Chapter 99: Chapter 99

That night, Carol slept in Sebastian's room and in his arms. After he got back from Sacramento, he had told her everything about his visit there and how Jessica was. According to what he told her, Jessica was not really aware of her surroundings, but she seemed to recognize people that she knew before, and that was a good sign. The doctor was hopeful that she would go on to make a full recovery and even identify her attackers in no time.

"Oh, that reminds me, I was thinking of going to visit her. I don't think that it speaks well of me that she has been in the hospital for the length of time that she has and I've not yet gone to see her." Carol told him, not mentioning that it was Melissa who had brought this to her notice.

"That's nice. I'll inform the guards to let you see her. I left express instructions with the guards that no one was to be allowed access to her unless I gave express permission."

"Isn't that a little extreme?"

"No, it's not, actually. I have managed to keep the news that she's been found under wraps for this length of time. That means that most of her former acquaintances do not know that she's been found. She does not have any relatives apart from her brother who's far away in Australia. He's the only one who knows about the fact that she's been found, apart from our family ... He and her attackers. That is why I'm having protection around her 24/7." Sebastian told her.

Carol could see that he had a point. She thought about telling him that Melissa knew too, but that would only agitate him. Melissa was harmless, so there was no point for him to know.

"Okay. So have you been to visit your uncle since you learned that he is living just beside us, and even more importantly, since he got back from the hospital?" Carol asked, knowing that she was treading on dangerous ground, but knowing that she just couldn't keep quiet about Sebastian's absurd behavior. He tensed in her arms at the question, but Carol did not allow him respite.

"I mean, it's just very weird, that's all. You know, maybe if you told me why you're so angry at him, maybe I would understand and stop bugging you so much about it. But remember, the man has little time left. The last time I saw him, he was all skeleton and bones." She told Sebastian, half expecting him to begin another tirade about how he had warned her to stay away from his uncle. He did not do that though. Instead, a sad and weary look crossed his handsome features, but he remained silent. Carol was silent too, wondering what she should say to get him to see his uncle.

"How is he doing?" Sebastian asked, at last, sighing softly. Carol knew that he still loved the man, but was fighting himself for whatever reason he had.

"Your aunt called me yesterday to inform me that he was sitting up and could even walk from room to room. He's the strongest person I've ever come across. I plan to visit him tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?" Carol asked, hoping the answer will be yes.

"I have to be at the office very early tomorrow morning. I'll visit him sometime soon." Sebastian said, but he did not sound like he meant it. As though to shut her up, he turned to her and began to kiss her tenderly. All coherent thoughts flew from Carol's head at the kiss. She was vaguely aware of the fact that Sebastian was purposely doing this to make her forget what she had been talking about, but at that moment, she could not care less.

Soon, they were making sweet, tender love, the thoughts of Jessica, Sebastian's uncle, and every other person in the world flying out of their heads until it seemed to remain just the two of them in the whole wide world.

After it was over, Carol made a mental note to begin using the pill again. She had stopped taking it after they got back from vacation because she suspected that it was causing her to gain weight, and besides, she was not getting any sex, so there was no point using it.

"Remind me to tell the bodyguards to let you visit Jessica whenever you want. You're going to like her and she's going to like you too, you'll see."

Carol highly doubted that, but she nodded nonetheless and snuggled closer to him to go to sleep.

When she woke up the next morning, Sebastian was nowhere to be found, but that was not a surprise. He had to go to work after all. Remembering that she wanted to go see Mr. James and know how he was faring, she got out of bed, had breakfast, and was about to head into the bathroom when a call from Melissa came in. She was probably calling to remind Carol about the visit to Jessica that they had planned.

"Hey. How's it going?" Melissa said into the phone immediately Carol picked up the call.

"I'm okay."

"Yeah, listen. I will be coming over to your house today so you can introduce me to your uncle as we planned."

"Oh. I wasn't aware that we planned anything like that." Carol said, wondering why the girl seemed so interested in meeting everyone that was even remotely connected to Carol.

"But we talked about it yesterday. I mean, what sort of friend does not want her friend to meet her family? I don't even know your house." Melissa insisted, sounding pissed.

"Um..."

"Never mind. I'll do things my own way." Melissa said and ended the call. Carol did not even bother herself to ponder on the oddity of the call, after all, this was Melissa they were talking about. Melissa was the epitome of oddness. She went to take her bath and then dressed up before heading out of the house to get into the car that would take her to Mr. James's compound. Tomorrow, she would visit Jessica in the hospital and she would take Melissa along with her before Melissa got angry. It wasn't even as though the woman would know who Carol was, considering that they had never met, but she would go nonetheless, she decided, making a mental note to get some flowers for Jessica before she went there.

By the time she and the driver got to the gate, she found a very unpleasant surprise there. The car with which Jessica picked her up yesterday was there and there was a small ruckus going on at the gate. Jessica, who was dressed in a mini skirt and a skimpy top, was having a small argument with the men at the gate. Carol groaned and resisted the urge to ask the driver to turn back and drive back to the house. What kind of person was this woman? Granted, Carol had not spelled it out directly that she did not want her to come to her house, or even meet Mr. James, but at least she had given enough hints by trying to seem as reluctant as possible. Apparently, hints meant nothing to Jessica. If only Carol could deny knowing her, but that was not possible. Besides, Jessica saw the car with Carol in it as it approached and slowed, and she squinted at it, her face showing relief when she saw Carol seated in its back seat.

"Good. Carol, I was just about to call you to let these men let me in. Where are you headed?"

"I'm going to visit Mr. James. I did not know that you were coming over here. I thought I asked you not to."

"No, you didn't. Not in so many words. Anyway, that's perfect. I'll leave my car here. I trust that it's safe here. Let's go see Mr. James together. I'd be honored to meet him." Melissa said, opening the passenger's side and getting in before a nonplussed Carol could protest.