Serpent Twins: The Fall

The Good Love

Kimberly's POV:

I was curling in my bed with Amber, she was hugging me from behind when a pillow was thrown into our heads. It was Helena, she was previously sleeping on the extra folding bed, but she seemed perky after showering.

“It’s already at eleven, Ladies. Get your lazy bums up, we have to have the brunch. I’m not spending my precious weekend in New York City to sleep all day even after partying,” she said loudly.

“Screw you!” Amber scowled, glaring to Helena and tossed the pillow to her.

Helena ducked it, laughing. I stretched my feet and hands, I was feeling a bit weak.

“Kimmy, your lips!” suddenly Amber looked at me with worried face.

I touched my lips, hissing to feel swollen lips and pain a little, then I could feel my face fell into white pale when remembered the cause. Alexander’s rough kiss.

“Did Alex do that to you? More like domestic abuse to me,” Helena came over with worried expression.

“More like wild amateur to me,” Amber laughed and winked at me.

I covered my mouth and went to the bathroom, ignoring the two friends who started to tease me on Alexander. I stared on my reflection, pale, still droopy with swollen red lips and eyes. It was quite obvious that I got swollen eyes from crying until asleep. I was about to brush my teeth, when I heard a phone rang several times.

“Kimmy, it’s Dylan Knight! What the hell!” Amber called me out and they were shouting nuts.

I opened the bathroom’s door and took my phone from Amber. Both Amber and Helena gave me a curious gaze. I put my point finger on my swollen lips.

“Yes?” my voice was hoarse, so I cleared my throat once.

“Good morning, Kimberly. It’s Dylan,” his voice calm and manly.

“Hi, good morning. Sorry, I was in bathroom,” Amber tried to put her ear to my phone, but I pushed her away.

“Well, am I disturbing any good business there?”

“No, I’m already out. Will you excuse me for a second,” I went to the living room to avoid my friends, but they followed me even after glaring at them, “Um, sorry. I have friends from Baltimore staying over listening to this,” I finally gave up and sat on my loveseat, with Amber and Helena trying to put their ears near my phone. I pushed them away.

Dylan laughed, “It’s fine. Say me hi to them.”

I smiled, as Amber and Helena were shouting hi.

“Kimberly, are you there?” he asked.

Oh, shoot.

He couldn’t hear my smile, “Yes, loud and clear. Sorry.”

“Well, I don’t want to embarrass you in front of your friends, but can I meet you today?”

“I’m sorry, today my friends want…. Ouch!” Helena and Amber hit my arms at once.

I sighed, but Dylan seemed to understand the situation and laughed.

“Well, I guess ladies first, then. Please schedule me tomorrow, Kimberly. I hope you’re not freaking out and ditch me when I confess that I miss you,” he told me in confidence.

“I… I’ll see what I can do, Dylan,” I reply, stuttering.

My face started to get colored.

“Ok, please let me know asap, Kimberly. Bye,” he sounded a bit too hopeful.

Does he like me? Or perhaps just curios?

“Bye,” I hung up.

“What the hell you didn’t tell us, Kimberly?” Amber nagged.

Helena was staring, waiting for an answer.

“Well, I just met him once at hospital, twice when he was on my table. Nothing’s going on. He asked me out right after my first visit and that’s all,” I honestly answered.

“Really?” Helena suspiciously questioned.

“Oh, my God. Kimberly, he has most delicious firm body, how was his packs doing right now with your suture? Please don’t say you have ruined it,” Amber kept balling with dreamy eyes.

I rolled my eyes.

“But what about Alex? He’s a gorgeous catch and seems to me, very much interested in you. And you! Look at your swollen lips, Kimmy. You met him once and definitely had become his masochist,” Helena told me, she shook her head twice.

Right, there was Alexander. Why now?

I’ve been living completely single for months and handsome men kept appearing ever since the crash.

“Come, we have to take shower, Amber. Helena looks hungry,” I finally said to Amber, while going to the bathroom to continue showering.

“I’m hungry for steamy gossip, Kimmy! Give me some more or I won’t share my hang over soup to you,” Helena yelled from the living room, I could hear she started to search something inside my fridge.

Amber was following me until I stood in the bathroom.

“I’m not going to take you to Dylan Knight,” I told her sternly.

Amber gave me puppy eyes, but I closed bathroom door in front of her face.

