Chapter 36: The Cardiac Center

"The only problem I have with Simon is his rigidness. We need to get a visiting invite for the Kentleys Mansion. Can you help with that mum?" Fiona asked her mother.

"Uhnmmm, I'll try. You know that I'm not so close to Emily. And she's always selective of the people she invite to her home. But I'll try. I'll let you know by tomorrow." Theresa reassured her daughter who nodded and stood up at once.

"I'll be inside." She said and left her mother at the patio to start putting her plans in place.

************

The rising sun casted it's glow on Paige's window causing an almost invisible glow on her soft skin as a result of the curtains acting as a barrier between the sun and her skin. Morning came too late for Paige who was praying for it's arrival as a result of a sleepless night and too early for Simon who wanted to sleep some more having had a most beautiful night rest in a while.

The Kentleys and their beautiful employee Paige, had breakfast together after which Simon and Paige dressed up to go the cardiac centre. Simon escorted Paige to his car and help her step into the black sparkly Mercedes in the garage. 

"What's your favourite food Paige?" Simon asked as he stepped in and started the car.

"Honestly, I have no idea. Why? She asked him.

"Nothing." He responded as they drove through the Mansion gate maneuvering the steering wheel. "I was looking for the easiest way to start up a conversation. Couldn't think of anything else." He said flashing a smile. 

"Well, at least we have something in common." She said.

"What's that." He asked her not taking his gaze off the road. "We both love omelette. Don't we?" She replied.

"We do." He said smiling. "We might actually have a lot more in common though. Should we compare?" He asked smiling with his eyes still focused on the road.

"Sure, what's your favorite color?" Paige asked him.

"Blue." He responded. "We seriously do not share colors in common. No doubt about that." He said smiling. June's favorite color was yellow so they obviously didn't share that in common.

"Your favorite sport?" She continued.

"Basketball." He responded. 

"Oh boy, mine is swimming. Should I continue? She asked

"Yes, go ahead please he responded turning  to a curve which served as a shorter route to the cardiac center.

"Your favorite music?" She asked.

"Afrobeats" he replied. "What's yours?"

"Jazz." She told him laughing.

"Okay, this is a disaster. What is favorite gemstone?" he asked catching sight of the earring she had on. That was the one he gifted her for June's engagement party.

"Sapphire." She replied.

"Oh, I thought you are a diamond type." He said.

"Only if it comes with an Emerald." She replied.

"That makes sense, Diamonds paired with yellow Emeralds!" He exclaimed softly. "One of my favorites is undergoing a heart surgery today at the Cardiac center. So, I'm a bit apprehensive."

"That's okay." She said touching one of his thigh absentmindedly. "he'll be fine." Simon looked at her slender fingers on his thigh and smiled.

"You've got the most beautiful hands I've ever seen." He told her touching her hand softly. But she was quick to draw it back to her side. "What? I don't bite." Simon stressed. Paige gave out a seamless smile that reflected in her gorgeous eyes. "And you have a lovely smile too. Who did you get it from?" He asked.

"Must be my father because he was a very cheerful man." she replied

 "How then did he end up with a blood sucker as a second wife." He asked curious.

"Wait, what? She's not a blood sucker. How can you even call a fellow human that?" She asked laughing out loud.

"I'm so straightforward. I refer to people the way I see them." He replied.

"Really, Does that mean that you really see me as a sunflower?" She asked him.

"Honestly, I do. What about you? What's your thought about me?" 

Paige chuckled audibly. "I wouldn't ask that question if I were you." She told him.

"The more reason I'm asking the question. Tell me, I want to know." He urged her with a smile.

"Like a mentally unstable human with maybe a little personality disorder." She replied laughing.

"Wow! Just wow!! But that's too much for one person." He complained laughing. He stole a gaze at Paige and his heart melted. "You should be around me more often since I make you this happy. It's really rare to find people like me." Simon said knowing fully well that he's struck a cord.

"Why in God's name do you flatter yourself so much? I'm just in a good mood today. It has nothing to do with you." She lied.

"You're lying." He told her. It's so obvious.

"Simon." Paige called him suddenly serious.

"Yes." He answered just loud enough for Paige to hear her.

"How did you loose your mother? I know I'm being too straight forward and you might not want to talk about it. But, I'm curious." She said to him watching him closely as his hands tightened on the steering, his muscles tensed and his facial expression unreadable. Paige wondered if she made a mistake asking about his late mother. She wondered if she was too inquisitive. If she was suppose to let it be. "You can decide not to answer if the question upset you so much. I promise, I won't ask again." She added in order to ease the feeling of guilt she had within her.

"Well," Simon started. "I might tell you everything you'd like to know about me if you tell Tedson to stop calling or texting you." He said taking his eyes off the road and looking at her with a crooked smile. "I know he sends you messages nonstop. Your phone almost blew up with notifications yesterday and they all had his name on the screen."

"What? You're checking my phone now?" She asked. "That's so wrong. It's actually an invasion of my privacy." She chided him.

"But I can only invade your privacy when I snoop through your phone. I didn't even touch it. You were holding it right there. I only saw the notifications that were visible on the screen. You should update your notification settings if you don't want that." He told her.

"Even at that, you should learn to mind your business and learn not to interfere with people's privacy." She pressed on.

"Yes ma'am." Simon replied trying not to prolong the mini argument that was threatening to erupt. "So, what do you have to say about Tedson? Do we have a deal? He further asked.

"No deal." Paige gave a curt answer. "Why would you even ask me to do that anyway?"

"Because I'm jealous." He replied truthfully.

"Jealous of what exactly?"

"I'm jealous of sharing you with someone else." He replied.

"Why would you be jealous of sharing me when you don't even have me. What then is there to be jealous of?" She asked surprised.

"I will have you Sunflower. I only need time, focus and patience," He said. "And when it comes to the things or people I want, patience is always something I have in surplus. Even if it takes me till forever. We're here!" He announced driving into a very large facility with several one storey buildings. The security at the gate opened up for them and greeted Simon with so much warmth and respect. They made their way to one of the garage where he successfully parked their car.

Simon came down and helped Paige. They made their way to one of the buildings closest to the entrance of the facility. On entering into the building, they were met by one of the cardiologists working there. "Hello, Mr. Kentley." He greeted stepping forward for a handshake.

"Dr. Julian, it's so nice to meet you." Simon called as they shook hands. "Please meet Paige." He introduced them. "She's a Nurse and she works at Elfer-town." He concluded.

"It's so nice meeting you." Julian told Paige with a warm smile.

"The pleasure is all mine." She replied. "I must really commend you all for you're doing here. It's really not easy one bit. Paige complimented him.

"Thank you so much." Julian replied.  We just concluded Caleb's surgery few minutes ago. He's at the recovery room now. Would you want to see him? Julian asked Simon.

"Yes please, we would love to." He replied

"Shalll we go then?" He asked no one in particular. But Simon and Paige nodded and followed behind as he led them to the recovery room where Caleb lay.

"He's such a strong boy." Simon commented as they made their way to Caleb.

"That, he is." Julian agreed. On getting to the recovery room, they met Caleb still unconscious but breathing fine with the help of an artificial oxygen. After seeing Caleb, they headed outside to catch some air.