Theodore stumbled into his car, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear. With trembling fingers, he fumbled for his phone, finally managing to dial Gary’s number. The phone rang a few times before connecting.
"Gary!" he rasped, his voice hoarse and strained. "I’m drugged. Help me."
"What?" Gary exclaimed, shocked. "You were alright when I left the mansion. How did this happen?"
"Stop asking questions," Theodore snapped, his annoyance growing. "Just help me."
"Where are you?" Gary asked.
"I just came out of the mansion," Theodore replied, his attention focused on navigating the car out of the gate.
"Are you driving?" Gary asked frantically, worry clouding his features.
"Or else?" Theodore spat. "I can’t stay there where Gina is around. She is so clingy. It’s a trap, Gary."
"Okay, I get it, but you shouldn’t be driving in that condition," Gary warned him. "Park the car and wait for me. I’ll be there right away."
"Be quick." Theodore managed to say, a sharp pain shooting through his head. The drug was already taking its toll, his vision blurring and his senses fading. He knew it was dangerous to drive. With a shaky hand, he tossed the phone onto the dashboard and pulled over to the side of the road.
"Fuck, this is too hot," he groaned, unbuttoning his shirt in a desperate attempt to cool down. The heat surged through him, unbearable and relentless, and his body ached for release. Each passing minute was a struggle to resist the overwhelming urge to succumb to the drug’s effects.
Thankfully, Gary arrived within minutes and knocked on the window, startling him. Through the blurred vision, Theodore could barely make out the figure. "Gary?" he asked warily to confirm.
"Yes, yes, it’s me. Open the door."
Theodore fumbled with the locks, finally managing to unlock the car door. With Gary’s assistance, he stumbled out of the car, his legs feeling like jelly.
Gary guided Theodore into his car, gently placing him in the passenger seat. "I’m taking you to my place. Just hang on for a while, and you’ll be okay," he assured him.
Theodore winced, squinting his eyes to get a clearer look at Gary’s face. Uncertainty clouded his mind. "Are you sure?"
He was unsure if it would be a good idea to go to Gary’s place, especially in his current state. Gary had his pregnant wife at home. Theodore thought it was not safe.
"Won’t it be better if you take me to the hospital?" Theodore suggested weakly.
"Theodore, you won’t make it that far. I’ll take you to my place," Gary insisted firmly. "You will be fine, don’t be concerned."
"As you see fit," Theodore replied, his head falling back against the seat. His nails dug into his forearm as he tried to combat the overwhelming heat and dizziness.
Gary continued the conversation, hoping to keep Theodore conscious. "Where is your driver? It’s unusual to see you driving after your accident. Why didn’t you bring him?"
"It was late, and the driver had gone home," Theodore mumbled, his voice barely audible. "I had no choice but to drive."
"I see."
Theodore groaned, his head pounding. He closed his eyes, the world fading into darkness as the drug’s effects intensified.
The drive to Gary’s place felt like an eternity. Theodore’s mind was a fog, and each passing minute was a torment. Sweat beaded on his brow.
Theodore thought the car was running in never never-ending loop from which there was no escape. Each minute was difficult to endure. He pulled off his shirt, desperate for any relief.
"Hold on, Theo. We will be there soon."
"It’s hard, Gary... Please do something," Theodore groaned.
Gary handed him a bottle of water. "Take some water."
Theodore snatched the bottle, pouring the cool water over his face and neck. The temporary relief was welcome, but the burning sensation within him persisted.
Finally, they arrived at Gary’s house. "Let’s get inside," Gary said, helping Theodore out of the car.
He carefully guided him into the house and led him to the guest room’s bathroom. He helped Theodore into the bathtub and turned on the tap, letting cold water fill the tub.
"Wait a minute. I’ll be right back," Gary said, exiting the bathroom.
Theodore leaned against the edge of the bathtub, the cold water offering some respite from the heat. But it was not enough to quell the fire within him.
Gary returned, a syringe in hand. "Theo, I’ve prepared an injection. You’ll be fine soon." He injected the drug into Theodore’s system. "Just bear with it for a while. You’ll start to feel better in half an hour. Until then, stay in the water."
"Thanks, Gary. You are a lifesaver."
As soon as Gary left, Theodore immersed himself in the water, seeking solace from the tormenting heat.
Outside the bathroom, Gary paused, his mind racing. He hadn’t anticipated things turning out this way. Why had Theodore said Gina was at the mansion? He hadn’t seen her there when he went. When had she arrived?
It seemed like the whole thing was a trap set for Theodore. "I’ll talk to him once the test results are out," he murmured, retreating to his bedroom.
The next day...
Bella was a bundle of nerves. She had waited anxiously for Theodore to return last night, but his absence had only deepened her worry about Malcolm. Repeated calls to Theodore had gone unanswered, fueling her apprehension.
As the clock ticked away, Bella prepared herself for work, her mind still preoccupied with the previous night’s events.
Her phone buzzed, startling her from her thoughts. Seeing Theodore’s name on the caller ID, she answered immediately. "Hello? Is Grandpa alright? Why didn’t you return last night?"
"He is okay," Theodore spoke slowly, his voice tinged with exhaustion as he drove to the mansion. He decided against sharing the ordeal of the previous night, not wanting to cause Bella unnecessary distress.
Relief washed over Bella. "Thank goodness," she sighed. "I was so worried I couldn’t sleep last night. You didn’t pick up my calls."
Theodore rubbed his temples. He had seen her missed calls only this morning. "I’m sorry, Bella. I was too worried about Grandpa to check my phone."
Bella reassured him, "It’s okay, I understand. Grandpa’s health is important. Are you coming home now?"
"I’ll go to the office directly from here. See you in the evening."
The call ended, and Theodore focused on the road ahead, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He had to see his grandfather and talk to him before heading to the office.
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