Lia opened them a little wider and tried to move her head and look around her but she was sore and her neck was hurting but she could hear a constant beeping sound and the air was crisp.
“Where am I?” she finally got the strength to ask.
“In the hospital,” Randle then informed her. “You’re gonna be okay though I promise.”
Then she heard another voice coming from the other side of her.
“Lia? Are you okay Lia?”
Then she began to remember. It was Thomas’s voice she knew and he was her husband and now it was Randle’s presence that was confusing her. She was finally able to turn her head to face him.
“What happened to me? Why am I here?” she asked weakly realizing now the pinching in her nose was from oxygen tubes.
Thomas spoke before Randle could answer her. “Don’t worry about that now. I’ll explain later. I just thank God you finally came back to me,” he then exclaimed.
“Came back?” she asked even more confused now.
“Princess there was an accident and you’ve been in a coma for two weeks,” she then heard Randle comment.
Now she was more confused. “I’ve been unconscious for two weeks?”
“Yes,” Thomas answered now sitting on the bed next to her.
The doctor then entered the room. “I saw the monitors and knew she finally woke up.” Then he came to face her. “Well young lady you gave us quite a scare,” he then told her.
Lia only stared back.
The doctor went on. “I’ve already ordered a cat scan and mri. The nurses should be in soon to take her downstairs. Now that she’s conscious I can better tell what’s going on with her.”
“Thank you,” Thomas and Randle both stated at the same time watching the doctor exit the room again.
Lia rolled her head back toward Randle and finally made a slight grin. “What the hell are you doing in New York?” she asked.
Randle chuckled at her now. “My Princess needed me,” he replied smugly.
Thomas had a look of rage take over his face. “She’s my wife Randle.”
Randle put his hands in the air as if to calm him. “I know that Thomas. I’m only concerned okay? We’ve been close for so many years,” he insisted.
Lia felt the tension and only wished now these two could get along. She was in no mood to hear them bicker. “I am so tired,” she exclaimed.
“Of course you are my love,” Thomas replied. “Get some real sleep now and we’ll check in on you when they are done with the tests.”
Two nurses entered the room with a stretcher and were ready to take her for the exams so Randle and Thomas walked outside the room but Lia could still see them both through the windows that divided her room from the waiting area just outside. The nurses were carefully pulling her onto the stretcher but her eyes remained on these two men who were now engaged in a heavy argument she could tell but wasn’t able to hear anything they were saying. She knew something was terribly wrong but couldn’t possibly imagine what it could be that it brought Randle Malcolm all the way to New York.
As they now wheeled her passed them they became quiet and only watched her disappear down the hall. Lia closed her eyes and fell quickly back to sleep.
When she again opened her eyes Randle and Thomas were still there but quiet now and only glaring at each other. What these two had been arguing about she had no idea but was in no mood to question them about it.
“Would someone please tell me what happened to me?” she then pleaded out now starting to feel better after her rest.
Thomas came to her side. “Lia you’re car exploded and the force from the blast was so great it threw you against a concrete pillar in the garage.” He could see her eyes widen with fear but he went on. “You had a bad concussion from the impact but if all the tests come back okay you can go home in the morning.”
“My car exploded? Just exactly how did that happen?” she asked knowing full well a car doesn’t explode for no reason and wasn’t sure now she wanted to hear it. Things were starting to move backwards in time.
Then she saw Randle turn his back no longer wanting to face either of them as she and Thomas spoke and thought this very odd. Her eyes turned back to Thomas.
“Tell me now,” she then demanded.
“The cops don’t know yet,” he replied. “They are still investigating and trying to find out who possibly could be responsible for this.”
“So it was intentional,” she stated surely.
“It looks that way,” he finally admitted and she saw Randle again turn to face them but didn’t speak. He only gazed to Thomas with a look that could kill.
Then Thomas went on. “When I saw you there it nearly broke my heart. The paramedics were just loading you in the ambulance and you just don’t know how badly you scared me.”
Lia’s eyes now held his steadily. She was thinking really hard. Finally she could see the explosion in her head and it was beginning to come back to her. Then just as suddenly she knew Thomas was lying to her now…but why? He was supposed to be out of town one more day. He couldn’t possibly have been there right after the explosion. She looked at him oddly now as he went on.
“I’m just so glad you’re okay now,” he then stated smiling at her with so much love in his eyes but Lia was growing suspicious now and felt she had just lost his trust.
She turned to face Randle and smiled back at him finally. “And you flew all the way from Texas to see me?” she asked.
Randle finally approached her and rubbed the top of her head with a firm hand. Thomas looked jealous and became angry but held his tongue.
“Yes Princess. You had me worried beyond belief,” he admitted as he grinned back at her now.
Finally the doctor again appeared with a page flipped up on the chart he was holding and stood a moment as if to finish reading it.
“Well,” he started. “Everything looks fine. She’s gonna be sore for a while. I would strongly suggest no strenuous activities until that head of hers finishes healing up but I will release her first thing in the morning.”