I was looking more closely on my reflection, looking like a mess, tangled hair, pale face with red cheeks, red swollen eyes and lips. My eyes stared back at me, recalling to the last rough kiss and strange things Alexander said. He seemed angry with me, like I did something to offend him, but I think I didn’t do anything, I even foolishly let him to kiss and touch me in a way that I had never wanted someone else doing it to anyone. As if he tried to abuse me, but wanting me. Yes, he clearly wanted me that much. I was shuddered recalling on his hardness between my thighs.

How could I do such reckless and ridiculous make out?

Quietly sobbing while stripping out, I realized that I handled everything so wrong with him. I’ve just met him, but invited him to party all night, I drank over my limit, made out in unhygienic restroom, watched him beating out Daniel and his two friends, then let him to part after humiliated me by telling that I would bring death to him, saying it almost like in literal and clearly asked me to not to look for him and to forget him.

God, please kill me.

I was feeling embarrassed and frustrated, going under the cold rain shower with tears rolling down my cheek. I don’t want to meet him ever again.

That jerk.

øøøøø

After having pea soup made by Helena, I applied a cold compress to my lips to reduce swelling. The three of us went to meet Tony at All-wise Meadery in Brooklyn, as Amber was a huge fan of the co-founder celebrity who owned it and recommended the mead to Helena to try herself. When I was putting concealer underneath my slightly puffy eyes, we heard someone knocked my front door.

“Are you expecting a guest, Kimmy?” Helena asked while putting on a belt over her denim dress.

“No,” I replied and quickly patted my concealer and went to the living room.

Amber has opened the door, she looked at me with confused look.

“Sorry, is that Daniel’s….”

“Please get inside my room, Amber,” I interrupted her question as she has never met Esther, but she stalked her i********: once after I broke up with Daniel.

I came over to the door, facing her petite figure, but a bit taller than I am. She was wearing ivory sweater and navy jeans with boots, her hair was colored in dirty blonde and she wore simple make up, she’s two years older, but still looking cute in overall.

“Yes?” I asked her with blank expression.

She seemed a bit doubtful, looking through my back, “Um, I’m sorry, Kimberly, for coming unnoticed. But I don’t know a proper way to reach you,” she muttered, looking at me.

I could clearly see that she has just cried.

Well, so did I.

“Well, I don’t think we have any business ever. How did you get here?” I crossed my hands over my chest and leaned to the door.

“May I come in, Kimberly? Please, just a moment. I need to tell you something,” she said with a pleading look.

I sighed and gave her a sign to go to the living room, I cleaned up some magazines and mugs on the table. She sat on the edge against my loveseat.

“I wasn’t expecting any guest,” I tried to give excuse of the clutter we left on the kitchen’s counter.

“No, your place looks neat and clean, Kimberly. You look so beautiful as always,” she muttered almost like being honest.

“Oh, please. Let’s cut the empty sweet talk. What do you want, Lee?” I rudely asked her with piercing eyes.

I still remembered her smug face when I caught her with Daniel months ago.

“It’s about Daniel” she said.

“If this is about him, that would be none of my business, Lee. Honestly, I don’t want to talk about him or even you. I don’t want to be rude, but that’s the truth,” I told her.

She was surprised by my words and about to cry. “But you’re the only one who can help him, Kimberly. I want to but I can’t. I’m not even allowed to see him again,” she shed her fallen tears.

“Sorry, come again? What about him?” I asked with furrowed eyebrows.

“Didn’t you hear, he got accident causing his both kidneys sustained serious damage,” she told me.

“Wait, what? How? I mean last night…” I didn’t continue my sentence and ran to my room, to get my phone.

Amber and Helena was curiously looking at me.

“What does she want?” Amber asked, almost whispering.

“It’s Daniel. I’ll explain later,” I told her and went to living room again.

I dialed Tony, but his phone was out of service.

“Kimberly?” Esther called me.

“Yes, sorry. I was startled. I didn’t know about this. Where did they take him? Do you know how he got himself injured?” I asked her.

“His friend, Harding, took him this morning to the one in Lennox Hill. It was Harding who told me that he probably need a kidney transplant, so I went there but their family refused my offer upon his request, specifically said that I was the one who caused him loosing you. He’s going to die, Kimberly,” she was crying hard.

