"You always do this, May. Do you also believe your mom to be Maniac?" Clara's voice was beginning to crack. She didn't expect May not to believe her. She needed just one person to stand by her, knowing fully well herself was a handful.
"No mom. Don't do that. It's just that— I know Declan well enough and I can't imagine him as someone that will hit a lady....let alone my mother."
May was disappointed at her mom but she didn't want to go too far and make her feel worse.
"So you believe his words over mine? You shouldn't be rude to your mother but that's alright" Clara sniffed, to clearly prove that she wasn't okay"
"The point here isn't who I believe over the other. I just want you to stay out of trouble. To be honest you've been doing too much lately and it's not good for either you or I. The company is—"
"I've been doing too much, you say? Everything I did, I did it for your ungrateful ass. So don't dare castigate me like the rest!"
"My bad. Wrong choice of words, sorry. I know You've looked out for me so well for the past few days and I appreciate you. Trust me mom, I don't take it for granted. But you need to put yourself first sometimes. I will be fine, mommy. Trust me. Huh?"
Clara rolled her eyes trying to keep the smile forming in her eyes away.
"Whatever. Do your thing then."
"Mom...." May's smile was evident in her voice and Clara couldn't help but let hers flash.
"I have an appointment with Mr. Will in two hours and I need you to come with me"
"You mean Nathan Will?" May was surprised her mom knew Nathan in person. He was the son of the CEO of Lucien groups, one of the most influential companies in the state and the very pain in May's ass.
Nathan and May had their story but the bottom line is that Nathan seemed to have a fold wish for May's comapy. Ever since she rejected his lustful advances towards her, his leg has pressed hard against her neck. May doesn't like him and he'snot ready to let her be.
They hadn't seen each other since Nathan pulled the last taunt on her company, risking everything she has worked hard for. She was not ready to meet with him yet, uncertain about what the confrontation will be like. But thinking about it, she wasn't going to bail out on the invitation either. Aside from the fact that she didn't want her mom to stress over her not going, She deserves a clarification,and help with her situation. And Nathan, an explanation and fixing to do.
"Alright mom, send me the address. I will see you soon."
***
Declan drove with the men in suits to a five star lounge at the heart of the city.
He stepped into the lounge and Mandy was just there at the left corner of the room. Her back was turned to the entrance so she didn't see him yet. She wore a Long black dress with a v cut at the back that revealed her back skin down to the waist line. Her shiny golden brown hair was neatly stretched and fell at her back. It bounced when she turned to see Declan approach her.
"Declan...." Her soft voice cooed.
Declan couldn't help but smile at her elegance. His eyes lingered on her curves and how sexy she looked in that dress. His eyes met her face flashing her full dentition in a broad smile.
"It's been a while, Mandy."
"Pleased to have you back." They hugged and exchanged pecks on the chin.
"My grandpa is in the room upstairs, C'mon." She took his hand and led him up.
The pair went up to Grandpa Asher's room and Declan's displeasure was evident, giving the old man's condition. He had become worse since the last time he saw him.
"How did it get to this point?"
"I really don't know. It just happened, and I thought he was getting better"
"Any new diagnosis?" Declan picked up a paper from a side table to take a look.
"Don't touch anything." A voice emerged from behind, cutting him short. Declan turned to see a man, obviously a doctor because of the coat he had on.
Declan cocked his head at Mandy waiting for an introduction.
"Oh... sorry I didn't tell you I had company. This is Dr. Leo. He's been treating my grandpa for a while now.
She turned to Leo. "And this is Declan, a close friend of mine who is quite knowledgeable on the field"
"Pleased to meet you, Leo" Declan stretched his hand and Leo eyed it before taking it in a hand shake. The atmosphere became a bit tense and Mandy quickly interjected. "Sorry for bringing you both here at once. I just need one or both of you to find out what is really wrong with him" One could sense the desperation in her voice. She really wanted her grandpa to live.
Leo didn't like the fact that she invited another practitioner to look at his patient. "From which med school?" He took the paper from Declan.
"None"
Leo scoffed, "How do you mean None?"
Declan cocked his head at him and he retrieved "I mean, I'm just curious. I trained at Bull medicals, and graduated a few years ago. I beg to mention that I was the best graduating student and no other BGS after me has beat my CGPA.
"Good for you" Declan had picked out the arrogance at the edge of his tone and wasn't interested in his details.
"Since no med school, Who was your master then?"
"I had no master. I trained on my own"
Declan replied flatly. He wasn't ready to reveal any details about himself to just anyone. His teacher was very famous and he would have Leo's jaw drop if he mentioned his name. But he wasn't interested in show offs and needed to stay as low as possible.
"Ain't no way you trained all by yourself. Not possible "
"So you thought till you met me" Declan collected the paper back from Leo and walked away to the other side of the room. A clear sign he was done with the conversation.
