Chapter 3
1061 Words
I stared at him with my jaw slightly opened and closed it immediately, trying not to show how incredibly attractive I found him.
I cleared my throat as I tried to look everywhere except at him. Opening and closing my mouth like a fish out of water as I tried to get anything out except my breath that seemed to have left me the moment I saw his chest.
He stood up and tried to get past me, probably to go clean himself properly in the bathroom. But being this flustered little mess in the kitchen thanks to Mr. Pecks, I was taking steps in each direction like I was lost and not sure which way to turn.
I suddenly bumped into him and he grabbed me by the shoulders to steady me, looking straight at me.
I smelled his cologne and felt his warm touch against my shoulders and if I wasn't red before, I definitely was now.
I felt a shiver run down my spine and I did my best not to let it take over. It felt like a million butterflies tried to burst out of my stomach. I felt a little dizzy at the closeness of our bodies.
How easy it would be to just touch him. Just rest my hands against his chest. Would he object? Would he accept it? Was he feeling the same attraction that I did?
Realistically speaking, I had only met this man today. He was incredibly rude. Not showing any hospitality apart from cooking dinner.
But somehow, his firmness and the authority he had in his voice while showing me around the house earlier on, slightly turned me on.
I should have majored in psychology. That way I could analyze why the fact that he was rude, turned me on just a little.
I looked up to his full lips and thought, what they might taste like. Probably the meatball spaghetti we both just enjoyed. But I didn't care. I just wanted to press my lips against his. Let go. It had been a while since I had met a man that had had this kind of affect on me.
Throughout college, I was too focused on getting my degree. I didn't care for relationships and all that jazz. I spent most of my off days doing my practicals in hospitals and volunteering to improve my skills. So it had been quite a while since the last time I had been touched like this.
I looked down at the firm hand touching my shoulder and sucked in a breath. I want to take those hands and put them on my ass. Beautiful, big hands such as his, belonged there. I imagined what it would feel like. I would probably pass out from desire. I felt like I wanted to pass out right now.
He cleared his throat which snatched me out of my dream dazed thoughts. “Excuse me.” he whispered as he slid past me and walked out of the kitchen towards the bathroom.
I stood there. Just stood there. Shocked at how I had reacted. Shocked at how my thoughts had grabbed me out of reality so quickly. I've only known him for a few hours. Most of which, he was extremely rude. I touched my shoulder with my hand where he had grabbed me and immediately felt the loss of his presence and touch. I want more. I want him. Now.
I shook off all the feelings that had gripped me. Alina! You can't think about this while standing in the kitchen of the lady you were hired to take care of.
I looked around the now empty kitchen and my eyes found the small, white fridge. I approached the fridge door and noticed pictures against the fridge, held up by cute, little fruit magnets. I searched the faces of the Polaroid photos and found Mason sitting next to Grace, holding her hand. They both stared at each other, laughing. How sweet.
My eyes tore away from the photos and I noticed a letter stuck against the fridge with a Pineapple magnet. It was written by Mason.
‘Hi Gran,
Sorry for only writing back now.
I know you prefer hard copies, so here it is.
I miss your cooking and our late night Tea and chats.
Will come to visit very soon.
Love you,
Mason’
I stared at the letter, suddenly feeling very guilty for intruding on what seemed to be a letter not intended for me and also for referring to Grace as an ‘old lady’ earlier.
She was a person. Loved by her Grandson.
Working in the medical field, you start to detach yourself from seeing patients as people. It's a defence mechanism.
If we had to feel all the loss, all the pain, we saw on a daily basis. We would implode.
But Mason taught me something tonight.
I had to work on my bedside manner when it came to my patients. Maybe I could work on that while taking care of Grace.
I was filled with dread when I realized who the last person had been that I really tried to show compassion for. A patient of mine, Mr. Handell.
Mr. Handell was my favorite patient at Bellevue. He also had cancer. Stage four. He loved story time and was the only patient who called me by my first name. Only, later on, he shortened it to Ali, which of course I didn't mind, considering we had grown to become friends. He was in his mid seventies, but had the soul of a teenager.
That feeling of sadness, guilt, hurt, was something I never wanted to feel again. Like I did, the day he died.
Of course it would be easier this time. Grace doesn't wake up. So there is no way I can get attached to her. I'm safe.
I forced away my sad feelings and approached the table, gathering the plates from the meal we had just had and put them in the sink.
After finishing up the last of the dishes, I dried my hands on the napkin and walked towards the kitchen door heading to my room.
Just as I was about to exit, I heard a Crack. I stopped in my tracks and turned around.
I looked at the Pantry door.
It opened slowly.
- Writer
