CAPTURED

Chapter 2

(Lakeland Memorial Hospital)

"Ptts... Troy, ain't that your girl?" Tessa Miller threw a band-aid at her colleague. The aforementioned was signing a report, ready to scrub in for the next operation. Troy looked up at the TV and his mood went dark. "Right." He did a terrible job hiding the frown. His face was flushed red.

"Wow, is there trouble in paradise? Don't take it out on the patient, Doctor Campton," Joan was behind the computer.

"Shut up, you two... Just mind your business," Troy pointed a finger after dropping the pen.

"Hahaa, how bad could it be? Knowing you, you probably upset the angel," Evans had his elbow on the desk.

"Well, does she look upset?!" Troy growled at him.

"Pffft! No, but you do, Romeo." Tessa tried not to laugh, but failed. These days, Doctor Campton had become a regular topic in the group, and it always revolved around busy girlfriends and pancake resolutions.

"Great, just great... You're all dickheads." Troy rolled his eyes and stepped out of the circle. The last thing he needed was ridicule.

"Look at him go. He's like a troll," Tessa commented.

"You know Troy, always in the love zone," Joan chuckled.

"Can't wait to find out what Stephanie does to turn that frown upside down." Evans tapped the flat surface three times before jumping forward to do his job...

**********

'Coming to you live on RIC news today: Locals have established that the recent attacks in Vern, a major city of Karan, are caused by the notorious group Kaboos. Prime Minister Majed Haness issued a press conference to sympathize with those who lost their homes, property, and loved ones in this tragedy. He also assured citizens that President Rashed Kameel will bring to book the men who have caused this...'

The Director paused the tape and veered around in his swivel chair. His gaze traveled from the table to Stephanie as he set aside the remote and relaxed in his seat. "I believe you've made a report or two on this country's crisis. What's your take on this?" He rested his fist on his chin.

"My take?" Stephanie tried to read the expression on the man's face. Her boss could sometimes say one thing but mean another. "If I'm being honest, I don't have a personal take on this matter. But it's quite obvious that the Prime Minister is throwing dust in the eyes of the international community with his so-called sympathy. The policies they set for their citizens are hell enough, and they show no signs of dealing with the terror attacks either. It is as if they benefit from it."

"Hmm..." The Director nodded assertively. "I see your point... This is why I chose you for this case."

Stephanie was taken aback. "Um... What case, Sir?"

"Out of the hundreds of news channels in the world, President Kameel has granted our network an exclusive interview. The whole world will be watching. This will blow your career through the roof. "I trust you're going to make us proud, Miss Door," said the Director.

Stephanie could only manage a grin as her mind slowly absorbed that information.

********

5:15 PM

Troy struggled with the keys for some minutes. Luckily, he resisted the urge to kick the door. Although he sailed through work effortlessly, he was still annoyed. It was not that he liked to argue, but Steph did things that made him feel like her work was more important. She made him feel irrelevant sometimes... like he was the only one trying to make things work.

When the door pushed open, he made nothing of it. It wouldn't be the first time someone forgot to lock the door twice or switch off the lights. His coat came off, then his shoes. "Haa..." Troy kept turning his neck to numb the pressure. He had been standing for hours.

The young man let himself go on the couch and fixed his legs on the center table, eyes shut as he tried to relax. Steph would have given him a hard time if he got caught in the living room with his feet on the glass.

At first, he thought he heard wrong, that his mind was playing tricks on him - until her voice rang the second time.

"Troy... your feet." Stephanie was in front of the television, wearing a pink spaghetti top and shorts.

"Steph..." He retracted his legs immediately, surprised. "What happened to your meeting?" That question came faster than he could think.

"I told my boss I had a life outside my job." Steph had her hands behind her, raising the heel of her foot up and down like a child as she licked her bottom lip once.

"What?" Troy's eyes went wide, dumbstruck.

A gentle smile crawled on her face, apologetic and ready to do some compromising. "Just kidding, it ended before it could even start... so I told the Director I had an emergency."

"Really?"

"Mhm... it wasn't a lie, I had a real emergency. I made my Troy angry and needed to make amends." Her innocent smile turned devilish in the next minute.

"If you're thinking of seducing me with that sexy outfit, then don't. My walls are way too high right now," Troy lifted himself off the couch.

Stephanie chased him to the bedroom door and dragged him back to sit. "No... I was thinking of a Trojan horse, but seduction sounds way better." Her voice was like honey, thick and soothing. She climbed on top, locking the gentleman between her legs. Her body hovered above him like a bridge over water.

"You wanted to talk... I'm here now, so let's talk." She gazed at him with inquisitive dark brown eyes. Her lips were parted, gradually brushing over Troy's as they made eye contact. Stephanie truly wanted to make the other happy - at least keep him in a good mood for the next couple of days until she built the guts to tell him about what had ensued at the meeting with her boss...