Chapter 25: A Disturbing Discovery

"Nurse Davis! I'm still waiting for the doctor."

"Yes and we are terribly sorry. It's a very busy evening. I can tell you Miss McCarth's apparently hasn't suffered major brain injuries. The doctor should be able to tell you more. He'll meet you as soon as possible.

We have just received your fiancée's personal effects. Would you like to have them?"

"Sure, I'll take them. Will I be able to see her soon?"

"Absolutely. They should bring her to ICU in a few minutes."

Graham followed the nurse to the desk where she gave him a small package. It contained Alice's clothes and her purse. He couldn't wait to see her. He needed to know she would be fine. Just as he was about to look in her purse to find her sister's number, Graham saw two orderlies push a stretcher on which Alice was lying. He quickly put the package back together and followed them to the ICU.


She looked so peaceful. She had some bruises on her face and arms but overall she seemed alright. Graham gently caressed her face like he used to do. Funny how it seemed like a lifetime ago the last time he'd done it. She was so beautiful, so amazingly sweet and he hurt her.

Life could be so fragile. Graham still had a hard time understanding why Alice was in a coma. The medical staff told him she was stable and her condition was not life threatening. Yet, with all those machines and this tube helping her breathe; it was hard to believe. She had to be alright. He loved her. More than himself... Definitely more than Victoria.

This admission to himself only came as half a shock. Guilt was the strongest motive for him getting back together with Victoria. It wasn't love, not even nostalgia.


Alice's cell phone started to ring. He had no time to go through her purse and didn't even think about it. Being in an hospital, it should definitely be off.

He looked inside her purse trying to locate the phone before the nurses came over to warn him. The phone stopped ringing. He kept searching the bag for it when a little piece of paper fell.

Graham picked it up and recognized Keshia's handwriting with her phone number on it. Why would Alice be in contact with one of Vicky's friend? Especially Keshia? This couldn't mean anything good.

Chapter 24: A Visit to the ER

Victoria was running behind Graham who was making his way through the crowded ER.

“I can’t believe you cut our date short for her!”

“Vicky, Alice is my friend. She may be hurt. I can’t sit at a restaurant and have a meaningless conversation knowing that.”

“Meaningless? Meaningless! Is that what you call a conversation about our future together, Graham? Because if it is, it makes perfect sense you’d rush to see Alice whenever she slaps her fingers. I don’t know if I can trust you at all.”


Graham brutally stopped and Victoria almost slammed into him. He turned to face her and spoke with a controlled tone.

“Go back home, now. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear a word. Alice didn’t call me. A rescue team did. Something bad may have happen to her and you try to make this about us? About you?”

He was different from the man he once was. He was taking charge a lot more than before. Victoria thought she was with a real man finally. On the other hand though, he was harder to manipulate and more controlling.

She was in a bad position. After she found out he cheated, she wanted to be in charge more than ever. She wouldn’t take him for granted but surely wouldn’t give him too much freedom. Only it was close to impossible; Graham was calling the shots now.

Victoria wanted to get back on Graham’s soft side and was thinking as she was talking and ended up stammering.


“Well, I didn’t exactly mean to…I didn’t want to imply…uh, I just don’t understand why the rescue team would call you out of anyone else.”


Graham sighed. Victoria was exasperating.


“I’ve been listed on Alice’s emergency call list for quite sometime now. She doesn’t have any family in the city. I’m her closest friend, Vicky.”

“Wrong! Were. You WERE her closest friend, Graham. Now she’s not even your friend, she’s your ex-girlfriend. Maybe now’s not the best time to talk about this but you should be more aware of her new status. I hope when she moves out of the city, we won’t have anything to do with her anymore.

“Please, Vicky, I won’t ask again. Go home now. We’ll talk about it later. Certainly not now.”


Victoria finally got herself to admit she wouldn’t get through to him at the moment and left the hospital. Graham felt his tension drop the moment she turned her back. He looked around; people were staring. They had really put up a show, just what he hated, a public argument.

He pursued his way to the ER desk where he inquired about Alice’s condition and location. The nurse told Graham that Alice had been injured in a car accident. Her condition was not life threatening and she would be moved to a bed in ICU very soon.

“Your fiancée is in a coma, they’re running more tests to determine the cause.”

“My fiancée?”

