Chapter Ten: Copacabana
Apologies for the late update, the holiday season has everyone busy!
Thank you to everyone who has been reading this story so far, it's greatly appreciated. These stories are actually helping me with writing my own book and I hope that some of you genuinely enjoy it.
Jerrica's P.O.V.
She didn't remember where she was.
Everything was dark and she felt dehydrated while her body felt extremely heavy, like she couldn't move it. She did, although, remember what happened with Eric and Janet bleeding on the floor. The memory made her gasp, opening her eyes and struggling to breathe.
"Jerrica!"
Her neck felt stiff and sore, like a weight was sitting on the back of it, she winced when she tried to turn her head too fast.
"Rio..."
He was at her side keeping her from sitting up.
"You need to rest some more, don't try to get up right now. I'll get the doctor to come check on you."
"Whe-what happened to..." Her throat was dry.
"Don't worry about anything right now, just lie down and rest."
Jerrica frowned up at him. "I'm fine Rio, a bit thristy, but I'm not in any pain... at least I don't think I'am."
"I'll get you something to drink just stay still."
"It's not like I'll jump out of bed and do backflips Rio." She chuckled.
Rio rolled his eyes. "I'll be right back."
"A-alright..." Jerrica croaked and Rio dashed out of the room.
Jerrica cringed and fell back against her pillows when she tried to sit up. She huffed and wiggled into a comfortable position. Her mind started to wander, trying to pull forth the memories of what happened with Eric. They were spotty and she struggled to remember exactly how he ended up in her office.
It gave her a mild headache trying to remember.
"Miss Benton?"
Jerrica blinked slowly. "Uh... y-yes?"
"How are you feeling? does anything hurt?" A woman with brown hair and a white coat frowned in concern down at me.
"I have a headache that's all."
The doctor nodded and brought forth a clipboard. "Nothing seems out of the ordinary. We were able to successfully extract the bullet from your neck, but don't hesitate in letting me or the nurses know if you experience any pain."
"Thank you."
The doctor smiled again. "You're family is waiting outside for you, if you don't feel up to seeing them right now-" She was cut off.
"Oh no!" Jerrica shook her head and winced. "Please, let them in."
"It will only be for a few moments, I'll come back later and we'll check over you and make sure we didn't overlook anything."
"Yes, thank you doctor." The moment the doctor opened the door a blur of red dashed past her.
Jerrica realised it was her youngest sister, Kimber, dressed in a fuzzy neon sky blue sweater, a red ascot around her neck, a pair of white capris, and a pair of sandals on her feet.
"Oh Jerrica!" She wrapped her arms around the blond and weeped into her shoulder.
"Kimber..." Jerrica's arms felt heavy as she returned the hug.
Over the head of her little sister she saw Rio, Aja, Jem, Shana, and Raya standing around her hospital bed watching the two with relief on their faces.
"How are you feeling?" Shana quickly moved to the other side of Jerrica's bed. She was wearing a white t-shirt, a blue jean vest with aztec embrodiery on the collar and on the front, a blue jean skirt, and flats, her hair tied back by a multi colored silk scarf.
"I could be a thousand times better, but I'm alive." Jerrica tried to smile, but her chapped lips were slightly straining the smile and turning it into a grimace.
"We were so worried, we grew grey hairs waiting for you to wake up! I mean the doctor said you were fine, but you were hit pretty close to your vocal chords and we were scared you might never speak again! I can't wait to tell the girls and Stormer you're okay, I missed you so much, it wasn't the same without you and I can't wait for you to get better so you can hear my new song-"
"Kimber, Breathe!" Aja covered the redhead's mouth with her hand. She was wearing a dotted black and white blouse, khaki shorts, and tennis shoes with her hair down.
"My family sent these flowers for you." Raya set a large pot of blue orchids on the nightstand. The sweet girl was dressed in a lady's pink leather jacket, neon yellow camisole, blue jean shorts, and tennis shoes, her bubble gum pink hair in a high ponytail.
"These are so beautiful!" Jerrica gasped.