I felt pity on her, it must have been love for her wanting to donate her kidney instantly when hearing the possibility Daniel might need one. I came closer to her, awkwardly hugging her.

“Shh, don’t cry. Who said such thing? We don’t know his exact condition yet, so don’t jump into conclusion. I’ll try to check to my colleague first, okay?” I tried to calm her, but her cry was getting louder.

“No, I’m sorry, Kimberly. You should come to see him yourself because I can’t. Please convince him to accept mine or just not telling him the donor. And you have to know that… he didn’t really cheat on you, it was me who came to him at the time and seduced him. He didn’t even contact me for a year before and almost a year after your break up. Believe me, Kimberly. I was so jealous hearing your engagement, so I came to his office. I even put something in his drink, Kimberly,” she was almost screamed.

I was stunned. How could she do such horrible thing to the man she loved? But who was I to judge her, I have never fell sickly in love before.

“Did Daniel know about it?” I carefully asked her.

“No, but you can tell him, I would rather be hated for the rest of my life than letting him die. Forgive me, Kimberly. I have ruined your life,” she hugged me tightly.

“I’m forgiving you, Esther. Look at me. He will be okay. I’ll go visiting him myself today. Just give me your number and I’ll contact you after knowing about his condition,” I said, trying to comfort her.

I softly patted her back, then took her eyes on my level. Her eyeliner and mascara were smudging under her eyes, my eyes were teary by the look of her pain. I took tissue on the table and wiped the black smeared mascara on her cheeks. I forgave her, but not forgetting the event. It honestly scarred me for the rest of my life. She was probably obsessed to Daniel, but her love felt true.She was still sobbing softly while giving her number, I stored it into my phone.

“Now, just go home and take a rest. I’ll keep you in touch,” I assured her.

“Thank you, Kimberly. I’m so sorry, you’re so kind, I’m sorry for breaking into your relationship with Daniel. He loves you and only you,” she told me again while I was closing the door.

I weakly waved.

Helena and Amber went out from my bedroom soon after I closed the front door. Their shocked faces revealed that they have been eavesdropping. No wondered, Esther was literally too loud.

“Sorry to change the plan. We have to get Tony earlier and I have to make some calls, please be ready, we will leave in five,” I told them and got my black ankle boots and bags.

I was wearing black skinny jeans with short sleeve black tee and pulled out a black leather jacket from the wardrobe. I previously wanted to draw winged eyeliner, but I decided to skip it after seeing Esther’s creasing mascara. While waiting for Amber and Helena, I sat on my loveseat, pulling out my phone and scrolled up to my contacts.

øøøøø

It was already 01:02 p.m. when I was driving my car, with Amber and Helena, to Tony’s apartment.

“Hi, Amber,” I heard Tony’s voice through Amber’s speaker phone.

He didn’t sound like sleeping.

“What the hell, Tony! We’ve been trying to contact you,” Amber yelled at him from the back seat.

“Hey, I just got a shower, my phone was dead so I was charging it now while you’re calling,” Tony muttered.

“So, you didn’t check it yet? Daniel was being hospitalized, Esther came to Kimmy’s house telling that Daniel needs a kidney transplant,” she continued.

“What? Where are you now?” Tony asked.

“We’re just few minutes from your place, be ready,” Amber hung up.

Tony was at downstairs, already in his white shirt and cream pants, waiting for us with anxious face. After getting my car parked, he took us to elevator to the fifth floor. This was my second visit to his apartment, which was slightly bigger than mine, and being equipped with modern black and white appliances. We all sat on his couch, explaining the situation started from Esther’s visit, I also added an info from my surgeon colleague I knew there as the hospital whereas Daniel has been treated is affiliated with mine.

“It seemed like Daniel was being taken to ER after experiencing severe nausea and losing consciousness this morning, early diagnosed with internal trauma and his scan showed acute kidney injury,” I told them as Chloe Hartley told me. She isn’t in charge for Daniel, but she managed to get me the information as she knew I was dating Daniel before. Doctors shouldn’t reveal the patient’s information to others, I should know it better, I failed myself.

“So, how is he now?” Helena asked.

“As Chloe texted me few minutes ago, he was still being stabilized and the possibility of having kidney transplant was opened high as both of the kidneys seemed to show failure, but the team would decide prompt treatment after Daniel got his full consciousness,” I replied slowly.

“If he has kidney failure, they need to undergo dialysis, and surely need transplantation,” Amber muttered.