Leo felt insulted by Declan's attitude and couldn't hide his hate any further. He walked up to where Declan stood and took the paper from him, folded it and tucked it into his chest pocket. "What if I told you I don't believe any single word you've uttered from your mouth?" Leo started to walk back to Mandy, his hands clenched together at his back as he spoke. "And I don't mean only your claim that you trained on your own. But also the whole facade you pulled on about being a doctor and scamming this desperate woman into falling for your tricks." He looked up to Declan, meeting his eyes. "You know what I think? I think you're an imposter and a quack who just showed up for a high pay. I'm not sorry to blow your cover but will ask nicely just this once, that you leave before I disgrace and make you lose what's left of your dignity." A dead silence came after Leo's last word. Declan smirked and shook his head disparagingly at Leo's attitude. He picked up the fact that Leo was ins
Leo and Mandy instantly turned to Declan in confusion. "What do you mean?" Mandy asked first. She would get pissed if Declan failed to give a reasonable explanation to the words he just uttered. "It's a deadly concoction that can leave anyone dead few seconds after it's been injected into them." He said firmly. He's not just knowledgeable in healing medicine, but also knew quite enough about poisons too. He could tell it easily just from the scent of that mixture. Mandy's gaze didn't leave Declan's face and she could tell he was dead serious. He wouldn't be so unreasonable to play a trick on her in a situation like this. But then there's Leo, who was highly recommended for his expertise. She had heard testimonials from patients he had treated before. "Don't tell me you're taking the words of this maniac seriously. I warned you about having him in here" Leo was furious at Declan's claims. He walked up to his face, anger flashing through his eyes. "How dare you slander me? Why
Grand pa Asher's breath normalized. He was still deep in a coma and needed a few more days before he woke up. "What the hell just happened" Mandy was in shock. Her hands vibrated. She clasped them together to stay still. She couldn't imagine what would have happened if Declan hadn't come through. "Wait Mandy... I can explain. He was going to be better from the antidote I gave him. We should have just waited a little longer ""Wait, you say? He was going to die, Leo! He was losing so much blood!""It's not as bad as you think. I mean.... the blood you saw was the toxins flushing out of his body. I made him better. That last concoction wasn't necessary. This man right here just wants to take the glory of what I did!""You're unbelievable! I can't imagine I trusted you with his life.""So you believe him over me now? He simply finished what I started. Yes! It was my antidote that made him better"Declan was amused at Leo's Chicanery. He was a con and a master at it. He definitely did
May didn't say another word to Declan and his worry skyrocketed. "May! May!" He screamed into the phone before the call dropped. He tried to call her back but her phone was suddenly switched off. "What's up with May? Is everything alright?" Mandy tried to hold down Declan, concern plastered all over her face. "I don't know what's up with her. She's definitely not fine from the way she sounded, now her phone is switched off. I need to get to her right away. " He picked up his jacket and dashed off immediately."Wait! The herb...." Mandy called after him. His medical herb she found was in a box somewhere in the room. She tried to get it out and hand it to him."I will come pick it up later." ***May laid on her back, staring emptily at the ceiling. Her eyes were drowsy and everything around her appeared in twos. Some even in threes. She made to get up but fell back on the bed. Her head hurt like hell and she felt like throwing up. She was in a hotel room that belonged to Nathan W
Declan looked at the men before him, fifteen of them. They were all in dark shades and their faces were expressionless "Step back!" One of them ordered again. Declan assumed he was their leader. Declan's fist clenched at his effrontery. They were wasting his time and that was enough to piss him off. "Where is she?" He relaxed his fist and asked casually. He was going to ask them just once. "Leave now while we're still nice" The leader warned, shoving one side of his blazer open to flash a black pistol. Declan smirked. It's been a while since he got challenged. He looked at all of their fifteen faces and already knew how to handle them. They outnumbered him, but he undoubtedly outmatched them. In a split second, Declan moved swiftly and grabbed the leader by his neck with his left elbow before he knew it. His right hand pressed the leader's gun on his head. "One move from any of you and he would be as gone as yesterday" Declan warned the other subordinates whose guns point
Declan instantly recognized her voice. It was May. What have they done to her? He was terrified at the possibility that they had harmed her. His heart pounded in his chest as he approached the door. "May! May!" He called her name, banging on the door but no answer. The door was locked from the inside but it didn't stop him. This door was stronger than the rest. He continued to bang on it, to at least get a reaction from in there. To be sure she was okay. His fears intensified the same way his energy surged at the moment. Without a rethink, he moved back and kicked the door open in one attempt. What he met in the room was worse than he imagined. May was lying unconscious on the bed stack naked.... alone. "May..."He called. He approached her then paused. May was covered in blood, in her own blood and was unconscious. She had hit her head on the bed frame when she was fighting off Nathan and he threw her back on the bed. The sharp edge of the bed had torn her skull.
Nathan fixed a cold stare at Declan. His eyes were clouded with detest and pain and a deep frown marred his forehead. Declan returned the gesture with a daring glare. His mouth was curved in a smirk, a proof that he enjoyed every bit of gloat exuding from Nathan. His eye darted to the bed on hearing a wince. "May...." he had almost forgotten about her state. He moved to the bed and held her up."You're awake?...." He plastered a kiss on her forehead and lifted her into his arms. He looked down at her, his eyes saying every emotion his mouth cannot. He cursed under his breath and took her away. At the hallway Clara stood with Ashley, waiting. They heard footsteps approach and turned to see Declan with May in his arms. "Give her back!" Clara scowled, standing in his way. She was surprised at May's condition but didn't let it show. Her interest at that moment was to get her away from Declan. "Move from my way" Declan ordered with a tight jaw. His hoarse voice was cold and stern. He
Declan's eye lifted to her face, his empty gaze fixed on her. Mandy almost regretted why she asked before Declan blinked and spoke up. "You know...." he paused, biting his words. "I need it for the same reason everyone else needs a herb, to cure and ailment." He shrugged and lifted an empty glass to cheers in the air. His choice of words was well picked doing little or nothing to feed Mandy's curiosity. She bit her lower lip while she peered at him. "Okay then. Maybe what actually happened out there with May earlier will be an easier thing to tell. I mean I can't help asking, considering how you look" Her hands and eyes ogled him from head to toe as she spoke. Declan chuckled lightly at the expression on her face. "There's nothing to tell, you know. May was just in—" "Trouble and you went to help her out and she's safe now. I already know that much. Tell me more. What was really the problem and how did you end up like this?" She sipped from her juice glass and cocked it at De