The Prescription
"I need to go—I have a job interview," I said, forcing up my tight skinny jeans. —I tried to slip out quietly, but Mateo was somewhat of a light sleeper.
"At least a kiss before you go?" he murmured, his voice laced with sleep as he gave me a childlike pout.
I zipped my jeans and grabbed my phone and purse. "Goodbye, Mateo," I said, my tone final.
He stretched, running a hand through his messy hair as he stood up and headed toward the bathroom. "Will I see you again?"
I paused at the door, glancing back with a smirk. "We'll see."
With that, I stepped out of the executive suite, leaving him behind.
As soon as I stepped out of the taxi—an unforgiven haven —I let out a sigh of relief. The ride had been unbearable; From an annoying driver who kept arguing with his mum over the phone about "tuna casserole" to the stifling heat that summer in New York brought. It was about 25 degrees celsius today, but at least I was finally home.
I made my way toward the small two-bedroom apartment I shared with my tiny roommate who knew little about boundaries, silently hoping she was asleep —knowing she would ask me about where I had been last night. I had gone partying with my crazy college close friend Petra Reynolds who kept pestering me to come out in spite of having a slight fear for the night life —which is where I met Mateo Giordano a fine young man that effortlessly drew every eye in the room with his playful charm and underlying intensity —and who i had spent the night with in a blur picture of vision.
The moment I reached the door, I knew what my morning that already started with—- the minty cologne scent that mateo had to the slight headache I had— ;continued with.
The thick, rich scent of incense—her favorite, the one she knew I had never been familiar with—hung in the air like a cloud. With a heavy sigh I counted to five before opening the door. Only to find River swaying to what she passionately called "soul music".
I tiptoed, heading straight for my room, but of course, I was caught .
"No! Not yet!" she called out, spinning toward me with wide, urgent eyes. "I just cleansed your room of evil spirits—it's dangerous to go in so soon!" —then she paused, now, staring me down from the black spool heel that Petra forced on my feet to the pink flower sundress that I wore that Petra described as —"daylighty". "And also, where have you been?" she asked with an urging look now painted on her face.
Meet my roommate, River Moore. A mixed-race Jamaican and Nauruan girl who grew up in New York and fully embraced the earthy, bohemian lifestyle. She had the thickest natural black curly hair, green doe eyes that made her look innocent, and a small 5 '3 inch " frame that made her look so tiny but did nothing to contain her "larger-than-life" energy. Sweet? Yes. Bubbly? Absolutely. But also a deceptive girl with no filter. But,do I love her?. Yes I do.
She had no concept of personal boundaries and had turned our apartment into something resembling an indoor bohemian fairytale forest. Leafy and flower vines all over the walls and furniture, dream catchers dangled from the ceiling, and scented candles flickered from nearly every available surface. Her artwork covered the walls and some piled up on the floor, and although I barely had a space to walk to my room, I still always appreciated her talent.
The only sanctuary I had was my bedroom—my clean, soft girl paradise, where everything was neatly in place, bathed in hues of soft pink and pure sunflower yellow with flower plants (mostly pink lilies) growing in pots; I always appreciated plants— that was one thing River and I had in common.
I stretched out, enjoying the tiny slice of peace and the small-town view from my window. Hudson wasn't exactly the dream, but it was where I lived—for now.
I had lived more comfortably once, back when my mum paid my bills and rent. That all ended the day she showed up for a surprise visit, only to be met with an even bigger surprise—River and i, high off our asses on exotic weed.
Now, I wasn't in contact with her, my rent was due soon, and I needed the new personal nurse job for Lucas devereux, the CEO of Devexon Ventures— desperately.
I rushed into the shower, eager to freshen up and get ready to take a journey to their company which I was invited to, by a company mail that was sent to me.
I stood in front of my mirror, taking one last look at myself. I had chosen a pair of lavender purple scrubs uniform, hoping the uniform made me look both professional and approachable. I parted My thick, dark straight shoulder-length hair to the side, and on my feet were the most boring leather brown loafers I had owned since high school—a gift from my grandmother that I never had the heart to get rid of.
Taking a deep breath, I whispered a small prayer,"it's gonna be a good day" then grabbed my leather brown shoulder bag which matched my shoes and headed for the door.
River was out in the living room, completely engrossed in an anime—one of the very few things we also had in common aside from plants. The volume was loud, which gave me the perfect opportunity to slip out unnoticed trying to dodge her like i did this morning—knowing I was not ready to answer her question. I tiptoed toward the door, hoping to escape before she could rope me in more questions I was not ready to answer after leaving her to party with my friend last night.
But, of course, I wasn't that lucky.
"Where to?" she asked, eyes still glued to the screen as she casually scooped another bite of fruit salad into her mouth.
