“What’s the matter?” he asks, his deep brown eyes full of concern.
“I don’t know.” I moan again, gripping my stomach. “Something’s not right. I feel like my stomach’s going to explode.” Okay, that was a bit melodramatic, but I have to be in order to incite some panic into the situation.
Pretty soon, George and a couple of other guards are by my side. “What’s wrong?” George asks.
I start moaning again. “Please, you have to help me.”
“It’s her stomach. I think she needs to go to the hospital.” Kane replies.
Bingo!
George looks uncertain, but I moan again, and he knows he has no other choice. “Okay, get Joe to bring the car round, and I’ll call Drake to let him know. Take her to St Thomas’.”
One of the guards talks into his walkie-talkie while Kane very carefully leads me to the front door. “Help me,” I whisper into his neck.
“Don’t worry, Mrs Salvatore. You’ll be at the hospital in no time.”
I silently celebrate as I’m led out into the hot, fresh air. I’m tempted to inhale my pleasure, but manage to hold it in. I need to play at being a great actress until I can figure out what to do once I’m there.
In no time at all, a car is driven round to the bottom of the stairs at speed, and I notice a couple of other men getting out to help me in. You would think I was made of china the way they’re fussing over me. I’m bundled into the car with Kane by my side and another joins Joe at the front. I notice Joe looking at me in the rear-view mirror, and I could swear I notice a smile. Maybe he knows what I’m up to. I’m pissed that I also have him to outmanoeuvre when I’m at the hospital. Maybe this is a lost cause, but I’ll have to at least try. Fuck the punishment if I’m caught. I need to do this.
I keep groaning all the way there for special effect, and I notice Kane getting more and more agitated. I feel sorry that I’m putting him through this, but if he knew the circumstances, then maybe he would understand.
We’re at the hospital in record time and I’m carefully taken out of the car and ushered onto a bed straight away. It’s like I’m a fucking celebrity with the amount of people fussing around me. “Tell me where it hurts,” a young male doctor asks as I’m being wheeled in.
“She has acute abdominal pain,” Kane answers for me.
“Any vomiting?” the doctor asks.
Kane shakes his head. “No, nothing like that so far.”
I’m quickly wheeled into a room, and the young doctor turns to all the guards. “You can all wait out here.”
Thank God!
He shuts the door behind him and peace is restored. I’m so thrilled that I forget to act ill. The doctor turns to me and frowns a little at my sudden transformation.
“So,” he begins, walking towards me. “Can you point to where it hurts?”
I point to the middle of my stomach. “Here, but it seems to have died down a lot now that I’m here.”
“Hmm,” he responds. “For some reason, that always happens a lot around here.” He points to my shirt. “Can you lift that up so I can feel around your tummy?” I do as asked and instead of moaning in discomfort, I start giggling because it’s so ticklish. He frowns again. “It seems whatever it was has passed. Maybe just some IBS or gas.” He pulls my top down. “I’m going to run some blood tests just to be certain.” He looks up at the nurse. “Can I get full blood chemical panel and an AFP? Also, try and schedule an ultrasound as soon as possible.”
Okay, I don’t know what the hell that is, but the nurse nods and grabs a tray with a syringe and some vials. “As long as you’re comfortable now, I’ll be back once the results are in. Do you want me to ask anyone out there to come in?” I vigorously shake my head and he frowns at me. “Okay, I’ll see you in an hour or so.”
He leaves the room and the nurse gets to work taking the blood from me. I wince a little at the needle. “Don’t worry, love. It’ll be over before you know it.” She smiles at me reassuringly, so I smile back. “There,” she says, taking the needle out. “I’ll get these processed straight away and get on with making a slot for the ultrasound, okay? You just sit tight, and I’ll be with you shortly.”
I nod my head. “Thank you.”
She seems to like that because she beams at me. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
She leaves, and I’m all on my own in a box room. The only exit is where the guards are standing by waiting. I groan. Maybe this was fruitless after all. All I got out of this was a wasted trip to the doctors where I’ve so far had needles stuck in my arm. I know Drake will be here soon, so time is running out.