Suspicious Encounter

Ethan’s eyes widened in surprise, he wasn’t expecting anyone to be at the door, and he rushed to the door. “Who is it?” he called out.

“It’s the maid, sir. Some guys in suits were here not long ago, and stated they wanted to see you, but I’m not sure about who they are. I informed them you’re now not home,” she spoke back, her voice trembling with nervousness. “They seemed suspicious, with tattoos on some of their bodies.”

Ethan’s face hardened. “What color of suit did they put on?”

“One in a white suit, and the rest were in blue,” the maid answered.

Ethan turned to me, his expression pressing. “I should take my leave now. Meet me at the hospital.”

“What? Ethan, what’s happening?” I asked, my heart racing with a combination of worry and confusion. “Why are you leaving so abruptly?”

“Just do as I say!” he snapped, his voice extra forceful than ever. “I don’t have time to offer a reason for it. Please, just trust me.”

With that, he rushed out quickly from his room, leaving me standing there in surprise. I quickly dressed and tried to follow him out, but it turned out that he had already gone by the time I reached the door. The maid stood there confused as well, searching for answers.

“Who were those men?” I asked her, desperation in my voice.

“I don’t know, ma’am,” she answered, shaking her head. “They didn’t deliver any names, virtually stated they had to see Mr. Ethan urgently.”

I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in my chest. “Did they say something else? Anything at all that would help us understand who they may be or what they want?”

The maid shook her head once more. “No, ma’am. They just seemed very insistent on locating Mr. Ethan.”

I took a deep breath, seeking to calm my mind. “Thank you. If they come again, don’t let them in and make contact with me or Ethan without delay.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the maid stated, nodding. “I’ll keep an eye out.”

I hurried to the car, my thoughts spinning with questions and issues. Who are those men? Why were they searching for Ethan? And why was he so determined to leave in a hurry? The journey to the hospital felt long. It took forever, each passing minute stretching out in agonizing suspense.

When I arrived, I rushed into the building, scanning the halls for any signal of Ethan. Finally, I located him in the waiting room, pacing backward and forward with an annoying expression on his face.

“Ethan!” I called out, alleviation and frustration mingling in my voice. “What’s taking place? Who were those guys?”

Ethan stopped pacing and checked me, his eyes packed with a mix of tension and resolution. “They’re trouble, that’s all you need to know. I want to keep you safe.”

“Trouble? What sort of hassle?” I pressed, my frustration boiling over. “You can’t keep me in the dark like this, Ethan. I need to know what’s taking place.”

He ran a hand through his hair, looking torn. “I know, but I don't want to put you in danger if you get worried. It’s too risky.”

“Ethan, we’re a team. We face matters collectively, don't forget?” I reminded him, my voice softening. “Please, inform me what’s going on.”

He sighed, the anxiety in his shoulders barely easing. “Fine. Those guys are related to a few very bad cooperators that my father had a business deal with. We have been trying to keep them away from us for a while now. 

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I asked, my heart aching with fear and a touch of betrayal.

“I didn’t want to make you scared,” he said. “I thought I could deal with it on my own.”

I stepped closer, taking his arms in mine. “We’ll deal with it together. Whatever it's, we’ll face it together.”

Ethan pulled his palms away, shaking his head. “No, Helen. You don’t understand. I attempted to make you understand all this last night. You do too much. You need to chill out. You don’t know anything about this case.”

“Ethan, there’s greater to this than you’re telling me. I can’t be part of a family that has too many secrets.”

Ethan’s eyes flashed with anger. “And you do now not even disclose this to my mom. If you do, you’ll face the effects.”

I was taken aback by means of his phrases, my mind racing. “Ethan, this problem could have been dealt with the help of the police. Why are you acting so suspiciously about it?”

Before he could want to reply, Margaret walked up to us, her face light and worried. “Ethan, why are you right here? You’re supposed to be with Dad.”

Ethan’s expression softened slightly. “Mom, I know. I got here to check on something. Why are you here?”

Margaret commenced to cry, her voice trembling. “Your father doesn’t want to wake up.”

“Mom, go back to him,” Ethan said, his tone impatient.

“Don’t shout at her like that,” I interjected, stepping between them.

Margaret appeared among us, her eyes full of confusion. “Why were you two arguing?”

Ethan’s jaw tightened. “It’s not important, Mom. Just go back to Dad.”

I talked to Margaret, my voice mild. “I’m sorry about Ethan, Margaret. He’s simply concerned. I’ll get the doctor. Please, just go back to Dad’s room. I’ll be right behind you with the physician.”

Margaret nodded, wiping her tears, and turned to depart. I watched her pass, feeling a combination of anger and situation about Ethan’s conduct. She took her leave. I turned on Ethan.

“Ethan, you can’t treat her like that. She’s already going through so much.”

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his eyes. “I’m seeking to protect her, Helen. And you.”

“By retaining secrets?” I asked. “That’s not protection. That’s isolation.”

Ethan’s shoulders slumped. “You don’t understand. There is stuff you don’t understand.”

“Then tell me,” I pleaded. “Stop shutting me out. We’re supposed to be companions.”

Ethan sighed deeply, his anger giving way to a weary resignation. “Fine. I’ll tell you, but not here. Not now.”

I nodded, understanding it turned into the exceptional I should wish for at the moment. “Alright. But you have to promise me, no more secrets.”

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a combination of determination and vulnerability. “I promise. But you have to agree with me.”

“I do trust you, Ethan,” I said softly. “But trust goes both ways.”

Before Ethan had to reply, his smartphone buzzed with an incoming call. He glanced at the screen, his expression tightening. “I need to take this,” he said quickly. “Go get the doctor, Helen. Now.”

I nodded, my heart racing, and moved quickly out of the room to locate the doctor. As I moved through the hallways, my thoughts became a whirlwind of mind. What was Ethan hiding? And why is he so insistent on keeping me in the dark?

I observed the doctor in his office, going over some charts. “Doctor, it’s Richard. Something’s incorrect. You need to come back fast.”

The medical doctor looked up, the subject flashing through his face. He stood up immediately, grabbing his scientific bag. “Lead the way,” he stated swiftly.

We rushed and returned to Richard’s room. As we approached the door, Margaret abruptly ran out, her face faded and panicked. “He’s long gone! I can’t find him!”

The doctor quickly brushed beyond her and entered the room. I accompanied intently, my heart pounding. The mattress became empty, the sheets rumpled as though a person had gotten up in a hurry.