Connected Blood

5 - Sudden Presence

Morning arrived, and as usual, I barely got any sleep. The nightmares were back—the same one about the accident. This time, it felt different. In the dream, someone kissed my hand during the crash, like a dark version of Sleeping Beauty. I couldn’t decide whether to laugh at the absurdity or feel unsettled, but the cold, haunting aura of the dream stayed with me. It felt like I had been dragged into a place where warmth didn’t exist. Even after I woke up, the eerie feeling lingered as I tossed and turned until sunlight streamed through my curtains.

Shaking it off, I grabbed my phone and called Max.

“What’s on my schedule today? I asked groggily, barely stifling a yawn.

“Hold on, let me ask my baby,” Max replied sweetly, her voice so sugary it made me cringe.

“Ugh, spare me,” I groaned, rolling my eyes. Max and her boyfriend, Matthew, were in that nauseatingly sweet honeymoon phase.

After a short pause, she returned. “You’ve got a doctor’s appointment today. Routine check-up, you know, to make sure you’re still alive after that accident.”

“Wonderful,” I muttered sarcastically. These check-ups were far from enjoyable, but I knew they were necessary. I needed reassurance that I wasn’t as broken inside as I felt. “You coming with me?”

“Of course! Can’t have you freaking out in the hospital, right? You’re already halfway to losing your mind.”

I rolled my eyes. “Am I driving, or are you picking me up?”

“Let me check,” she said, her voice fading as she spoke to Matthew. A moment later, she was back. “Actually, let’s just meet at the hospital. After that, we’ll talk about your upcoming series.”

“Fine. I’ll call you when I get there,” I said before ending the call.

With a sigh, I dragged myself out of bed and got ready. My reflection in the mirror revealed a pale face with dark shadows under my eyes. I didn’t look like the vibrant actress everyone admired on-screen. I looked tired and haunted, as if I’d lived through too much in too short a time.

As I slipped on my coat, the memory of my nightmare sent another shiver down my spine. Maybe it was nothing. Or maybe it was something.

---

“Where are you? I thought you were coming with me to my check-up?”I snapped into the phone after parking at the hospital.

“Sorry, Sync,” Max replied casually. “Matthew and I have a date today. Don’t worry; I sent someone to be with you. Let’s talk about the shoot tomorrow. Bye!”She hung up before I could protest.

“Traitor,” I muttered.

As I stepped out of my car, I noticed a man standing by my door. His pale skin and sharp features, particularly his thick, dark eyebrows, gave him an icy, distant aura. He was dressed entirely in black, even wearing a cap, as if he were hiding from the sunlight.

I frowned and looked at him questioningly. “What do you need?”I asked, breaking the silence.

He didn’t answer, just stared at me with an unsettling intensity.

“Are you the one Max sent?”I asked. He nodded once, his posture stiff and formal.

I glanced him over and sighed. “Fine. Wait here,” I said, brushing past him and entering the hospital.

Inside, the hospital wasn’t too crowded, which was a relief. I was halfway across the lobby when someone bumped into me—hard.

“Sorry!”the man said quickly, bowing his head.

I rolled my eyes and kept walking. The hallway was wide, yet he managed to collide with me. How typical.

As I neared Dr. Hidalgo’s office, I noticed the same man walking ahead of me. He stopped at the door and entered without hesitation. Suspicious, I peeked through the glass. Dr. Hidalgo was sitting alone at his desk. Where had that guy gone? Wait—don’t tell me he’s the doctor?

“Ms. Velasco, have you been waiting long?”A nurse’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“No, I just got here,” I replied, flustered. “About that man who—”

“That’s Dr. Hidalgo,” she said cheerfully, opening the door. “You can go in now.”

I hesitated but had no choice. As I entered, I froze when I saw the man sitting at the desk.

“You?!”I exclaimed, slamming my hands on the desk.

Dr. Hidalgo raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. “You’re in my office. Mind keeping it down?”

I glared at him. “What are you doing here? Where’s my regular doctor?”

He sighed. “She’s on leave for three months. I’m filling in.”

“This has to be a joke. Did Max set this up?”I snapped.

“No. Believe it or not, I’m here to do my job,” he replied calmly, flipping through my file.

“I’m leaving,” I declared, standing abruptly.

“Still bitter after two years?”he teased, smirking.

“Excuse me?”I shot back.

“Relax,” he said, shrugging. “Let’s just get this over with.”

I reluctantly sat down, reminding myself that this was just a check-up.

As he asked routine questions, my mind wandered back to our past. Unlike my ex, Win, who was all about appearances, Thirdy had been playful and easygoing, always making me laugh. So why had it all gone wrong?

“Sync, are you even listening?” he asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, standing up. “We’re done here.”

Before I could leave, he grabbed my hand.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice unusually soft.

“I’m fine,” I said again, with a firm stare.

Suddenly, my bodyguard appeared out of nowhere and pulled me behind him, shielding me from Thirdy. Both of us were stunned by his protective move.

“What the—” I began, but the look in his eyes stopped me. Cold and unwavering, his gaze is like sending a message that no one gets near me without his permission.