ADVENTURES OF THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS : CHAPTER 31 – 40
By Mide L
(~•MISS BEAUTY•~)
“Move, move, move!” one of the nurses shouted as they rushed Marcus into the hospital, his body bleeding profusely on the stretcher.
Katharina, Rhea, and Jenkins, followed closely behind, their faces filled with worry and fear.
“Doctor, doctor, we need a doctor here, stat!” another nurse called out as they burst through the emergency room doors.
Marcus’ eyes were closed, his face pale, and his chest rising and falling with labored breaths. Katharina watched, feeling helpless.
“Oh, God, please, please, please” she whispered, her eyes brimming with tears.
Rhea covered her eyes, her own eyes welling up.
“He’ll be okay, He has to be,my boss will be okay”
Jenkins scanned the area, his eyes vigilant for any signs of danger.
The medical team circled around Marcus, quickly assessing his condition.
“We need to get him into surgery, now!” one of them exclaimed.
As they rushed Marcus away, Katharina felt like she was in a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. She couldn’t lose him, she just feel so attached to him already even though they just met recently.
“Rhea, come on” Jenkins urged, pulling her along as they followed the medical team.
“We need to be strong for him”
Rhea nodded, her eyes fixed on Marcus’ retreating form. She prayed with all her might, begging for his life to be spared.
“Who ever did this to boss will never be spared,I swear” Jenkins frowned.
“And why are you here? I noticed you followed us here from the charity gala” Rhea asked turning to her.
“I’m just trying to be supportive” Katharina said, Rhea gave her one last look before turning to Jenkins.
Just as the medical team disappeared into the surgery area, a commotion erupted at the entrance of the emergency room. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood rushed in looking so worried.
“Marcus! Our son!” Julian cried out.
The twins, Mason and Madison, came in next with Hazel, looking very sad. Mason usually stayed calm, but now he looked worried. Madison’s eyes were red from crying.
Hazel on the other hand kept crying, “Daddy! Daddy!”
Julian turned to Rhea, her eyes filled with worry.
“What happened? Tell me!”she demanded and Rhea took a deep breath.
“There was a shooting at the charity gala. Boss was hurt. We’re waiting for the doctors to tell us how he is”
“No, no, no! This can’t be happening!” she wailed, her body shaking with sobs.
Mason and Madison rushed to their mother’s side, trying to comfort her. Hazel, still crying, clung to her grandmother’s leg.
Mr. Blackwood remained quiet, his eyes fixed on the surgery area.
As they waited,none of them noticed her as she stood in one corner. She couldn’t help but feel guilty, If only she had been more careful, if only she had noticed the shooter earlier… maybe this wouldn’t have happened.
A group of police officers came into the waiting area.
“We’ve got him!” one of them announced.
“The shooter’s in custody!”
The family’s eyes widened in surprise and relief.
“Thank God!” Julian exclaimed.
“But why… why did he do it?” Mr Blackwood asked.
The lead detective, a no-nonsense woman with a stern expression, stepped forward.
“We’re still trying to get that information, ma’am. But I’m afraid the shooter’s not cooperating. He’s refusing to say why he did it or who sent him”
“What do you mean? He’s not talking at all?” Madison asked and the detective shook her head.
“Not a word. We’ve tried everything, but he’s staying silent. It’s like he’s protecting someone… or something”
Mason’s eyes flashed with anger.
“We need to know who did this! Who wants to hurt my brother?”
“We’re doing everything we can, Mason. But sometimes these things take time. We need to be patient and let the investigation run its course”
But the Blackwood family was far from patient. They wanted answers, and they wanted them now.
“We will keep in touch with you soon” the Detective said.
“Thanks detective Ava” Mr Blackwood said and she nodded before walking away with her group.
ADVENTURES OF THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS : CHAPTER 31 – 40
ONE HOUR LATER*
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, a surgeon came out from the operating room. The family looked at him in expectation.
“Mr. Marcus is out of surgery, The next 24 hours will be critical. We’ll need to monitor him closely”
“What does that mean?” Julian asked her voice trembling.
“Will my dad be okay?” Hazel asked almost crying again and Madison pulled her closer, rubbing her back.
“We’ve done everything we can, but the next 24 hours will be crucial. We need to monitor him closely for any complications”
“What kind of complications?” Mason asked and the surgeon hesitated.
“There’s a risk of infection, bleeding, or damage to surrounding organs. But we’ve taken every precaution to minimize those risks”
Madison’s eyes well up with tears too. “Will he… will he survive?”