"They were recently imported from Taiwan, my father just got them in last week." Raya's smile broadened.
"Tell your family I said 'thank you'." Jerrica softly stroked one of the soft blue petals.
"They will be happy to know you like them." Raya beamed. "These flowers are very rare and according to ancient Greece are said to mean 'virility' and 'strength', the Aztecs also believed these blossoms meant 'strength'."
"Like them?! I love them! they're my favorite color, too! This was such a thoughtful gift Raya." Jerrica admired the deep blue petals for a moment longer.
"You are very strong Jerrica," Raya reached over to give her a hug. "I love and admire you for all that you have done for my family and I."
"You're so sweet." Jerrica sniffled then quickly shook off the warm feeling trying to leak through her eyes and re-directed her attention. "Did they catch Eric?"
Rio's jaw tenses. "No."
"The whole time you've been asleep the police have been looking for him, but..." Kimber trails off, biting her bottom lip.
"How long have I been asleep?" Jerrica asks.
"Three days, almost four." Aja answered this time.
Jerrica frowns heavily and looks down at her hands. Shana sets a hand on her shoulder, Jerrica looks up at her sister and closest friend. "You don't need to worry Jerrica, they will find and catch him."
"Yeah! He'll pay for everything he's done, too!" Kimber fumed.
"Let's focus on Jerrica's recovery right now, okay?" Aja said. "Security has been tightened at the company and at the mansion, but for now it's best if everyone travels in groups and be extra careful. We don't know where that psycho has gone off to."
"What about the Misfits? Has he tried anything against them - is anyone else hurt?" Jerrica asked.
Shana shakes her head. "No, but we did hear from Stormer that Rochelle, the mother of Eric's son, had seen him the day he shot you. Apparantly after... what happened he went there and took money out of the floor of all things!"
"Then they said the jackass-"
"Kimber!" Jerrica gasped.
"-disappeared and the cops can't find him." Kimber rolled her eyes at her prudish sister.
"He probably took the first flight to an island to avoid paying for his crimes." Rio growled.
"He won't be hiding for long, they will find him. He is such a greedy man, that will surely be his downfall in the end." Raya said.
"Thank you all for being here."
"It's no problem Jerri." Jem said.
"I'm sorry to cut this so short, but I must attend to the patient." the doctor spoke from the corner of the room.
"Our apologies doctor, let's go guys." Aja gave her one last hug before leaving the room.
Everyone else did the same thing as they exited the room the doctor approached her bedside with a nurse and a clipboard, ready to check over her vitals.
"And don't worry Jerrica, we'll bring the girls tomorrow, okay?" Shana said over her shoulder.
"Thank you, I really miss them."
"They missed you too." She said before the door closed.
Pizzazz's P.O.V.
"So, that's what has you in such a twist, hm?" Harvey Gabor sighed.
Pizzazz glared at the oak wood coffee table sitting between them while Jetta sipped on a cup of warm tea. After yesterday Pizzazz felt mentally exhausted, she had briefly contemplated having a glass of champagne or vodka to ease her troubled mind, but she promised her daddy she would slow down with he alcohol intake. She was relieved to wake up that morning without a hangover and to see that everyone had made it through the night in one piece. Jetta had awakened earlier then she had and called to check on Roxy, Stormer, and Shana and told her everyone was fine and that Jerrica finally woke up.
Pizzazz had made a mental note to go and visit her fellow blond the moment she was free to do so.
Aside from knowing her friends were still alive, she saw that Jetta had her lips puckered and was frowning at her father. He sat in a dark blue business suit a coffee mug in his hands and an eyebrow raised in her direction.
What did you say?!
He tricked me!
And now her father knew everything.
"Phyllis," She and Jetta looked up. "There is nothing you need to worry about, I have someone looking for Eric Raymond right now and he will be found."
"Thank you daddy."
"There is no need to thank me, you are my daughter and I will always care for and protect you. This man is a threat to you and you're friends, I won't let any harm befall any of you." Pizzazz smiled up at him.
She was happy to have her father care for her like this, they were never this close when she was younger.