I nodded. Tony hugged me, as well as others.

“Kimmy, I need to go there. Even if there’s nothing I can do for him, but I knew his family needs a moral support. You’re coming, right?” Tony asked me softly.

I hesitantly answered, “It’ll be awkward for his family if I’m suddenly showing up, but surely I want to see Daniel, especially after last night we just left him laid on the floor after the fight.”

“What were you talking about, Daniel was laying at where?” Amber asked me in confusion.

“The nightclub, after being kicked by Alexander?” I was frowning with her sudden amnesia, she surely wasn’t that wasted.

“I’m not following you too, Kimmy,” Tony shrugged his shoulders, staring at me.

I groaned in annoyance and turned to Helena, “Helena?” I asked her.

She only took few glasses, she would at least remember it as she even questioned our leave in the limo.

“I’m sorry, Kimmy. Are you alright?” Helena asked me.

“For heaven’s sake, was I dreaming? Alexander kicked him twice last night at the nightclub!” I yelled at them, “Please it’s not funny, Guys,” I reminded them.

But their genuinely worried expressions distressed me.

Was I out of my mind again?

“Kimmy, do you need to lay down for a second?” Tony offered me, pointing to his bedroom.

I glared at him, “I’m sober enough. Let’s just go there then,” I told him and got up.

“Amber and Helena, you may take my car to go to Brooklyn, I’ll meet you somewhere after, okay?” I asked to Helena and Amber, they were looking at each other and then nodded at me.

I gave my car key to Amber.

øøøøø

“Kimmy, are you really alright? You seemed a bit off?” Tony finally asked me while driving his BMW SUV to the hospital.

I looked to the outside, we were passing through Carl Schurz Park, it was already near to the hospital.

“Yes and no. Yes, I remembered something you guys didn’t even remember. No, this is so sad, knowing Daniel’s condition through Esther.”

What if it was the fight with Alexander causing Daniel’s state?

I would bear huge guilty feeling if that was really the cause.

“Did Esther say anything particular except asking you to ask Daniel accepting her kidney?” Tony asked and took a glance at me.

I sighed heavily, “She said, Daniel loves me and that she drugged him that day after hearing our engagement,” I looked away to the window, Tony’s car was entering the parking area in the hospital’s lower ground floor.

“I know that he loves you and keep loving you even after the break up, but I had no idea Esther could do such evil to Daniel. How could she?” Tony shook his head in disbelief.

øøøøø

I guided Tony to SICU, I am familiar with the hospital area since I was actually being offered to have fellowship training here before I decided to register at my current hospital. As we stepped out of the elevator, Melissa Bradshaw, Daniel’s eldest sister spotted me. She was looking surprised, but pulled me into her tight hug. Tony shook hands with Tyler, Melissa’s husband and instantly had serious talk with him.

“Kimberly, you came,” Melissa said almost sobbing.

I massaged her back and started to get emotional too as her teary brown eyes looking at me with relief.

“Melissa, hi. How is he?”

She took me to the chair in front of the entrance, while Tony gave a brief hug to her and went to the corner seat with Tyler.

“He got his consciousness back, thank God. But it’s a wonder that he mentioned your name, Kimberly. And here you are. Mom and dad were in Costa Rica for anniversary getaway, but they will be here probably at night. Kimberly, I’m sorry about what happened with Daniel, but please meet him for once. I think doctor will allow one more doctor visitor before his rest,” she smiled weakly at me, holding my head pleadingly.

She is a doctor herself as well as her husband and her mom, but Daniel’s father is reputable advocate.

“Wait, Melissa. Do you know how he got himself injured?” I anxiously asked her.

“Do you know Lucas Harding?” she asked me back.

I shook my head. Esther mentioned about Harding, but I don’t know him, I think.

Wait.

I kind of remembered hearing Daniel’s friend introduced himself as Luke last night.

“Well, probably you don’t. Lucas is one of his new drinking buddy. They met every weekend at some bar,” she muttered low, her eyes showed disappointment.

But Daniel didn’t drink and maintained healthy lifestyle.

I still remembered he talked about how he wasn’t into drinking, as his father was heavy drinker. I guessed, people do change. Last night he was pretty drunk to me. Melissa seemed to know about my questioning expression, she looked into my eyes.

