The doctor, Dr. Manuel, examined Jason after giving him something that revive him. He was a renowned doctor and Jason had always employed his services. In fact, he was the family doctor of the Campbells.

He checked Jason's eyes, heartbeat, blood pressure as well as other things.

Jason's heartbeat was erratic and his blood pressure was high. He gave him some drugs to bring down the blood pressure.

'Have you been stressing yourself out lately?' the doctor asked.

Bruno looked at his master sympathetically.

'No, my boss has not been stressing himself but a Jezebel in angel's clothing had done this dreadful thing to him', He thought to himself.

Jason sighed. He could not trust his voice so, he just shook his head.

'You will have to take it easy. Your heart isn't very healthy at the moment. Something must have happened to give you a shock But you don't have to say anything if you don't want to but as much as possible do not encourage anxiety or entertain any painful thoughts. Try to forget about anything that makes you anxious or pained.

You will have to take care of your heart and allow it to heal. If you don't, it could lead to paralysis or cardiac arrest which is tantamount to losing one's life because once the heart starts having problems, it is quite difficult to manage it. Except a heart transplant is performed.

So, whatever it is, ask yourself if it is worth your losing your life over'. Dr. Manuel counselled wisely.

Jason nodded to show him that he understood.

Jason listened to him and heard the wisdom on those words but it was easier said than done.

The doctor gave him some drugs and put him to sleep immediately.

Bruno stayed by his boss's side all through. attending to him,and his every need.

Every time, he woke, he looked round to see if Rebecca was back but his head always fell in disappointment. He tried to follow the doctor's advice but found that it was extremely difficult.

Rebecca had been his life. And what had the doctor said again, that he should consider if what was causing him such anxiety and pain was worth losing his life for?

He laughed at himself. What the doctor does not know is that I have already lost my life. I lost my life the moment Rebecca left with for my best friend. There is no more hope'.

Later, the next day, when he was feeling up to it, and his servants were all at their duty posts, he called his office and told the manager to take charge of the firm like he had always done whenever he was not around.

'But what is the problem? We waited for you to come back yesterday but you never did. Is it something serious? Something we should know about?'

'It is a serious matter but it is personal butit is being taken care of. Just take charge of all the operations. I have never found you wanting in the way you handle the firm in my absence. I trust that it would be the same this time as well'.

'You do not have to worry sir. It would be as though you were the one handling it yourself, I promise'.

'Tight then, see you soon'.

After hanging up. He went to the bar for a little drink but everything seemed to remind him of her.

He remembered how they would come to the bar and he would mix her a drink and they would toast to their happy life together.

He wanted to hit something because he could not deny the fact that he would miss her terribly. In fact, he was already missing her something awful.

He took a sip, the dry gin went down his throat hot and scalding.

That was just what he wanted. He wanted to inflict more pain on himself. Maybe, it would help counter the pain he was already feeling and which he could do nothing about.

After a while, he found that he just needed more of the gin and he kept taking.

By lunch time when the cook came to invite him to the dinning table, she found him slumped on a chair drunk.

That started his dinking hobby. He found that he could escape his pain by drinking and felt that if that was how he was going to cope with this betrayal, hurt and bitterness, then he was going to continue.

Jason became a drunk. He was always in a drunken stupor. He was often not aware of his surroundings or what was going on around him.

He always woke with a headache, a hangover but after coffee or lemon juice took care of the hangover and he ate a little,he now eat less than usual and had grown emaciated, he would go into his room to his drink.

It was better for him than dwelling on the pain that seemed not to want to go away.

He felt that the world would blame him for his wife's infidelity and abandonment. They would say that he was not able to keep his wife in check or that he had not been able to satisfy his wife and the poor woman had eloped with a better man who also happened to be his best friend.

Just considering the gossip which must be making the rounds and he was sure the news had spread even through his company and all his employee must know about it.

He didn't think he could face the world and felt that they were right. There must be something he hadn't done right.

Maybe he had not been able to satisfy her sexually despite his sexual prowess. So maybe Terry had been a better man than he. The thought was so painful that he had to drink so as not to dwell too much on it.

He was having psychological trauma and blaming himself for his wife's elopement.

Sally Whitman was Jason's elder sister. Bruno called her and briefed her on the condition of her brother.