Lia smiled brightly and Thomas and Randle looked relieved as well.
“Thank you doc,” Thomas then stated as the elderly man made his way from the room again.
The next morning Thomas brought Lia a change of clothes and she sorely made her way to the tiny bathroom and changed into them. When she emerged Randle was there too now and the doctor was explaining his orders to Thomas.
Randle approached her first. He took her head in his hands and looked her in the eye seriously. She could still feel something was wrong but had no idea what.
“Princess I have to go now,” he stated firmly. She produced a horrified expression. “But I promise you nothing like this will ever happen again.”
She could feel the power in his voice. More powerful than ever before and she knew this man she could trust completely but now it was Thomas she was uncomfortable about.
“I’m gonna miss you all over again,” she whispered back.
Randle only pressed his lips to her forehead now for a long moment and clenched his eyes closed as if he were in pain. Then he pulled himself away without ever looking at her and left the room. Lia suddenly felt stranded all over again but Thomas was still there with her.
“Are you okay?” he again asked as he neared her.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she answered quickly.
Then a nurse entered the room pushing a wheel chair and she knew it was time for her to finally go home where she could lounge comfortably.
At last Thomas helped her through the door and she headed straight for her familiar comfortable sofa. Thomas joined her and snuggled next to her.
“Feeling okay?” he asked for about the hundredth time.
“I’m fine Thomas,” she answered feeling a little irritated with him now.
“Sorry, just wanna make sure my wife is taken care of,” he replied.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be grumpy. I just can�
�t believe this happened.”
“Do you remember any of it yet?” he asked almost with a suspicious look on his face now.
“A little,” she replied knowing full well she remembered all of it but was reluctant now to tell him this.
“What do you remember about it?” he then asked much to her surprise and almost a bit too curiously she thought.
“Well, I remember you were supposed to be out of town and not back until the next day,” she began bluntly. “So just exactly why were you there only moments after it happened?”
Thomas seemed surprised but responded quickly. “Actually my last meeting ended a lot sooner than I expected so I wanted to surprise you. I caught the next flight out and was already in town when I spoke with you on the phone.”
Lia looked suspiciously at him as he spoke trying to decide now if she could trust his answer or not. But then again, what reason could he possibly have to lie to her. They had been so happy together all these months.
Then he went on. “I was planning to sneak up here and surprise you with flowers and candy when you returned from your shopping trip but when I made it to the garage the paramedics were already fixing to leave with you.”
This made a little more sense to her now because one thing Thomas was good at was romancing her. But she found herself quickly scanning the room trying not to let on she was doing it.
“Oh Lia, you just will never know how worried I was about you. I’m so relieved you’re okay now.”
Finally she cuddled comfortably next to him. “If you don’t mind I’m just gonna go upstairs and rest a while,” she then stated.
“Sure…go ahead. I’ll bring up some dinner later,” he then offered.
“That would be great,” she replied then rose and left the room.
She entered the bedroom and again scanned the entire room. If he was intending to surprise me with flowers and candy…where are they? she wondered. Surely he hasn’t had them in his car for two weeks? Her suspicions only grew greater now but fatigue was taking over her body and she crawled to the comfort of her bed and fell fast asleep.
A few days had passed now and Lia was feeling much better. Her soreness was still there but less painful as she made her way downstairs and was looking for her husband. She heard Thomas’s voice from below and walked slowly trying to listen. She couldn’t make out the entire conversation but he was surely angry with someone on the phone and the conversation was heated.
Then all fell quiet so she proceeded into the living room. Thomas was setting his phone on the sofa table and looked quickly to her.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“Oh…not really. Nothing I can’t handle,” he answered nervously.
She sat next to him now and could see he was clearly disturbed about something.
“Look Lia, I’m gonna have to go out of town again for a few days. I’m gonna have to leave tonight,” he then announced suddenly.
Lia was shocked but not completely. “Are you sure nothing is wrong?”
“No really, everything’s fine,” he then insisted as he rose. “I’m just gonna pack up a few things.” He hustled up the stairs and left her sitting there with a totally confused look about her.
Now she was worried. Something was definitely wrong and she wasn’t sure if was because of what had happened to her or maybe something to do with the argument she saw he and Randle having at the hospital. She finally rose and entered the foyer when she heard him again coming from the bedroom.
She glared up stiffly at him now carrying a bag of clothes as he came toward her. Looking concerned himself he stopped and placed the bag on the floor just next to door and grabbed her up and pulled her to him.
“Lia I love you more than life itself,” he started and this only worried her more now. He sounded as if he were never coming back. As if they would never again see each other.
“Thomas what is it?” she asked with fret now.
“I’ll be fine I promise.” Then he kissed her hard and finally again came eye to eye with her. “Lock the door and stay inside. I’ll call you tomorrow,” he then stated but for some reason he didn’t seem sincere.
Lia was more afraid now. “Thomas please don’t leave me,” she begged running after him and grabbing his arm.
