Chapter 9: Seeing a ghost
Christian entered Ashley's ward, payment receipt and medication in hand, only to be met with an empty bed. His heart sank, panic gripping him as he frantically scanned the room.
"She had been asleep just minutes ago. Where was she now?"
With a frustrated growl, he slammed his fist on the bedside table, making the nurse who had just rushed in flinch.
"Is she awake now, sir?" she asked, her eyes darting around the room in confusion.
"Where's the woman who was on this bed?" Christian's voice was low, edged with barely contained fury.
The nurse hesitated, her bewildered expression only fueling Christian's frustration.
"I... I don't know, sir. I left her here to attend to other patients. She was still asleep when I did."
"Ashley!" Christian called searching the large room.
He yanked open the in-built toilet door, but it was empty. His anger morphed into frustration as he raked a hand through his hair. The nurse watched in confusion.
"So, you're telling me that in a hospital this equipped, patients can just vanish into thin air?" he gritted.
The nurse, though startled, remained calm. "Sir, please, it's possible she woke up and stepped out. Considering her injuries weren't severe."
Christian's gaze snapped to the corner of the room where Ashley's clothes had been. They were gone.
"She left," he muttered, the realization hitting him hard. "She left me again."
Without another word, he shoved past the nurse and bolted into the hallway, eyes darting through the sea of people.
The nurse shrugged and went back to her duty. Christian's car hitting a stranger had truly been an accident, but realizing it was Ashley had felt like fate. He thought he had finally found her again—only to lose her just as quickly.
For two years, christian had ransacked Gold-city for Ashley, tormented by her sudden disappearance. It was worse knowing that during their marriage, he hadn't bothered to learn the little details about her or her family. Now, she had slipped through his fingers once more.
He had come to Nova City to close a crucial business deal, but in that moment, he just couldn't concentrate. Some of his restaurants branches had been struggling since Ashley left, and handing control to Kayla had been a mistake. But now, he thought fate had given him a second chance. He couldn't let Ashley disappear again.
As Christian turned toward the hospital exit, his steps suddenly faltered.
A figure stood in the distance, near the automatic doors. Tall, broad-shouldered and familiar.
Lorenzo Grey. The name formed in his mind before he could stop it.
Christian felt beads of sweat instantly settle on his forehead. That was impossible. It had only been six years–lorenzo shouldn't be walking free. He shouldn't be here.
Christian blinked rapidly, his pulse racing.The figured remained there, half-shadowed by the hospital dim light, like a ghost watching him.
Unknown to him, Lorenzo had been walking free since five years ago, and Christian would be terrified learning what he'd done in those five years.
A cold sweat broke out along Christian's spine, and he took a step forward to confirm. But just then, the automatic door slid open and he paused, expecting the person walk in, but nothing happened.
He was gone.
A bitter chuckle escaped Christian's lips. He wondered if he was seeing things. Maybe a stress-induced delusion. After all, he hadn't had enough sleep for days.
Shaking his head, he exhaled sharply and continued toward the exit. He just needed sleep, he concluded.
But deep down, an uneasy feeling lingered. Because for a split second, he could've sworn that Lorenzo had been standing there.
Back in Christian's business suite, Kayla had just arrived, gaining access as his fiancee. She was all smile as the aged bellhop struggled to carry both her luggages and handbag, while she sashayed like a princess into the massive waiting bed.
"Prepare me some scented bath, I need to soak and relax before my fiance returns." Kayla ordered the woman who was still dragging her bags and wondering why she brought so many items for just a few days visit.
"Okay ma'am. I'll inform the housekeepers." The lady was on her way out when Kayla interrupted with a displeased scowl.
"I want you to do it, not some housekeepers." She demanded.
The lady hesitated before giving a nod, and walked to the bathroom. After requesting juice and pizza, Kayla decided to call Christian to inform him of her arrival.
"Sweet surprise, Chris baby," she squealed before touching the dial.
Christian's phone rang, yanking him from his chaotic thoughts. A glance at the screen made his jaw tighten—Kayla.
"Baby, I'm at your suite," she cooed the moment he answered, her voice laced with excitement. "I'm dying to see you."
Christian exhaled, fighting the irritation creeping in. "I told you I was returning home tomorrow. Did you need to come?"
"So, you're not excited to have me here? It's okay, I would just take the next flight back." Her voice turned sulky.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. He had to tread carefully—Kayla's tantrums could be expensive. She wouldn't mind taking the most expensive airlines and flying to several other countries to waste his money, before she finally went home.
"I'm happy you're here, Kay," christian nibbed, forcing a light tone. "I just didn't want you stressing yourself." The last thing he needed right now was her drama.
"You'll just have to wait a little bit for me. I have a meeting with a client in an hour. After that, I'll come meet you, and we can spend some quality time together, okay?" Christian coaxed.
"Okay, Chris baby. I'll wait for you. I love youuu." She blew a kiss into the phone.
As soon as the call dropped, Kayla picked up her second phone to call the guy who helps her track christian. She wanted to be sure he was telling the truth because she'd noticed he didn't sound as excited as he claimed over the phone.