The first time she opened her eyes, she saw Samuel. He looked so relieved. Then she feel back into sleep because everything hurt so much. The next time she opened her eyes, her mother was there, so were Wahim and Dex. And they looked relieved too.
Next thing she knew she was going to Condorsprings with them three days later since she did not have anyone in Alvas to stay with till she recovered. Wahim said he had had a conversation with her boss and that naturally he gave her time to get back on her feet.
Rita felt a little bit weird going to live with her mom and the guys. It was a full house with Wahim, Savior, Gordon, Dex and her mum with a baby on the way. She would just be a hindrance. Plus it would be hella lot of awkward.
Rita stared out the hospital window. She would not be in the city for a month. Maybe it would be a good thing. Changing scenes. Having a chance to get her mind together after everything that happened. The door opened and Dex walked in.
“Ready to go Rita?” he asked.
She got of the bed. “Yeah, I'm ready.” On the first step, everything wobbled a little.
“Need some help?” he asked
“No, I'm good.”
“Come on let's go. Helen and Wahim are waiting outside.”
****
Her mother was riding with Dex in the car infront while she rode in the car behind with Wahim. It was an awkward ride. For her anyway. Considering that in the past she had had feelings for him. It was a year before she graduated. He had almost rapped up his PhD and she had told him how she felt about him
He told her that they were too different and she should look for someone within her age grade. That he just was not into her. That was putting it politely. She had gone into a slight depression due to that. She had been brave enough to bare her heart for the first time and she had been harshly rejected. She would be lying if she said that was not partially the reason that spurred her on to sleep with Samuel. Imagine the cruel irony of finding out that he was dating her mother.
She did not have feelings for him anymore but you know the feeling of seeing your ex all over again and neither of you wants to talk to each other? Yeah, that one. He had apologized to her two years ago but that was clearly to make sure she did not ruin his chances with her mother. And she forgave him for mostly the same reason; her mother's happiness.
Either of them really needed to start talking before the awkwardness in this car reached never before seen heights. “My mom seems to be doing okay.”
Wahim gripped the steering wheel hard. “Yes. She was, until we got a call that your office building had been blown up and you were in serious condition. Then everything went to hell.”
Everything went to hell? What did he mean by that? What happened? “I don't understand. Did something happen to my mom?” They were almost at the city's border.
“No, nothing.” Wahim replied.
“Wahim just tell me! We are going to Condorsprings, I will be living in that house for a month, whatever it is I am going to find out. You might as well tell me now.”
Wahim opened his mouth to answer when something going on in the front caught his eye. Rita looked out the windshield. An officer was talking to Dex in his car. The edge of the city looked different from the last time she saw it. Well, of course it would be different, she had not been here in three years. She knew it was because of what happened over a week ago but this much security made her nervous and the length of time the officer was talking to Dex with made her even more anxious.
The officer left Dex's window and she felt a little bit relieved. Only to see Dex pull over and the office motioning Wahim to do the same. What was going on? Dex stepped out of his car and Wahim did the same.
“Dex, what is the problem?” Wahim asked.
“They are saying we can't take Rita out of the city.”
What?
Wahim looked at the officer. “May I ask why?”
Yeah, that is what she would like to know too!
“She can't leave the city.”
Dex tried to explain. “But officer, she was in that blast, she was in–”
“I can see that Sirs but those are the orders we just received twelve minutes ago. We just caught ten members of that mad ass extremist group trying to leave the city today. According to the mayor, that is one too many.”
Dex looked at his car and then the police officer. “So we are stuck here?” He asked.
“No, If you came to the city after the bomb blast then you are free to leave as long as you have your ID but all those who were here before and during the blast are required to stay within the city.”
The officer looked at Rita through Wahim's open window. “Especially humans.”
Rita swallowed. Great, she was stuck here. And humans were not exactly most of the city's favorite species.
****
They spent more than an hour trying to find a place to suitable for her to stay but everywhere was booked. The only place she had now was her house but she did not have the keys anymore.
She was in a real pickle this time.
The only other place was the bakery and to spend the night there you had to be crazy and stupid. Not even the money spent the night in the bakery.
After the non ritzy and ritzy hotels told them they were full, Wahim, her mom and Dex did what she feared they would do. Go search for rooms in the ultra ritzy hotels. The kind that had her gaping at the cost of a two hour stay let alone a night! Let alone a whole dang month! Of course, these were the type of hotels her mom and the guys usually stayed in.
They did not even bat so much as an eyelash for the room that cost her entire advance payment! A quarter million! For a night! Her mother insisted on lots and lots of comfort, with space, amenities and personal care and when they found a building that fulfilled all her requirements, it was nothing short of incredible. It was an enormous suite with a gorgeous view, three bedrooms, with a swimming pool and its own champagne reserve, fully stocked kitchen and butler and maid. Rita was afraid to even think about the price.
The hotel brought her stuff up while Wahim went to have their room checked out. And she was left with her mom and Dex. Her mom kept checking up on her every few minutes and it gave her chances to study her mother. The baby bump was starting to show and Rita wondered how long draconian pregnancies lasted. And what complications there might be since her mother was human. She looked okay, she walked fine, nothing seemed to be wrong but what Wahim said in the car had her worried. If she asked her about it, she would deny anything was wrong.
