Brute

Part 10

Nine

After a few days in the ward, my vitals were stable and no more peculiarity found. I would be discharged this evening. It was already Friday, my school session would start again on Monday. Though my parents insisted that I took another week to rest, I said there's no substitute teacher to cover for me. And the rural air might be better for my health. I asked my dad to buy the train ticket for me to go back on Sunday morning. 

The comfort that you got with money was really tremendous. Except for the medical equipments, the whole ward looked like a five star hotel rather than a hospital setting. Though I asked to be sent back to a regular ward, the staff said the director forbid them to do so. I understood their predicament, no business wanted to suffer a lost of a VIP customer, and I didn't even dare to ask the cost for all the treatment and services. 

The discharge note was ready, so did I. I changed into my shirt and pants that my parents brought in the morning before they went to work. After work, my parents would fetch me to go home. I waited sitting on the sofa near the windows. The weather was not good, rain might fall anytime, and the weather forecast had predicted that there would be rainstorm for tonight. I hoped my parents won't be stuck in the traffic for too long. The city was prone to a flash flood in time of heavy rain. 

After a while, there're knocks on the door, and I smiled. They had arrived. But, to my surprise, an unfamiliar face came in. I looked at the guy who'd just entered. 

"Hello Nine. I am Jay, Mr. Archen's assistant. This is my card, if you thought that I am bluffing".

"No need, you can't be bluffing. The security to enter this private ward is tight; only an authorized person can enter. So, if you are not one of his people, you won't be allowed in", I said and smiled. Jay nodded and took a seat across from me.

"I come to fetch you", Jay said without delay.

"But, my parents are on their way...", I said, trailing...somehow my instinct told me that, all arrangement must have been done even before he came here.

"You seem to guess it already. Yes, the arrangement was already agreed, by your parents".

"Did they readily believe you?", I asked in shocked. My parents were not the type who'd be easily duped, but well, Jay looked reliable, neat and polish. The way he was so compose; even I would trust his word. 

"Well, it was not I, per say. Mr. Archen himself, had personally greeted them, this morning".

"He was here?", I asked, with a mix feeling;  gave me a bread, yet still hiding!.  I almost pouted in front of Jay. 

"Oh, no. I was here to meet your parents, and they talked with him through a video call", Jay said as a matter of fact, "Well, we shall move, your document for discharge, is all set". 

"Wait, Mr. Jay...", I stopped him who had already stood up. 

"Just called me Jay...", he immediately insisted.

"Alright. Jay, may I know how my parents were convinced to let me go off with a stranger?". 

"Oh, it's because, Sir had them convinced with a proof, not just empty talk". 

"Proof? Of what?", I was so confused. 

"Proof that he is indeed...in a relationship with you... your picture, together with him, at the University", Jay said, took my small bag and walked ahead. I was too shocked to digest the revelation, but since my bag was already taken by the straightforward guy, I moved to catch his back. Damn you Joong! It would be a headache to explain to my parents later. My mother must have assumed, that all the times that I went out, was to meet him, when actually, I was befriending the guards at his building!. 

The car ride was silent. I didn't know Jay well enough to ease into a delightful conversation. But, we did have a few small talks, which Jay answered like a well mannered assistant, almost brief to a tee. Only after a while, I realized, this was not the way back to my home. 

"He asked you to do this, right? Where are we going? Well, if I am to be kidnapped, can you call and order some food to wherever the place I'll be held hostage at? I thought I'll be going home, to have my mom's cooking, so I didn't have lunch. Now, I am too hungry", I said while tapping my empty stomach in regret. Jay did not answer and keep driving.

We arrived at a condo almost at the outskirt of the city. The area was secluded, most probably people buy a house here to escape the hectic city life, at the same time, having a nice house. As soon as the door was opened, and I walked in, the sight on the dinner table left my mouth hung open.  

"Well, I guess, ordering food won't be a problem now. The problem is, for you to finish a full table of them", Jay said shaking his head, "Boss really want to fatten you up, Nine!. It seemed, he really can't help feeling guilty for making you wait, down at the office, then fell sick, and became thinner", he said with a smile in his voice. 

"Quit telling on me, Jay", the voice that came from the person who was coming in from the opened sliding door of the balcony, made me jumped a little, "you are supposed to be on my side". 

Jay just smirked. I could see that both of them were comfortable with each other, something that I used to have with Joong; once upon a time ago. I looked down, not wanting Joong to read the melancholy from my eyes. 

"Sorry, Joong. But this is a feast, not just dinner! Well, Nine, nice to meet you. I'll leave the two of you here. Joong, although you said to his parents that you are together; just a little reminder, he'd just gotten out from the hospital, so please...behave!".

"Damn you. Out, Jay!", Joong said with gritted teeth. 

"Control that temper!", Jay said candidly, and walked out of the door.  

The clicking sound of the door, closing, was too loud in this silence. I was fidgeting, didn't know whether to sit, to talk or to eat. So, I just stood still, giving the decision for the next move, to him. Joong looked at me silently without moving too. We were about two feet apart. Only a step was needed to lessen the gap. I took a deep breath; decided to be the one who moved forward; when a loud sound suddenly came from my empty stomach. 

"Well, that decides on the first thing we should do", Joong said, and went into the kitchen to take the plates and cutleries. My face was blushing heavily, but what's happening, was the break on the ice, which we both needed.