EVERETT

Waking up to the rhythmic sound of my heartbeat on the ECG monitor, reassuring me that I was still alive, I sat up and settled into a comfortable position. I pulled out my phone and began scrolling through the myriad of missed calls and texts from "people" who supposedly cared about me, blatantly ignoring the doctor and nurse standing by my side, waiting for me to wake up. Well, in five, four, three, two, one—

"Ms. Everett, this is the second time you have fainted in a week," the doctor's voice was stern as he spoke.I nodded, too drained to speak, knowing that any words would likely lead to an argument with him. Just as he was about to say something else, my phone rang, and the caller ID indicated it was my dearest mom. I answered it.

"Hello, Mom." "Yes, I'm fine. I'll be discharged tonight, don't worry. By tomorrow morning, I'll be at the office. Have your dinner and take care. Bye..." 

I noticed that my doctor was glaring at me as if I had said something disrespectful to my mom."Doctor Adam, I suggest you stop glaring at me, or you'll burn me alive with those eyes. I don't want to die; I want to live a long life."

"Ms. Everett," he began, his voice as stern and cold as the streets of Norway, sending a chill down my spine."You are not going to be discharged tonight; you are going to have one week of bed rest. I will inform your parents that you are severely deprived of sleep and rest."

There it goes again, the same drama every time I am admitted to the hospital. But I would completely ignore his remarks. I began replying to my P.A. Amy's text, assuring her that I would be there by tomorrow and that I was fine. She is one of the few people who truly cares about me.

"Can't you just take care of yourself? How many times do you want to be admitted to the hospital and hear me say the same things on repeat? I asked you to rest, yet you do the exact opposite. You overexert yourself; you don't eat properly; you don't even take a 10-second break. You sit in front of the computer and type endlessly, as if failing to do so would lead the world to destruction. I'm not just your doctor, Everett; I'm also your friend who worries about you. At this point, I'm begging you to take some rest, take breaks, go out on weekends, and have some fun."

"Okay, but can you please stop it, Adam? For now," I pleaded.

"Fine, but you need to promise me that you'll take care of yourself. Take breaks during work, no matter how important it is, and get out on weekends to have some fun."

"Yes, yes, I promise. But can you discharge me tonight? I have a very important meeting tomorrow. Please," I added.

"Fine. But please, take care of yourself.""Okay."I could see him holding back tears.Later, I was discharged and waited for the driver to pick me up at the exit. Out of nowhere, Adam suddenly pulled me into a hug and started crying like a baby bear. I expected him to--

"Come on, Adam, don't cry like a baby bear. As I promised, I will take care of myself. You know I don't break promises. You shouldn't embarrass yourself by crying in front of your employees and in the hospital you own. It may affect your reputation, you know. And remember, I don't like hugs," I said in a less stern voice than usual.

"Fuck that reputation; it doesn't mean anything. Everything is less important when it comes to you. Now go, bye, take care. I have a lot to do. I spent all day babysitting you; I can't risk my position as CEO. You know there are many betrayers and traitors here. Bye."

"I think I heard you say everything is less important when it comes to me; you're a liar, Adam," I said, mocking him.

"I am not a liar. Of course, I meant it when I said everything is less important when it comes to you. But the CEO position of this hospital is my dream, and you know the reason behind it," he said, wiping his tears.

"Yes, I know the reason. Do I need to say it out loud?""Not necessary, Everett. Go now. Take some rest. Bye.""Fine, bye. Soon, I'll be sick of these three words," I replied sarcastically.

I got into the car, and he disappeared into the crowd.---