Missed Appointment

 "I have to head home for a doctor's appointment tomorrow," I explained.

 "I have a doctor who makes house calls," Zeus countered, "Not to brag, but I feel he's much better in his field than the current one you're seeing."

 I rolled my eyes. You are the last person I want to know about this.

 "That's very generous of you," I replied, "But I trust my doctor."

 With a grunt, he ran his fingers through his thick silver hair and approached me, "When's your appointment? It's about a six-hour drive back to your home."

 I froze. No.No.No.

 I can't wait any longer. I need to know. Without hesitation, I removed my phone from my purse and called my doctor.

 "This is Dr. Prickett's office; how may I assist you?"

 "Hi, my name is Ivy. I had an appointment today at 1 p.m., but I needed to reschedule. Is there anything available for later today or tomorrow?"

 "Just one moment."

 I was on hold for what felt like an eternity. I bit my bottom lip while tapping my heel in frustration. This can't be happening. 

 "The earliest appointment I have available is three weeks from today."

 "Three weeks?!" I panicked, "There's no way Dr. Prickett can see me any sooner?"

 "I'm sorry, Miss Ivy, but he's leaving tonight on vacation for the next three weeks. You were last appointment."

 My heart turned into a weighted brick as I felt the tears form in my eyes, "Fuck!" 

 I threw my phone as hard as possible into the wall, shattering upon impact.

 "Fuck!" I cried, curling into a ball of nerves.

 "Hey, calm down, Ivy," Zeus embraced me as I sobbed, "Shh."

 I couldn't stop weeping. I needed to know. It was hard enough waiting two weeks; I can't wait another three. 

 "What's wrong?" he asked. 

 I felt his hand caressing the back of my head, attempting to console me while I was in his warm embrace. Why was this happening? There's always something coming up, something wrong. 

 "I'm-I'm-" I stammered between weeps.

 "Shh-" he hushed, "Calm down first."

 "I can't- I can't make it by one, can I?" I cried.

 "No, It's already ten in the morning," Zeus replied.

 My sobs continued erupting from my throat in bursts like a volcano, "Why? Why?!"

 "What's the matter?" he consoled, "I can help you with whatever you need."

 No, you can't.

 It must have been thirty minutes of my nonstop crying until my eyes were so swollen I could barely open them. He rubbed my throbbing temples while looking kindly into my eyes.

 "I can't explain why I'm acting this way," I rasped through my dry throat, "I'm overwhelmed."

 He tightly held me, "I can see that. I haven't seen such a left hook with implacable aim."

 I blinked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

 He gestured to the shattered lamp accompanying my broken cell phone. 

 "Fuck, I'm sorry," I apologized, "Damn it, now I fucked up my phone, and I need it." 

 I almost began to weep when I felt Zeus's warm lips on mine. I didn't fight him. He was tender yet firm. It nearly took my breath away. 

 "There," he gently caressed my cheek, "Don't get yourself worked up over nothing. I can buy you a new lamp and phone by sunrise tomorrow. I can call my doctor if you don't want to wait for your current one to reschedule you. Everything's going to be fine."

 "Why are you being so kind to me?" I whispered.

 "I'm not a monster," he lowered his voice, "I don't know the stories Dimitri and Callista must have told you about me-"

 "They didn't," I cut him off, "Someone always wants something from me in return for their kindness. I've never known it not to be."

 Was that sorrow I saw in his eyes? Pity? 

 "I don't need to use you for anything," he commented, "It's not as though I can't afford a new phone and lamp."

 I looked around as he gestured to my room. He was right. I felt my nerves begin to quiet down inside of me. 

 "Do you want me to call my doctor?" he offered.

 Reluctantly, I nodded.