Thomas stopped again with the door already open. “Everything will be just fine…I promise,” he again assured her then turned and left her standing there all alone.
This was of no comfort to her. It was already ten at night and none of this made any sense nor did she think it was safe. She made her way upstairs and laid on her bed fully clothed. She was shivering all over and was afraid to close her eyes.
Then suddenly she awoke to a loud rapping on the front door and hadn’t even realized she had fallen asleep. She glanced to the clock and it was 3 am now and she couldn’t imagine who could possibly be knocking at this hour but it was a guarded building so she made her way to the bottom of the stairs. Slowly she tip toed to look out the peep hole in the door and saw two police officers standing just outside.
Now she was really scared. Slowly she opened the door. “What’s wrong?” she asked immediately. “Why are you here?”
“Are you Mrs. Thomas Bransford?” the first officer asked.
She was reluctant to answer at first. “Yes…I am.”
“Mrs. Bransford I’m very sorry…but we are here to inform you that your husband Thomas has been killed.”
He said it so abruptly Lia almost thought it was a dream. She grew weak and took a step backwards to stop her from falling.
“Mrs. Bransford? Are you okay?” he then asked.
“Killed?” she finally asked, her head whirling with thoughts.
“Yes ma’am. It seems his car exploded with him in it. His body was burned almost beyond recognition but we found his wallet and ran the registration on the car. It all matched.”
“Oh God!” she exclaimed thinking now how could she ever have doubted his trust. Maybe by some chance it was he that was the intended target when her car was blown up but still somehow she knew better.
She began to cry and become totally numb. “What do I do now?” she asked in tears.
The officer sympathized. “Well, there’s nothing you can do now ma’am. His remains are at the coroner’s office. I would recommend you get some sleep and contact them tomorrow.”
“Thank you,” she managed to whisper out feeling as if she were going to vomit now. The two officers walked away and she closed the door and just stood there in the middle of the foyer nearly limp and not knowing what to do next. She found herself turning in a circle unable to decide where to go and finally sobbed so uncontrollably knowing now that she was truly all alone in this world and the man she loved so dearly was dead.
She fell to her knees and curled her head over into her lap with her hands beating on the floor and screamed as loud as she could.
“NOOOOOOO!!!”
Chapter 8
Again Lia suddenly jumped as she awoke to the sound of someone banging on the door. Looking up with eyes red and swollen half way shut she realized now she had cried herself to sleep right there on the cold floor of the foyer. She knew it was morning now seeing the light glimmering through the living room window. The banging was louder now and she tried to lean up on one elbow but her body was weak. Then another bang and the door flew open slamming against the wall behind it with such force the paintings began to sway.
“Princess,” Randle whispered out in sorrow at the near sight of her lying before him.
Again she tried to sit but Randle came to her side and lifted her head to his chest and cradled her lovingly. “Oh Princess…you’re a mess,” he then whispered out as James and Marc entered the apartment just behind him now.
“Oh Randle, Thomas is dead,” she gasped out in despair as the tears filled her eyes again.
“I know…I know,” he responded as he sat and began to slowly rock her body back and forth feeling her pain and trying desperately to
calm and comfort her.
Then he motioned with his head to James and Marc toward the stairway. “Pack as much of her stuff as you can,” he then ordered them. They quickly moved and followed his orders running up the stairs to her bedroom.
Randle then took a tight hold of her and pulled her to her feet but he had to help her stand she was so weak.
“You’re gonna be okay Princess…I promise,” he again tried to reassure her.
“How could this happen?” she asked with her face still reclined on his chest, her fingers digging into his jacket.
He pushed back the wet matted hair from her face. “I don’t know yet,” he answered sincerely. “But I’m here now and I’m taking you home.”
“I can’t leave,” she suddenly panicked. “What about Thomas?”
Randle tried to look into her sorrowful eyes but couldn’t. “You have nothing to worry about. I’ll take care of everything…you know that,” he again promised.
“No…I can’t leave him,” she pleaded.
Randle bent to pick her up and walked out the door with her. Before she could find the strength to say another word he was already placing in the backseat of a limo out front and they were speeding away.
“Princess?” he again whispered out not wanting to raise his voice at her now. She was far too fragile he knew. “Princess? Are you all right?” he then asked noticing she wasn’t making any sound or movement at all as her head rested against his chest, her fingers still gripping tightly to his clothing.
“I’ll never be all right,” she mumbled. “This is a nightmare.”
He rubbed her back firmly as they pulled up next to his private jet at the airport. “You’re tougher than you think Princess,” he then stated. “You may not see it now but you will.”
Randle got out of the car first and pulled her over to the edge of the seat and again scooped her in his arms and carried her onboard his plane. They waited there until James and Marc finally arrived in a cab and loaded her luggage in the cargo area of the plane.
Lia could do nothing but sit silently now as the plane took off and made its way back to Dallas. Randle finally rose from his seat and walked to the back of the plane. When he returned he reached over and reclined her chair back and gently began to wash her face with a wet wash cloth.
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