Total pages in book: 168
Estimated words: 160782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 804(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 804(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
“Yes, I have to go to Sydney on the weekend, Doctor, so I will just pick up my treatment over there.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. You are unable to fly for at least two weeks, your heartbeat is too erratic. Let’s not forget that you almost died three days ago. You will risk a heart attack at that altitude.”
“Josh, I will just come back in two weeks. It will be okay,” Natasha urges as she picks up my hand again.
“I will send a nurse in to put a drip in for a couple of hours to rehydrate you and then I will hook you up to an angiogram for an hour and if the results are all good, I will check you out this afternoon. Definitely, no flying for two weeks.”
Natasha
It’s four o’clock. Josh has been hooked up to a drip for three hours. I’m tired and I just want to get the hell out of here. I stand and stretch, the nurse pushes in the heart rate thingy and starts to stick things to Joshua’s chest.
“I’m going to go to the bathroom outside in the waiting room, Josh.”
He frowns and mouths the words, “Just go in here,” as he gestures to his bathroom with his chin.
I smile and shake my head. “The private rooms outside are
riddled with guards. I will just be a minute.” He shakes his head apprehensively. “Be quick.”
I smile and leave the room. I head through the lounge area and I see Max.
“Max, I think I want a coffee. Let’s go for a walk.”
He frowns. “You can’t leave the room till the other guards get back.”
“Where are they?”
“They have gone back to check Joshua’s house and prepare for the transfer.”
I roll my eyes. “This is ridiculous: prepare for the transfer.
This isn’t an episode of bloody Star Trek you know.”
He smiles. “I will go get the coffee. Do not leave this room.”
I give him a salute. “Aye, aye captain.” As he leaves the room, security buzz through.
“We have an Amelie Richards here to see Joshua Stanton.” Max looks at me for approval and I nod as I head into the bathroom. Great, bitchface is here. I suppose it is better she comes here rather than to the house to see him.
I finish up in the bathroom and am washing my hands when she walks in.
“Hello Natasha.” She smiles.
“Hi Amelie. Thank you for coming. He’s in the room. Just go in.”
“I didn’t come here to see Joshua. I came to see you.”
I frown. “Really, what about?”
“What has Joshua told you about him and me?” she replies flatly.
My stomach drops and my heart rate picks up speed. “What do you mean?”
“I mean exactly what I said. What do you think Joshua’s and my relationship is?”
“That you are close friends,” I whisper as dread creeps through me.
She tutts. “Did he tell you that we have been sleeping together since he got back from Australia?”
I stumble back from her in shock. “You’re lying,” I snap.
“Go ask him yourself. You see Joshua is confused. He thinks it is you that he wants but the reality is he can’t let me go. We made passionate love as recently as Friday.”
Pain lances through me as I step back from her in shock.
That’s five days ago.
“I don’t believe you!” I whisper.
“Natasha, I think it’s time you realize the harsh truth. You cannot make him happy like I can. He is only with you out of obligation. Wake up and smell the coffee, dear girl. Joshua is in love with me.”
6
Natasha
I scurry out of the bathroom in a daze and find myself entering Joshua’s room. The nurse is still in there adjusting his machines. He smiles warmly at me as I stand at the end of the bed, my face is blank and expressionless, and I fall into the chair against the wall as I keep staring at him in shock. This can’t be true. I don’t believe her. He frowns and puts his head on the side in a question as he looks at me. My eyes fall to the floor as I go over the words Amelie has just relayed to me: He’s only with you out of obligation. He loves me. We made passionate love as recently as Friday.
The nurse smiles and leaves the room and he holds his hand out for me.
“Come and lie with me, Presh.”
My heart stops, I stand and walk to the end of his bed. “Did you sleep with Amelie?” I breathe.
His face falls and he starts to pull the cannula out of the back of his hand.
“Natasha,” he whispers.
“Did you or not?” I cry. He lunges for me and I jump back.
“You’ve been sleeping with her all along?” My eyes fill with tears.
“No!” He shakes his head. “So, she is lying?” I ask.
“Tash, baby. Listen to me.”