A Clash of Passions

Chapter 4: Dang it!

__Brianna__

I finally arrived home.

I was completely tired after one of the most stressful days of my life. The usual closing time for work was five o'clock, but guess what time his royal Highness decides to let me go? By six-thirty!

I remember Charles coming up to check on me before he left. He had offered to assist me with some tasks, but i declined for fear of getting into trouble with the annoying boss.

"Mum, I'm home!"

I announced, taking off my shoes.

I quickly decided to return Kenneth's calls. I began to dial his number and simultaneously walked towards my mother's room.

I entered the room and was shocked to see a figure lying motionless on the floor. I saw the pale colour of her skin, and i knew with a sickening certainty that it was bad. I didn't know when the phone i held to my ears dropped to the floor.

"Mum!"

I screamed so loud, without realising that Kenneth had already picked up the call and was yelling my name. I ended the call, and with shaky hands, i dialled 911 instead. It felt like forever before an ambulance arrived to take her to the hospital.

We were finally at the hospital, and my mother had been in the emergency room for hours. All I could do was wait. Nothing frustrated me more.

"Brie, what's going on? I've been calling you."

Kenneth sounded frustrated and offended after i finally decided to pick up his call. God knew he had every reason to be.

"I'm so sorry."

I apologised.

"What happened? Is it your mum again? because i heard you screaming."

He asked, his tone softer.

"Y-yes."

"I came back home to meet her laying lifeless on the floor. But we're at the hospital now."

I replied, sniffing and rubbing my eyes.

"It's been two hours and not a word from the doctor yet."

"I'm scared, Ken. I only just started work. What if i don't make enough money for her treatment on time? I don't know if she'll be able to survive another relapse."

I said, unable to control my tears now.

"Come on baby, don't say that. Everything's gonna be fine."

"I'll send some money to you for her treatment. Please don't cry."

Kenneth consoled.

"I hate being a burden to you, Kenneth."

"I promise I'll pay back when i get my first salary."

I could not imagine overwhelming Kenneth with such heavy bills.

"Are you listening to yourself, Brie?"

"You're not a burden to me. I'm your boyfriend. I should be able to assist you with such things. And no, you don't have to pay me back."

"I do it because i love you. Okay?"

I nodded as if he could see me. Then i quickly recollected myself and replied to him.

"Thank you, babe. I appreciate you."

I said to him with a low voice.

"You're welcome. And i love you."

He replied.

"I love you too, babe."

"You didn't even tell me how your first day at work went."

He inquired, changing the topic.

"Oh God! Please don't even remind me."

I made a face and then rolled my eyes.

Kenneth was shocked at my response and asked to hear the whole details. Unfortunately, the doctor came, and i had to end the call with the promise to call him back.

"Miss Smith?"

"Yes, that's me."

I rose to my feet, trepidation consuming me.

"She suffered a recurrence."

The doctor said to me.

"But she has been religiously taking her meds and undergoing a lot of treatments."

I was bewildered.

"It is possible for colorectal cancer to recur after treatment. The risk of recurrence depends on the stage of the cancer and her overall health."

"Unfortunately, it has spread to other parts of her body, and additional treatment is needed. She needs to be operated on as soon as possible. It might not be today. But i suggest next month, so as to be on the safe side."

He said to me.

"And if the operation doesn't happen next month?"

I asked the question even though i already knew the answer.

"Then i'm afraid she might not have an opportunity to anymore."

He said, choosing his words carefully. Now more than ever, i needed my job like i needed to breathe. The thought of wanting to quit quickly left just as soon as it came. Hopefully, when i get my first pay, i'll make a deposit for the operation.

*****

I arrived at the office a little earlier than usual today, even though i didn't get any sleep last night. This time, i wore a stylish forest green dress with a v-neck. It had some drapes by the side. The dress hugged my body to perfection and stopped just above my knee, with a hint of skin showing through the high slit at the back. My hair was pulled back into a sleek and tidy ponytail. Dark colours had always complemented my skin tone. I had zero makeup on, except for lip gloss.

It was no news that i was a beautiful brunette with alluring features. If I were a narcissist, i would be walking about with a mirror wherever i went, admiring myself at every given opportunity, and flaunting my looks to anyone who cared to see. But I needed no outside validation.

A full barrel knows its value and doesn't need to make a sound to prove it.

Thankfully, my mother was much better now. I used the money Kenneth sent me to take care of the bill and to get her some medications as well. I had pleaded with a neighbour to look after her before I got back from work. I'm sure other secretaries would have called to inform their boss of their predicament, but i dared not. Besides, it was way too early to start giving excuses, not with the kind of heartless man i had for a boss.

In order to put my mind at ease, i decided to check the CEO's office to be sure he wasn't in. This would enable me to at least breathe fine for the mean time before he got here. I took a file along with me as a cover-up as i approached his office. I pushed the door open without knocking, only to collide with someone.

Luckily, he was able to grab the door just in time to keep it from hitting him in the face, and his other hand moved to my waist, steadying me as i stumbled forward.

A tingle shot through me at the brief contact. It was the CEO. I let out a surprise yelp.

He stood there, glaring at me as i stood frozen in shock. Time seemed to stand still. In the midst of the embarrassing moment, i realised it was the first time i would be getting an up close look at him. He was tall, with broad shoulders and strong biceps. His dark hair was perfectly styled with not a single strand out of place.

His eyes were a deep, piercing blue. He had strong cheekbones and a firm jawline, giving him a masculine and chiselled appearance. His lips were full and well-shaped. I could swear he was also taken aback by my presence. His lips were slightly parted as he stared at me.

My gaze travelled back to his eyes. They had to be his most striking features. Well, damn him for being so devastatingly handsome!

It was at this moment that i caught the anger and fury in his eyes, and the sound of the mug as it shattered on the floor, and jolted me back to reality. It all happened within a split second.

I looked down at his sky blue shirt that had a few buttons undone to realise that the coffee had spilt all over his shirt as a result of the collision. Oh God! Kill me!

He glared at me, his face red with anger, as if he had just recollected himself.

"What the bloody hell?!"