CHAPTER TWO: WOLF IN TUXEDO
1605 Words
It was 6:00 PM on Saturday. Alina stood across the street from the Galaxy Hotel, clutching her worn-out tote bag with shaky hands, feeling like she was about to rob a bank.
The afternoon had been a blur.
She finally managed to wash and condition her long black hair (long because she couldn’t trim it herself and refused to spend money on something as menial as her looks). With back-to-back lectures, a quiz on legal marriage that she hopes she did well on. Then an hour at Allens bedside, telling him about her snobby roommate.
The nurse pulled her aside to remind her of the two-week deadline, the corners of her mouth quivering as she pretended not to cry.
He looked even paler today, his smile weak.
“You look terrible, did you even wash your hair?”he asked, eyeing her playfully.
“Not that it's any of your business, but I did”, she answered, kissing his cheek before standing up and sliding her bag onto her shoulder.
Allens eyes widened in surprise, “Why? Are you going somewhere? Do you have a date?”
“No.”, Alina laughed. “It’s more of a business meeting.”
“Oh.” he looked down, sounding disappointed. “But then, I shouldn’t be surprised. You’re dressed in all black going around looking like death, who would date you?”
“Ouch.”, Alina said, clutching her heart and pretending to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Allen waved as she closed the door behind her.
Now she is here.
She had come three hours too early and stood monitoring the glass doors revolve. Finally guests started to appear in designer gowns and tailored suits effortlessly gliding in with grace and sophistication. Valets opened car doors and cameras flashed. Security stood tall and tight.
There was absolutely no chance of her getting in through the front.
But there was always the side.
She quickly crossed the street and rounded the building trying not to look suspicious. Thankfully a white van eventually pulled up and parked. On the side of the van was a huge poster, Golden Spoon Catering Services. A bunch of people came out of the van unloading silverware, trays, wine crates and folded tablecloths and napkins. Once the van had been offloaded all the servers lined up and a plain white apron was passed among them.
Alina hesitated for a second, then quietly went to the back of the line to queue. When her turn arrived, she confidently raised her chin up and stretched out her hand to receive the apron.
Almost there.
Almost….
“I don’t remember seeing you in the van”, the stubby man with a clipboard asked.
Alina blinked. “I didn’t get in the van. Central staffing sent me in just in case you needed an extra pair of hands.”
Smooth.
The man raised an eyebrow, looking at her skeptically.
“Name?”, he asked, looking at his clipboard.
Say it firmly. Say it with confidence.
“It’s Mary. Mary Addams, but I doubt you’d find it there cause like I said, I was a last minute arrangement.”
The man stared at her, rubbing the back of his neck, obviously confused on what to do.
Just then his phone started ringing. Obviously juggling a lot of workload, he finally sighed and waved her in.
She actually did it.
She could not believe it actually worked.
But she could not allow herself to smile. Not yet.
Tying the apron around her waist and picking up a stack of silver trays on the way in, she entered through the side door into the gleaming halls of gold and glass, slipping past security right in front of their eyes.
And just like that she was in.
Once she stepped inside she knew she had entered into a different universe.
The ballroom sparkled with blinding gold light. Diamond chandeliers hung like glass stars. The air smelled of champagne, expensive perfumes and polished wealth. A live band played in the corner and laughter echoed off the walls- effortless, privileged laughter.
Alina kept her head down, tray in hand, sliding through a sea of gowns and bow ties.
She felt invisible. Perfect.
She moved past a tall glass figurine when something- no someone- caught her attention.
Dr. Hakim
Allen’s cardiologist standing by the champagne fountain with a couple of people made eye contact with her. His wrinkly gray eyes widened in shock and confusion.
“Alina”, he mouthed at her, slightly tilting his head to the side.
She hesitated then ushered at him to come to her.
Dr. Hakim excused himself and walked over to her.
Her heart pounded as he moved closer. What if he ratted her out.