"Medical duties" I muttered, checking the time. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. It was 8:39AM and I was supposed to be at the company by 9AM
"Shit, I'm running late!" I yelped, bolting for the door.
"Good luck!" she called out. "I just hope there weren't any evil spirits left in your room. If so, you're in big trouble."
I rolled my eyes but didn't bother responding. Instead, I sprinted into the street, frantically scanning for a taxi.
I didn't believe in all that evil spirit stuff River always preached about, but I did appreciate the good luck—because I desperately needed it. After meeting with Lucas Devereux at the hospital where i worked at, where i was appointed as the nurse to treat him. Lucas has a disorder and I was one of the few people who knows. After he grew a liking to me, he negotiated a high level price for me to be his personal nurse which I reluctantly took, escaping the moderate pay of the hospital and starting a new more personal life as the nurse of one the Most influential men in the state.
Finally, I spotted a taxi and waved it down. As I slid into the backseat my phone buzzed
<<< "i just ran out of my prescribed drugs! I need new ones now, I have a meeting really soon." >>> a message from Lucas Devereuex, my new boss who I just started working for a week ago — "Manhattan," I told the driver. He gave me a small nod before pulling into a slow-moving traffic which caused me to panic!
Lucas needed his prescription but I was going to be really late!
I gazed up at the towering glass skyscraper, its sleek surface reflecting the city around it. As I stepped inside, my eyes gleamed across the scene—men in expensive suits, women in fitted pencil skirts, all either engrossed in their work, exchanging pleasantries, or subtly flirting with one another. The air was crisp with the scent of mint and faint traces of cologne.
Taking a deep breath after taking a short trip to the pharmacy to buy Lucas' medecine, I made my way to the reception desk, where I was greeted by a blonde gorgeous female with a dazzling smile—one which I was sure was part of her job to welcome and charm customers. "I'm here to see Lucas Devereux, I'm his nurse" I said, revealing my papers that contained the right information needed.
"Alright, sir, thank you. You can go in now," she said, —dismissing a scruffy middle aged man who kept flirting with her shamelessly; as politely as she could.
As she turned to me, I caught a glimpse of her real expression showing how irritated she was before she quickly reset her professional grin . "Ah yes miss!, the CEO is currently in a meeting upstairs. So you will have to wait" she said, pointing at the waiting area where people were stuck in an impatient void. "No please you don't understand he needs me right now, it's an emergency" i argued in a calm and quiet tone making sure no one heard me. "Ma'am please sit down" she ordered, still dismissing me, ignoring what i had just said.
I stared at her now, drinking her coffee and switching through tabs on her computer. I had been dismissed, but I couldn't just wait until Lucas finished his meeting to give him his medication–- He needed me.
I stared at the elevator at the far end of the room as its doors slid open, releasing a fair amount of people who looked like they had places to be. Then just like that, my feet acted before my brain caught up, and suddenly I was running toward the elevator. "Ma'am, what are you doing?!" the receptionist who was now chasing after me—shouted. But I managed to reach the elevator first, my hand slamming the buttons unsure of where exactly I was headed.
***********
Now on the 20th floor after being misled by the abstract map that was placed on the wall of the elevator, I found myself in a more quiet and less busy place, where people were few and talked in really hushed tones. I wandered about hoping i won't get lost again like i did earlier, until i heard loud voices; two male voices sounding like they were barking at each other. I walked to the source now standing by a transparent see through wall, as I paused unsure of what I was now seeing.
Lucas Devereux now in a choleric and hot headed personality which opposed his usual calm and sweet self was biting heads off by what drew me into so much shock;
Mateo Giordano
"I'm the one supposed to be running this company and you know it!" Mateo snapped looking like he was ready to hurt anyone who opposed him and the statement he just made. "I have every right to this company! It's in the papers my father left!" Lucas said, thundering back. "You guys please" a peaceful voice calmly said trying to de-escalate the situation. "You both should sit down." Jane Devereux, Lucas' Mother. An old strong willed woman well in her 50's dressed in a black skirt suit two piece with pearls layered on her neck. She had short admirably styled grey hair with dark roots.The essence of money and her dim youthful look graced over her. The woman aged well.
After a long second of these two men staring at each other with what seemed like bloodlust, they finally agreed to sit, and that's when our eyes met.
"Navi" Lucas called out wide eyed staring straight at me, his choleric personality now fading away. As he stood up and walked up to me who was now standing outside the door extremely anxious. I captured Mateo's eyes that widened even more as he stared at me with great awe. "Come in," Lucas said, now extending a hand to me. I let him lead me into the office in which multiple eyes were now fixated on me.
"Navina dear!" Mrs devereux who now had her hands and rich flower fragrance embraced all over me said with something somewhat of relief in her tone. "Navina?" Mateo said, still amazed as I was to see him here. I never expected us to ever collide again after this morning. But there he was sitting in a black Brioni suit leaving the first two buttons of his shirt undone to reveal his formed hairy chest.
