Bound by Contract

CHAPTER TWO: The Accident

The harsh, sterile smell of antiseptic and the steady beep of medical equipment greeted Emma as she drifted back to consciousness. Her whole body was in pains, her head pounding with each heartbeat. She tried to move but quickly halted because of the sharp sting in her side.

She opened her eyes slowly, the bright lights overhead making her wince. As her vision cleared, she realized she was in a hospital room. Confusion washed over her, and then the memories came flooding back, the betrayal, the accident, her brother.

Her brother! He must be worried sick since she just abruptly went off the call.

She tried to sit up and looked around, she saw her purse on the table beside and she knew she could not stretch to get it.

“You’re awake” she heard a gentle voice from the doorway, she looked up to see a nurse standing by the door with a log book in her arms and a gentle smile on her face.

“Where am I?” Emma managed to croak out, her throat was dry and scratchy.

“St. Mary’s Hospital. You were in an accident. You have a few broken ribs, a concussion and some bruises, but you are going to be okay.” She saw Emma’s eyes widen so she flashed her a reassuring smile.

“It has been 6 hours and you just need some bed rest. Do you remember what happened?”

Emma nodded weakly, her mind replaying the moment of impact. “All I remember is that I was hit by a car. Could you give me my purse please?”.

The nurse gave her a sympathetic smile and handed over the purse to her. "You're safe now. Is there anyone we can call for you? Family or friends?"

Emma’s mind instantly went blank, she lost the two people she trusted most in one day and after receiving the news of her father’s health she knew she could not call home either.

At that point the doctor walked in with a serious expression on his face. “Good to see you are awake miss Knightley. We need to discuss your situation. Your insurance only covers so much and you need to pay the bill or we will have to stop treatment.”

“I will get the money soon.” She replied in a quiet voice. With that, the doctor and nurse exited the room and left her to her thoughts.

Emma immediately reached for her phone and dialed Ethan’s number. It rang several times before he finally answered.

“Ethan, I need your help,” she said, her voice cracking. “I know you got the refunds from the wedding. I need that money to pay my hospital bills.”

Ethan’s tone was cold and indifferent. “Why should I help you? You left me.”

“Because you cheated on me you bastard. And most of that money is mine anyways.” Emma replied “Please, Ethan. I am in the hospital and I have no one else.”

Without asking why she was in the hospital, he let out a harsh laugh. “That is not my problem Emma. Don’t call me ever again.”

Before she could respond, the call disconnected. Emma stared at her phone in shock, fresh tears spilled from her eyes. She curled up on the bed and sobs raked her body, she had never felt so alone and betrayed.

****

Alexander was having a rough morning. He had just received a call from his assistant that the board of directors was holding yet another meeting concerning his fate at the company, and he was not present.

“Elaine, get in here and fix my tie!” he yelled angrily at his housekeeper, who scurried inmwith her head bowed. She hurriedly fixed his tie and scurried out of his room.

His brother had not informed him of the meeting in time, and now it looked like he did not take the board of directors seriously. He threw on his jacket as he ran down the stairs to the garage.

Alexander saw that his driver had picked out an old-fashioned vintage Rolls Royce Phantom, but he needed something with more speed and style, so he went straight to his Bentley.

“I will drive. You can just shut up and watch the road,” he added when Blake, his driver, tried to protest. Blake was not surprised because Alexander liked to drive sometimes, so he kept quiet.

“I need a shorter route to the office. I have less than 10 minutes to be there, and I do not want to be stuck in traffic,” he said to Blake in his usual demanding tone.

Unfazed, Blake replied, “Sure, take a right into that street and I will direct you from there.” Alexander did just as he was told and swerved at full speed. “You might want to slow down. This street has more pedestrians—” he was cut off by the nasty glare Alexander threw at him.

“Hey, watch out!” he yelled when he noticed Alexander was about to run into a young lady who had just stepped off the side walk.

But it was too late, Alex was moving too fast and he was not able to hit the brakes in time. He hit the young lady and his eyes widened as he saw her small frame tumble on the windscreen and then to the ground.

Panic surged through Alexander, but he quickly masked it with his usual stoic demeanor. “Blake, see that she gets to the hospital immediately.” He ordered, his voice steady.

Blake was still shaken from the incident but he quickly lifted the frail girl and gently placed her in the backseat. Alexander hailed a cab and as he was about to get in, he caught a glimpse of Emma in the backseat. “She’s pretty,” he thought to himself before Blake sped off.

****

The boardroom was an imposing sight, with sleek glass walls that showed off a dramatic view of the busy city below. At the head of the long mahogany table sat Stanley Cole, the formidable patriarch of Cole’s enterprises. His trusted advisors and the board of directors were seated on each side of the table.

“Alexander” his father addressed him while he was stood at attention before them, his expression a complete opposite of the nervous and angry flutter in his chest. “As you know, the board and I have been closely monitoring your progress within the company”

Alexander swallowed hard and prepared himself for the criticism he was sure was going to come. Half of his mind was focused on the lady he had run into.

“It has come to our attention that there are concerns about your readiness to assume the role of CEO” around the table, every board member wore a serious expression as they silently judged him. Stanley continued “Your actions and track records have raised doubt about your commitment to this company and your ability to lead”

Alexander fought to maintain his composure, his jaw clenched in annoyance and frustration. As he was about to make a statement his father cut him off and continued, “Since your return to the country, you have been in and out of outrageous parties. There are also concerns about your personal life, at 34 years you are yet to settle down and start a family. I had 2 sons already at your age”

As the discussion shifted into Alex’s personal life the tension in the boardroom became so thick a knife could slice through it. He tensed at the mention of his relationship status, it seemed that his failure to find a life partner was yet another mark against him in his father’s eyes.

“I understand your concerns, but be rest assured that my focus has been on the company’s success” he tried to reply evenly. “I do not see how my personal life interfere with my personal obligations”

The members of the board exchanged uneasy glances and one of them spoke up “be that as it may, the image of a stable, family-oriented CEO is also important for how the public perceives us” his voice was laced with skepticism “a huge contrast from the bachelor lifestyle you are known for”

Alexander’s pride was wounded by the implication that his competence as a leader was tied to his relationship status but he forced himself to say “I am fully committed to upholding the values of this enterprise and I will make sure to prove myself to you.”

Stanley looked intently at him, as if to tell him to ensure he proves himself worthy.

With that the meeting came to a close and the boardroom was cleared out. He walked out of the boardroom and as he made his way back to his office, his secretary, approached him with a concerned look etched on his face.

“I need to speak with you sir,” Tony said quietly. “The driver called to inform me about the crash. The woman is still in the hospital and it seems she has no means to pay the bills.”

Alexander’s expression hardened. “Blake did not settle the bills?”

Tony shook his head to say no. “He had to leave due to an urgent call.”

Alexander’s heart began to beat faster but he masked his scared expression and said to Tony. “Come with me to my office. Now” He ordered.

Alex walked straight to his shelf and got a bottle of scotch which he poured in a glass before settling down in his chair.

Tony stepped in behind him, “Sir, I have the details on the woman from the accident. Her name is Emma Knightley. She is in a difficult situation physically and financially. The hospital bills are quite high because she sustained a lot of injuries.”

Alexander nodded with his jaw clenched. “Contact the hospital soon and make all the necessary payments.”

As he went through her file his mind raced, he thought of Emma, vulnerable, alone and in need of financial assistance, an idea began to form.

“Arrange for a car to take us to the hospital, I have a proposition for Emma.” Tony was about to leave when Alexander called him back.

In a tone that left no rooms for arguments he said, “And Tony, she must never find out I was the cause of this accident.”