“Dr. Hakim”, she said softly
He narrowed his eyes, “How did you get in?”
She stepped closer. “I know. I know, I just needed to do something. About Allen. Please.”
His brow pulled into a scowl as his expression shifted from confusion to concern. He lowered his head.
“Alina, this isn't the time nor the place. I was planning to call you tomorrow. The hospital… It's been-”
“Where is the board?” she cut in. “They are here, right”
He paused, then pointed towards the group of people he was standing with before. “Over there, but Alina, you need to listen to me-”
But she was already moving.
She found them near the fountain, champagne flutes in hand. Their laughter was loud and boisterous.
As she gets closer her legs shake urging her to flee while she still can but she keeps moving forward.
She stepped into the circle before logic could take over.
“Excuse me. My name is Alina Moore. My brother, Allen Moore, is a patient at Fountain. He's just 13-years-old. He needs to get a heart transplant in 2 weeks, or he’ll die”.
The laughter ceased and smiles vanished.
She continued either way, her voice shaking but her volume gradually increasing, attracting a few curious glances.
“We are a little behind on payments. But the hospital promised us care before we even started treatment. We were promised that you would not throw us out.”
“Miss-” one of them began.
“Please! My brother will die if you throw us out. He deserves to live. Please I beg you, I’ll pay up eventually, I swear-”
Security arrived before she could finish.
Two suited men came to her side and reached for her arms.
“Ma’am, we’re going to need you to leave. You should not be here.”
“Don’t touch me!”, she screamed, panicking. “You bastards. He’s dying and you’re all standing here drinking and a child is dying. This stupid fountain could probably pay the bill-!”
The music had stopped. Heads were turning and people were murmuring.
“That’s enough”
The guards froze as a calm but firm voice echoed through the hall. Stepping forward from the crowd, hands in pocket, his suit sharp and his black hair is styled to perfection.
Cassian Wolfe. Tall, broad-shouldered, unreadable obsidian eyes glaring at the guards.
“Leave her”. He said calmly.
The guards looked at each other confused.
“Sir, she is an intru…”
“Will you make me repeat myself?” his voice didn’t rise, but it still made the room still.
Alina stood there trembling and breathing hard. Her face was stained with tears, she was furious and humiliated.
Cassian turned to her.
“If you are here about Fountain Hospital” he said in a leveled tone. “Address your concerns to me.”
Her brows furrowed in confusion but she could not bring herself to talk. Her throat was burning.
“I am the owner of Fountain Hospital.”
The owner?
She didn’t know the hospital had changed ownership.
Her knees felt weak.
“You bought the hospital?” she choked, her voice raw.
“Two days ago.”
Her heart got caught in her throat. “Then can you help me?” she looked into his eyes, her eyes sending silent pleas.
The room was still watching.
Cassian turned to the security.
“Escort us to the East Wing.”
Cassian’s eyes met hers, steady, unreadable.
“Come,”
Without waiting for her response, he turned and began walking down the corridor.
Alina hesitated only a second before following, her footsteps echoing behind his. They walked through the ball room, all eyes on them.
As they walked through the dimly lit private hallway, Alina barely registered the luxury of the private hallway they walked through.
Expensive carpets, paintings lined the walls and flower arrangements on different tables.
Her legs were on autopilot and her vision was still blurred with tears.
Her mind is swimming with different possibilities. She'd seen too many promises crumble into dust, the hospital had already betrayed her.
But maybe.
Maybe he was different.
Maybe he saw something the others didn’t.
Maybe he could help.
They stopped outside a nondescript door with no nameplate. Cassian placed his hand on the keypad, and opened the door walking into the room.
Alina hesitated.
Without looking back, “Aren’t you coming in?.”
Alina swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry.
“Yes-yes I am”
With a final uncertain glance, she walked in, regaining her confidence.
She was so close.
He didn’t answer.
The door shut behind her, locking automatically.
- Writer
