Heart Matters (27 page)

***

A voice seemed to call her name from a
distance. Jessica was on the beach relishing the feel of cool
breeze caressing her skin. Niki was running towards her, her eyes
large and anxious. “Jessi? Jessi? Can you hear me?”

Jessica shook her head in confusion.
“Steven. I want Steven.” She saw Steven near the villa walking
towards her. Suddenly Ida appeared next to him and she saw her turn
him from her. When they kissed, Jessica cried out unable to bear
the pain any longer.

“Nooo!” Jessica screamed, her alarmed eyes
flying open. She struggled to sit up but someone held her down.
“Let me go! Let me go!”

“Jessi, it’s me, Niki! Jessi!”

Jessica stared into Niki’s worried face as though
seeing her for the first time. She looked about, surprised to find
herself lying in her bed at the villa. Her stormy eyes widened in
confusion as she looked at Niki, then Sean and finally Doctor
Sommers, who had earlier attended to her foot. “Wh..at happened?,”
she mumbled, a wincing pain suddenly shooting through her head. She
grimaced. “Ouch! My head!”

Doctor Sommers smiled at her, gently pushing
her back on the bed. “Don’t get up just yet, love.” He prepared a
vile looking injection dose all the while smiling reassuringly.
“You seem to be quite accident prone, Jessica.”

She stared at him vacantly wondering what he
was talking about. “Oh, my foot’s all right, doctor.”

He nodded indulgently, gesturing Niki to
come forward and hold her on her side. When she did as he bid, he
shifted the sheet on Jessica and gave her a deft injection on her
side. “There; that should ease the pain and give you a good night’s
rest.” He rose and called Niki aside. “That’s a nasty blow she’s
received. Make sure she gets ample rest. You can ask all that is
needed later. Give me a call if she needs me.”

Sean went to see the doctor to the door and
Niki came to sit by the bedside with a worried look. She took
Jessica’s hand in hers squeezing it gently. “You gave us quite a
scare.”

“I did?” Jessica asked still looking
dazed.

“Sean and I found you when we were returning
from the beach,” Niki hesitated not sure if she should stress her
cousin. “Jessi, don’t you remember anything?”

Jessica touched her forehead frowning
deeply. “I...I…something hit me.” She faltered painfully. “No. I
remember now,
someone
attacked
me!” Her hands flew to
her face in horror. “Yes, that man, he came up from behind! He
h..had a knife!”

“My god!” Niki paled, reaching out to draw
her cousin in her arms. “Who was he?”

“I don’t know,” Jessica mumbled, drawing
strength from Niki’s warm embrace, “He..he came up from behind…”
She shivered at the memory of the attack. “He wanted to kill me,
Niki. Why? Why me? I didn’t even have any money on me.”

“He wasn’t after the money, Jessi. Just
think about it. Would someone trespass on a private property and
attack a woman in broad daylight for money? He could’ve easily
broken into the house when we weren’t around.”

“Steven?” Jessica asked suddenly realizing
he was not around. “Where is he?”

“He’s gone to report the matter to the
police.”

“And Ida?”

Niki looked hesitant. “She went with him.
She asked him to drop him at her hotel.”

“Oh,” was all Jessica managed, “I…” She
looked at loss for words, her heart a heavy weight. She drew the
covers of the bed sheets closer and gave Niki a fragile smile. “I
think I’ll sleep for a while.”

“Yes,” her cousin sighed, hiding the worry
gnawing her on the inside. Who the hell had tried to attack
Jessica? Niki managed a warm smile, rising to leave. “Get some
rest. I’m sure you’ll feel better in no time.”

“Niki?”

Her cousin paused at the door. “Yes?”

“Will you be around in case I need
something?” A faint trace of fear lined Jessica’s attractive
features. “I’m afraid.”

“Oh, Jessi, if that’s the case, I won’t go
anywhere.” Niki returned to sit on the edge of the bed. “Why don’t
you go to sleep? I’m here for you.”

Jessica nodded and turned on her side to
drift into restless sleep.

A cold film of sweat broke out on Jessica’s
forehead as Steven watched her with anxious eyes. It was nearing
two in the morning and she had been asleep for more than twelve
hours. He had called up Doctor Sommers in concern but he had
assured him to let her sleep off the powerful drug he had
administered earlier that day.

