Chapter 7 Colleen Hurt Stacey

• Jared's POV
• After my break up with Stacey, I stayed at home. I was feeling guilty towards her and I was afraid I might go and see her if I didn't distance myself from her. I needed to calm myself and be rational about everything. I didn't want to have a fight with my mom and sister. They had relied on me ever since dad passed away and he asked me to take care of both my mom and sister, Ingrid. I didn't want to break my promise to him as I knew he had done everything to protect us as well.
• Now that it was my turn, I had to hold myself so I wouldn't hate them. I love Stacey but maybe not as much as I love my family. It's not entirely about the company, that's why I decided to agree with them. It was for them as well. We are close to each other and I didn't want matters like this to break our family apart.
• I went to our mini library and decided to calm myself there through reading. I really need it. I asked one of our maids to bring me a cup of coffee as well. I was in my reading mood when I felt someone. I looked at the door and saw my sister, Ingrid. I was pissed that here I was trying to calm myself and yet, she had to follow me there.
• Ingrid approached me after I asked her what she wanted. She didn't say anything at first, maybe she was trying to weigh the situation and whether it was good to talk to me or not. She still did her talking and we had a little argument. I love my sister so much and I can't get mad at her for long and so does my mother. She may not have wanted us to argue anymore, so she backed down and left me after telling me to be good to Colleen and how kind she is.
• I was not in the mood to read anymore, thanks to her. So I decided to go back to my room and think about what would happen next. I took the cup of coffee with me out of the mini library and handed it to one of our maids and continued going to my room.
• Before I reach my room, I will be passing my mom's room first. It wasn't my intention, but I overheard her and Ingrid talking. I was shocked to find out that mom was sick. She didn't tell me and probably wouldn't.
• Ingrid left mom's room and I stayed and talked to her. "Why didn't you tell me that you were sick?" I asked her.
• "As I've said, I didn't want you to worry. I am fine now, so there's nothing to fuss about anymore." Mom told me.
• "How did you get sick and are you really well now?" I asked again.
• "Jared, how many times do I need to answer your questions? I am fine, I just feel a bit dizzy. My doctor told me to have a complete rest and everything's going to be fine." she said, and I looked at her. She sighed and added, "Alright, I promise I am going to rest and take care of myself more from now on. Now, go to your room and have your rest as well."
• I decided to believe in mom. I've known her for being health conscious, so I hoped there was really nothing to be worried about. I kissed her forehead and reminded her to rest and she smiled at me and nodded. I left her room and went to mine.
• I cleaned up myself and think about what's in it for me now that I broke up with Stacey. I will talk to mom and Ingrid tomorrow about the wedding.
• I took my laptop as I decided to take a look at my mail hoping there was something I could do to focus my mind on. I don't want to think about the wedding and Stacey anymore.
• I answered a few emails when I heard my phone ring. I took it and answered it, didn't bother to look or check who the call was. "Jared...." I heard Stacey's voice so I looked at my phone screen, it was really her.
• "Stacey, why are you calling and why are you crying?" I asked her after I heard her sobbing. She was a very sensitive and delicate person. Is she affected by our break up?
• "There's this woman that came to me, she said she was your future wife and she asked me to stay away from you." She said, and now I can clearly hear her crying. I tightened the grip on my phone thinking it was Colleen who did it
• "What else did she do?" I asked her, hoping Colleen did nothing wrong or hurt her.
• "I told her that I love you and that you love me as well, she got angry and hit me." Stacey said. "Now I'm in the hospital as I have got some bruises and scratches." Stacey informed me.
• I was so mad, Colleen didn't have to do that. I thought we could work things out after our marriage. But with her attitude, I don't think everything will be better between us.
• I still heard Stacey crying so I tried to calm her down, "I'm sorry about this Stacey, I didn't know that she would be doing this. Tell me which hospital you are now and I will go there." I said, and she told me about the hospital.
• I wanted to run to her after we ended our call but I decided to go to Ingrid and confront her. I went to her room and did not bother to knock. I didn't care whether she was busy or whatever, I just wanted to inform her about what Colleen had done to Stacey.
• "Did you know what your kind soul did to Stacey?" I asked Ingrid as soon as I entered her room.
• She just looked at me and did not say anything. I was so mad that she was acting that way, no reaction at all. "Did you hear me?" I yelled at her.
• Her forehead creased and she shouted, "Of course I heard you, how could I not if you were yelling at me?"
• "You're angry now? Why can't you get angry at that woman who hurt Stacey?" I asked her.
• "No matter what I say, you wouldn't believe me, you would still choose to believe that w****." She answered. I was shocked by her words. I never, in my entire life, heard her say such a word.
• "Watch your mouth, Ingrid, I will never let anyone call her that." I warned her and she laughed at me. I knew our conversation would hurt us both so I decided to leave her and went to see Stacey.
• I drove to the hospital as fast as I could because I was worried about Stacey. The way she cried gives me an idea that she was badly hurt.
• I went straight to the nurses station and asked for Stacey's room as soon as I reached the emergency room. The nurse looked at me confused, "Sir, Ms. Stacey is over there. There's no need to confine her and she only had a scratch." The nurse replied and I looked at the bed she was pointing at and saw Stacey with her back facing me.
• "Stacey," I called her and she looked at me. When she realized that it was me, she gave me her sweet smile that I always love to see.
• "Oh, Jared, you didn't have to come. It's just a minor bruise and I can handle it. I know you still have some things to settle with your family and I didn't want them to get mad at you or for you to fight them because of me." She said I was so touched that she was very understanding.
• "Its OK, they were all resting at home. What happened? Are you still hurt?" I asked her continuously.
• "No, I am fine. I just didn't think that she would be doing this to me. I thought we would just talk about you, me and her." She said hesitantly.
• "I actually called her out because I wanted to let her know that I really love you and that you love me too. I asked her if she could just stay back and let us be happy." She added and started sobbing again.
• "I'm really sorry that it came to this." I told her. "I will tell Colleen to leave you alone. Whatever she does to you, you can tell me and I will talk to her." I added. I saw her face harden for a moment but it was so fast that she gave me a smile I couldn't resist.
• "Its fine, as long as you're OK, Jared." She said and I smiled at her. I settled her bill and sent her home later. I didn't want to linger too much with her as I didn't want to give her any idea that we were back together.
• I went home after Stacey got into her house. Thinking about what Colleen had done, I would make sure that she would be punished for it.