Chapter 9
980 Words
Lana’s POV
I spent the next few minutes sobbing in the comfort of my large bed, and it didn't take long for me to realize this was a do-or-die situation.
There was no way out except doing this job.
I had already used part of the $10,000 advance Uncle Tristan paid me for my father's treatment, and quitting now after discovering the unfair terms in the contract wasn't an option.
That would be like going back to square one.
I still had my father's remaining medical bills to settle, along with future expenses. Repaying the Rhys family would take me a lifetime of savings, and I was already broke.
Quitting was definitely not an option.
I sprang to my feet, straightened my uniform, slid the contract documents into my bedside drawer, and walked confidently out of my room toward Kylian's.
I found Finn standing outside Kylian's door, staring down at his phone. He looked up when he saw me and smiled broadly.
"Let me guess. He kicked you out?" I asked confidently.
"Yeah. Kylian and his tantrums." He sighed dramatically. "So... are we still doing this, or are you calling it quits?"
I winked and walked past him without knocking. Pushing open Kylian's door, I strode inside.
"Finn, for the last time, stop barging into my room—"
Kylian stopped when he saw me.
"Oh, it's you. Still here?" he asked. "What do you want? To hand in your resignation letter? Or give me some pity speech about why you need this job and why I should cooperate?"
I smirked and shook my head.
If only this spoiled brat knew how determined I was.
"None of the above, sir. I'm actually here to let you know I'll be staying for a very long time."
His eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. I'm here to do my job, and that's exactly what I'll do, whether you like it or not."
Kylian blinked, clearly taken aback by my boldness.
The sound of loud clapping made both of us turn.
Finn walked into the room, applauding enthusiastically.
"That's the spirit!" he declared. "I think I like this one. Lana, my dear, you are officially my pumpkin."
I couldn't help smiling.
"Get out, Finn."
Kylian's roar sent Finn spinning around immediately, both hands raised in surrender.
I chuckled.
Then Kylian's cold stare landed on me.
I expected another argument, but instead, he turned his wheelchair away and headed toward the bathroom without another word.
***********
"Hi, Kayla. How are you doing?" I asked softly over the phone. "Are you busy?"
"No, honey, not at all. Just dealing with some files, but those can wait." She paused. "Tell me, how are you doing? I miss you."
I sighed heavily.
"What's wrong, Lana? You don't sound happy."
There was so much I wanted to tell her.
How was I supposed to explain that the private nursing job wasn't what it seemed?
First, my patient refused to cooperate and could get me fired at any moment.
Second, the contract I had signed required me to repay the advance if I failed to complete the job successfully.
The money had already gone toward my father's treatment.
I had given everyone hope.
Treatment had already begun.
How could everything go wrong so quickly?
"Lana? Are you there?"
"Yes, I'm here." I rubbed my forehead. "I'm just thinking about everything. This job, my father's bills... everything."
"Oh, Lana, don't work yourself up too much. Everything is going to be fine. Your father's treatment has already started, and he's responding well."
I nodded even though she couldn't see me.
"I really hope so. Everything I'm doing is for him. I'll make sure I don't fail. I promise."
"You won't. I'm doing my best over here too, and I'm rooting for you. This new job is going to work out."
A small smile appeared on my face.
Then suddenly, the alarm on my bedside table rang.
Kylian's alarm.
My eyes widened.
He had never used it before.
"Kayla, I have to go. Something urgent just came up."
"Alright, dearie. Go do your thing. I believe in you."
I ended the call and hurried out of my room.
Within seconds, I was climbing the stairs toward Kylian's room.
Taking a deep breath, I knocked.
A faint, "Come in," followed.
I pushed the door open.
Kylian was sitting on his bed. His upper body was uncovered while the blanket covered the rest of him.
I froze.
My eyes locked onto him before I could stop myself.
Look away, Lana.
I repeated it over and over in my head.
My eyes refused to cooperate.
His stare grew sharper by the second.
"Are you going to stand there looking like you've seen a ghost," he asked dryly, "or are you going to help me?"
I blinked several times and finally snapped out of it.
"I'm sorry. I just didn't expect—"
"Save it." He cut me off. "You said you weren't giving up, right?"
"Yes."
"Good. Then examine me and make sure something is wrong."
I frowned.
"What?"
"You heard me." His gaze remained fixed on mine. "Examine my legs and make sure something is wrong, Lana."
I hesitated.
His request made no sense.
If there was already a medical problem, why did he need me to prove it?
Still, I slowly approached the bed.
I carefully avoided looking at his chest as I stopped in front of him.
He remained silent, watching me closely.
Then suddenly, he grabbed my wrist.
I gasped as he pulled me forward.
Before I could react, I landed on the edge of the bed.
A startled scream escaped me.
His hand immediately covered my mouth.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
We simply stared at each other.
His breathing was just as uneven as mine.
Then, in a low voice, he spoke.
"I need you.”
- Writer