“We’re doing everything in our power to ensure his survival. But I need to be honest with you, the next 24 hours will be a rollercoaster. We’ll need to take it one hour at a time” he said before turning back to the ICU.
Katharina remained at her corner unnoticed, If only she had been more careful, if only she had noticed the shooter earlier…
But she pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the present. She’ll do everything in her power to support Marcus and his family, no matter what the next 24 hours bring.
ADVENTURES OF THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS : CHAPTER 31 – 40
UNKNOWN PLACE*
A man sat in a dark room, smoking a cigar. The only sound was the soft hum of the burning ember.
A lady walked in, her heels clicking on the floor.
“Vicious’ been caught” she said.
The man didn’t move or speak. He just kept smoking.
The lady came closer, her eyes fixed on him.
“What now, boss?” she asked, her voice fearful.
The man remained silent, lost in thought.
“Boss..”
“Leave” his deep voice cut her off and she quickly exited the room.
ADVENTURES OF THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS : CHAPTER 31 – 40
BACK AT THE HOSPITAL*
The family are still at the waiting area except Mr Blackwood who left for the station, their eyes fixed on the TV showing the breaking news report: “Billionaire Marcus Blackwood Shot at Charity Gala”
Hazel, exhausted from the ordeal, slept already in Madison’s arms.
Madison’s phone buzzed with a text message. She tried to silence it, but Mason noticed.
“That’s Jace, right?” He raises an eyebrow and Madison rolled her eyes, blushing slightly.
“No, it’s just a friend” she replied, trying to hide her smile.
“Sure, sis. Keep telling yourself that”
Just then, the waiting room door burst open, and Natalie rushed in, breathing rapidly.
“Oh my gosh, I just heard! Is Marcus… is he okay?” She looked around frantically, her eyes wide with worry.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Natalie” Julian said, rushing over to hug her tightly.
“We’re still waiting to hear how Marcus is doing. The next 24 hours are crucial” she said and Natalie’s eyes widened in shock.
“I can’t believe this is happening. Who would do such a thing?”
“We don’t know yet, but we’ll find out. And when we do, they’ll pay for what they’ve done” Mason said.
Madison placed a hand on her brother’s arm, calming him down.
“Let’s just focus on Marcus right now. We’ll deal with the rest later.”
Just then, the surgeon reappeared and they turned to him.
“Mr. Marcus’ vital signs are stable for now, but we need to monitor him closely. I’ll keep you updated on any changes in his condition” he said and they nodded.
“Can we see him?” Natalie asked.
“Yes, you can see him now, But please, just one or two at a time, and only for a few minutes. He needs his rest”
The family nodded, relieved that they could finally see Marcus. Julian and Mason went in first, followed by Madison and Natalie. Hazel was still sleeping in Madison’s arms, so she stayed in the waiting area with Rhea and Jenkins.
After some minutes,they came out looking a little sombre,except for Natalie who decided to stay in.
Katharina was still there, planning how she can get in to see him too. Maybe seeing him will make her better and finally go home since Mrs Gray will be worried sick but it’s late already.
“I will go get some at the cafeteria,I’m starving” Madison said.
“Let me go with you” Mason added.
“Copycat” she rolled her eyes and he chuckled before they walked away.
“I think I should go to the station too and join my husband,need to know what’s going on” Julian said.
“Let me come with you ma’am ” Jenkins said and she nodded.
“I will look after Hazel” Rhea said before they left too.
Rhea yawned and stretched.
“I need to get myself something to eat too” she said before giving Hazel a piggyback and she left the waiting room to join the twins at the cafeteria.
Katharina watched as the family members left one by one, until she was the only one left in the waiting area. She glanced around, making sure no one was watching her, before getting up and making her way to the ICU room.
She slowly opened the door and slipped inside. Marcus lay in bed, his eyes closed. Surprisingly,she didn’t see Natalie in but who cares?
She made her way to Marcus’ bedside, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked down at him, taking in the sight of his pale face and closed eyes.
“Marcus,I’m so sorry this happened. I feel like it’s all my fault”
Natalie came out of the restroom, and then her eyes landed on Katharina standing beside Marcus’ bed. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly walked towards Katharina.
“Who are you? Why are you here? Get out this place minute before I call security!”
“I…I just wanted to see him” she stammered.
Just then, Marcus’ fingers twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes, weakly. Both Katharina and Natalie turned to him, their voices simultaneous.
“Marcus!”
Marcus looked between the two women before settling on Katharina. A faint smile crossed his lips.
“Miss Beauty” he whispered.
ADVENTURES OF THE RUNAWAY PRINCESS : CHAPTER 31 – 40
Click 2 below to continue reading
