Merri Leaves The Hospital

Nikolai meets her eyes and lies confidently, her eyes are as clear as a spring and full of innocence. She will easily believe me. "I found you. I should be responsible."

 Feeling guilty she wrongly connected him with the perverted Russian from the Black Swan Club she shook her head. "No. I can't have you pay. It was my good fortune you found me." She started coughing again and he anxiously poured Merri a glass of water.

 He handed the cup to her." I already took care of the payment. Drink."

 Merri's eyes were watery from coughing and he handed her a tissue. After she wiped her eyes, she gulped the water then said, "I will pay you directly then."

She wrinkled her nose, "But..I might need to make installments."

 He had a slight smile gazing at her cute expression. "You can take me to dinner after you have recuperated."

 He remembered the tray of food that the nurse brought in earlier. He walked over and lifted the lid and was relieved the food was still warm.

 He brought the tray to the bed. " You should eat."

 She grinned, "I am really hungry."

 While she ate he quietly watched her thinking she looked like a cute little rabbit as she took small bites of the food. He wasn't a talkative person in the first place and in this awkward situation he didn't know what to say. When she finished eating he took the tray and placed it on the side table.

 Merri was still weak and leaned back on the pillow and looked at the black and gold business card. "Mr. Rushkin, thank you. Not just for bringing me to the hospital but for staying with me. I don't like hospitals and if I called my brother or friend they would be worried about me."

 He had a complicated expression, "I wouldn't have felt comfortable if I left while you were unconscious."

 "Well, you don't need to stay any longer. I am feeling much better."

 He knew it would seem strange if he lingered any longer so he stood up. "If you need anything please feel free to contact me."

 Merri was mesmerized by Viktor's beautiful dark eyes and the gentle expression on his peerlessly handsome face. His eyes seemed to be shining with a soft light that made her feel warm and inexplicably safe. She wanted to see him again and blurted out, "I will definitely contact you.... to.. to repay the money for the hospital...and to invite you to dinner."

 He nodded, "I will be going then." 

Two days later Merri left the hospital clutching the hospital bill in her hand with a distressed look on her face. Staring at the total, she couldn't believe the cost of the room, luckily the tests were included in the bill to my insurance.

 In order not to impose any more on the man who brought her to the hospital, the day after she was admitted she asked to be moved to a ward. Her copay wouldn't be too much so she agreed to stay for observation. After she was in the six bed ward, she called her brother and Claire, she knew if they saw the VIP room they would ask too many questions. 

Merri told them she was feeling feverish when she left the Crescent Moon Bar and went to the hospital. Although they were both angry she didn't call immediately they accepted her explanation. 

 Claire was waiting outside and when she saw Merri exit the hospital she waved. Merri quickly stuffed the bill into her purse and smiled at her friend. It was still snowing so Claire called out, "Wait there I will pull up!" Originally, she tried to wait at the curb but was told she needed to park in the lot.

 Once she was inside of the sportscar Claire frowned looking at the thin chiffon dress Merri was wearing. "I should have brought you a coat."

 "It's okay. It is warm in the car." She glanced at the man's black cashmere coat in the bag she set on the floor and set her purse on top. She had a slight smile thinking about Nikolai. What an unbelievably gentle...kind... handsome man. 

 When they arrived at the apartment building where Merri and her brother lived, Claire drove to the entrance. "Hurry inside. I will go park and come up."

 "Don't you have to work?"

 "I told my father I needed the day off."

 Merri laughed, "Must be nice being the pampered daughter of the Boss..haha."

 "Shut up! Pampered? HA! You know Dad placed me in the lowest position at the company. I have a degree in Business Management and am reduced to being a lowly assistant that everyone can boss around. Get me a coffee...make copies of these reports... But you know how he loves you, so when I told him you were getting out of the hospital today he told me to take good care of you."

 "Oh... you used me as an excuse because today there is a book signing by the good looking author of your favorite series. Don't think I don't know you!"

 Claire giggled, "Just so happens it is today."

 Merri got out of the car and hurried into the apartment building. She pressed the elevator button. While she was waiting the woman who lived in the apartment next to her was coming in the door with two bags of groceries. The plump woman was wheezing as she closed her umbrella. "The elevator is out of order again. Gotta use the stairs."

"Again? Here let me help you." Merri took both bags, "They really don't take care of this building. Since the building changed hands six months ago the building has deteriorated.

 The woman had a scowl on her weathered face, "The rent increased but not one improvement and maintenance takes two days to respond to any problem."

 "Maybe we should have a tenant's meeting."

 The woman held onto the railing as she climbed the flight of stairs. "I don't think we should stir anything up. Haven't you noticed all the new construction around here. They are tearing the older buildings down and building expensive condominiums. I can't afford to move I am on a fixed income."

