My body jolted at the sound of the car's horrifying honk, a little too late to regret for confidently assuming the empty road is void of cars. The two beastly yellow lights that met my eyes grew bigger - signaling the fast incoming danger and yet, my body refused to budge. If I have to make an excuse, I would blame it on the shock but deep down, I know I have given up living.
My ex-husband, the man who vowed to love me in sickness and in health, has married his 'work wife' — the very woman he claimed was not his type at all and assured me it was purely professional. Somehow, in just one and a half years into our divorce, he had married her, had a son together, and now owned the entire Phantom Corporation. That's two-thirds of a feat I could not achieve in the five years of our marriage - giving him a child and prepare him to be the next heir.
I did not wish to compare myself but it seems I am my own greatest enemy. Because the saying 'Behind every great man is a great woman' kept on popping into my head. Oh, how cruel life can be. Not only have I fallen to the depths of misery, but I am also subtly reminded of how useless I have become. Being infertile is one thing but to have that stupid narrative inside my head that my own insecurity is the one dragging him down is just pure torture. It would not surprise me if Grandpapa Aston rewarded him with the Phantom Corporation for having an heir.
Time flew too slow as I stupidly waited for my body to collide with the speeding car and send me flying. And when I fly, boy, did I fly. Instantaneously I regretted my actions. 'What was I thinking?'
I thought it would be a quick death like how movies portrayed them to be. Instead, raging pain enveloped me all at once. My hip hurts like hell when the metal thrusted me into the air, moving my arms rather unnaturally. But nothing hurts more than when my head slammed against the asphalt. And the grainy bits that scraped my skin open? I have to say, I do NOT feel that great about the two-in-one deal in the pain department.
Thankfully as quick as it comes, I could feel the pain ebbbed away and I knew my end is near. Oh, the elation I feel knowing nothing else would come to hurt me anymore. As soon as the worried faces of crowds circling above me begin to blur and their concerned voices fade into nothingness, I smile with happiness - relishing what little time I have left.
Imagine my surprise when I woke up to the most excruciating ache in my life. Sore and tender would be an understatement. A groan escaped my lips upon slight movement. 'Am I supposed to feel pain after death?'
Then came a man to my view, with slick black hair combed neatly to the side. His lips move but his voice quite muffled. Very reassuring too, if I may add.
'Alistair?' I wonder. 'No, shouldn't be. He does not like to style his hair that way. Not with THAT forehead,' I giggled internally as the image of my ex-husband's forehead transformed into an airport's runway.
As much as I would like, I did not have the time to register who this stranger is and why he is here because a few moments later, he left and came back with a woman in a white gown.
The doctor shone this blinding bright light right into my eyes and instantly, my ears started to ring and my head began to thump incessantly. It was becoming overwhelmingly agonising that I could not handle it any longer.
I might have screeched like a banshee, I might have not. I too, am not sure. But I definitely remember before I slipped into unconsciousness, I could hear the man's angry voice followed by a cool liquid running through my veins.
The next few days did not get any better. In fact, I injured myself further the next time I woke up. How? Beats me. All I wanted to do was stand up and grab the water bottle next to me but instead, I rolled and fell badly to the hard ground. Several nurses attempted to lift me carefully like I am some precious cargo but that mysterious man managed to carry me back to bed effortlessly.
And that was how I found out I have woken up from a month-long coma. Even with that information, there was nothing I could do. My throat was prickly, my voice was hoarse and it appeared I was incapable of uttering a proper single word.
Without a voice and with limbs as good as jelly, I am akin to the living dead. Only my eyes and my nonexistent telepathic skill were tools for communication, putting aside the ferocious frustrated grunts I made when nobody understands me.
Despite all that, the nurses had been extremely patient with me and were quite accommodating. But the one that puzzled me the most is this unfamiliar man who had come to visit every single day.
'Who is he?' Not that I could ask him out loud but at the same time I could not help but wonder. Why has he not made a formal introduction?
Every now and then, I woke up and like the couple times before this, I feel another cool liquid running through my veins that placed me to immediate slumber and relieve me of the pains. It must have happened at least three to four times. Or maybe more. Not that I was keeping counts but by the time I was fully awake, I felt no more pain. Instead, I feel refreshed as though I had a proper rest.
A quick scan of the room lets me know that I am no longer in the hospital. Why? Because there were no more drips connecting to my hands, no unkind terrifying white lights lined the ceiling and no traces of antiseptic smell at all. Instead, it resembles a cosy minimalistic bedroom.
As soon as the thoughts registered in my brain, I was on high alert! Armed with fight or flight hormones, I pulled myself up and sprint towards the door. What I wore and where I was, did not matter because I need to get out as fast as possible for my safety. Because this bedroom is not mine! Death can wait but never in a million year will I Iet my body be abused before leaving the world.
Exit was just right ahead of me but my path is blocked by a well build masculine figure. My heart pounded while my mind prayed that my body was healthy enough to fight and at the same time, I was plotting my not-so-great escape plan.
"Where are you heading?" asked the towering figure before me.
"Home," I stuttered. My eyes contemplate whether to look at the person's face for facial recognition or to avoid eye contacts to prevent provoking the man.
To my surprise, he let out an 'Oh' and sidestepped to let me pass. "Go ahead then," he said.
As I passed by him, I was sure I heard him sigh. But now was not the time to reflect on that. I did NOT need to be told twice for my safety to come first. I scrambled as fast as I could - faster than one could count to ten. All those crazy hypothetical scenarios in my head? Ignored! If he is a psychopath killer or there is a group of thugs waiting for me outside, be damned with it! I will take my chance!
It is not hard to escape at all. The door was already ajar, calling for me. If not the door, the windows by the kitchen was wide open. Plenty of alternatives, if you ask me. Obstacles? Hindrance? What does that even mean? I snickered at the absurdity of my hypothetical theories earlier on.
Next thing you know, I was already halfway through the house gate. Oh, how I sighed a sigh of relief! But I dared not let my guard down. I still ran and ran as far as I could. It was rather weird as I passed through the numerous gates and winding maze but it was not as weird until I reach the end.
For the first time, I stopped moving and began to pay attention to my surroundings. A beautiful marbly-white water fountain waited for me on my left and presumably a continuation of a maze right in front of me. But the odds of all odds, an unusual object by the tall fence on my right lured me.
My heart thumped and my footsteps felt heavy. I could not shake the ominous feeling that threatened my every cells. My eyes wanted confirmation but my mind is too afraid to accept what it might be. There could only be two reasons of why this object stood there and I deeply wished it was not what I think it was despite the layout were e shouting at me.
A step further, I saw another similar object standing not far from where it stood and it made my heart beat even faster. The open sky, the tall fences erected right before the objects and its twin were more than enough a proof. But my denial remained firm as my hand touched its cold metallic body.
I did not need to use it. At least not at the moment because all I need was a confirmation and I could do so without using it. As I drew nearer to the fence, I realised I had been holding my breath and a gasp escapes me of what my eyes witnessed with a tiny portion of my soul drifted out.
The panoramic view right in front of me showed I am NOT on ground level.
Help...