Misery Is Sweet

Chapter 10 Early Night

Kristoff's POV

I'm standing guard as usual doing my same old duties, which doesn't consist of much, except for keeping watch of everything around in this older, unchanging room.. but my mind just can't seem to stay here right now, no matter how hard I try to concentrate on my boring surroundings. It just seems to drift off without my permission to something way more intriguing for my taste, it's the one person who has been consuming my mind completely.

My boss and his son are badgering back and forth as Clide and I have to stand guard quietly.. as is tradition. We are not allowed to address anything unless we are spoken to first or if there is a legitimate reason to speak.. so when being in silent mode, I love to just daze off during these times because I don't want to hear the business talk of this company nor think about these assh*les if I don't have to.

My mind starts to trail off once more as it's brought back instantly by Mr.Santana coughing. It's not just a regular cough, he is having a coughing fit, now hunched over. I'm instantly trying to react because I have had plenty of EMT training just in case of any emergency if I'm needed... I am his protector for a reason.

By the time I get to his side, he puts his hand up to stop me. Not saying anything just continuously coughing, a rumbling in the chest cough, that doesn't sound good, but must be from the years upon years of constant smoking from not just him but his son as well.

He doesn't want my help in that way so I go to his kitchen, get him some water and by the time I get back to his side I'm able to help him stand straight up with one hand as I hand him the water with the other.

I look around just to see Clide and Craig in shock, not knowing how to react to everything going on with Mr.Santana... It can be a shock to witness anything happening like this, but not reacting at all is how people get hurt too. He hired us and had us trained for reasons like this and somehow I'm the only one reacting.

I watch him take a small sip of water then take another, bigger drink between all the raspy breathing. I think he is trying to help his breathing out but I think this could be much more than just a coughing fit... But it's not like I'm a doctor or anything, so who I am to diagnose him?

"Sir, shall I call the nursing facility? Or escort you there?" I ask about our small medical facility in this lake resort. I observe him shaking his head as he takes a couple of deep breaths in... The breathing is sounding a little better but still enough to worry me.

"No... I don't need that... I just need a little rest I have been pushing myself hard lately and with all the extra stresses of my ex-wife and daughter... I have been overwhelmed... I just need tonight.. we will continue this tomorrow.. have an early night gentlemen." He says pushing past me and then his son to head back into his room.

The needles in this record are playing the song I was hoping to hear as if I requested it myself. Now I can get something for Meika for her birthday and spend more time with her which is all I wanted.

Without the boss around we leave his room, not missing one second of our early given night. "So what are you doing tonight? Clide asks me as I quickly respond. "I have something I wanted to take care of before, but since I got called in early I was never able to."

He nods at me as we hear from behind us. "Well, it better not have anything to do with my sister." Craig spats this in a demanding tone but he is not my boss yet so I'll still square up with his tiny, disrespecting ass. "I don't know why that's any of your business what personal thing do I need to take care of." I spat at him as he mocks me by saying. "Well, we will just say that I have made it very clear to Meika about how I feel about your 'personal business' with her... So if I find out there is something between you two Christopher.. there will be hell to pay."

"Well that would suck for this Christopher that you speak of, but luckily for me my name is Kristoff so that threat doesn't apply to me." I spat rolling my eyes as I continue down the hall making sure he knows he doesn't faze me. "Watch your back 'Christopher'," he grunts at me as I shake my head not giving him the time of day to respond because that's what he is looking for... He is trying to get me riled up and I won't let that happen. He is not going to win this if I have anything to say about it.

We get into the elevator and we watch the doors shut, separating us from the shooting glares of the douchbag better known as Craig.

"So you got a thing going with his sister? Is that why you've been staring off with a smile on your face?" He asks playfully wiggling his eyebrows as I clear my throat not wanting to jeopardize anything with her when it's only just started. I look away at anything in this small elevator but him, just not wanting to talk about it as he chuckles to himself saying. "Well don't feel like you have to say it out loud and I won't say anything to anyone.. but that's nice for you two, you can tell that you both have liked each other for a while for sure.. at least the s****l tension between you two will be taken care of because you can feel that from a mile away between you both when you get close... If it does make you feel any better about your secret since we are kind of sharing secrets... I'm seeing Elizabeth now... Craig's not happy about it either because she has been turning down his advances telling him she is taken.. but I don't know if he knows it's me or not.. he is just mad that he is not getting his ex back."