A violent convulsion abruptly shook Jessica
and she clutched the sheets, her anguished face alarming him. He
sat by her side, drawing her in his arms. “Jessica? Jessica, my
love, please answer me!” The convulsion ceased but she kept
trembling as though struggling within the realms of her
subconscious mind.

Cold fear gripped Steven as he cradled her
in his arms, swaying her gently. For the first time in his life, he
felt completely helpless. Her tortured form was tearing him apart
and he wanted to shake her desperately if only to hear her call out
to him once. It would tell him if she was all right. But she said
nothing and instead continued to tremble miserably.

He lay down next to her on the bed, drawing
her into his arms. He stroked her cold skin, whispering sweet
nothings in her ear. It seemed to calm her and he felt some of his
fear leave him. He leaned over to caress her face with his lips
while his hands traced a lazy pattern over her slowly relaxing
body.

Half an hour later, the trembling had
stopped and her body temperature warmed to allow her to finally
sleep comfortably. Steven listened to her even breathing in the
dark and felt his initial fright leave. She turned on her side with
her back to him, a sigh escaping her lips. Steven spooned her to
him, holding her against his chest, burying his face in her wild
tresses. Thank God, she had finally relaxed! Never in his life had
he felt so close to uncontrollable panic as tonight.

Earlier, he was late in returning after
reporting the matter to the police because of Ida. He wished she
hadn’t chosen this moment to turn up. He had to handle the matter
delicately between the two women. He owed Jessica a thorough
explanation and an apology but he couldn’t do it while she was in
such a delicate state. It would have to wait.

At the time he had returned, he was relieved
to find Jessica sleeping. Initially, she had seemed peaceful but as
the night approached, she was besieged with frightening convulsions
that had shaken her like a fragile leaf. Niki and Sean had retired
for the night at his insistence and he had to witness her tormented
state alone. Strangely, for the first time in his life, he had felt
close to tears. It tore him apart to see her suffer so viciously.
He had prayed for her and thankfully, it had been accepted.

A worried frown etched his features as he
thought about her unknown assailant. Who could it be? Who wanted to
harm her? The police seemed to think it very strange as the locals
were generally peaceful and there had not been any reports of
visitors in these parts being attacked so brutally. There had to be
a different explanation to it and he was determined to find
out.

He reached for his mobile phone and called
Joe Strauss, his trusted private eye. It was time to get some
urgent answers.

***

The harsh screech of an errant parrot jolted
Jessica out of her slumber and she sat up, her heart throbbing
wildly. Niki’s reassuring hand was immediately upon her arm, gently
persuading her to lie back. “It’s okay, Jessi, it’s okay.”

Smoky eyes watched her in confusion before
wincing with pain. “Ouch! It still hurts!”

Niki let out a relieved sigh. “Thank god you
remember.”

Jessica yawned lazily. “What time is
it?”

“It’s eleven in the morning. You’ve been
asleep almost twenty four hours.”

Jessica stretched her stiff body. “It feels
like I’ve slept only an hour.” She closed her eyes and Steven’s
blue eyes immediately engulfed her. She had the vague feeling that
he had been near her while she was asleep but she could easily have
been dreaming. She opened her eyes once more. If he had been here
last night, where was he now? With Ida? She had to know. She stared
directly at Niki. “Where’s Steven?”

An uncomfortable color stole up her cousin’s
cheeks. “He was here last night…”

“Where is he now?”

“He had to go out, Jessi, he didn’t say
where.” Niki’s worried blue eyes rested on her as she reached out a
reassuring hand. “He must’ve had some urgent work, don’t think the
worst.”

Jessica felt a heavy weight upon her heart.
She was convinced Steven was with Ida and it hurt. But she wasn’t
about to wallow in self-pity she decided firmly and struggled to
sit up. “Help me up, Niki, I’d like to take a wash.”

Half an hour later, having taken a hot
shower, she devoured a breakfast of poached eggs, a full glass of
milk and some fresh fruits. She felt much better after the meal and
insisted on going downstairs to relax in the entertainment
room.