Bruno had tried to stop his boss from drinking. But he could do so much without risking losing his job. His boss would in his state not feel that he was having his interest at heart but might think that he was now becoming too presumptuous.

He had taken away all the alcoholic drinks and hidden them away but Jason thinking that he had run out of drinks had sent for more. When Bruno had tried to refuse, Jason had been very angry his voice thunderous.

'Get me the drinks I ordered you to get me right away!' he had ordered thunderously.

The servants whispered amongst themselves. They were sorry for Mr. Campbell, their employer but they knew their place and did not want to do anything to displease him.

Bruno had called the doctor to come for a check up, which he did and found out the pitiable state of Jason. He gave him an elixir which brought him to her s senses and made him sober. He gave him counsel about the dangers of excessive intake of alcohol.

'I have now realised that your wife left you but I must assure you that is not the end of the world. You are lucky she eloped with her lover

What if she had continued to pretend that she was with you while carrying on her lascivious activities, then what would you do when you eventually found out? Believe me it is better this way.

There are cases of wives killing their husbands for their wealth so that they could live a good life with their lovers. But yours just picked up and left. She made no demands as bout money though we shall be sure of that we hen she files for rt divorce and asks for alimony. Though, the court may not grant her that since she is going away of her own Accord and with a well to do Lawyer but being a lawyer, one should expect anything. But you should still be thankful that it was not worse than this.

It would definitely hurt you awfully now, but be determined to get over it and not drown in it. You have your life ahead of you. There are still many women who would give anything to be married to you. You might ask about love but if you give yourself a chance, you shall definitely fall in love again.

Nature abhors a vaccum, you know. Once you empty your heart of the feelings you had for Rebecca your wife, and allow yourself to feel again without fear, you shall be surprised at what would happen. I can assure you, you would be the one being happy that Rebecca left you because you would at that time be experiencing a better kind of love that is equally reciprocated.

I am speaking to you not as a doctor now bit as a friend with experience'.

'Thank you so much doctor. I shall try my best to heed them', Jason said ashamed of himself and determined to make amends.

He gave him some stabilizing drugs and left.

It was easier said than done though because as soon as the doctor left, Jason was his old self trying his hardest to look happy and carefree.

His meal was brought him and he ate but immediately he was left alone, the servants happy to have their master back, the loneliness filled the whole house and his whole being and he remembered the times he had spent with Terry his friend and how they had shared each other's problems and laughed at each other's fears and he rembered how he had shared the problem he was having with Rebecca with him, thinking that he was sharing with the friend he had known all his life, only to be back stabbed.

The pain tore through him again.

He remembered the intense intimate moments he had shared with Rebecca and how he had considered those moments precious and the happiest moments of his life, her moans of pleasure, the frenzy with which she had caressed him and responded to his touch and stroking and how she had told him in her letter that she had never loved him but had been after his money and what it could get her. At least she had been sincere at the end. He guessed, he should be grateful like the doctor had said. But it did not reduce the pain at all

Not by a long shot.

He had to forget. So, he took a sip and from a dip, to a gulp and then he was back where he started.

Before taking the sip, he had called for Bruno and asked of he saw his letter.

Bruno knew immediately the letter he was referring to. It was the same that had broken his boss'heart and he excused himself to get it, though he wondered if it was the right thing to do in the circumstance.

He came back with the letter to find his boss's speech slurred.

'So where is the letter?' Jason asked.

'Here it is'. Bruno said handing it to him, disappointed at the state he found him.

He was determined that this must cease. He had done this once the doctor and everyone had left him but if someone was to keep him company consistently, someone he cared deeply for and respected, he may lay of drink for a few days and after that it might just be difficult for him to go back to it.

So Bruno who had been with him for longer than the other servants, called Sally Whitman, his sister. He had never seen siblings being as close as they had been. Marriage and distance was just what stopped them living together.

He wondered why Jason himself had not called Sally to tell her of his heartbreak but it was not late yet because he was going to do just that.

He explained the situation to her and she promised to take the flight early next morning from London to Lake District to see her brother.

When she arrived, Bruno heaved a sigh of relief.

'Welcome ma'am', Bruno who had been anxiously awaiting her arrival said as he carried in her luggage.