“He is lonely, Kimberly. After breaking up with you, his focus was merely on working. Lucas was formerly his patient,” she uttered softly, “So, Lucas said, he, Daniel and Olivier, they got into fight with someone at the nightclub, but he just couldn’t remember with who. Daniel had unconsciousness there for a minute, but he was alright although kept throwing up on the way home so Lucas decided to stay over. In the morning, he found out that Daniel was unconscious with black bruises at his lower back. I have asked Tyler to get info and footage from the nightclub, because no one damaged my brother this serious without any consequences,” she told me.

I felt like my head was being hit by a hammer. It was really Alexander who did this. I saw he kicked him once, and Daniel fell twice, but he didn’t get up after the second kick. It was happened too fast, but I don’t think one or two kicks from the seat could cause that damage, as the two kidneys were located at the upper part of body. I saw Alexander kicked his leg, not his upper part. I wanted to tell Melissa about it, but then recalling to my friends, they didn’t even remember, so I have to know whose memory was true last night.

“Can I see him now?” I asked her.

She took my hand and got up, took me to the glass entrance. A nurse came over and Melissa asked her to show me Daniel’s unit. I walked down the hall, seeing rooms only separated by clear glasses with curtains. After passing the fifth rooms, the nurse took me to the left one. I saw Daniel was sleeping with vital signs monitor attached to his chest. He wasn’t attached to ventilator to assist his breathing.

“When will he be scheduled for dialysis?” I whispered to the nurse.

“It’s going to be tomorrow, as his vitals seemed stable now,” she said and pressed the mechanical glass door to slide open.

“I’ll just leave you here and be back for five minutes,” she told me and left with the door shut.

I walked closer to the bed, seeing his pale face and the life monitor that was beeping regularly. I sighed, it wasn’t wise to wake him up as he has just getting sleep after having consciousness back. I decided to just stand and watch him, seeing the man who loved me and some said still, he is a handsome one, in his thirty-three, he has become quite famous plastic surgeon, but he doesn’t need any of his jobs. When my face was above his, intended to give him a goodbye kiss on his forehead, he opened his eyes. I moved away my head instantly.

“Kimmy, am I still dreaming?” he muttered in hoarse voice.

He tried to hold my hands, but I held his instead.

“Stop, don’t make any sudden movement, Daniel,” I warned him softly, squeezing his left hand.

He smiled weakly, “I’m still a doctor too, you know,” but he kept still afterward, “I look bad, don’t I?” he continued.

“You’re alright and you’ll get better, Daniel,” I squeezed his hand lightly and otherwise.

“I miss you, Kimmy. I want you to know that I always love you, from the moment when I saw you and even after I couldn’t see you because I didn’t want to make you cry and hate me more,” he said, staring deeply to my eyes.

I sighed. I don’t know how to respond to his confession.

Shall I lie?

“But I know you have never had same feeling, Kimmy. It’s okay, I know it now. After seeing you with that guy yesterday, I realized that I have failed to charm you, I played as naive boyfriend only to impress you, until I failed. I should show you up my real wants, instead of playing safe and treating you like sister rather than lover. Am I too late to be the man whom you would want, Kimmy?” he asked with sad face.

“If you have so much energy to say those long sentences, you’ll live another a hundred years, Daniel,” I finally tried to joke, “You may ask me again after you did your first nose job for your patient,” I winked to him and kiss his forehead.

His eyes suddenly were getting alive, “You’re funny now,” he said.

The nurse who previously escorted me to Daniel’s room lightly knocked to remind me of visiting time. I turned my head and smiled to her pleadingly. She noticed my hands cupping one of Daniel’s and gave me five fingers. I thanked her without making a sound.

“Now, you need to save your energy. But please listen to me once. I probably shouldn’t stress you out with this, but I really need to know of two things. First, the cause of your injury,” I stared to Daniel with racing hearts.

“I think I got fight with someone in the club,” he was staring blankly to the ceiling, trying to remember, and closed his eyes.

“You mean with Alexander, the guy who was coming with me?” I asked him slowly.

Daniel opened his brown eyes and weakly shook his head.

“No. But I couldn’t remember,” he said.

“Daniel, please. He kicked you probably twice and you fell on the floor,” I told him.

“Kimmy, I don’t know what you were talking about. He didn’t kick me. But now that you mentioned about him, I remembered you made out with him in front of everyone in the club,” he told me with hurting expression.

