What is she doing to me?

If I could show you how awful you made me feel, you would never be able to look me in the eyes again.

FEW HOURS LATER

Stefano

“BOSS you should go home and rest for tomorrow's board meeting with the French Ambassadors... I’ll be here with her” Ivan said as I shook my head for the nth time checking my watch only to realize that it’s past 11pm.

‘No I must stay here till she open her eyes’. I whispered to myself but I didn’t miss the smirk on Ivan’s face… did he hear what I said? Just then the doctor rushed out... I drifted closer to him.

“Doctor How is she?” I asked and he nodded his head.

I heaved a heavy sigh I didn’t know I was holding.

“May I ask the kind of work she does?” the doctor asked and I looked at Ivan briefly.

“She’s a fashion designer. Why?” I questioned

“Acute stress” hye said then I creased my brow in a confused manner.

“Excuse me!”

“This occur as result of fatigue. The overuse of the body.” He said but I rose my eyebrow because I still don’t get what he implied here.

“The results showed that she has not been feeding nor sleeping well and the worst is… her brain is beyond stressed and it’s really dangerous at this stage”.

My jaw dropped, I felt guilty within. It’s my fault, I caused the whole stress as I used my hand to rumble my hair.

“Right now she’s stable but we have to wait for her to wake up in case any further treatment would be needed… if you may excuse me please” He finalized and left.

I turned to the wall with so many thoughts running through my mind as I kept punching the wall.

“Go in and see her” Ivan said in a low voice patting my shoulder. I stiffed. Can I do that?

“Come on” He added then like a lost puppy I went inside the ER.

Seeing her pale face and skin connected to some wires broke me inside.

I moved closer to her bed and I tried to hold her palm but I couldn’t bring myself to do that so I withdrew it back immediately and stared at her instead.

Despite her condition, she never failed to leave me breathless with her beautiful face.

She was sweating so I went to the other side of the room to get cold water and towel to clean her face. I became conscious because of how people were staring at me with cunny smiles on their faces even Ivan joined as I gave him a ‘what’ look then he chuckled.

I ignored them all and sat close to her bed trying to wipe each sweat out of her face with the towel. I used this opportunity to watch her closely and every time I do that, her beauty glows more like a Goddess. I was so tempted to savor her reddish plump lips. I shut my eyes trying to take away every dirty thoughts from my wicked mind only to open it to realize that her hands moved as she tried to open her eyes but I was quick to use the towel to block my vision from revealing to her.

She must not know I brought her here. Immediately she shut it back, I stood up and signaled Ivan.

“Take me home.” He stared at me confused checking the time as I also briefly checked mine. It was past 3 am but it doesn’t matter.

“Boss it’s mid-night”

“So? I want to go home” I stated.

“Are we going to leave her alone here?” He asked.

“But you wanted me to go the other time”

“Yes but…”

“Just take me home!” I cut him off firmly then he nodded his head.

We entered my Cadillac and drove away from the hospital. I shut my eyes tightly. What is she doing to me?

“Don’t tell her I brought her to the hospital when you see her during the day.” I said still with my eyes shut.

“Boss but…”

“No question!” I said. After a long silence in the car, Ivan broke it again.

“Won’t you see her?” he asked.

“I said don’t question me?” I clicked my tongue flatly.

“Stop being hard on yourself Stefano” He said addressing me with my first name and he does that whenever he’s frustrated with my decisions.

“Just drive” I countered shutting my eyes back.

God she is messing up with my brains again!

Bianca

I’ve been feeling so uneasy after I left the boardroom as I found my way back to my office but I almost slumped on the way before a hand stopped me from falling backward.

“Are you okay?” Mr. Molotov stopped me with concern on his face as I nodded my head before I made my way passed him.

I sat down on the sofa in my office trying to get myself together from these severe headache I was feeling.

I brought my sketches and I tried to make a new one but my head was pounding profusely.

What the hell is wrong with me? I stood up and sat on my leather seat placing the sketches on the table before resting my head on it. After sometime, I felt better as I resumed back to work. I started sketching a new design but my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. That didn’t stop me though as I kept drawing for hours until around 8 pm when I felt a thump in my head making me to stop abruptly.

I grabbed my head in pain as I tried to endure the thumbling in my brains.

I stood up to the restroom but before I could take a step, I felt a sharp pain on my head again. I tried to move but ended up falling as everything went blank.

***

I felt someone wiped my sweats with a cold water.

I tried to open my eyes but everywhere was blurry as a towel was blocking my visions.

I shut it again before opening the second time only to see the back of a man leaving the room. I shut it back but I think it was all a dream.

I don’t know how long I shut it but when I opened it, the bright morning sun deemed my eyes as I looked around my surrounding. This wasn’t my house.

“Good morning, how are you feeling now? I’m going to get the doctor.” I turned to the voice speaking… she was on a white dress more like a nurse. Wait nurse? Meaning I’m at the hospital? No way. I tried to stand up but I realized I was connected to some wires.

“Careful dear, you may hurt yourself” the nurse hurried back to my side helping me to sit straight with the pillow to support my back. She tried to move but I held her back. “what am I doing here?” I found myself asking.

“Uhmmm… some Greek gods brought you here yesterday when you were unconscious” she stated with a smile. As I twitched my lips in surprise still yet to get why I’m here.

“Greek god?” I asked as she nodded blushing which was kind of weird, don’t get me wrong… I don’t know nurses blush too or what am I even saying? Are they not a human?

“Let me get the doctor here, I’ll be right back” she said then I nodded.

