Page 12 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

“Who the hell would do that? There’s nothing wrong with me.” Before I even finish my sentence, my uterus decides it’s had enough of me standing. I flinch while trying not to hunch over in pain.

“I was told you were sick and that you needed to get looked at to determine if you could go to work tonight,” Ralph explains further, not making any sense.

“Who asked you to do that?” I pull back my shoulders and put my hands on my hips, showing I mean business.

I’m not going to let in two people I don’t know, and I sure as hell can’t afford a home visit from a doctor. “I’m not inviting two strange men into my apartment. I’ve seen that movie, and spoiler alert . . .it doesn’t end well for me,” I say as I start to shut the door in their faces. The doctor looks shocked, while Ralph chuckles again. His next words make me hesitate.

“Apologies, Ms Hughes, I should have introduced myself officially. I’m Ralph, head of security for Arden and his friends, and this here is Dr Andrews,” he offers by way of introduction, then adds on, “He’s one of the best doctors in New Hope.”

“Nice to officially meet you, Ralphie, and to know what you actually get paid to do for that smeg head, but I’m still not letting you inside. I don’t need a doctor. Also, what have I told you about calling me Ms Hughes?” I go to close the door again, not waiting for a reply, and this time his foot stops me.

“If it would make you feel better, Dr Andrews can check you over in the main house.”

“Still a no. I don’t need a doctor. I’m fine.” I stare Ralph down, refusing to budge. I’m not letting Arden flash his cash around and implant himself into my life. I refuse to owe him, especially after the stunt he pulled this morning.

Ralph meets my eyes with a pleading look. I know he’s just doing his job, but still . . .Before I can even finish the thought, I’m hit with a crippling pain in my abdomen. It knocks the breath out of me, and the next thing I know, everything is going dark. The last thing I see is Ralph reaching out to stop me from falling.

This can’t be happening again.

* * *

I wake up to the beeps of a machine. The smell of disinfectant lingers in the air. Shit. I’m in hospital. Thinking back to what happened and how I ended up here, I remember arguing with Ralph and then the pain.

Argh. The pain that no one actually knows what’s causing it. Well, they sort of do, sort of don’t. It’s complicated.

It’s been a while since it has hit me that badly. I gave up going to the doctor or hospital about it years ago. No one was able to give me answers, and most doctors made me feel like it was all in my head.

I slowly open my eyes and everything spins, so I slam them shut again . . . They must have me pumped full of meds. A pinch in my hand means I’m also hooked up to a drip. Great, looks like I’m in here for a while. I have to work tonight though, and Chad will be pissed.

Okay, so he won’t actually bepissed,but I feel bad for letting him down.

“Ella? Are you awake?” comes a soft voice from beside me. I try to open my eyes again and turn my head towards the voice.

“Yasmin? What are you doing here?” I croak. My mouth is dry as the freaking desert, despite the IV fluids.

“You scared the crap out of us. Especially Ralph. He had to go and do something, so I volunteered to sit with you. We didn’t want you to wake up alone.” Her tone is low, gentle, and caring. It causes my eyes to well with tears. I’ve done countless trips to Emergency on my own. My aunt and uncle tried to be there for me; however, they had the twins to worry about, so I’ve been doing it on my own for a while now.

I try to blink back the tears before Yasmin sees them, but I’m not quick enough. She reaches over and takes my hand while looking me in the eyes. I can see the concern on her face, but it’s also mixed with understanding.

“Is it okay if I stay with you? I can leave when Caleb comes back if you want . . .”

“Caleb?” I croak again. Yasmin releases my hand to pour me a glass of water, then hands it to me.

“Sorry, Dr Andrews. He said he briefly met you earlier. You’re lucky he was there.” She takes the glass from my hand, and I finally glance around.

I’m in a private room with a wall of windows on one side. It’s obvious I’m in the private hospital. I have my own bathroom, and Yasmin handed me a glass—not one of those flimsy plastic cups you get in public hospital. I can’t afford to be here . . .

Panic sets in, and Yasmin seems to know what I’m thinking. I try to sit up, but the pain meds are making me woozy, so I fall back to the mattress.

“Calm down, it’s okay. Everything has been paid for. You just need to rest.”

“I can’t accept this, it’s too much.” Freak out mode officially engaged.

“You can, and you will. Please just calm down. I know it’s a lot, but please, we’d like you to get the best care available.” Yasmin is genuinely concerned.

I don’t know what else to say. I’d like some answers, and if that means letting that bow-tie-wearing smeg head pay, then I’ll let it go. For now. But the next time he is in the bar, I will let him have it.

I feel like Ralph jinxed me with his comment the other night.

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