Chapter 7

Lisa decided to leave work early to go home and check on her patient, who still hasn’t regained consciousness.

She said goodbye to Nurse Susan and went down to the lobby to sign out. After signing out, she went to the parking lot for her car and left the hospital.

When she arrived at her apartment’s underground parking lot, she noticed 4 black Alligator SUVs. She felt there was something suspicious and strange about it; nonetheless, she put it at the back of her mind and walked towards the lobby.

“Good afternoon,” Lisa greeted the elevator attendant the moment she entered the elevator.

“Good afternoon, Miss Lynn,” he responded as he pressed the floor number. The elevator closed and started to ascend.

As the elevator ascended, Lisa noticed the elevator attendant kept stealing glances at her as if he wanted to say something but was hesitant about it.

However, since he was not able to tell her whatever it was, she wouldn’t inquire about it. When the elevator arrived at the fifth floor, she smiled at the attendant and said,

“Thank you,“ he returned it with an awkward smile, as his face showed an emotion similar to pity...?

Lisa walked out of the elevator, feigning nonchalance, and made her way through the hallway.

She soon reached her door, retrieved her key from the bag to open the door, and entered. When she entered, the inside of her apartment was dark.

She walked to the switch and turned on the light but jumped in fright at the sight in front of her.

“What the heck?!" She exclaimed, leaning on the wall startled, with her hand on her chest and eyes widened in shock.

“Who are you?” A deadly cold voice asked, sending chills down her spine.

She traces the voice to a devilishly handsome man with an expressionless, stern face, seated on the couch, wearing a custom-made suit.

His hair was neatly tied in a low bun, and around him were six bodyguards; they were big-chested, big-shouldered, and heavily armed with guns.

Lisa felt there was something familiar about the man seated on the couch but could not pinpoint it.

“Who are you?” The man boomed, making her flinch. But she frowned as realization dawned on her; this was her apartment they were in.

They are the intruders.

“Excuse me? But I am supposed to ask you that?” Lisa said with an arched brow, her face unfazed.

‘These bastards—she hopes they’re not there because they traced her from last night’s incident.’ She doubted inwardly.

“Who are you, and what are you doing inside my apartment?” She asked, looking the man straight in the eyes. The man smirked in amusement.

‘This lady’s interesting; no one had ever dared answer his question with another question before; furthermore, she even dared look him straight in the eyes. Does she have a death wish?’

He stood up and walked over to her; every step he took sent a shiver down Lisa’s spine, but she didn’t falter and still held his gaze as he approached her.

“If you don’t start to speak this instant.” His expression was dark as he spoke through gritted teeth, and in a swift movement he grabbed her hair in an attempt to pull it back, but he was stunned by how unique her hair was.

‘Wow! Her hair is so damn soft; he wishes he could smear it on his face and have the whiff of it,' he thought.

What the hell is he even thinking? He harshly pulled her hair backward and pointed his pistol at the side of her head. However, his swift action made Lisa dizzy all of a sudden.

“I’m going to fucking pull this trigger if you...”

He couldn't finish his statement when he felt her body go limp against him. He caught her in time and carried her bridal style.

He took in her pale complexion and pressed a hand on her forehead.

“Shit! She’s burning up?” He muttered urgently. “What are you standing there for? Get the fucking car ready!” He yelled at his men, and they quickly moved out.

~~~

They arrived at the hospital 15 minutes later.

The bodyguards immediately alighted from their car and walked over to open the car door for their boss and noticed their boss still had the lady in his arms. He got out, walking towards the lobby with Lisa in his arms.

The hospital was informed in advance, so they prepared a VIP room and waited for their arrival.

When they saw Don Antonio coming with someone in his arms, they quickly ran out with the gurney.

Among the nurses who went out was Nurse Susan, who, upon noticing Lisa, felt surprise shoot through her.

“Dr. Lynn?” She exclaimed loudly. She parted ways with Lisa just an hour ago. What happened to her? She thought.

“Dr. Lynn?” Don Antonio asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, sir, Dr. Lynn works here; she signed out not long ago; may I please know what happened to her?”

When Susan asked that question, all the nurses and bodyguards gazed up at Susan in astonishment; they shifted their gaze to Don Antonio and then back to Susan.

‘Does she have a death wish?’ They thought, but to their surprise, Don Antonio answered.

“She fainted,” Don Antonio answered, causing everyone to once again look up with shocked expressions.

NB: This is the start of Susan and Don Antonio's story; they are supporting characters.

30 minutes later in the VIP room. Don Antonio sat adjacent to the hospital bed, looking at Lisa’s sleeping form. Just then there was a knock, and Dr. Timothy walked in.

“Good afternoon, sir.” Dr. Timothy greeted. Don Antonio stared at him with an expressionless face.

“What's wrong with her?” He asked the doctor in a dominating tone, making the doctor tremble in fear.

“She hasn’t been having enough sleep; that's what caused her to faint, but I’ve also run a test on her just in case; this is the result.” Dr. Timothy said, handing the results to Don Antonio.

“You expect me to read the result!?” Don Antonio asked coldly and smirked. “I want your resignation letter on my desk in ten minutes if you want to be able to find a decent job afterward.” Dr. Timothy immediately began trembling and quickly dropped down to his knees.

“Forgive me, sir; I was wrong. I have a wife and kids; if you revoke my license, it will kill me,” Dr. Timothy pleaded, trembling. Don Antonio only smirked, not showing a hint of compassion towards Dr. Timothy’s pleading.

“Matteo!! Get this bastard out of my sight!” He growled loudly, causing Lisa to jerk out of slumber.

“What’s going on here?” She asked, drowsily wiping her face with the back of her hand. Matteo, who at that time was dragging Dr. Timothy out, stopped at the sound of her voice.

The whole room went silent. Don Antonio also turned to face her. For a moment he was dumbstruck; his cold and stern face instantly became calm.

'Was this the same woman he had at gunpoint a few minutes ago? No, it must be the hospital gown. Now he gets it; it’s the light.

The light in the room is so bright that it is messing with his eyes. How did he not notice what a beauty this woman is?' His thought was broken when Lisa waved her hand at his face to call for his attention.

“It’s you from earlier; why were you in my apartment, and why am I in the hospital?” Lisa asked, glaring at Don Antonio coldly. “And how dare you point a gun at me?” Lisa asked with an even colder tone.

“I… I…” Don Antonio stammered. Matteo and Dr. Timothy immediately turned to peek at Don Antonio's face with disbelief.

'What just happened? Did the mighty Antonio just stutter before a woman?' Don Antonio frowned as he looked at Matteo and Timothy, who immediately looked away.

He turned to Lisa and said,

“I’m Don Antonio Agrilla,” he answered confidently, waiting for Lisa to acknowledge him, but she didn't, and what annoyed him was when she asked him.

“Am I supposed to know you? And what does knowing your name have to do with you being in my house and pointing a gun at me?” Lisa asked, perplexed, as she sized Antonio up and down.

‘He’s handsome alright, but does he have a problem with his head?’ Lisa thought. Don Antonio made a hand gesture, and Matteo, together with Dr. Timothy, walked out of the room.

The moment they left, Don Antonio started to approach Lisa’s bed as he began to unbutton his suit. Lisa couldn’t help but shiver; she had been in a situation like this before, and it left a permanent mark on her mind, which caused her to be traumatized till today.

“What... are you... trying to do...” Lisa asked nervously as cold sweat began to form on her forehead.

Antonio felt the anxiety in her voice and ceased his actions and said.