Death of a Bachelor

#23 I miss you

Angela glanced at her husband, who was intently focused on the road as they sped towards the hospital. Her fingers tightened around her phone, her mind racing with anxiety and concern. She bit her lower lip, struggling to process the whirlwind of emotions as she stared at the screen. The photo of Lewis and Simone, taken by paparazzi a few weeks ago, showed the two of them walking side by side through the streets of Madrid, smiling at each other.

She stared at Lewis, his smile was genuine, and his gaze towards Simone was soft and tender—a side of him she hadn't seen before. This was a different Lewis, a calm, attentive, and in love. A heavy sigh escaped Angela as she closed her eyes momentarily, trying to calm her racing thoughts. “Why are people so cruel?” she whispered to herself, feeling a sharp pang of frustration and sadness.

As the car weaved through the busy city streets, Angela continued to scroll through the comments and articles about the photos. She saw a mix of positive and negative feedback, the negativity particularly harsh and intrusive. Angela's eyes fell on an article titled "Who is Simone Ciervo?" with a frown, she quickly opened it. The article was filled with several photos of Simone from various locations—each one capturing her looking distressed or deep in thought. Some images were taken from recent events, her baby bump in the photos is already visible.

“Is there something going on between them, or is it just a hookup?” her husband asked, breaking the silence. His tone was laced with confusion.

Angela rolled her eyes in frustration, her patience wearing thin “Lewis is in love” she said firmly “but I’m not sure about Simone’s feelings. And—” she paused, her voice trembling slightly “she’s pregnant"

Her husband’s eyes widened in shock as he glanced at her “What!? Why are you telling me this now?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief and betrayal.

“Because the media has already spread those images—” Angela snapped, her voice strained “—don’t ask any more questions. Just focus on driving!” She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. “God, I’m so worried about her, I hope Lewis will come quickly”

As soon as her husband parked the car outside the hospital, Angela quickly opened the door and rushed inside. She approached the front desk, where a staff member promptly assisted her. They navigated the maze of hallways and elevators until they reached Simone’s room.

Simone had just woken up five minutes ago in a strange room, she hates this place! her heart still pounding from a bad dream that left her feeling unsettled. In the dream, she found herself running through a dark, endless corridor, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she clutched her belly protectively. The walls seemed to close in on her, and no matter how fast she ran, she couldn’t escape the terror.

The people chasing her had started out as ordinary, faceless figures, but as she fled, they morphed into nightmarish monsters. Their eyes glowing with hunger. The sound of their footsteps echoed behind her, growing louder and more threatening with each passing moment. Simone's fear intensified as she stumbled, feeling as though the ground beneath her was giving way. Her heart raced uncontrollably, and she could feel the sweat forming on her brow.

Despite her desperate efforts to escape, the monsters seemed to close in on her, their big hands reaching out as if to pull her into the darkness. Waking up from the nightmare, she felt an overwhelming sense of dread and anxiety. The dream had left her feeling vulnerable and shaken. Even though she was now safe in the hospital room, the echoes of her nightmare lingered in her mind, making her feel unsettled.

She hated place like this, the sterile smell, the cold, impersonal atmosphere, and the constant beeping of medical equipment. Hospitals had always been a place of trauma for her, a reminder of her battle with cancer a few years ago. The memories of endless treatments, sleepless nights, and constant fear were deeply ingrained in her mind. As she slowly sat up, a sharp pain shot through her body, making her grimace. She looked down at her arm and was stunned to see scratches and bruises on her skin. Her legs were in a similar state, covered in bruises from the chaotic encounter with the paparazzi.