I smirk over at him as he matches it with a big grin from seeing right through me. "He probably doesn't know it's you or he would be hating us both and not just me.. but you're right about us... um... It's her birthday, but she woke me up this morning asking me for breakfast, and we spent the good part of the morning together hanging out... Then I got called in early to work, so I never got the chance to get her something for her birthday... So since we have some extra time now, I figured I could pick her up something before I try to see her.. because she asked me to let her know when I was off work to hang out." I explain to him nervously as he smiles and replies. "I just messaged Elizabeth about what happened and that we have the night off and she says she is with your lady right now.. and that she will meet me in my room in 15 minutes, so you have a minute to grab her something.. I think it's the thought that counts since we don't have a whole lot of amazing stuff to choose from.. but have some fun tonight and I'll see you tomorrow."

We hear the doors ding as they open and he pats my arm before walking out with me right behind. "Thanks and have a good night man," I say behind him as he turns and waves, then turns back, leaving in the opposite direction as myself.

After that nice conversation, I have that same pep in my step from this morning that coincidentally enough, takes me seemingly faster to the little shop in the hotel. There are multiple little shops for everyone around, but this is the best option for what I'm looking for because it has a variety of things to acquire. I look around at the items not knowing what she would like or what to get. I huff out wanting to figure something out that's perfect, but I don't want it to be so generic either.

I look around the shop at every little thing.. All I want to do is make her smile and maybe I can get a gag gift and a real gift to make her smile in a couple of different ways.. yeah I like that.

I look around again as I see a couple of small things that might help out with just that. I make sure I have them put into a couple of different boxes because I'm going to give them at different times, to enjoy them properly.

I head out of the shop, taking out my phone and texting her.

Hey beautiful... I have been allowed an early night because your father wants some rest.. he is not feeling good... So if you're not too busy I was hoping to see you again.

I hold my breath continuing to walk towards my destination where I see her door opening down the long hallway. But it's not my lady coming out, it's Elizabeth leaving her room, I watch as she hugs her and says in a commanding tone. "You need to do something about that because it is not right.. but have fun either way." she turns and almost runs into me as she smirks at me then pats my chest saying. "You be nice to her... I only heard good things, so let's keep it that way."

I smile at her nodding as she leaves us there. I walk right up to her standing in her doorway that's shading her face from this angle. "Hey... I was planning on responding right back to you... I told Lizzy you wanted to hang out and she said she has Clide to meet up with so we decided to get our nights started.. so what happened with my father?" She asks as I lean against the door frame.

"He was coughing pretty hard and said he has just been tired and needed some rest, so he told us to go... I didn't argue at the chance of seeing you again today.. besides I wasn't able to give you your birthday present and that's not happening." I playfully state the end of it to her as she smiles and responds. "You shouldn't have got me anything.. but I appreciate you going out of your way for me.. can I see it?" She asks me as I shake my head.

"I need to smoke after that shift.. so how about we go hang out in our spot and I'll give it to you there?" I try to persuade her letting her know she is welcome not just with me but in my secret place I have only shared with her.

"Our spot? Yeah, sure I need to smoke too so I would love that." She says in the sweet as candy tone, creating a smile on my face that no one could slap away. She closes the door behind her as she pulls her zip-up hoodie onto her exposed shoulders since it's falling down.

In doing this, I notice a new bruise on her forehead right above her eye. I stop her instantly, turning her to look at me in the light so I can get a better look of this new wound, that I know she didn't have last night. I reach out gently touching her face.

"What happened?" I ask her as she freezes, looking panicked as she stutters out a very unconvincing response. "I fell.. and hit the door.." She looks away and I know she is lying but I want her to be able to talk with me and feel comfortable enough to tell me what's going on.

"I want you to know that I don't believe that at all.. but I'm here whenever you want to tell me," I say softly to her as I watch her eyes well up with tears. She nods at me as I quickly take her hand and leading her down to the hall and to the same exit, heading to the roof. We sneak all the way up to the roof as I lead her past everything just like before and to our spot we were hanging at earlier.