spine.
“Look at me!” Andrew orders, “What are you thinking about?”
Lately, he’s begun to grow suspicious. She seems distracted, and he wonders what schemes hide behind her innocent expression and shy demeanor. He abruptly stands up. When Gabrielle lifts her head, she’s looking directly into Andrew’s face. She jumps and takes a step back.
“I’m thinking about Leilani,” Gabrielle answers.
“Her?”
“Yes. And Waylen. No. I should say, Mr. Bamford,” Gabrielle stammers, “I’m thinking about why Leilani likes him. You are handsome, tall, powerful, talented and rich. Why won’t she choose you?”
“What’s the answer?” Andrew asks curiously, “Why doesn’t she choose me over him?”
“I think it’s because Waylen is healthier than you,” Gabrielle answered, “That is to say, he has a healthy heart. That’s why I think you should take your condition more seriously. If you want to win Leilani, you need to do everything you can to get healthy—including going to the hospital.”
“Hmm, you really want me to go to the hospital, don’t you?” Andrew muses.
He grabs Gabrielle’s chin and stares deep into her eyes. She looks young and shy, and she seems as meek as a lamb. She sounds serious and innocent when she talks, and her blush makes her look like a naïve schoolgirl. Everything about her confuses Andrew.
“Yes,” she says a little too quickly, “I want you to be healthy, though I must admit it’s partially selfish. I don’t want to be out of a job. I like the salary and benefits that come with this job, and I quite enjoy my time with you.”
“Do you know what happens to people who play games with me?” Andrew asks.
Gabrielle feels the color drain from her face, but she forces herself to smile innocently. She shakes her head in mock confusion.
“I don’t play games,” she says.
Andrew smiles, mysteriously, and claps once. Bodyguards rush into the room, pushing a large glass box filled with water. Several sea snakes undulate in the water. One of the guards throws a white mouse into the water. A snake swiftly bites it on the neck. The mouse flails, and then its body goes stiff, and it sinks to the bottom. Gabrielle’s eyes widen with fright.
Andrew puts his jaw on her shoulder and smiles viciously.
“Do you know what that mouse was named?” he asks.
Gabrielle shakes her head in mute fright.
“Gabrielle,” Andrew whispers in her ear, “I called that mouse Gabrielle Peters.”
“I don’t play games,” Gabrielle repeats.
Andrew steps away from her, “That’s for the best. Do you know what type of snake that is?”
Gabrielle shakes her head.
“Hydrophis belcheri,” he answers, “It’s the most venomous sea snake in the world. Once you’re bitten, you’re dead. There is no antidote. There is no cure.”
Gabrielle stares open-mouthed at the serpents.
“Are they here for me?” she asks in horror.
“That’s the first smart thing I’ve ever heard you say,” Andrew says with a dark chuckle, “Now get me the medication!”
The hydropathic belcheri are for Gabrielle. If Leilani doesn’t arrive at the agreed-upon hour, Gabrielle will be thrown into the glass box like the little white mouse. Gabrielle walks to the pharmacy in the mansion.
Andrew was born with a weak heart, and even before the operation, he had to take medications. Every home he owns has its own private pharmacy. She selects the necessary medicines and quickly runs back to Andrew. Gabrielle offers Andrew a glass of water with the pills. She watches him swallow the medicine without question, and she has an idea.
“I need to go talk to the cooks,” Gabrielle announces, “Your heart is weak, and you should eat a light, healthy meal. I’ll let them know.”
Andrew is irritated by Gabrielle’s sudden seriousness. He wanted to threaten her a little, but he didn’t expect her to become so humorless. He sighs and impatiently waves her from the room. She returns two hours later, personally carrying the tray with Andrew’s food. Andrew takes the knife and fork and glances curiously at the menu.
“Mr. Clifford, it’s my special meal for you,” she explains, “Every ingredient was chosen with your heart health in mind.”
Andrew lazily looks at the food.
“Is this it?” he asks.
“You should eat light food in small portions—a large and heavy meal can put unnecessary stress on the heart,” she explains, gesturing at the food, “Here we have some lotus root slices to help give you energy. This is braised carp with soy sauce for protein. And these kidney beans contain antioxidants and will help boost your immune system.”
Though Andrew is somewhat confused by her direct demeanor, he assumes it’s a result of her fear. In a way, he prefers it to her bashful stammering. Before he can begin eating, Gabrielle serves him an extra portion of the lotus root.
“Mr. Clifford, take more of this,” she says, “You need to boost your energy after your big surgery.”
“Why do I see lily as well?” Andrew asks.
“It’s good for you too,” Gabrielle replies, “Now, don’t forget to take the kidney beans.”
Gabrielle prays that Andrew devours his food.
“Why are the kidney beans raw?” Andrew asks.
“Huh?” Gabrielle feigns innocence, “Maybe you don’t eat them very often. This is how they’re supposed to be.”
“What soup is this?” Andrew asks with growing suspicion as he samples the soup.
“It’s snake soup,” Gabrielle answers.
“What?” Andrew asks, “Where did you get the snake?”
“I forgot to tell you Mr. Clifford died last night,” Gabrielle said, coughing nervously, “I was going to bury him, but then I heard the chef saying how nutritious snakes are. I want you to get better soon, and since it was your special snake, I thought it would be good for you.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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