I wanted to scream in the inside.

What was with my memory?

“Kimmy?” Daniel called me out softly.

“Daniel, I… So, you didn’t remember who did this to you, really? Are you sure it’s not him?” I asked him again.

“What’s with that guy. Kimmy, are you in love with him?” his hand was stiff under my grip.

His heart rate was increasing rapidly as the beeping sound warned me. I squeezed his hand to calm him.

“No, Daniel. Please forget about him, forget about what I said. I’m not in love with him, I was just drunk,” I lied to him.

Being drunk was not an excuse. It only enhanced my inner thought as I wanted the kiss to happen that night and now I was regretting. He just stared at me with disbelief eyes and sighed.

Good, please inhale and exhale.

He is a doctor, he knew what to do.

“Kimmy, I love you. I promise I will never hurt you ever again. I messed up. I’m so sorry, Kimmy. And I was losing my mind seeing you with him, I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asked with longing in his eyes.

I let go off his hand and cupped his face, he actually was a good man, always caring and putting me up first. I started to remember how he was gentle and kind and how we hardly met when I was a resident, yet he came visiting me at hospital bringing me healthy snacks, flowers, and all. He was being considerate person ever of letting me to take time in our relationship, even sexless. He honored my wants about not having s*x before marriage. We were supposed to get married after my residency is over. I pecked his lips gently, we both closed our eyes. Honestly, I felt nothing but compassion as a friend, so as soon as he tried to kiss me back, I lifted my face, smiled, and put my finger on his dry lips. He looked a bit disappointed, but understood. He always be one with huge understanding, making me wondered why couldn’t I love him back?

“Now, Daniel. You do realize you need new kidney?” I seriously asked him softly.

“I can’t undergo dialysis all my life, I have a clinic to run,” he nodded and smiled, “They have a program here, Kimmy.”

“But you’ll be put in waiting list, Daniel,” I told him.

I wanted to tell him about Esther’s offer.

“Melissa offered me one. If hers doesn’t match, my cousin will do,” he muttered slowly.

Oh, thank God.

“Esther came to my place today, I actually knew you’re here from her. She wanted to be a donor for you,” I finally said it.

“How dare she came to you. Kimmy, I have never met her again after that day, you must believe me. I don’t know how she got info, but my sister told me she came when I was unconscious, but Melissa told her to go,” he told me in annoyance, his breathing became a bit hard.

I held and stroked his arms and squeezed his free hand.

“Okay, let’s just forget about this and focus on your health first. Now, you need a rest. Is that okay?” I asked him gently.

He tried to nod. Fatigue was written in his both eyes which were bright with full confidence once. I kissed his left cheek.

“Take a rest, Daniel,” I walked away to the door.

“Kimmy,” he called me out, I turned to him.

“Yes, Daniel?”

“I love you, Kimmy. Please visit me again,” he asked me pleadingly.

I smiled and nodded. Seeing his last expression, making him totally forgiven.

As soon as I exited the room, the nurse came to me and smiled, I nodded to her and muttered thank as she got into Daniel’s room to check him. Tony and Melissa came over and asked about Daniel’s condition. Tony decided to come again tomorrow before his first dialysis. I asked Melissa about her plan and she informed, after having the parents arrived she would be prepared for the transplantation. I hugged Melissa and Tyler, asked about their kids, then parting. Melissa kept my number and strongly requested me to come visiting again.

Tony and I were still hugging to each other in silence when the elevator opened and a very tall man got out, I walked in with Tony. When the door was about to shut, I felt a cold wind passed through along with the man, so I took a glance to the very tall man with long blonde hair in shoulder length who was wearing dark sunglasses in a blue jacket paired with navy shirt.

“Alexander?” I only saw a part of his nose and sunglasses, but his side face was suddenly caught my attention.

I wiggled from Tony’s and pushed the open button, but the elevator was already going down.

“Kimmy?” Tony asked me in confusion.

“Did you see the man who has just got out?” I asked him.

“No, I’m sorry. I had things in my mind,” Tony said and shook his head, “Why asking?” he continued.

“I…I thought I saw…someone I know,” I didn’t mention about Alexander’s name again as I don’t want him to ask me more about him when I was even no longer sure about myself. Perhaps I just saw someone else, because Alexander’s hair wasn’t that long although in same color.

Why did I keep seeing him?

