Chapter four
941 Words
BIANCA
The monitor sound beeped wildly, which brought me back.
“Vitals” one of the nurse shouted
Suddenly a flat shriek tore through the room. I exhaled, forcing my breath out to drag the weight off my shoulder.
Two hours later the surgery was done.
By the time I peeled off my gloves and stepped out of the OR, my shoulder ached. The storm outside had deepened into a night that felt heavier than it should have been.
The rain still beats against the windows. The light was harsher and the corridor felt narrower.
I had barely got to the scrub station and then… I saw him.
No longer in the waiting room anymore.He was here. in my corridor.
Leaning against the wall watching me like he owns me and always belonged here.
The same dark coat,the same calm cold look that felt too deliberate.
The stranger
Only now I could see him clearly. A tall man with broad shoulders and his hair looking dead flat as if wet. His eyes were as cold as winter glass. Beautiful to look at but merciless to touch.His lips were everything a woman would want to taste.
It felt like a heartbeat had just stared at each other.
He straightened when our eyes met.
The silence broke.
“Dr. Iago," his voice was deep and unhurried, like he had all the time in the world.
“I remembered I didn't give you my name,” I replied, raising my brow.
His mouth curved, not into a smile but a dangerous one.
You waited,” I said, while drying my hands with a towel.
No response, he was just staring.
“You know what…. You should have gone home.”
“I'm already where I wanted to be, he responded calmly.
“I belong here exactly.”
I held his gaze. Neither of us blinked.
It felt like two storms were colliding in a too narrow corridor.
“ Was that supposed to impress me ?”
“No,” he said simply. It's supposed to make you remember me.”
I kept my face neutral. “If you are trying to be cryptic, you are half way irritating me.”
I moved closer, setting my eyes on him. But not close enough for him to think I was intimidated.
“Then what? State your business Mr.
stranger.”
He leaned forward and I could perceive the scent of the expensive perfume he wore. I looked at him wondering if I should call the security.
“Do that” he murmured softly, almost daring me.” I think I know things I shouldn't, but trust me I'm not here to hurt you.”
My pulse became louder in my ears, than the storm that cracked outside.
The weight of his gaze wasn't fading.
“Who are you? Why are you here?” I asked, keeping my tone flat,clinical.
Someone who has been looking for you.
And I'm still here because of her.”He said with no apology.
My throat tightened. “If this is about the clinic….”
“It's not,”He cut me off quickly.
He continued “It is about the young lady in room 211, the one who beat a rare case no one could survive.”
My throat went dry.I crossed my arms just immediately. “Why? for what? Do you know her?”
His gaze focused closely towards the ward. And he smiled deeply.
What makes you think I'm the doctor? I cut in. sharply.
“we have a mutual connection.”
My fingers went numb.“ You know her?”
“No,”not that way.
“Then how? How is she connected to you?” I asked, blinking away the worries filled in my eyes.
“Well, you know enough she wouldn't have survived it without you.And you know that.”
The air between us narrowed.
“Survive without me?”
“Did you just stay back for all of this,Or you still have something better to say?”
He stepped closer,his height was casting me in shadow.
“Or does it have anything to do with….. Vanessa Iago?”
My heart beat raced, so loud that he could almost hear it.
His look briefly flickered on my lips and there was nothing accidentally about it.
“Who do you think you are to mention her name?” Answer me.
My voice was steady but one could hear it starve for answers.
He gulped, and gave a long stare more like a secret he wasn't telling.
“Someone sent me here.”
“Who?” My voice rose sharply,almost shouting. “Who the hell sent you here… Mr stranger?”
He didn't move. No words. He just stood there.
Finally,he said,“I was sent to finalize the demolition of this place.” he paused trying to catch something unsaid.
“ But…. He continued, "I think I can wait.”
I froze…. looking at him looking confused.
Silence stretched between us,it was filled with the distant hum of the ER.
“Did you just say that?”
“Yes,”he replied, nodding his head slowly.
The corner of his mouth lifted, trying to say something else…… but half challenged, hesitation, and a smile.
“A coffee tomorrow? His voice was softer. Come over, I will give you one.”
He turned back and left without saying a word.
I should have rejected him. I should have walked away. But I found myself looking at him a second too long.
And in that single second, I knew I would lose something I could never get back.
- Writer
