AFTER THE BREAK

Golden is the sun setting over the horizons , emitting beautiful colours in the sky . Through the busy streets , a lady dashes out of a clinic , her brown eyes lighting with some emotions ,her brows furrow in urgency though the smile on her plump pink lips contrast her entire appearance. She folds the small clinic pack with her slender fingers and brings her phone to her ear swiftly. " Anything the matter Chloe ?.I got dad's medications..'. Talia softly says . after a little pause hearing from the other end , she adds . "I'll be there in about ten minutes ... of course I got the dress already . You go ahead I'll join you later " With that Talia ends the call , places her phone and the clinic pack into the black bag over her shoulders. "Cab....GOLDEN HEIGHTS HOTEL please " simultaneously she hails a taxi . " Go as fast as you can but don't get us killed " sarcasm allover her tone Talia Reynolds feels her heart beating loudly in her chest . Each second on the road is a second closer to her childhood crush , best friend and boyfriend . Erick Enriquez is back from he's further education in Business management soaring high in he's academics, a grand party has been set for he's arrival. Three years of video calls and messages didn't do much but fill the anticipation in Talia's heart she couldn't wait to see him again face to face . She missed drawning in his light blue eyes and mess up his Hazel brown hair something she found pleasure in doing ,though she was years younger , Erick gives Talia a sense of being older . It was thier thing . Talia felt her dreams getting closer and closer in a few months , she would be graduating from nursing school a well paid job awaits her into the most prestigious Pharmaceutical company in the city . Although an examination would be required , Talia is certain to get in she's been preparing in like forever. Before then she and Erick would be engaged to be married , her fathers land title would be retrieved they could keep the house and get enough money for her father's surgery every detail settled out .A small smiles tugged on Talia face as she thinks about it. "we're here mam " the driver alerts Talia who jolts back to reality nervousness washing all over her . "Thank you " she pays him and moves out of the car and into the grandour of Golden Heights hotel . Flowers and clean cut grass stretched on each sides of the marble floors . Her eyes glued at the Hall directly opposite already filled with people . In there is her Beloved Erick that smile never leaving her face . But first she needed to get out of the shirt and jeans she was in . She didn't want Erick seeing her like this . looking good for him is something she tries doing always most especially now he's going to take over he's family's business increasing he's statues and partners . In fast pace Talia walks into the main hotel not forgetting to greet the doorman , she walks up to the female receptionist who's dressed professionally behind the counter . " Talia your here ?. you should be by Ericks side by now what's up with you girl come on.." Talia rolls her eyes with exhaustion . Ina has always been the talkative type she wondered how they became friends sometimes . However Talia always recalled Ina's dramatic nature was a sign of care and sweetness . " hey hey ... Ina slow down I need to get dressed " Talia interrupts Ina who snaps back with another complain " what ? Talia you should be nuts you know, how aren't you dressed yet ?...How do you want Erick to see you in those " Ina points out her index finger towards Talia in disappointment her voice raised gaining attention from other people walking by . Ina smiles brightly as if she wasn't the one who raised her voice onces they were gone the smile dropt to zero " Haven't I thought you enough Talia Reynolds ?.." "Ina Ina that's why am here I need Chloe to take me to a change room . Hasn't she arrived yet ? " " ohh " Ina says in realization her bright red lips in an O shape . " She isn't here yet . Know what ? ...I can't leave my post at the moment you know boss's orders.." Ina overly rolls her eyes "...take my access card " Ina takes off the badge over her neck and hands it to Talia cautiously . " Take the next turn move straight ahead , then turn left move straight ahead and thennnnnn ...., turn right the first room is the change room with my card Sam would...I mean the gaurd will let you in he'll understand I sent you." Talia breaths with gratitude she felt blessed to have both Ina and Chloe in her life since high school they always stuck together both except Talia went into hotel Management performing excellenty , they both got a job at one of the best hotels in the city . Their success was one the trio shared and genuinely cared for . " Am glad you work here Ina .Going home to dress up would have been a hustle" " And I'll be the head of staff soon " Ina whispers and winks at Talia playfully. knowing Ina , Talia got the sincerity in her words . "you go dress up and meet Erick at the party tell him I can't make okay am on duty " Ina appologetically signs . " Its okay Ina Erick would understand no sweat " And just like that Ina smiles widely feeling happy for her