 By the time they reached the fifth floor the woman was out of breath and beads of sweat were trickling down her fleshy cheeks. Merri held her arm as they walked down the hallway.

When they reached her door Merri followed inside and put the groceries on the counter. "Mrs. Alvarez, next time you need groceries, ask me, I can go get to the grocery store for you."

 "Thanks dear, I appreciate the offer. My grandson usually will take me or bring what I need, but he has been out of town on business."

 As the woman dapbbed her face with a tissue, Merri helped put the groceries away, "Well, if you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."

 "Do you want to sit and have a cup of coffee? I made blueberry muffins before I went to the store."

 "Wow... sounds great but my friend is visiting this morning. She was parking her car and should be here soon."

 "Okay. Well, here take a few with you." She placed the muffins on a plate and handed it to Merri.

 "They look delicious. Thanks!"

 Claire was impatiently knocking on the door of Merri's apartment when Merri snuck up behind her, "BOO!"

 Claire jumped, "What the hell!"

 Merri started laughing and opened the door. 

 Claire plopped down on the couch and put her feet up on the coffee table, "Where did you get the muffins?"

 "From my neighbor, I met downstairs. I helped her carry her groceries."

 Claire wrinkled her eyebrows together, " Seriously annoying! They should at least have an out of order sign on the elevator. I kept pushing the button then some guy came down the stairs and said not to waste my time it wasn't working."

 "Yeah. It really sucks for the older people that live here." She tossed Claire a box of tissues and her eyes had a mischievous gleam, "And out of shape pampered misses."

 "Very funny." Claire wiped her forehead, "Do feel well enough to go to the book signing with me?"

 "I could go. I asked for sick leave from school and am not going today."

 I almost forgot to tell you. Do you know who I saw in my brother's office? Karl Wu! I wouldn't have recognized him if it weren't for the tear shaped mole under his right eye. Damn...he looks so different from the chubby guy he used to be."

 "I forgot he and your brother were friends. I should get his number from your brother. I did see him on the bus."

 Claire interrupted, "The bus? Haha...why was the wealthy young heir on the bus!"

 "I didn't ask. He said his grandmother was in the hospital. I told him I would visit her then I got sick. I wish I would have thought of it earlier, she is in Mercy Hospital. I could have stopped for a visit before I left this morning."

 "We could stop on the way to the book signing."

 "Great."

 Merri walked over with the muffins and two cups of coffee. " Move your feet!"

Claire moved so Merri could set down the tray. "This apartment is so small why don't you live with me?

"What about Myles? You two fight like cats and dogs. You would think he is your little brother!"

"Haha..true the brat does get on my last nerve."

 Merri sips the steaming coffee then asks, "Did Ren tell you that Karl is a member of the Special Forces?"

 Claire picked up a muffin and her eyes widened, "No way!"

 She rubbed her sore legs. "Don't you remember how he was always bullied for being fat. If it weren't for you I don't know how many times he would have got his ass kicked."

 Merri burst out laughing, "I wonder if that is why he joined the military? Well, from his muscular physique I don't think anyone would dare try to bully him now."

 Karl Wu was sitting in the office of the new anti corruption force and sneezed.

The man facing him across the desk asked, "Are you getting sick? Your body might need time to adjust coming from the desert to this frozen hellhole. It doesn't look like the snow will be stopping anytime soon."

 "I feel fine." He laughed, "Maybe someone is talking about me. I take it you don't like it here?"

 "It isn't just the weather. The corruption in this city runs deep. It is hard to even capture a small fry in our net. The Mayor has been running this city like his personal playground for so many years no one wants to try to topple him.

 "I grew up in the same community so I am aware."

 "That fat prick has been lining his pockets without any scruples. He has amassed a fortune from accepting bribes and his underhanded tactics. There are more than a few unsolved cases that can be linked to him. Unfortunately, we lack solid evidence. 

For instance, a few years ago he profited by the destruction of the Winslow Corporation, but there is no conclusive evidence. The owner was in a car accident which was highly suspicious because of the timing. Recently, several areas were rezoned...there certainly were bribes and collusion, but once again no witnesses or evidence."

 Karl welcomed the opportunity when it was offered him to join this team. He hated the fact Merri was robbed of both her father and wealth. Seeing her on the bus today on the way to work at that notorious club bothered him. "Well, I will go over the investigation reports this afternoon. I am interested in the Winslow case. I went to school with his daughter, Merri..Meredith Winslow."

 The heavy set man behind the desk sighed, "She and her younger brother really got screwed. Their uncles gobbled up what what was left of the company leaving them with nothing. I was prosecutor at the time and I can't forget that little beauty sobbing in my office crying for justice for her father. 

She didn't seem to care about the money as much as finding out the truth behind her father's death."