Wahim came back in and took her to their room leaving Dex with her in the living room. This was her chance.
“Dex is–”
“Rita did–”
“You go first.” Said Dex, standing behind the bar counter, taking a sip of the brandy he poured for himself.
“Ok.” Rita took in a deep breath. “Dex answer me truthfully. Is anything wrong with my mom? Did anything happen?” She had not realized how much this had worked her up until the words left her mouth.
He stared at her for a few seconds before he took the glass away from his lips and said anything. “Did Wahim say anything?”
She sat up straight in the chair she was sitting in. Worry eating her too much for her to relax against the soft cushion. “Just something about everything going to hell. What does that mean?”
Another long moment passed before he spoke. “After a nurse at the hospital told Helen about your state over the phone, she went into a state of shock and stress. And something happened to Helen.”
“What happened?” Oh no. The baby. “Is it the baby? Is something wrong with the baby?”
“No, nothing is wrong with the baby. It is doing fine.”
“Then what…”
“I am getting to that. You know the thing about the mother and the baby being connected and all.”
She nodded confused about where this was going.
“Yeah.”
“Well the baby felt how she was feeling, the shock and distress, and may have made her start spewing fire.”
Rita blinked rapidly. Spewing what now?! Did he just say her mother was spewing fire?! Dex went back to the bar and poured himself another glass of brandy.
“Helen could not control it. She burnt down the gazebo and got burnt a little bit herself.”
“She got burnt?! Where?!” She started. Alarmed that her mother had been injured.
“Her back and her thighs.” he answered, pouring himself another glass. “That is why we could not come to Alvas sooner. Of course, she's fine now but Wahim still blames himself.”
“Why? It wasn't his fault.” she said. No one could have predicted any of that.
“He blames himself because he was the one that handed her the phone that afternoon.” he explained.
“Is that why he is being extra careful and attentive?” she asked.
“Precisely.” He affirmed. “We get him. First time he is actually home early enough for dinner and actually home long enough to spend more time with Helen and she gets burned.”
“He must feel terrible.”
Dex put the glass down on the counter. “Yeah, he does. We all do.”
Well those questions and a few more questions answered. “Your turn.” she said.
He looked at her puzzled. “What?”
“You wanted to ask me something?” she reminded him.
“Oh yeah. Rita why did you not call back?” he asked, urgency in his voice. His eyes dead serious.
Rita was puzzled. “Why didn't I call back when?”
“A few weeks ago. Gordon said you sounded urgent.” he stated, rounding the bar and coming to stand in front of her.
She had to crane her head up to look at his face. “A few weeks ago? I can't remember calling any of you said aside from the engagement announcement.” She whispered.
He bent down so she would not have to crane her neck which she was grateful for. “Really?” he said. “Gordon said you told him you were being tailed and mid conversation, your line went dead.”
What? She did not remember that. She did not remember any of that. It all sounded weird. And completely unnerving. A shiver ran up her spine and her heart dipped slightly into her stomach.
“We tried calling you but it was not connecting. Just kept fizzing out.”
What he was saying was not adding up then why did she feel like it did. Her head started to hurt. It felt like whatever Dex was talking about was in her head but she could not quite reach out and grab it. And it was so close but she could not.
“I can't remember anything like that. Maybe its has to do with me hitting my head but I ca–” she winced when a streak of pain went through her head.
“Rita. Just take it easy, if you cannot remember just forget it. You can try when you are better.” he said.
But it was too late, the damage was done.
He called for the servants. “Alice. Bernard.”
The maid and the butler came running at the call of their names. “Yes, Sir.”
“Take her to her room and make sure to let her rest.”
“Of course, Sir.” They said in unison.
Their voices were making the pain worse. Bernard supported most of her weight and helped her to her room and lay her down.
God her head hurt! So much!
“Alice please get the pills.”
“Right away, Sir.”
*****
By now Rita was fully on her way to Condorsprings with her family. And he would not see her for a full month and then some. Those bastard really did a number on her. At least they did not mark up her body they did to so many others and to him.
She will be safe in Condorsprings for a while. Well, until the clean up was done. His family had been blowing up his phone ever since he got the new one set up. His mother practically begged every single day for him to come back home. After the disastrous birthday he had, literally, he was all set to go. He still had a peace treaty to renew after all. His phone rang and he picked it up from the table. It was Mateo, his city hall informant.
“Talk to me.”
“Boss, the city is on partial lockdown.” Mateo said.
Samuel flew off his seat. “What?! When did this happen?”
“I would say about thirteen minutes ago. Mayor's orders.”
Who the hell did that pimp think he was?
“Put me through to him.”
“Can't do that boss. He is in a meeting with the state governor.”
The governor. So he was right. Things had gotten that bad. The little shit knew he was in for it so he decided to go crawling to the state. “Put me through to him the minute that call is done.”
“Yes boss.”
Samuel ended the call.
Damn it! That means Rita and her family are still in the city and if the governor was getting involved then no amount of money was going to buy him or anyone out without notice.
Looks like none of them were going home. His mum was going to flip.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
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