I experienced hallucinations ever since I met the dead body in the ER.

Do I need psychiatrist?

I was like about to cry knowing that I could lose all my work, my life, so I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself, leaning at the elevator’s wall.

“Kimmy, what’s wrong?” I opened my teary eyes, looking at worried Tony.

“I’m just tired, Tony,” I tried to smile and we walked out of the elevator to his car.

I held his arm.

“Daniel will be okay, Kimmy,” he calmed me.

Well, I felt a bit embarrassed of not thinking about Daniel. Suddenly, I remembered about someone who was exactly lying on hospital’s bed.

“Tony, can you meet Amber and Helena alone? I need to go to my hospital for some errand? Please take your time with them, I’ll be waiting at my apartment,” I told him when we were in the car.

“Kimmy, are you sure? I thought we’re going to spend time together,” he complained.

“I know, sorry. Please tell them I’ll make up another time. Please? Just drop me off anywhere, I’ll take a cab from there, don’t worry,” I smiled at him pleadingly.

“Or I could take you there, Kimmy. It’s not that far,” Tony offered.

“No, you’ll be go back forth. It’ll be pointless, Tony,” I told him.

øøøøø

I arrived at hospital’s lobby around forty minutes later. I called Esther to inform her about Daniel’s plan of having his sister’s kidney transplanted and she uttered her disappointment but accepted. She said she would be finally at ease knowing that Daniel will be saved and live, even without her. I didn’t say anything when she requested me to be back with Daniel again. I also texted Dylan to let him know I was about visiting and whether the time is appropriate, his reply was simple, but making me smile.

Please do come. Emoji smiling with heart-eyes.

I went directly went to ninth floor to his corner suite. The on-duty nurses were a bit too enthusiast seeing me coming, teasing me as ‘angel doctor’, referring to what Dylan said when he regained his consciousness. I chuckled, but said that we probably heard him wrong. I asked to them first whether Mr. Knight was having guests and they said that he is all alone. Another nurse told me in teasing tone, that he specifically requested no guests and that he asked his employee to go out just now. I smiled sheepishly and went to the door, after gently knocking twice, I heard his voice, then I opened the door.

Dylan is no longer wearing hospital’s gown, but a light blue shirt. His reclining bed was set in seating. He looks fresh and handsome. I finally could see him as a well-toned man, muscular but not big. I blushed when remembering that he actually does have six pack abs.

Thank God, I didn’t think about this when doing his surgery.

“Hi, Patient,” I smiled back at him and walked closer to his bed.

He laughed, “I don’t know doctor could hit on her patient.”

My smile was gone, realizing that I made a bad joke on myself.

“Hi, Kimberly. C’mon, I’m joking with you. I love your line,” he pulled me out asking me to kiss his cheek.

I backed off, thinking that it will be inappropriate for me to do it.

“I’d pass that,” I was pouting.

Dylan laughed harder, “No one’s around, Kimberly. And you’re not in charge of me anymore,” he excused and titled his face, asking me to kiss his cheek.

So, I gave him a quick peck on his right cheek and went to his left side, against the big window.

“How are you feeling now?” I asked him, giving few space.

He was smirking, his blue eyes looked shining bright, “I’m happy that you finally came visiting.”

I c****d my brow then smiling, “Good to hear that. But I actually asked about your post-surgery condition, Dylan.”

“I know this would be sounded a bit corny, but I like hearing you calling me by name. And yes, I was feeling alright. I even ate burrito,” he told me, still smirking.

“Hey, you’re kidding, right?” I scolded him.

“Oh, this is what it feels to have doctor as girlfriend,” he teased me, “Well, looks like the food here came from a fine dining restaurant,” he told me.

I nodded and blushed, surely knew that the VIP amenities suite must be served with savory haute cuisine.

“Don’t say that G word. We just met and even don’t experience our first date yet,” I told.

“Oh, I can’t hardly wait. But to be frank, Kimberly. I’m no longer in the age to bush around the beat things. I like you. Really do like you. And if you like me too even not as much as I do, please put me on top of your list,” he stared at me, his fingers tried to reach mine.

“You don’t know me and otherwise,” I told him and moved my hand a bit farther from his.

He sighed, “Yet, Kimberly. I know this might be silly and you probably had countless of people chasing you around, but I meant each of mine.”

“Don’t you have girlfriends?” I asked him curiously, on purpose saying in plural.

