Back to Her Home (Book-2)

Fear

Clayris’ opened her eyes, getting up from the floor she stretched herself. Her body was aching because of laying on the floor, walking to her bed she picked her phone and saw one missed call of Brother Xavier. She sighed remembering that she forgot to tell him that she reached home, seeing how he only call her one time she relaxed. This means that he came to know that she is safe.

She threw her phone back on the bed and walked into her bathroom. Splashing her face three to four times, she looked into the mirror. She analysed; pupils were still dilated; her hands were still trembling a little that means the pain killer is still in effect and her body is trying to recover from the shock. She came out of shock hearing her phone ring, she walked out of her bathroom and picked her phone seeing it was Xavier calling.

“Hello”, she answered her phone in a calm voice.

“CLAYRIS, GO TO GRISELDA HOSPITAL NOW! ARTHUR IS ADMITTED THERE!!”; Xavier said without replying to her greeting. He was stressed and was shouting because of that. Griselda hospital was closer to their home than office

“WHAT!? WHY!? WHAT HAPPENED!?”, Clayris questioned while collecting her car keys and wallet, she walked out of her room without any delay.

“I don’t know myself”; Xavier answered in a defeated tone. He was feeling like a failure, he was not able to even protect his siblings.

Clayris ran out from the house not caring about the looks she was getting from her house-staff. She connected her phone with her car and drove off withing seconds. She was silent fro few minutes hearing her eldest brother defeated tone.

“He will be fine”, she answered. She knew what he was thinking and he should know that this is not his fault. “This is not your fault”; she said desperately wanting Xavier to feel better.

“Hmm, call me of anything goes wrong. I’m on my way as well”; With that Xavier hung up the call not waiting for her reply. Clayris sighed and drove at a very high speed, her hands were still trembling but because of adrenaline rush they have calmed down a little.

…………………………………………………

Xavier ran out from the office handing everything over to Ethan. He was afraid; afraid of loosing any of his remaining family. What would have happened if he would have called Arthur? Could that have prevented Arthur from landing in the hospital? He does not even know what has happened? He blanked out when he heard that Arthur was brought in near to death condition in the hospital.

He called Clayris without wasting time, knowing it will take time for him to reach the hospital but Clayris was nearer. He asked her to go but after hanging up the call, he was now also worried about her safety. What if she drives recklessly just to reach to the hospital in hurry? He sighed, does every mother feels like this about their child? Is that why mothers are always nagging to be safe at all cost? Must be it.

Getting in the car he drove away in speed; he did not know what was happening? His mind was blank just like that day.

Flashback

He and Arthur were looking at few months old Clayris, who was sleeping in her crib. Her pale white little hands which were clenched in little fists. They both were fascinated by her, but Arthur’s fascination was beyond anything.

“Brother how can someone be this small”: Xavier chuckled at his little brother who was just five years old.

“You were the same when you were born”; Arthur looked at him in shock not able to imagine that he was this small. Just as Arthur was about ask another question, Jeffery entered the room, opening the door wide with a bang.

Making Clayris startle and making her cry, he looked at Jeffery wanted to ask why did he do that? But stopped seeing Jeffery was panting and was in tears.

“What happened?”; Xavier asked knowing whatever he was going to say he will not like it.

“Yeah, you woke her up!”, Arthur asked in his adorable baby voice.

“It’s your parents-”, Jeffery started.

Next thing he knew he and Arthur was standing near their parents’ coffins. Arthur was balling his eyes out while Clayris who was held by Jeffery was accompany Arthur, sensing the distress in the air. It was as if she knew something is deadly wrong, he looked at her feeling sorry. He is sad that his parents are no more but his sister will never know what is parents’ love? Silent tears fell from his eyes, seeing this Arthur hugged him. Xavier returned the hug caressing his hair to calm his little brother down.

He looked at his parents, they were sleeping. He has seen them when they were all bloody, he will never be able to take that scene out of his mind. He hugged Arthur tightly, looking at Clayris who was now red from crying non-stop. He broke the hug and asked Jeffery to pass her to him. Jeffery hesitantly passed her to him, and just as he did Clayris calmed down. She looked at her eldest brother who was rocking her carefully. Sniffing she snuggled in his warm and protective embrace, finally feeling calm.

Flashback over-

That was the day he promised himself that he will always protect his siblings, his only family. He is not doing it because he is selfless, no, he is doing that for a selfish reason. He is doing it because he does not want to be alone, he is doing this to assure him that there are people who love him and needs him. He is doing this because he is scared that there will be no one who he can call as his family.

He is cruel and will go at any length to keep them safe. Thinking this he teared up, he worked so hard after his parents died, that he even landed up in a hospital. He sometimes thinks what his parents would be thinking? Would they be disappointed? Seeing that he cannot even protect his siblings. Will he be able to face his parents the day he dies?

He combed his hair back in frustration, he does not know what is happening? He wants to get his source to figure out what happened? But he would first like to see Arthur and if possible, he will like to hear everything from Arthur. His worry was now slowly turning into anger, he was angry at Arthur. He gave him his freedom because he thought Arthur could handle himself but clearly, he cannot.

………………………………………….

Clayris entered the hospital, Head doctor of the hospital was present at the entrance to greet her. Seeing that she is clearly distressed, he led her towards the operating room where Arthur was still being operated on. She walked with the head doctor in complete silence, she stood in front of the room and closed her eyes. She was feeling helpless, she sure does know medical field but she does not practise it. She sat down with her eyes down, even the policeman who was questioning John was now silent. She was unconsciously exerting heavy pressure on everyone present, if she finds that Arthur has been hared by someone. She will torture them till they beg for death.

