CHAPTER FIVE

After the whole ordeal of the old man's attempt at scamming the shop, we finally arrived at the police station. He had been discharged also but he arrived with the officers before us meaning he'd had an opportunity to feed them his lies. Not that I minded anyways, I had enough evidence of his treachery and I didn't want to waste anymore time entertaining this old joker.

"Lina, give a clear account of what this old man did when he got to the cafe this morning, don't leave anything out!" I instructed Lina.

The police officers were also ready to take her statement, the old man looked complacent like he had the whole situation under control. Old Fool.

Coincidentally, Mike arrived, but I motioned him to hold his peace for a while.

"Yes, Boss. This man entered the cafe this morning and like every other customer I welcomed him and took his order. But he infact was not planning on getting anything, he apparently thought our cafe offered other 'explicit services'. I thought he was joking and was about to get Mike, my colleague, to serve him instead, but he instead got angryand restrained me, I threatened to scream out to get him off me but he punched me instead for resisting him. But of course, I retaliated then he began behaving unreasonably and demanding an explanation. That was what was going on when our boss arrived and he started cooking up scenarios that were not. I'll really not take this loss, you law officials have to believe this man over here is a real scumbag, even with how old he is!" Lina finally got to explain what had happened to her, from the agitated state she was in I didn't doubt she was telling the truth, she was a trustworthy person.

While she was speaking, the old man had wanted to rush up at her but the officers held him restrained, when he realized he couldn't get them off him he proceeded to shout instead.

"How can you believe the words of a lying spiteful creature like her? You think an old man like me would lie?" He screamed fiercely.

At this point I began to wonder if I had somehow offended this man in some way, he seemed to want to take things too far. At this point Mike had retrieved the footage and handed it over to the officer, he proceeded to play it in front of everyone.

Watching everything unfolding, it dawned on the man that his schemes had fallen through, he looked up at me with a crazy glint in his eye, this man was determined on dealing a loss to us. Then suddenly he sat down, anxiously grabbed a pen and lunged at me, I was startled and reflexively pushed towards him but I was too late and he managed to plunge the pen into my upper arm. The pain hit me like nothing I'd ever felt before.

I had a very low pain tolerance, a stab wound was enough to get me to pass out, and soon enough I did.

"Adelaide!"

"Miss Wade!" "Miss Wade!"

"Adelaide!"

"Call an ambulance for the lady! Hold down that criminal!"

Was all I could hear before I completely blanked out.

I think I heard Zeke also, but how could he have known where I was was, could he have…

And I fell, into someone's arms.

…

Beep, beep, beep…

I was at the hospital?

I slowly open my eyes, that annoying beeping was getting to my head. And the pain in my arm, even though had reduced still had me gasping as I tried to move it.

Even though this room looked a lit but luxurious for a hospital ward, I could still tell it was one.

"Adelaide, baby! You're awake!" Yup, definitely Zeke!

But he should have no idea what's happening currently, I haven't told him anything, then it struck me! I didn't tell him anything, Zeke who desires a lot to do everything for me, I didn't tell him anything, even right from the moment I knew something was wrong. I felt guilty beyond doubt, I let him down. I couldn't even look him in the eye.

He didn't know what happened, I didn't think of him at all when I got in trouble yet he was already here taking care of me, fussing over me.

Unknowingly I was already getting teary, thinking about this man that's already put me in the palm of his hands.

"Baby, are you in pain? Get the doctor! Hold on for a little while, baby." He fussed, almost panicking.

He was about to rush out, probably to hijack a doctor, but I was mostly fine so I held him back.

"Zeke, I'm fine", I managed to rasp out while grasping the hem of his shirt. I winced, I shouldn't be moving this arm yet but I still managed to hold him from leaving.

"Stay with me, Zeke."

"Baby!" He embraced me tightly, careful to not touch my wounded arm. He smiled at me, then as if remembering something a stern expression masked his smile.

Oh no! He is definitely angry now, and I can guess it has everything to do with me.

Can I at least enjoy his attention for a while more before we get to him being angry?

"I'm hungry, Zeke", I said as I blinked up at him.

The speed at which his expression changed to that of worry almost amused me.

"I'll get the doctor, I'll be back, Adelaide", he said as he looked at me like he knew I changed the topic on purpose.

Soon enough, he entered with a doctor.

He checked the area and the bandages, I honestly would have gotten annoyed at all this fussing if it wasn't that the pain was just a bit too much.

"Give it a week, she should be partially if not fully healed. But she should not engage in activities that might hinder the healing process. She'd have to take a break from any activity that involves exertion on the arm. And she should not allow water get in contact with the injury also." One would think Zeke was the patient because the doctor was addressing him alone, but I don't mind, all these instructions were going in one ear and out the other.

"She can observe the discharge process if you can't stay in the hospital. Basically, she's fine safe for the healing of the injury." The doctor added.

"No, we'll stay. Just for further observations." Zeke insisted.

Well okay. I didn't even have the guts to defy him with my guilty conscience. Guess I'll have to send a message to Mike, he has to take care of the cafe in my absence.

I have a lot to deal with.