She fell asleep while watching some random
movie and Niki switched the system off letting her remain on the
cozy couch. Dr. Sommers stopped by for a visit later and pronounced
a good recovery for his patient, the first sign being her healthy
appetite.

At four in the afternoon, Steven had still
not returned but Jessica refused to let his thoughts worry her
mind. She played an engaging game of chess with Sean before
retiring to her room for the day. It was still daylight and she
encouraged her companions to go for a quick swim. She convinced
them of her safety since Keon was just a call away along with the
other helping staff.

Her smile was wistful as she watched them
head for the beach from the balcony. They were so much in love that
it seemed to radiate around them like a happy halo. A slow tear
dropped down her cheek before she could stop it. It made her angry
with herself and she turned away to call Lynn to find out how the
company was doing.

Later she sat in the cane chair in her room
with a book of ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ and cried heartily after
each story. When she couldn’t bear it anymore, she decided to spare
herself the torture and went out onto the balcony for a breath of
fresh air.

It was almost dark, she realized, her eyes
searching for Niki and Sean. A gentle breeze blew from the ocean
rushing through the trees so that they rustled peacefully. She had
left her hair loose and her heavy tresses flitted gently about her
face. It made her relax with a lazy smile tugging her lips.

A dark shadow behind one of the trees caught
her eyes and she thought Sean and Niki were finally back. She gazed
out at it for a long time expecting them to move ahead but when it
didn’t, she tensed nervously. The shadow moved behind another tree
that was closer but didn’t approach the villa.

Jessica was sure by now it wasn’t Niki or
Sean and wondered if it were one of the help. Whoever it was,
stepped further ahead still hiding behind the coconut trees. Closer
to the bottom of the steps that lead to the balcony; soft, halogen
bulbs lit up the surroundings. Her heart was beginning to thump at
an uneasy pace even as she broke out in sweat. She wanted to turn
and run to the security of her room but her feet were rooted to the
spot. The dark shadow suddenly stepped into the light making her
scream in fright. A man stood at the bottom of the steps hardly a
few strides away, his face covered by a ski mask.

He suddenly sprang towards her. She
instinctively backed away in panic.
Run! Run!
her mind
commanded and she turned and fled. She ran through her room,
heading for the door desperately. Her edgy fingers almost couldn’t
turn the lock causing her to hyperventilate. Moments later, she
flung it open almost stumbling into the corridor outside to slam
into someone approaching her room. Jessica reacted with a
blood-curling shriek.

“Jessica! It’s me!” Steven’s deep voice
resounded even as his strong arms came around her.

“Steven!” she cried out, clutching to the
soft material of his sports shirt. Her tear strained eyes were wide
with panic as she tried to push him back. “He’s here! He’s after
me! Let’s get out of here!”

His eyes dilated in alarm but he continued
holding her in his secure arms. He glanced behind her into the
empty room before setting her aside. “You stay here, I’ll go
check.”

Jessica lunged at his arm, hanging on to it
with all her strength. “No, no, don’t go in there! He might be
armed. You could get hurt.”

“I’ll be fine…”

“NO!” she shouted at him, dragging him away
from the door.

Steven gave in to her persistence and drew
her back in his arms. “All right, darling, I won’t go. Calm down
now.” He moved with her to a phone in the corridor and summoned
Keon. He cast a worried glance at Jessica was shaking
uncontrollably by now. Whoever she had seen had been real enough to
make her react in this manner.

A door of a room adjacent to theirs opened
and Sean and Niki stepped out. “Steve, what happened?” Sean burst
out immediately, his face contorting with anxiety. His brother
briefed him on the situation and Sean immediately strode past into
the room with Keon who had arrived by now.

“There’s no one here,” Sean called out. He
came out after a while and shook his head. “Nothing.” He looked
over Jessica’s head to Steven, passing on a silent message.

Steven drew away from Jessica. “You heard
him, darling, there’s no one there. Niki take her to your room and
make her lie down.”

Cloudy eyes laced with tears reached out to
him. “Where are you going?”

“I’m right here. Now go on, I’ll be with you
in a couple of minutes.” Reassured Jessica let Niki lead her away.
He turned to Sean, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “What is
it?”