friend urging her to run along her prince charming awaits . Talia rush pass the hall following Ina's directions . He phone buzzed in her hand . she sees a message from Erick . " where are you Talia ? " Talia smiles this was enough to make her heart beat . Am on my way Talia was about typing when something hit her knocking the phone off . With such force, Talia knew she would be greet the floor with her butt . Unfortunately rather fortunately , Talia feels her self suspended some strong hands encircling he little waist a minty sent penetrating her senses . Quickly Talia opens her eyes curious instead, a pair of green eyes greet hers ,so light like the grass in the sun they seem to dig into hers in that second . Talia quickly retracts herself "sorry sorry " Talia says in one breath severally . Moving back slightly she picks her broken phone from the floor , she notices the very tall man infront of her looks drained and exhausted sweat on he's forehead leaning against the wall , he gasp for air he's right hand clutched to he's lower abdomen . " Sir ..Are you okay?" Talia ask with urgency moving forward to the gloomy man with messed up blond hair . "Stay away " Talia hears him groan he's voice deep and husk sounding so dangerous. Talia feels her heart screaming to run away the man looked dangerous God knows why he's like this , However Talia was a medical personnel in the hospital and out . That zeal never leaving her . "Sir are you okay ? " Talia repeats herself moving even closer .The man really looked like he needed help . Blood that was the smell of something odd " Your bleeding!" . Without a second more , Talia grabs he's left hand and drops across her shoulders in a supportive gesture she couldn't possibly carry him but hoped to give him support. " you need Help sir ?. what happened to you? . How are you feeling? are you with anyone ? " Talia raises her head hoping to see anyone passing by who could help . " Room 203 " the man says under he's breath with some difficulty . " You need to go to the hospital . My phone's broken wait here let me get help.." " No .. don't " the man graons in pain . " take me to Room 203" the man insists . Talia's shoulders deflect in resignation. Talia could see the black suit drenched in blood the palm covering it bloody as well . Though facing some difficulty trying to support a man like this Talia was no stranger to it her lessons now in motion. Ding ! the elevator door opens Talia and the stranger walk straight ahead , Talia's eyes frantically looking for the room number. "Here sir " . The stranger grinds he's teeth " 1780" Talia needed no interpreter to tell her he ment the code . Without wasting time , she logged in the code the doors open reaveling a very exquisite interior . If not for the patient in her hand , Talia would have jaw dropt from such a suit . Keeping the stranger on a sitting position, , Talia drops her bag . "Don't worry sir you would be alright . We need to stop the bleeding . Where can I find a clean cloth around ?" "The drawer " The stranger says and tilts he's head back from exhaustion. Talia moves right up away in less than a minute she returns her hand cautiously tending to him . Speaking out every detail of her actions . Taking off he's suit jacket and shirt , a clear vision of the wound in sight it's a deep cut He was stabbed Talia notes she wondered how he could compose himself this much to such a cut it looked horrible . Fortunately it wasn't death threatening but he'd lost blood. Her hands delegently working on the stranger . Stoping the bleeding, to getting the wound cleaned with warm water , to applying some ointment . For a man ,Talia noticed he was good at keeping he's first aid kid in check . He's breathing some how steadied . while wrapping the goose around he's abdomen, The stranger who's head is leaned back on the head rest of the sofa slowly opens halfway . He's eyes monitoring Talia's every move . she is precise , cautious and deligent , confident in her work . Only he didn't know the pounding in her chest longing to be with Erick he must have been searching for her by now " Sir please this would help you for now but I'll advise you see a doctor soonest . The wound might get infected if not properly cared for. " Talia says after picking up her bag and checking for the access card Ina gave her around her neck . " Sir I'll call for someone from the lobby to get here soonest am sorry I really have to go now " without waiting for a reply ,Talia dashes out . leaving the stranger staring blankly face expressionless at the closed door . Talia hastens her steps towards the hall . Her hair now tied in a high bun light lipstick on her plump lips , a strapless flowery dress over some black heels looking elegant and emitting youth her flawless brown skin shining under the golden lights . Talia was grateful to have washed herself feeling abit fresh. Her cloths were a mess her phone broken so she kept them in Ina's locker and alerted the security about the stranger at Room 203. feeling nervous in the beautiful room filled with high profile personels dressed fashionably. Talia's eyes rush over the huge hall longing to find Erick and yet to be greeted by a storm