CASCADING

CROSSROAD CHAPTER 14

Two Hours Earlier.

Annabel was upset at Steffen's decision to leaving so abruptly and in such bad weather. The thunder rolled and winds howled; she patted Justin gently as he shuddered in his sleep at the sound of the thunder. She couldn't fall asleep, she thought about Steffen rejecting her and him wanting to leave so determinedly, she was sure he was rushing off to see a woman. Annabel felt jealous at the thought of him going off to another woman, but felt undeserving of those feelings after knowing very well why Steffen wanted nothing to do with her. She thought she tried everything to get him to return to her side, but everything she planned failed.

While sipping on another cup of coffee in the living room she heard her phone ran and answered quickly. Annabel was very surprised that she had received a call at such a late hour and had hoped maybe it was Steffen calling with a change of heart.

"Hello." She tried to sound like she had just been awakened.

"Sorry to call with such bad news," the person on the other line said, "but the owner of this phone just got into a serious accident and this is the last number we noticed dialled on his phone."

"What?!" Annabel clasped her mouth in disbelief.

"If you are a family member or know how to get in contact with his family, please have them come to Accident and Emergency at the Hospital." The person on the line sounded very concerned and asked for a family member to represent Steffen urgently.

Annabel pleaded with her neighbour to take her to the hospital and was there within the hour. She was identified as a close relative and was given Steffen's personal items. However, while waiting for the doctor's report on Steffen condition his phone rang, it showed, 'June Plum' with hearts as it rang and displayed June's face. Annabel flipped inside and scowled at the image on the phone screen, she hated the very thought of Steffen having someone this close to him while pushing her away. She boiled with envy, and devised a plan to sabotage any idea of him moving on with another woman.

"Hello," she answered. The sound of the other woman's voice irritated her very core. "May I ask who you are calling for?" She insisted. Everything bothered her about this call. First she was disturbed at the callers attractiveness, second them being privy to calling this late, so it's not a business associate as announced. "I am his fiancé."

"Fiancé?" June was surprised at her tone of voice and identifying herself as Steffen's fiancé was more than appalling. As far as she knew Steffen had no significant other.

"Yes fiancé," Annabel retorted, "Steffy was in a terrible accident and is in recovery, he won't be taking any calls, especially if you're not family. I will be sure to give him the message that you call, so please do not call back." She ended the call abruptly.

Feeling satisfied with herself she tucked away Steffen's phone in her handbag. 'I will not allow any other woman be with Steffy, not even this pretty little ms thing.' She droaned and smiled satisfyingly to herself.

Annabel was sure of herself as Steffen's saviour and she thought to present the image of a family that needed him with her son. She hoped the day would never come for him to ask for another DNA test. She was secretly relieved that the out come of this accident put off their appointment with the doctor.

Annabel was so lost in thought that she didn't noticed someone else joining her in the waiting room.

* * *

June ran into the Accident and emergency room eyes wide opened and frantic. She tried to slow her breathing, but found it difficult as her heart raced. She came up to the reception and made her enquiries,