CHAPTER 15: Dread 2

He didn't look like the same man from a few minutes ago. Now he looked calm, full of energy, his clothes neat and perfect, as if nothing had happened.

My heart quickened.

He walked past me without a word and sat back in the empty seat beside mine.

The sweet scent of camellia filled my nostrils as he sat.

He never looked in my direction, nor said a single word to me. He reached for his newspaper once seated and flipped through its pages, his gaze lingering on it afterwards.

My heart boiled over with uncertainty, shredding my every being.

I tried to concentrate on the magazine in my hands, but I couldn't. My heart remained unsettled.

Then he turned to stare at me. I could see something in his gaze. Something much deeper than I could describe.

I turned away abruptly.

My heart racing.

Who the hell is he?

I stayed lost in my thoughts, and as if the universe had heard my silent prayers, the announcer's voice came back, announcing the landing of the plane.

I let out a deep sigh of relief. My hands slowly moved to my chest, and my eyes waited for that moment when I would step off this damn plane and never look back. Never remembering anything.

The moment when I would open my eyes and leave behind the nightmare sitting right beside me.

Everyone held onto their seat belts as the plane slowly lowered. The bright sun over the city of Italy stretched through the windows as the plane descended, casting a warm glow in my direction.

That fresh, familiar scent of Italy filled my nose as I picked up my phone and magazine, walking alongside the other passengers who had left the plane.

Never stopped to look back, nor wonder where that guy had gone. All that was of great importance now was disappearing out of this airport and leaving to my house, waking up and realizing it was all a nightmare, I never met with one heck of a mysterious being today.

And like I prayed, it worked just smoothly, even though I wasn't yet certain. Soon I was seated in the car, a strange sense of relief washing over me as the driver drove off.

The looming scene of the airport dissipated behind as I forged ahead with what awaited me.

I glanced through my wristwatch, it was already past twelve noon, which was just perfect.

I have a stretching three hours to rest and get over my worries before reporting to my new workplace where I could begin my internship.

My parents had made sure to secure everything and made sure it was the best place not only in Italy but the world at large, which was a great start to a new beginning, leaving behind the memories of the past weeks in New York.

Soon after the car halted at the building, still as decent as I had left it a few months ago when I returned back to New York to stay with my parents and start afresh.

I heaved a sigh of relief, walking over into the building.

"Ma'am, welcome back," the security at the entrance greeted. I responded with a warm smile and walked into the room, while Sonia, my maid, assisted with bringing in my luggage.

I entered into my room and slumped unto the bed. The memories of the plane seemed not to leave my heart any second, no matter how hard I tried to take it off my mind.

Figuring a cool shower will help erase those dreaded memories, I hurried over to have one.

The cool water rushing through my head, down my body, sent some relaxing chill down my spine and soon my heart was numb, as peaceful as ever.

The sound of the bedroom door creaked open and I turned off the shower, taking my towels and wrapping it over my glistening water-filled body. The creaking sound in the room seemed not to fade away.

I hesitated for a while but opened the door.

"Ma'am," she spoke, turning to meet my gaze. "Have arranged your stuffs in the closet and lunch is already served."

"Alright, will be down in a few minutes," I replied, and she turned, leaving the room. The sound of the door closing behind filled my heart, and I took a sharp intake of air, stabilizing my heart.

Moments later I was done taking a nap and having my lunch. It was already ten minutes away from the reporting time.

I picked up my files and walked out of the house into the car, settling down my files and phone as the car drove off.

It wasn't too distant from my house, and in five minutes I was already seated in the waiting room waiting for my turn to go in to meet with the CEO of this great edifice, in the name of a hospital, the same that's tagged the best worldwide.

I had hesitated earlier, I wanted to settle in New York to start with gaining and improving my own skills, but seemed fate had always found a way of making me stay back in Italy like a bond to my skin.

"The CEO of Sterling Hospitals is awaiting your presence in his office," a lady dressed in a white shirt and a damp grey skirt, neatly styled in office or more of hospital attire, spoke.

I stood up on my feet, grabbing my files and phone as I followed after her towards the elevator that led us up to the fifth floor.

She led the way and soon after stopped at the door to an office.

"You can go in now," she announced, with a smile on her face, her hands stretched over towards the door.

"Thank you," I replied, pushing the door open and walking in.

The sweet scent of camellia filled the room, and for a moment, I felt like I had smelled it before.

I shrugged it off and stepped forward. The boss was seated with his back faced towards the entrance.

His grey suit hugged perfectly to his back view, exuding a sense of luxury that screamed wealth alongside the luxurious display of the office stretched out.

I moved and stood just at the deck of the desk, a decent space separating the desk from where I stood.

"Sir…" I trailed off.

"I already know why you're here," he said, slowly turning his chair around. When I saw his face, I froze. It was the same man.

My heart skipped a beat at the instance.

"You!" I gasped.

"Yes, me. I'm Jacks Brown, CEO of Sterling Hospitals. It's nice to

finally have you here," he said.

My heart sank…..