Surprised
1297 Words
Rose's POV
I stared at Rowan for a long time, seeing the devotion in his eyes, envying his open display of sincere love for our mother. Even though I am his half-sister, I still feel inferior to the family. In a strange way, it felt good because I harbored a secret crush on Rowan. Maybe, just maybe, he might see me as more than a sister, or maybe not.
It was midnight. Rowan slept beside our mother's bed while I strolled around the hospital, nursing my tenth cup of coffee. I was seeking out any attractive woman who might be open to a fling, something to help me blow off some steam. It was either that or I resumed smoking, but I had been clean for five years—ever since Rowan's coma.
What am I saying? I can’t keep living this kind of reckless, cliffhanger life. Mother is fighting for her life, Rowan is a mess because he’s probably going to lose the one thing that kept him tethered to our father. I fear that the more life throws its weight on Rowan, the more likely he is to become what he hates—or maybe he already has.
As I tried to sober up, Dr. Michaels stopped by the coffee machine to grab a cup before heading home.
"Hi, worried much?" he asked.
"Nah, just trying to keep sane, you know? With all the smell of drugs and sick patients, it’s a complete horror show," I replied.
"Well, you must be quite thrilled you're not a doctor," Dr. Michaels said.
"You can say that," I chuckled.
"Wow," Dr. Michaels replied.
"What?" I smiled.
He chuckled too. "I mean... it's nice to see a smile on that hurt face."
"Hurt? Really?"
"Yeah," he replied.
"You couldn’t come up with a better word than that?" I teased.
"I'm pretty sure 'pretty' isn't the right word," Dr. Michaels replied.
"Why not?" I asked, still smiling.
"Because if it is, then it would mean I’m asking you on a date," he replied.
"Are you?" I asked.
"What do you think?" he responded with a playful grin.
I chuckled, brushing my hair away and looking at him. "I don’t know, maybe."
"I see. You know the answer but avoid it. My bad. I promise to take it slow," he replied.
"Thanks, I mean it." I smiled again.
"You're welcome. In the meantime, I’ve got to go before I ruin the moment. This doctor has to rest up to attend to your mother early," Dr. Michaels said.
"Too soon," I murmured. "Well, I’m Rose, Rose Macall."
"I know. See you tomorrow," he replied, taking his leave.
As I watched him go, I thought to myself, *Isn’t he cute? I bet he’s single. The perfect white, athletic doctor, and his black hair is beyond great. The smell on his body is like a dreamland. I want him so badly but still don’t want to rush into my s****l adrenaline.*
"What are you thinking about?" a voice suddenly spoke, pulling me from my thoughts.
I turned back in fear, since I was alone. To my surprise, it was a beautiful blonde young lady, wearing a black hoodie, black trousers, black sandals, and dark shades.
"Gosh, you frightened me. Who are you?"
"It’s me, Sia. Although, I go by Emily now," she replied.
"Yeah, right. And I’m Lincoln. Piss off," I said dismissively.
"It’s true, I’m telling the truth," Emily insisted.
*For my sake, is this an illusion, or am I that stressed out?* I thought to myself.
"Trust me, you’re not stressed out, nor is this an illusion. Look, I don’t have much time. I came to see you," Emily replied urgently.
"Hold on a minute, I need to take a deep breath and process what is going on right now," I said.
"Okay, take your time if you want, but not too long," Emily replied.
I took a deep breath, punched myself, and pinched my leg to confirm if I was in reality.
"Okay, I’m real, but to confirm if you are who you say you are and not just someone beneath a mask."
"It’s facial surgery," Emily replied.
"I know," I screamed, but was suddenly gagged by Emily’s hand.
When she released me, I asked, "What was that for?"
"You were loud and... never mind," Emily replied.
"Fine, just one question. What was the last word I said to you?" I asked.
"Simple. You called me a b***h," Emily replied.
"You are Sia, but that still doesn’t explain your new look. Did you happen to have your face burnt?" I asked.
"No, and trust me, I really wish I could answer all your questions, but I’m in a jam and really need to relay a message to you," Emily replied, urgency lacing her words.
"Fine, what message, besides you being wanted for murder?" I said.
"How did you know?" Emily asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
"I kept tabs on you since the divorce. So what do you think your coming here means? Are you trying to use Rowan as your escape hole?" I replied, my voice dripping with suspicion.
"It’s not what you think. And will you, for once, just shut up and listen? Besides, if you turn me in, your whole family will end up in jail," Emily said.
"And why is that?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"I guess you haven’t earned the family’s trust to be informed of their side job," Emily replied.
"What side job?" I asked.
"The fact that your brother, Rowan, is a drug lord and your elder sister Mercy is the Queen of the South. Why do you think Rowan is so pissed about Roland's hostile takeover of Chandler Enterprises?" Emily replied.
"I’ll be damned. This can’t be true. I mean, we’re wealthy enough, even have the revenue of seven states in the US. Why would we need to run a full-blown drug operation?" I asked, disbelief coloring my tone.
"That’s for you to ask your family," Emily replied.
"So what is it that you seek to tell me?" I asked.
"Take the lawsuit Rowan is going to file against Roland Stone," Emily replied.
"And why would I do that? Am I stupid or what?" I asked.
"Simple, because you’re a lawyer—one of the top ten in the US, the youngest of all the finest lawyers in history. And besides, if your family gets dragged into this lawsuit, your credibility as a lawyer will be called into question," Emily explained.
"Is that a threat?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"No, it’s just something called a call to reason," Emily replied.
"So what’s in it for you?" I asked, suspicion creeping into my voice.
"Simple—Roland's dead body," Emily replied, her voice chillingly calm.
"Wait, you’re going to kill Roland Stone? Are you insane? Are you trying to be a serial killer?" I asked, horrified.
"Nope, just an avenger," Emily replied, her voice steely with resolve.
"So it’s for revenge. That figures. So after you kill him, who’s next? Sasha, for taking Rowan from you?" I asked.
"Gosh, no way. Although, I still have a lot on my kill list. Besides, the bastard had it coming," Emily replied, her voice full of dark satisfaction.
"Damn it, who put you up to this?" I asked, desperate for answers.
"No one. See you later. And please, take good care of Rowan. I’m sorry about your mother. Although we were never on good terms, she did love her family, and that I respect and honor," Emily said, her voice softening.
"Wait...," I called out, but she disappeared, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I quickly adjusted myself, pretending to be asleep as I heard Rowan’s footsteps approaching. I couldn’t afford to raise his suspicions.
- Writer
