RUINED FOR LIFE

Chapter 5 - Tom

I was in a f*****g wheelchair. Things had gone so far south of my expectations of coming back home. Leaving California was one of the biggest decisions I’d ever made and, more often than not, I wished I hadn't done it.

I had lost the two most important people in my life and if things went further south, I'd lose the two most important parts of my body. After I slipped on the stairs, which is ridiculous if you ask me. How the hell did that happen? I fractured my hip and will need this stupid wheelchair for eight weeks. Still couldn’t believe it, of all things to fracture, it was my damn hip. I couldn’t quite get the medical jargon Nick was spewing at me, but the only thing that stuck was that I would need tons of physical therapy.

This seems to be the least of my worries though. I still haven’t figured out how the hell I was going to get a bride. I’m not usually an asshole, but this whole situation has put me in a sour mood and that includes being annoyingly unpleasant to the jackass-looking guy and the redheaded lady in front of him.

I poorly wheeled myself to the front desk, keeping my face neutral. Hopefully, that will show I’m not in the mood for any bullshit.

"Mr. Hillings, it's nice to meet you", the jackass-looking guy gushed.

"Wish I could say the same", I said with a hard stare pinned at him.

"As I said when you came in, this is Lou Fernandez, and she will be your new caretaker for the next eight weeks", he said in a nervous rush.

I looked over the red hair with mock scrutiny, but in truth, I was curious about who she was, admittedly I didn’t leave a good impression in the elevator, but this was not the time and place to address that.

"Aren't you a bit too young for this?" I gestured towards her.

"Excuse me?" redhead responded shocked

"Does she not understand what I'm saying?" I directed the question to the jackass-looking guy.

"I understand what you're saying, I just don't understand what you're implying", Redhead finally spoke out.

"You're young", I said once again.

"So would you prefer an older woman taking care of you?” she asked me with raised brows. Okay, she’s a feisty one, got it.

"I assure you Mr. Hillings, Lou is the best person to take care of you", jackass looking guy rushed to say.

"Mr-?"

"Dave. You can call me Dave"

"Okay Dave, I would like someone else to be my caretaker", From the corner of my eyes I see redhead roll her eyes at my statement. I’m just fishing now. It’s a good way to distract myself from the impending doom that is my life.

"Just for clarity, is there a specific reason you don't want Lou?"

"Do I need a reason? I'm the customer, right? And the customer is always right."

"I understand you are the customer, and we have your best interest at heart and that's why we are recommending Lou"

"Why are you referring to her with her first name?" I asked, brows raised. I assumed it was a mistake when he first said it, but I’m thinking it’s something else.

"No reason, I just prefer to treat all employees like equals". Redhead whipped her head towards jackass looking guy with an incredulous look. I didn't miss such a reaction but didn't probe.

"If you say so", I said, making sure jackass knew I was calling his bluff with my tone.

"I oblige to have Miss Lou as my caretaker. Is there anything else you need from me?"

"Well, I was thinking we could discuss the living arrangements. How many days a week you'd need her? What she can and can-"

"I don't think that's a discussion we need to be having with you", I cut him off. "After all, it's not your business".

"Right, of course. Whatever you two do is your business", he responds with a hard tone.

"If that's all, I will be taking my leave now". Without waiting for a response, I wheeled myself out of the office. Well, that was exhausting.

Getting into the elevator, a hand shoots in and stops the doors from closing. Redhead walks in with her head down and goes to the corner of the elevator. She doesn’t look one bit feisty as before.

"This seems to be your style. Intercepting the elevator doors", I say, trying to make small talk, but she doesn't respond.

Looking back, I see that she's staring at me with a look I can't quite decipher. Curious? Distaste?

"I know I'm handsome, so stop staring", I said and turned back to face the elevator doors.

"I haven't decided if I'm going to take care of you", she says suddenly.

"Excuse me?" Before I can turn and interrogate her, the elevator jerks and comes to a stop.

"What's happening?", she asks, looking around.

"Looks like your elevator just locked us in together."

She goes and presses the alert button multiple times and frantically looks around the room.

"Hey, hey, are you okay?" I asked, genuinely worried.

She doesn't answer, just rubs her hands down her arms and crouches down in the corner of the elevator.

I wheeled myself carefully towards her. I have no idea what's going on, but I’m guessing red hair over here can't handle enclosed spaces. With no idea what to do, I try to calm her down.

"Look at me". She tries but can't focus her eyes on my face. They keep bouncing around the room. I grabbed her face in my hands this time and forced her to face me directly.

"I want you to focus on me and listen carefully, can you do that for me?" She doesn't respond but nods slightly.

"Okay, so you need to relax and control your breathing", I said while rubbing her arms gently and guiding her in a breathing exercise.

"In for five seconds, out for three seconds". We repeat this several times until redhead is considerably a lot calmer.

"How do you feel now?"

"G-good"

"Keep doing the exercises", I move over to the elevator door and bang my fist repeatedly.

The doors swing open seconds later and some maintenance people are standing on the other side. I move over to redhead to get her out of the elevator. She stumbles and rests her arms on my shoulders to steady herself. She can't walk properly, I can tell.

Before I decide against it, I pull her down to my lap. She squirms and tries to get off. I lay a heavy hand on her shoulder and looked at her with a no-nonsense expression. When I sense her approval, I wheel us out of the elevator. What a dramatic turn of events.