"Yes this is Navina, my umm — Fiancé" - WHAT??!! Lucas announced, unsure of his last words which he knew was a blatant lie.
This left everyone in the room including from the quiet reading attorneys who were now murmuring amongst themselves to Mateo's face now painted in uttermost shock and something somewhat of betrayal. "Yes! Navina is my soon to be daughter in law." Jane said adding to Lucas' lie while I wondered why this was happening, leaving me curious for an explanation and hoping there is no more to this. "Now that i have a fiance, it would make me more eligible to be the CEO of the company" Lucas voiced looking straight at Mateo who now stood up causing a tense atmosphere. I was terrified thinking he was going to escalate situations again by giving Lucas a punch on his face that I might have to treat later.
"We'll see about that" He uttered, now walking to the door with two heavy built men walking behind him. He stopped at his pace in front of me. Now looking at me with a malicious smirk before saying "congratulations mi reina" then letting out a silent chuckle which left shivers down my spine. I watched as he walked through the door leaving behind trails of rich spicy cologne.
I was left With a knowing feeling— whatever rivalry these two powerful men had, I was now a part of it.
Now walking into Lucas' office with his mother behind me, I stared in awe at the dark massive safe haven of hard work.
The floor was covered in dark marble tiles that gleamed under the warm lighting. The walls were lined with framed awards and plaques—accomplishments stacked on accomplishments. In the corner of the room sat a sleek black leather couch, and at the opposite end, a bar with two round stools and an array of expensive-looking liquor bottles.
But at the center of it all was a massive dark wooden desk, its surface cluttered with papers and books. Two chairs sat opposite each other, like an unspoken invitation—or a challenge.
The floor-to-ceiling windows behind the desk offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, the golden glow of the setting sun casting an ethereal light across the room.
"Mum please if you will excuse us" Lucas said, now pouring juice wine— Lucas wasnt allowed to drink alcohol. With an understanding smile now on her face , Jane nodded. "See you soon Navina" she said leaving only Lucas and I in the office.
Now staring at him Up close, he was as intimidating as ever. Lucas was In his Late twenties, he had impossibly sharp features, and eyes that could freeze someone in their seat with a single look. He had the air of a man who had seen too much, achieved too much, and tolerated too little.The silence pressed down on us, heavier than my own heart, while his deep gaze seemed to weigh on every breath. He was striking—a fine young man with dark, unruly hair and serene hazel eyes that he used to gaze at me with so much but so little expression. His Greek-shaped nose and full almond lips were complemented by a perfectly groomed mustache connected to his perfectly trimmed beard framing his chiseled, diamond-shaped face which contrasted with his even brown skin.
"Care to explain?" I started breaking the silence after finally finding my voice. "I need to be married to be fully eligible to run this company," he said, now sitting down on his chair at the desk like a throne. "Why?" I asked now, pacing back and forth with millions of questions in my head. "It's written in my father and Mateo's fathers will," he stated, staring straight at me. "Mateo's father" I asked again with more questions popping in my head.
He paused for a moment before he started "Mateo's dad and mine started this company and are both rightful owners. Before they died, they both handed over the position of the CEO to any of us under one condition: whoever got married first will be the rightful owner,---- this has caused a rift and rivalry between Mateo and I, who have been bestfriends since childhood". I could see the look of hurt in his eyes as he took another sip from the glass of pure juice wine that was caged in his hands.
"But i'm your nurse, i'm only here to maintain your situation and keep you in good shape , and help cure your flus" i said now speaking my mind. I only planned to work for him and treat him when it was needed not engage in his personal life.
"You're my cure Navi" Lucas muttered in a hushed tone, loud enough for me to hear him but faint enough for me to ignore and act like I didn't hear a word.
"What?" I asked, adding a puzzled look to mask my awareness.
"Oh…n..nothing! It's nothing, "Lucas said, clearing his throat, also acting like he hadn't said a thing as he adjusted on his chair. "I doubt the fiance thing will affect our medical relationship. I will pay you for both, and when I get officially signed as the CEO, we will divorce and you can move on and maybe quit your job if it becomes too awkward for you". He explained, now staring at me with the usual expressionless look on his face waiting for an answer.
"I guess that can work," I said after a long pause and reluctance. Accepting a turn and a life changing experience. I dug through my back bringing out his pills to give him but he waved a disapproving hand.
"My fathers funeral wake party is tomorrow, I need you there" he uttered while playing with his glass. "I don't think…" I started unsure why I was being invited to a funeral of a man I barely knew. "Please navi—" he pleaded, with silent desperation etched in his eyes. Navi— the nickname he insisted on calling right from when he started growing fond of me in the hospital.
"Okay" I agreed, accepting my new fate already preparing my mind for what I would most likely face.