Game of Passion

Chapter 12: New Chapter

Freira first struggle out of the hospital was when she rides the hackney carriage to her lodgings. She was alone and though everything is planned out for her by Doctor Harrington, she still cannot rest her mind and she constantly looks around—thinking that she may not get through this so easily.

Seeing the progress of Arcatran City—rising up from the fall, she curiously watched everything that passes from the window. There was smoke billowing everywhere—different types of machinery powered by coal, people were roaming around—all disheveled from their day's work. It was busy and confusing, in a way. But it was beautiful since they are at least not letting the past bring them down, they are continuing with their lives carrying the scars of the war.

Doctor Harrington and Nancy take her out with only the places near the hospital. She has never ventured to this part of the city and there are more people here and there are more establishments with different businesses offering their services to the passersby.

"We're here," the driver said as the carriage slowly stops.

She looked up at the building, seeing that half of it is still on construction—probably hit by a bomb—and the other half is suitable to reside in. There are people coming in and going from the building. She noticed the women's attires had changed especially the skirt wherein a while back, it was reaching the ground and now, it is above their ankles—showing their muddy shoes. She has expected there would be changes, therefore, she has to learn to get accustomed to everything she looks into.

She hurriedly prepared some coins and then handed them to him. "Would this be enough?"

"Yeah, that will do," he answered.

She immediately opened the door and grabbed the bag she has brought containing the few items she has from the hospital. The hackney went on and she turned her head to see it go. She stayed standing on that pavement for a while, staring at the road—her mind getting blank on what to do next—and getting bumped twice already.

Doctor Harrington was not with her when she left and though she expects to at least see her, quite possibly, the last time, he still did not come. It was only Nancy who walked her out to a hackney just like when she did with the woman last month when the woman had her day off. She admits she felt bad about it since for the past year and a few months, Doctor Harrington and her had a good relationship—clad with respect, care, and platonic love, if the events of that night would be set aside.

She was only pulled back to reality when she heard a loud shout by her right. A fast-approaching cart was moving toward her and it took her a moment to react to it. Her eyes widened and she wasn’t able to move straight ahead. She thought she was going to get hit but she felt someone grab her hand and she landed on hard muscles. Her breathing hitched and she heard the cart pass while the owner of it hurriedly went after it.

“You could have at least apologized, Sir,” the person who grabbed her shouted, still holding her close.

She was shocked by the incident that she wasn’t able to move away from his hold.

“I’m sorry, Sir Stanley. Sorry, Miss,” the man shouted, still following his cart running down the street.

“That was a close one, Miss," the man holding her said. "You should be careful next time." Then lets her go but her knees were weak and she cannot support her stance properly, the man grabbed her again, chuckling. "You must be new in the area. People here are always alert whenever in the streets. Incidents like this happen frequently since this street is quite ascending."

Finally recovering, she looked up to her savior and she was taken aback to meet a pair of green eyes. "Oh."

The man smiled playfully. "Surprised by how good-looking I am?"

She forced a smile and moved away from him, regaining her posture. "Thank you...for grabbing me."

"You're welcome. I tend to help every beautiful maiden in need." He raised his hand. "The name's Stanley."

She accepted and shook it firmly. "Freira...Hart."

"What a nice surname. Is it heart, like the shape?"

"Without the letter e."

His smile widened. "Noted."

"Is there something I could do to repay your kindness?"

"Oh, there's no need. It's only a little graciousness."

"Which had involved my life, Sir."

"Very well," he said. "But I will have to figure it out. I will tell you when I see you again."

"See me again?"

"Of course. Arcatran is small. We can certainly cross paths again." Then winked at her.

Men like him are notorious for being a player. She has been with enough masculinity in the hospital and even when they are still in bed, they flirt from one nurse to the other. Sometimes, when she roams around at night, she can hear noises of pleasure in cubicles. She never bothered them since it is none of her business but whenever someone makes an attempt on her, she never engaged with their games and she has no plans on doing so outside the hospital as well.

"I should get going," she said. "Thank you again."

"See you around, Freira," he replied then doffed his hat to her, exposing his sandy hair.

She nodded at him before turning and walking towards the building in front of them. When she closes the door, the man was already gone. She breathed, out of relief before looking around the place. The inside is cozy and there are tenants who were sitting by the foyer, talking and some are walking, doing their own business.

An elderly woman approached her who is easy to talk with, introducing herself as the landlady. Seeing the papers she has with her and understanding that a room is already reserved for her and the rent was paid in advance for a year, the woman immediately guided her to her room.

"This room is the best in the building. We just finished arranging it last week so all the furniture is new." Then opened a door. "Here is the bathroom. The water sometimes takes a few seconds before it comes out so you just have to wait patiently after you have turned the faucet." Then moved to the windows. "I suggest you always close these since robbery is still an ongoing problem in this city and of course, you have your key. Always lock your door and you could just add another lock or two if you want. Also, I want to know if you would want to have your meals made by us or can you handle it alone? The meals are paid separately, of course, but if you want to provide for your own, there is a stove over there."

"I think I can handle my own."

"Very well. Just tell me if you change your mind."

She nodded.

"I'll leave you be to rest then." She walked the woman to the door. "By the way, when will your husband come so we will be informed of his arrival?"

Her eyes widened. "My husband?"

"Well, yes. The man who arranged your reservation and payment."

"Oh," she said, letting out a breath of relief. "That man is Doctor Harrington. He is my superior."

"Harrington?" the woman asked. "The man who talked to me has a different surname though."

"Pardon?"

"I must only be mistaken. I have met so many people already that names are getting rumbled in my head," the woman immediately took back. "Rest well. Just go down to the foyer if you need anything."

The woman then went out of the room. She looked around, appreciating the cleanliness and the arrangement of the place. She is grateful to Doctor Harrington for this. She is always grateful to the man for everything and honestly, she cannot imagine how she could ever repay him for the things he had done for her.

She removed her coat and hung it by a rack before taking off her boots and settling with only her socks as she moves around. It is a spacious room with a small kitchen beside the door and a table and two chairs close to it. The lavatory was close to the bed wherein she could clearly see since there is no partition between the receiving area and the bed. There are no partitions but she's fine with it since she is the only one who would be staying here.

The next days were spent with her going out and buying anything that she likes with the money she has saved for this time. She also roamed around the area, familiarizing herself with the different establishments and letting her absorb the fact that she is free to do whatever she wants.

"Newspaper, Miss?" a boy said, handing her one.

She grabbed a few coins and gave them to him. She puts the newspaper on the basket she carries which is already filled with the ingredients for the meal she has in mind. When she got back to her lodgings, she immediately have a water boiling so she could start with her beef stew. As she takes the vegetables out of the basket, she saw the newspaper and laid it out on the table so she could chop while reading.

She grabbed her knife and chopping board and then started preparing the potatoes. Her eyes darted to the newspaper and saw a section where she got invested in reading. They were meant for available jobs in the city and she figured that mayhap she could apply to one since she has nothing to do anyway. It would also be nice to be exposed to different people. She was reading a particular job offer when she accidentally sliced her finger, making her put her attention to it and suck the blood in.

"Damnation."

She went to her nightstand and grabbed a cloth to wrap it around the bleeding finger. She inspected it first and saw that it is not really deep. When she got back to the kitchen, she cleaned the blood on the chopping board before resuming preparing the potatoes. Her eyes moved back to the newspaper and saw something that grabbed her attention.

Wanted: Barmaid

Barney's Pub