Ruined For Life

Chapter 5

Driving down to her office in her run-down Kia Picanto, Lou had her windows down. It was mid-November and the weather was moist. She loved the rainy seasons, and the humidity on her window screen, that she could draw anything she wanted. The breeze was always just different to her, it brought on a chillier vibe. When people would moderately cover up, she sported her short sleeves and sometimes tank tops.

Glancing at her watch, she cursed under her breath. She was late. Dave hates it when she is late, but this time it wasn't her fault. She was battling with the rush hour and the usual 45 minutes’ drive to the office was becoming an hour and more if the traffic didn't reduce. Looking out the window, she scanned the rushing crowds. People who might have had a good day or bad day rush to their form of calm after the store. Some moved into the bars nearby while others rustled through the crowd to go somewhere else.

She liked to think some of them were rushing to get into the arms of their loved ones. It reminded her of much simpler times. She had rushed through these same crowds to get to Dave, back when they had just started dating, when everything was rosy and calm. But now she didn't know where things went wrong. Dave and she had been arguing nonstop the past few weeks or more like he yelled while she kept shut and apologized. He was angry she didn't get his order, right? She apologized. He was pissed from work and picking on the little things when he got home? She apologized. She loved him and wanted them to get past whatever phase they were in.

Parking in her designated slot outside the office, she raced out of her car and into the two-story building that housed Sharecare, her office. Giving Daisy a half-arse greeting, she printed for the elevators that were about to be closed.

“Hold it down for me please!”, she yelled. The elevator door sprung open and she slipped through.

“Thank you for that”, she said to the kind gentleman in the wheelchair. He didn’t spare her a second glance and looked straight ahead. Mystery man was a bit burly in the wheelchair, with the sleeves of his black shirt tight against his arm. He was built but not too built, the kind that was muscular enough to throw a punch. She was sure his height added to his demeanour which screamed broody. Unfortunately, she didn’t get to see his face in her haste so she couldn’t quite say if he was handsome enough to overlook his poor social skills.

The elevator reached the second floor and doors opened and mystery man was out of there as fast as his wheels could go, which was not so fast. She could tell he was just getting used to them, not spinning and turning the wheels the right way. She moved out of the elevator to help him.

“Don’t even think about it”, he snapped at her. She stopped in her tracks and by far was not impressed by mystery man’s attitude. Ignoring him, she headed straight for Dave’s office. Arriving much later than anticipated, she prepared the apology speech she was going to give. Knocking once, she stepped into his office.

Dave had been working in Sharecare for almost five years and had managed to be promoted to the Client managing director, one position away from his dream job. He was responsible for all the high and mighty clients we served who were in return responsible for his fat paycheck. Dave’s office was well deserving of that title as well. Occupying one of the few offices overlooking the street below, he had a mahogany desk in the middle of the room with one chair for him and two others on the opposite side of the desk for guests. A weirdly out-of-place lounge chair was situated at the corner of the room, she had never seen anyone occupy it and guessed they were there for the aesthetics.

Taking a seat across Dave, she felt like she was on the hot seat. She opens her mouth to rush through the apology but Dave only raises a finger to silence her.

“You’re thirty minutes late”, he chastises.

“I know but it-”

“Don’t say it wasn’t your fault because it clearly was and always is”, he says calmly after cutting her off.

“I’m sorry”, she apologizes with her head held low.

“We’ll discuss that later. I’m removing you from the Millers’ account effective immediately”. She panicked. This has never happened before and she knew there was no good reason for such a change. However, she knew better than to cut Dave off when he was talking and so she let him carry on.

“Starting immediately, you have been reassigned to Mr Tom Hilling. He’s in a wheelchair because of an accident and will need assistance for the next six months”

“W-why me?”, she asked

“Because I said so. Do you have a problem with that?”, he asked with eyes glaring at her.

“Of course not. Carry on”

“His recovery is of utmost priority and so you would be moving into his house as his 24/7 caretaker”, he continues

“I’m sorry what?! You want me to permanently move into a stranger’s house for six months?! That’s ridiculous”, Lou complains

“Why is that so ridiculous?”, he asked.

“Because of us”, she replied.

“What exactly about us?”, he asked once again.

“We live together Dave. Would you be alright not seeing me every day for the next six months?”

“I don’t see a problem with that”, he responded matter-of-factly. Speechless, she stared at his face about to call his bluff but, Dave was as serious as can be. No bluffing in sight.

Defeated she sagged into the chair and asked, “When do I need to meet the guy?”

“Right now”. With his hand on the landline, he told Stephanie his assistant to send his visitor in.

The door opened and Dave rose from his chair. “Mr Hilling. I would like you to meet Lou Fernandez, your new caretaker”.

Rising from her seat, Lou turned towards the door and there he was in all his glory. Mystery elevator man. His handsome face was definitely enough to overlook his poor social skills.