Four

Jake looked around the white room, wondering where he was. He was no longer wearing his wet clothes. Instead, he had dry, comfortable and clean clothes. Then, that man, why was he there? And what has his sleeping or waking up got to do with him?

“Young master, you are awake. I'll go and get the doctor,” the man said and dashed out before Jake could even process what he said. 

“Young master? Who was he referring to as young master?”

The door opened and a handsome and well built young man, entered the room confidently, his white coat flying behind him like a cape. 

“Good morning, young master. How do you do this morning?”

Jake could only stare at this man, dumbstricken. It was true that he was poor but he was abreast with the news at least. The man on white, standing before him was the most popular medical doctor in the country. His skills, efficiency and expertise was widely known. Just a session with him cost almost a million dollars and this man didn't treat ordinary people. No! He was a doctor for the high class, those who knew his worth and could afford him. Was he seeing things, or was Dr Smith really standing in front of him, touching him delicately with his glove protected hands and staring at the screen? 

With a final nod, the doctor completed his examination. There was a mask of professionalism in his expression, yet, there was warmth and reverence in his eyes. In a voice dripping with compassion, he said,

“You are doing well, young master. You will be fine and will be discharged in no time.” 

Dr Smith smiled again and exited the ward. 

It still seemed pretty much like a dream to Jake. 

“Okay, we will get up now and say goodbye to the dream world. It was nice feeling important in there,” he said to himself and made to get up from the bed. 

“Take it easy, young master. Please, do go easy on yourself,” the man from earlier said. His voice drummed into Jake's eardrums, making him realise that this was no dream! 

“Young master, you say?”

“Yes sir.”

The only thing Jake could think of was that Vincent Winters had brought his men to get rid of him. His life was already a mess and the last thing he wanted was to complicate it. He suddenly regretted raising his hands on the son of a wealthy family.

“I'm sorry. Please, just let me go this once. I pledge my loyalty to Master winters. I'll will never try that again, please, forgive me and let me go.”

But the man fell on his knees and cried,

“Young master, please, say no more. My boss can't find you begging me. I'll be better off as dead, please. Focus on getting better. I will never live a good life if anything happens to the young master of the Fredrick's family.”

“Are you sure that you don't have the wrong person?” Jake queried.

“Not at all, young master. I'll explain everything to you but only after you have eaten and gotten better please. Meanwhile, I'm your humble servant, Richard.”

Humble servant? He had a servant?

A thousand and one questions popped up in Jake's head but who would he ask? This man in front of him was only concerned about his getting better first. 

It seemed he was cut out for a lot of surprises as a knock came on the door. Richard answered the door and was soon walking towards Jake with a packaged parcel. He placed it on the table before Jake and took out a well prepared lunch pack. He opened it and handed the cutlery to Jake. 

“Breakfast, young master.”

The smell of good and nutritious food wafted into his nostrils and he fed his eyes with the glorious sight before him. 

“You can eat, sir. Or do you want something else? Please, tell me what you want and I'll have it delivered here in no time.”

He should eat the food? He looked at the lunch pack and what he saw nearly made him faint. There was an inscription, Mangrove grills, on the plate. For goodness sake, Mangrove grills was the biggest restaurant in the country and only registered members were allowed to dine there. To be a registered member, one needed a black card that ranged between three and five million dollars. Only members with platinum cards could request a delivery. A platinum card was estimated around eight million dollars. But food from that restaurant, worse still, delivery was before him!

Without another word, he held his cutlery and helped himself to the sumptuous dish. After the food, he was told to rest more on the soft and cozy bed. Even the bed in the mansion where he worked the previous day was nothing compared to this one. 

Dr Smith re-entered the ward some minutes later. 

“Young master, do you feel pains anywhere?”

“No, I don't.”

“That's good. You will be discharged now. Don't hesitate to let me know if there's any problem,” Dr Smith said, smiling warmly. 

Jake forced a smile too and nodded his head. 

Jake followed Richard, gingerly out of the ward and hospital. When they got to the door, Richard pointed in a direction and said,

“This way please, young master.”

Jake looked in that direction and a gasp escaped his lips. There were about four luxury cars packed there and other men who were dressed in the same attire as Richard. When he looked in their direction, they all saluted and bowed low before him. Unable to contain his curiosity, he stopped Richard and asked,

“Pray, tell me. What is going on?”

“Young master, we are here to take you home. You are the long lost grandson of the Fredrick family and consequently the young master and heir of the family.”