CHAPTER 006: AVA’S POV
1053 Words
The private elevator opens straight into the quiet oncology wing. Just a few nurses dressed in white jackets, some with clipboards in hand, some with metal trays.
I tripped over a step, I hadn't looked carefully, there was a sign pasted on the wall looming overhead, but I guess my mind was too fixed on seeing Eli to have seen the warning sign early enough.
“Watch it, Ava!” His voice rose.
A warm hand caught my wrist, firm and gripping. Steadying me. I looked at him, his dark coffee eyes shone as he pulled on my wrist.
I gasped, tugging down my figure-hugging black dress. I managed a smile, thanks to him I didn't have a bleeding toe.
A nurse in pale blue scrubs smiles too gently.
“Mr. Voss. Miss Harper. You're right on time… Eli’s room is ready.”
Lucien managed a smile, the first ever. The nurse moved ahead, pushing the wheeled cart toward the room. I followed fast, my Goyard bag sitting perfectly on my right arm.
Lucien walks two steps behind. Hands in pockets. Eyes straight ahead, I didn't bother looking or waiting.
Eli’s door is already open, the nurse gently pushed the cart in, He’s sitting up in the big bed, bald head shiny under the overhead light, wearing his favorite dinosaur pajamas. I knew how he must have insisted on wearing that.
When he sees me his whole face cracks into a grin, dull eyes brightened at once.
“Avey!”
I dropped my bag and ran the last three steps, he flew into my arms, I wrapped them around his tiny shoulders, careful not to dislodge the IV line tapes behind his back.
My mouth planted soft kisses all over his face. Then I pulled him, enough to see his face, eyes that had fallen back into their socket.
“You’re early,” he says, tiny hands clasping onto mine.
“Yes… I wanted to see my baby before the infusion,” My eyes moistened, a smile crossed my lips, so sharp my chin hurt.
He tilts a little and looks past me. His pale gray eyes land on Lucien.
“You came too?” Typical of Eli, always acting like he knew everyone even when it's his first time.
I glanced at the tall man who had refused to leave the doorway, then back at Eli.
“He's Uncle Lucien… He paid for your treatment… In full, Eli.” I announced to him, watching as his eyes narrowed towards Lucien.
“Thank you, Uncle Lucien, you're so tall.’ His lips parted as the last words drifted out.
Lucien chuckled a bit, I watched his eyes flutter for a second. Yet, he stayed in the doorway, twitching the bridge of his nose. I could tell the smell of antiseptic and floor cleaning agents was punishing his nose enough.
The doctor bustles in, followed by a nurse with a rolling stand and a bag of clear fluid, dangling along with her.
“Mr. Voss, the first infusion should take about four hours. After which we'll place him on bed rest, no family visits then… We’ll monitor him the whole time,”
My stomach twists into a knot. I swallowed hard.
I sit on the edge of the bed, holding his free hand.
His fingers are cold. Anger coursed through me knowing my plans of spending the entire day with him had just been ruined.
Eli watches the nurse hang the bag, his brows furrowing a little.
“Does it hurt?” I quickly asked.
“Little pinch when we access the port,” she says. Turned now to face Eli. “Then nothing. You can watch cartoons later. But you’d have to rest first.”
He looks at me, “Will you stay?” I knew he heard the doctor, but I still didn't want to disappoint him.
“Till the infusion… ButI'llbe back here by the time you wake,” I promise.
The nurse swabs his port. Eli squeezes my fingers hard when the needle goes in. A small hiss escapes his teeth. I stroked his head, quickly dug my fingers into his hair, massaging a little.
My feet slowed as I glugged away from the hospital hallway. I had held him till he fell asleep, but leaving him now felt like I was leaving behind a part of me.
My eyes moistened. Arms crossed tightly over my chest, I tried so hard to push back the tears welling behind my eyes.
Lucien noticed. Nothing ever prepared me for when his hands grabbed mine, his steps faster, pulling me along with him, my eyes darted around, maybe there were hidden cameras, or some stupid bloggers hanging around waiting to cause chaos again.
A smile formed on my face instantly when I thought of what Mara had said, Mara was a crazy head.
His feet only halted when we stood before the Maybach. The door thudded shut behind him as he entered, brushing my arm a little.
I heaved, almost too loudly, stepping out with Lucien had become a game of luck.
His hand rested on his thigh, bobbing like a lizard's head, mouth only a thin line as he pulled the dark glasses over his eyes again. I wondered if this man had any soft spots.
My phone buzzed, vibrating my bag against my thighs. I fished for it. It was a text message, only then did I realize I had had tons of missed calls.
I swiped my hand through the screen, eighteen missed calls from one number. My blood turned ice as my eyes picked the name, pulse racing.
The exact way I feel each time he beckons to me while I work at the diner. I swallowed hard, trying to remind myself I was no longer under him, no longer under his ruthless attitude.
Everything rushed back, the way he made sure I skipped my break time, he became my nightmare while I worked for his father. I'd always shut my eyes, drag in my breath, allowing peace to take over so I don't send someone's son to an early grave.
“Why on earth could Kena Adams be blowing my phone up?” My heart thumped.
My hand shook vigorously as I tapped on the message, revealing Kena's name.
- Writer