Sighing, she calmed herself down as her head was starting to pain again. She looked at the policeman in confusion, what is a policeman doing in front of his brother operating room. She walked up to the officer who was startled seeing her walking up to him.

“Clayris Darwin”; Clayris introduced herself stretching her hand for a handshake

“William Scott; Officer shook her soft hand. He cannot deny she is the most beautiful woman he has ever met. He mentally knocked himself, he cannot think this; Clayris Darwin is much richer than him and she might also be breaking the rule.

“May I know why is an officer here?”; Clayris questioned in confusion. William nodded, telling her everything that has happened. She frowned, comprehending what he was saying. If what he is saying is true then that means Arthur was in a bar, drinking himself to death in middle of a day. She faces the bartender John Martinez, as Officer informed her.

“Clayris Darwin”; she introduced herself to John as well who returned the gesture. She nodded her head at him.

“I am very thankful to you for bring my brother to the hospital not caring about being caught by police”; Clayris was truly was thankful to him, no matter what might be his reason. John nodded, looking down blushing hard. Clayris did not care about him being like a shy maiden.

“But, from what officer told me you were the bartender that served my brother the drinks”; John looked up and nodded. He was not sensing any kind of hostility from her; she was genuinely just asking some question without have any prejudice against him.

“Then may I know, why would you keep serving drinks to a person who was already intoxicated? I am sure that when a person is intoxicated badly you are to stop serving drink but you didn’t. It is as if you wanted him to land Arthur here in the hospital.”; Officer eyes widened that could be true, a bartender saving one of the Darwins’, meaning Darwin will own him a favour and he can ask anything from them.

John eyes widened, seeing Clayris calm behaviour changed within seconds. She was angry, very angry and she is not merciful to anyone who comes in her way. Clayris has seen all type of shameless and pathetic people in her life of course she doubts John, and it makes sense. John shook his head in denial, he serves him drinks because he was ordered to otherwise, he could have lost his job.

“I did not purposely continue to serve him the drinks, I was ordered by my manager to do otherwise I could have lost my job, and I can’t do that I need that job. But if I knew this is will happen, I would have stopped for sure”; Clayris looked at John who was trembling while looking down. He knows she can ruin him in a blink of eye.

“What is the name of the pub?”

“Ace of Diamonds”; John answered trembling. He is sure she will shut that pub down and he is right that was exactly what she was thinking.

“Officer, I am sure that breaking speeding rules in the said circumstances is not considered as crime”; William looked at Clayris with wide eyes who spoke in favour of John. He nodded at her, what she said is true, but if John has purposely intoxicated Arthur and led him to deaths door then of course it is considered attempt to murder if Arthur survives or murder if he dies. He narrowed his eyes, what if Clayris and Xavier are trying to kill her brother seeing that once he dies then shares will be given to her and Xavier.

Clayris sighed, she turned towards the head doctor. She knows that he must not be the one who would have seen Arthur before he went inside the room.

“Who is the doctor you attended him at first?”; the head doctor knew what she was thinking and called the emergency doctor here asap. The doctor did not take much time to come here, of course who would. He wants to gain Darwin family attention, if they favour him then he will not be stuck in a junior post like he is right now.

“May I know what was the symptoms”, the nodded as he dictated what he saw, Clayris clenched her fists and teeth in anger. She could imagine her brother in pain, in desperation to breath. She was confirmed that it was severe alcohol poisoning if he is not fed poison as well.

“What do you diagnosed?”, Clayris asked the emergency doctor who looked at her in surprise. He is sure that Clayris would know the diagnose but still she asked him. Head doctor frowned at this, Clayris never asked him for a diagnose.

“Severe alcohol poisoning, can’t tell if he was fed poison as well”; Clayris nodded just as she thought. But why would he go to a pub in middle of the day and drink himself to death. She was not able to figure out what was Arthur thinking? He is always smiling; did he have stress in the work? If yes, then he could have talked with Xavier, he could have shared. Is this why he did not attend meeting with Wilson company?

She was thinking hard, but stopped when she heard footsteps coming towards here, she looked back to see Xavier standing right behind her panting. He looked at Clayris and sighed in relief, Clayris hugged him, resting her head on his chest. She felt calmness coming over her as Xavier wrapped his arms around her, he always gives such a protective feeling. Whenever she is in his embrace, she feels as if no one can touch her.

“He is still in there.”; Clayris spoke up still hugging her eldest brother tightly. Xavier caressed her head, looking at the door of operating room in longing. He felt Clayris clutching his coat tightly, he knows she too is afraid, afraid that something might happen to Arthur.

“Hmm”; he answered, he looked at a police officer standing there, a man in a bartender uniform, an emergency doctor and the head doctor. Seeing Xavier glance eyes analysing everyone, William came out of his thought he should be going. Without any word he left them, knowing that Xavier eyes followed him. John was about to leave to but just as he was about to pass by Xavier he was stopped.

‘You are not going anywhere Mr. Martinez”; he looked at Clayris who was now standing beside Xavier.

“We have a lot to talk after Arthur wakes up. Don’t worry every hour of your stay will be paid, seeing we are holding you here”; Clayris said, her voice was so domineering that no one could cut her off. Xavier was looking at her, he believes in her decision and he will ask her later what is happening.

John Martinez nodded, as he sat himself down on a chair. While Clayris took out her mobile and made a call.

“Find every information about Ace of Diamonds, its owner, its manager, its employees”; Everyone was stunned, she made this call, in front of everyone warning them that she can find anything and everything if she wants. Warning John that if he is lying, she will make him regret it