“Yes, Alice McCarth; I noticed your ring. And you arrived quickly too. You have this look of fear and concern. I’ll recognize it anywhere, don’t worry; I’m sure she will be just fine. It’s not uncommon for victims of a trauma to fall in a coma. I’ll get the doctor to have a word with you.”


Graham twisted his ring around his finger. He forgot he had put it back. Alice wasn’t his fiancée but he didn’t even correct the nurse. He could have married her and probably would have someday. But Victoria came back.

He felt guilty. She was probably in that accident after she left the office. She was headed out to a brand new start. If Alice was in a coma, he wanted to stay with her until she woke up; despite what Victoria would say. Hopefully she wouldn’t come barging in the hospital demanding an explanation. He just didn’t have any.

Chapter 23: Looking For An Ally

"Alice, right?"

Keshia offered a handshake to Alice who ignored the extended hand. She took a look around the office and saw boxes on Alice's desk.

"I'm Keshia...We saw each other about a month ago when I came to see Graham."

"I remember you. From what I recall you are Victoria's friend. If you're here to see Graham, let yourself in. The new assistant didn't start yet."

"Actually, I'm here to see you."

Alice scoffed.

"Me? Well make yourself useful then. Just grab that last box on the desk and we'll talk on the way to my car."


Inside the elevator Keshia still hadn't say a word to Alice. She was intrigued. What would a friend of Victoria want to speak to her? As the thought of a set-up crossed her mind, Keshia started talking.


"Listen, I know this will sound weird but I know about Graham's recent change of heart and if you ever need someone to talk to..."


Alice interrupted her.


"I have girl friends you know! Even if I didn't, I certainly wouldn't cry on your shoulder. You are Victoria's friend!"

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to imply...Can we just start fresh? I swear, I am anything but Victoria's friend. I'm pretty sure I know how she managed to get Graham back. It's my fault I guess. Anyways, I figured if you'd want him back, you may be interested."

"Listen, Keshia...I hate games. I thought I knew Graham pretty well. In less than a week I see Victoria get to him; I don't recognize him anymore. If you must know, I don't really care anymore."


They had finally arrived to Alice's car. Keshia put the last box inside and tried convincing Alice once more.


"If Graham was ever your friend and you cared about him like I think you do, call me. Here's my cell number. Don't hesitate."


Alice took the piece of paper Keshia handed her and shoved it in her bag. She didn't need it. Her new job seemed very promising. It was about time she changed anyways. she only stayed for Graham.

Alice watched Keshia walk the last few steps to the parking's exit. She started her engine and as the key turned in the ignition, it was as if it unlocked all her hidden emotions. She rested her head on the steering wheel and started crying.

Chapter 22: Letting Her Know

Graham had asked Alice to meet him in his office. She had just entered the office when she started talking barely leaving a chance for Graham to greet her.


“There’s no need to say anything, I already know why I’m here.”

“What do you mean, Alice? I told you we had to talk because there is so much I have to tell you.”

“Oh, like: you are sorry, you want me to understand, you never meant to hurt me et cetera. It’s all bla bla bla to me.”


Alice looked at Graham and could feel the anger coming on strong. She continued, screaming.


“I don’t understand, Graham, I never will! Even less having to learn it through Victoria.

You look surprised…that bitch is a parasite! If you want to get back together with her, fine; but don’t come back looking for me.”

“I’m really sorry, Alice. You wouldn’t believe to what extend. I don’t know what Victoria told you or when or why. I wanted to tell you myself…I had to tell Vicky first because I promised her she’d be first to know once I reached a decision.”

“This just goes to prove where your loyalty lies.”


Alice turned leaving Graham facing her back. She walked to the door. Just as she was about to step out; he rushed from behind and shut the door.


Neither of them moved for a moment. They could feel the tension in the air. Graham put his hands on Alice’s shoulders and made her turn to face him.


“Don’t hate me, Alice.”

“Don’t hate you? Don’t hate you? First you dump me, let me find out through someone else and now you want to tell me how to feel? You have some nerve! I can’t believe…”


Graham approached and kissed her. She kissed him back for a second before pushing him away. She slapped him across his cheek.


“Obviously, you’re not sure what you want. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. I’m leaving, Graham.”


Alice walked out of the office. Graham didn’t move and kept standing next to the door. He touched his burning cheek and then his lips. He knew it was wrong to kiss Alice but couldn’t help it. A part of him wouldn’t let her go; the irony was, that same part had probably pushed her away forever.