GHOST TRILLIONAIRE OF VANDERBILT

Chapter six: Imperial Table

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Dr. Chad was already inside the Premium ward, his hand moving with the clinical precision of someone who had done this before— gloves on, stethoscope pressing on Arabella's chest to listen to heart beat that was there but consciousness dragging it into darkness that medical call Coma.

"Past trace of head injury untreated," His voice was sharp, accurate. "It's pulling her into coma." 

Concern etched over Caius's face. 

"Will she survive?" 

"You know better, Master Cross. That she will." 

Caius was already moving to the bed where Arabella laid under white sheet. 

"She's not falling into whatever bullshit darkness." 

Dr. Chad stepped back, watching, learning.

Caius moved fast. Oxygen mask, Endotracheal tube slammed into that ventilator With training that'd become muscle memory, cardiac Monitor beeping in repeated rhythm that suggested that patient was very much alive.

After Five minutes, Arabella's eyes fluttered open to the white ceiling that didn't belong to the apartment she knew. She winced in pain as pain shot through her head.

"You're awake." A voice came beside her. She turned slightly to see Caius but immediately her vision shifted— wrong. 

She wriggled violently under the sheet, heart monitor screamed in panic.

"No..no..don't beat me...no..I won't eat it.. please.. please...." 

Caius jerked up from the chair that scraped backwards.

He held her shoulder gently, forcing her to stay calm but Arabella was still throwing kicks and punch in the air fighting whatever ghost had tormented her in the past.

"PSTD," Dr. Chad said, "She's seeing things, people."

"I know." Caius forced her shoulder to stable. "Arabella listen to me. Listen to me. It is me. I took you from the Cafeteria. Told you to the Empty class—"

But Arabella was still flailing, her breathing unstable, eyes wide at Caius in fear.

"I told you to be my girlfriend." 

Suddenly, Arabella went still. Her eyes steadied on Caius now. She broke into a sob, tears streaming down to her cheek. 

Caius's heart ached seeing her tears and it further tightened his resolve on his promise— they'll pay for making her the prey.

Gently, he wrapped his hand around her. He didn't say another more words. He just allowed her shed the tears. She needed to— that is the only way to relief the grief she'd been harbouring.

Caius pulled away gently, staring into her eyes.

"Are you okay? How are you feeling? Do you want to eat something?" He asked her, his voice heavy with concern.

Arabella sniffled, her finger twisted the bedsheet. She shook her head. "Y— you don't need to. I am Okay." She said and then looked up, accessing the room. "How did I get here?" 

"I brought you. It's safe here." 

"Thanks." She said softer, genuine. 

"You don't need to." Caius said and stepped aside for Dr. Chad to check her health status. 

He nodded. "She's good. She can be discharged." He looked at her. "Are you feeling any discomfort? Any pain?" 

Arabella shook her head.

Dr. Chad nodded and turned to Caius.

"If any other thing comes up, I'm sure it can be easily handled." He said. "And as for the PTSD, it'll keep coming  until she changes her environment; involve in exciting activities that make her forget the ugly past and most important be around people who she loves to see."

Caius nodded. "Thank, Chad."

He nodded with a smile. "My pleasure, Young — Sir." He corrected seeing Caius gesture. He bowed gently and stepped out of the ward.

The door clicked shut.

Silence settled around them.

"What do you feel like eating? Drinking?" 

Arabella looked up to his face, peering into his eyes for the first time, searching for something in her eyes.

"Why are you doing all of this? What do you want from me?" 

Caius smiled at her gently. "You're my girlfriend so why do I need any reason to do save your life." Caius stood up. "Can you walk?"

"If I can't?" 

"I'll have to carry you." Caius smiled gently.

Arabella blinked, her face flushing. "No. No. You aren't doing that again." Yet she couldn't help it but smile gently, instinctive and genuine for the first time she could remember.

Caius giggled gently.

"Alright alright. You have it your way." 

They walked out of the Hospital together. "I'll make sure to pay you back."

"You don't need to." 

Before she could protest, Butler Alfred stepped into the corridor. He knew better than displaying any reverence theatrics before his young Master.

"Some seconds, Bella." He stepped away with Alfred.

"How's she feeling, young Master? I already informed the grandmother." 

"What! Informed my mum? Heck? You know better she's going to arrive here in luxury excorts. I told you I want things low." 

"I— I'm sorry, young master." 

Caius exhaled sharply. "Where she?" 

"On her way, Sir.." 

"Put a call across again. Tell her I'll come home when I'm ready—"

Alfred nodded swiftly.

"— and I want you to do something for me." He added, his voice hardening. "I need to the names of everyone in Kingswell who had ever laid a finger on Arabella. Anyone. Professors, students, and even outside the school. I need the list. I need it on my desk before midnight."

"Yes, Sir." 

Caius turned away and walked to Arabella.

"Who's that man?" She glanced at Alfred receding figure.

"He's just a relative."

Arabella didn't probe. She simply nodded.

They walked out of the Hospital and stepped into the air. The sight that caught Arabella's eyes at the parking space made her eyes widened in shock and surprise. Caius was slightly stunned then his expression shifted to subtle anger.

Sleek black cars lined up outside gleaming under the sunlight— about ten of them with vanity custom plate number embossed in gold.

Cross.

"I told them not to come." Caius's jaw tightened.

He simply grabbed Arabella's wrist and moved quickly before the doors of the Car opened. 

Caius stopped a Taxi and opened the backdoor.

"Where are we going?" 

"To somewhere we'll get something good to eat." He said.

Arabella stepped into the Taxi first with any protest. Then Caius exhaled sharply before stepping inside.

He didn't want Arabella to be overwhelmed with everything yet. Telling her about his family would be too much to take in especially given her present condition.

The Taxi pulled into the street, heading to the most expensive restaurant in the city.

The Imperial Table.

Arabella gasped instantly seeing the glass and steel building. She'd never been in a place like this before but she'd heard a lot about how expensive dishes are there. Sometimes she'd wondered if it was just a tale because how could a plate cost more than tuition f*e at Kingswell.

"What...are we doing here?" She asked, her voice cracking slightly in surprise.

"We're here to Eat. Is there any problem?"

Arabella turned to face him, her expression serious.

"Here?" She said, nodding at the building ahead. "It's too expensive here. We can't afford that. Can we just go somewhere else?" 

Caius smiled lightly. "It's not too expensive," He said simply. "This is exactly the kind of place you need to get on your feet properly.

 Let's go."