I tried to think back on how I landed here. I remembered I was feeling severe pains on my head back at the office but who could have found me? Mr. Molotov? Is he the Greek god the nurse is gushing about? I chuckled but it's really embarrassing for someone of high status like that to find me in such manner. Well not like I wanted it... I was really out of it yesterday after Stefano rejected my second design.

“A young man is here to see you” a nurse said to me as I beckoned my head for him to come in with my eyes full of excitement as I looked towards the door only for my face to fall at the person in the entrance… Ivan but wait what was I expecting? Stefano? I bet he’s the last person to feel bad for me.

“Good morning ma’am” he said with a beam smile dropping some groceries at the side table. I chuckled at his proper manner. He never listened to me anyways.

“Good morning” I smiled back to him.

“How are you feeling?” he asked stepping closer to my side.

“ I’m fine right now … uhm I mean was it you that brought me here?” I found myself asking as I grabbed the sheet tightly… he smiled. What's funny? I asked further

“ I really want to know so I can thank the person” I pouted my face with hope

" Uhm we did not specifically know how you got here but we were called this morning and the boss said I should see you" He said without looking into my eyes. Why did I feel like he's lying? But the all perfect Ivanovo doesn't lie right?

" Oh" that's all I could say at the moment then he smiled

“Why are you smiling?” …I found myself asking… I mean what’s with the smile? He stepped back and moved the groceries he brought closer as he opened the bags one after the other… the person who packaged this, is good I must say.

My eyes popped open as he brought out my favorite Vanilla yoghurt along with fluffy pancakes and Chicken Divan…

I arranged my hair back trying to sit properly without harming myself with this wires on my hand.

He stood at the left end watching me keenly. Our eyes met and I adjusted awkwardly. I think he got the message

" I'll be outside" He said

" No it's okay... But sit down at least" I munched on the pancakes and my goodness...

“Oh myyy… how did you know I love this ?” I giggled happily then he faked a surprise face

“ Really? I didn’t know they were your favorites” He said then I smiled … who could have told him? Definitely it’s not Stefano … wait did he even know he brought me to the hospital? Oh Ivan said the boss told him and he's the boss.

But who am I kidding... I'm sure he hates me as hell so why would he care.

I checked my time only to see that it’s past 10 in the morning… fuck! I’m late for work… I just hope he won’t sack me today.

AFTER A WHILE, when I knew I was full... Infact I finished the meal which left Ivan to gasp in surprise.

Wait does he not know I like food ? Especially when it's my favorite.

I smirked at his reaction bringing out my credit card before he looked up at me

"What are you doing?" He asked

" Won't I pay for my hospital bills?" I said stating the obvious. Then he smiled

" The bill was settled last night" He said and chuckled before I could reply... A knock came in

" Come in" I said as the nurse strolled in to my side with a smile on her face

" Ms. Bennett, your B.p is normal, your sugar level is back to normal and your temperature as stabilized so now you're free to go home after I unplug this drip from your arm. " My smile brightened when she came nearer to free me from the wires as I call it.

" Now that you're discharged, mind if I help you to the car" Ivan asked when I'm yet to process about the settlement of bills.

"Settled by who please?" I needed to satisfy my curiosity.

" That's not mine to disclose so if you'll let me" He said stretching his hands forward but I dismissed him that I was fine and I could manage before the door was opened again revealing the Doctor.

" Oh Ms.Bennett I can see you're ready to leave." He stated looking at me keenly for any reaction or adverse effect.

" You seem good now and I'll urge you to please stay away from strenuous activities" He was about to walk away but turned again swiftly and said "Don't be at alert, there'll be tendency for you to get hungry than usual today because of the Vitamin B-complex administered to you" I nodded with a smile before my curiosity got the best of me

" Excuse me doctor" I said before he could walk out

" May I ask who brought me in here" I said then he gave a feeble smile.

" Mr. A-

" I think we're getting late because the boss is waiting for me" Ivan interrupted and he pulled me gently away from the doctor.

" But-but...

" Predonami, but I have to take you home now in order for me to get back to work" He said checking he watch briefly ( I'm sorry)

"Don't worry... Go to work, I can get home by myself" I said with a little hope

" No... that's not happening in this busy city of Rome unless you want me to get fired" I chuckled as if Achilles can ever fire him. Did I just say Achilles? I held my mouth briefly... Just tell me that wasn't loud enough for him to hear.

He smiled. I didn't bother asking him what was funny... I was already embarrassed enough as I walked towards the counter just then the receptionist stopped me.

" Ms. Bennett right?" She countered then I nodded

" Please sign here" she said passing me the papers and I did as said just then a signature caught my attention... I looked at it keenly, that must be the person that brought and paid for my hospital bills so I mastered it in my head before moving to the vehicle waiting impatiently for me.

He drove me back to my suite and helped me with my things before my stomach grumbled again and that was embarrassing ... He smiled and said " I'll order food for you Ma'am" He left swiftly as I closed my eyes flushing in embarrassment and shut my door.

I just ate not quite long and I'm hungry again. I remembered the doctor's last statement" you'll have the tendency to get hungry because of the Vitamin B-complex given to you"

I growled and threw my shoes along with my purse at the other side of the couch.

I stood up to get something to eat before a knock came in.

I opened the door only for my room to be filled up with the food aroma right in my front. The order was faster than I imagined.

I collected the boxes from the delivery man and shut my door tightly. I put my hair in a bun so that nothing will hinder my food passage. I tore the box as I was impatient to open one after the other. I gasped at the food at my sight. Chicken waffles? Desserts????

"Wowww" how did he manage to order my favorite twice? Who could have hinted him? I'm sure it's definitely not Stefano because I Know I'm the last person he'll try to keep memory of after all he loathe me.

Maybe it's just a coincidence before I sat down and munched on the food.