'Thank you, Bruno, where is your boss now?'

'He should be in his room ma'am, should I inform him of your presence?' he asked as he took her luggage into the room that was always kept specially for her and which he had made sure to ask the cleaners to clean thoroughly.

'No, not to worry. I shall announce my presence to him myself I want to surprise him. I hope it would be a pleasant one'.

'It can be no less than a pleasant one. You know how my master loves and cares for you deeply. I have never seen such bond as the both of you share, if you will pardon my imprudence'.

'Its okay Bruno. You spoke the truth, there is no need to apologise for that. Go ahead with your chores and leave the rest to me. I am here now and must make sure there are changes'. She vowed.

Bruno did not doubt it and was glad he had thought of this.

Sally went in and found her brother sprawled on the bed, a letter lying close by.

He opened the blinds and the air and sun rays streamed through the window into the room.

The stench of alcohol though faint was evident.

A protective feeling for her brother washed over her. But she did not wake him immediately, though he had changed position to hide his face from the sudden light that streamed into the room.

Sally, picked the letter and read and she was filled with rage.

She had asked her brother not to marry that girl. Not because she had anything against Rebecca but she had seen her as a gold digger.Someone who was too materialistic for her liking but when her brother had insisted and she felt that marrying Rebecca was going to make him happy, she had given up and given her consent for their marriage.

When they had been together for some years without any complaints, she had been happy that she was wrong. Now this.

She looked at her brother with pity and gently called his name.

'Jason? Jason'

He turned round to the direction of the voice and saw her. He thought that he was hallucinating. Sally could not be here now could she?

He rubbed his hands over his eyes. He was suffering another hangover and had a splitting headache.

'Sally, is that you?'

'The very same', she said smiling.

He got up and she hugged him.

'Am I glad to see you'.

'Same here. It has been quite a while'.

Then he saw the letter with her and looked at her sorrowfully.

'You now know everything if you read that letter'.

She nodded.

'But I am here now. And we shall deal with the situation together and shall come out victorious. Do we have a deal?'she asked cheerfully...

'It is a deal', he said wistfully.

They smiled at each other. This was how they had always tackled difficult problems in the past before either of them got married and some time afterwards and had succeeded most of the time.

'Now the first thing is for you to get over this hangover. Bruno!'

'Yes, ma'am?' he answered immediately as though he had been behind the door all the while which indeed he had been not because he was eavesdropping or wanted to but because he felt that they may need his services. He was as loyal as that to his boss.

'Get a glass of lemon juice for your boss', she instructed.

'Right away, ma'am', he said as he left immediately to get it as well as a mug of hot coffee.

He placed these with cups on the table in the room and Sally made sure her brother drank the lemon juice, while she watched him. She drank the coffee and liked the way it had been made.

'Would you like coffee?' she asked her brother.

'Later, maybe. I am okay with the juice for now'.

'That's okay. The next thing to do now is to have a hot bath. Can you manage that?'

'Why not?' And he got up and went into the bathroom.

While he was gone, Sally's face changed again

She had put on a cheerful, carefree appearance just for her brother. Now that he was not in the room, she looked as angry as she felt. She felt like strangling Rebecca and that Terry. She had suspected that Rebecca was not who she appeared to be but she had trusted Terry. How could he have done this to someone who was no less a brother to him?

She read through the letter again and her anger increased.

'My anger isn't going to help matters. I must just see how to get Jason free from the clutches of alcohol and then see how I can introduce him to some descent girls who would consider themselves lucky to have his attention

She was determined to help him recover from his heartbreak and near addiction to alcohol by all means in record time.

And once she set her mind to do something, she always achieved it.

Jason came out dressed and refreshed after his bath, by which time, Sally had made sure that the table was cleared and the room tidied up by one of the servants.

She had also instructed them to make Jason his favourite meal.

She asked them to go downstairs and the smell of bacon and scrambled eggs was very inviting.

They sat to the delicious smelling breakfast.

Jason ate very well. It was obvious that he was ravenous.

Sally wondered if he had been eating at all since the incident. But there was no cause for alarm because whether he had been eating well or not previously,she was going to make sure he fed well from there on out.

She had not broached anything with him yet. She wanted him well fed and rested so that he may be in a better mood for what she wanted to say and do to him.