He smiled cunningly, “So, did you google me? I’m flattered.”

I blushed again, “I didn’t!”

I lied.

“Your blush told me different, Kimberly. Well, that’s okay, no need to be ashamed. I googled you myself,” he titled his head to his grey MacBook on the small desk next to him.

“I don’t have social media,” I muttered shyly.

“It seems. But your performance and appearance were quite attracted photographers on some articles. You’re the whole completed package, Kimberly,” he praised me.

I looked for a joke through his eyes, but his eyes sparked with genuine admiration.

“Thank you, you’re not so bad either,” I bit my lips and looked at his abs.

He saw what I was looking and grinned, “Oh, thank you.”

I looked up to his eyes, “I was thinking about the sutures, nothing else,” I gave him an excuse.

“Kimberly, how old are you?” he asked softly.

“Twenty-six, why?” I asked him.

“How long were you being single?” he asked again.

I was frowning, “You didn’t answer mine before.”

“Well, I just want to get to know. Please have a seat, I’m sorry for being rude not offering you to sit as I wanted you to stand or even sit on my bed, holding my hands,” he laughed.

I shook my head, throwing my butt gently on the sleeper bed behind me.

“Do you want to drink something?” he gently asked.

I shook my head again, “No, thank you. I’m good.”

He cleared his throat, I got up to him, “Oh, sorry. Do you want any?”

He sheepishly nodded, “Yes, please.”

I took a bottle of fresh water from the table, pouring it into the empty glass I found in the cupboard and gave it to him after putting a straw in it. I waited for him until finished and took the glass back. He quickly held my hand with his right hand. I froze and standing awkwardly.

“To be fair, Kimberly. Let me answer yours. I wasn’t seeing anyone after having my last relationship ended for seven months ago,” he said and held my hand tighter.

I knew, Lauren Miller is an A-list singer turned actress, she is beautiful. I also read a linked article that she was rumored of having a fling with her co-star while filming, but none of confirmation came out from both Dylan and Lauren.

“And to clear any misunderstanding, I must say that all pictures of me in every article was incorrectly written, as I didn’t actually date any of them. Some of them were introduced by my parents or friends, but no one lasted after one date. I didn’t mean to disrespect them, but simply because I wasn’t attracted to any of them. But I did enjoy for immature reason which was unfair to the ladies being decoys. It kept my ex-girlfriend away from me, knowing that I was occupied,” he explained to me and sighed.

“And what make me different than any of those ladies?” I asked him softly.

I don’t want my picture appeared in some articles as one of his failed date.

“Oh, you’re so different in most positive aspects, believe me. And I honestly am attracted to you and I want to know everything about you. I couldn’t even stop thinking about you. I’m not sure about the feeling, but sure do it’s far different from all ladies I’ve ever met,” he said sternly and took my right hand to his lips.

I tried to pull out my hand, but his grip was tightened.

“You’re such a sweet talker,” I mocked him, covering my shyness with sarcasm.

“Challenge me, and I’ll prove it I’m more than that,” he replied, smirking.

I took my chance to take away my hand and moved back a little.

“I’m not the casual type, Dylan. I don’t know how to tell you, but I don’t do things what you probably did the most,” I told him with wandering eyes to the window, looking at George Washington bridge and the Manhattan skyline.

I should warn him.

“And what things did I do and you didn’t, Kimberly?” he curiously asked.

“Well, you know,” I turned around but still avoided his eyes by walking to the sleeper bed next to him again.

I looked at him when I didn’t hear him responding, caught him looking at me with surprised face.

“Just like I thought,” I sighed, feeling my cheeks burning.

“Kimberly, that’s impossible…” he muttered low.

“This is too embarrassing for our second meeting, but yes. I should tell you in prior, because I simply wanted to make everything cleared. We have different lifestyle, Dylan,” I stared at him, thinking this is it, no date with Dylan Knight.

“I’m sorry for asking, but didn’t you have any relationship before?” he asked.

“My first relationship was a year ago, dating for almost seven months and engaged for less than a day,” I told him and regretted it, as it sounded a bit pathetic to say.

“So, who was that tough guy?” he smiled.

“A doctor too,” I simply answered.

“At this hospital?” he asked.

I shook my head, “No, he owns clinic at Lennox Hill.”

Dylan just nodded. I glanced to the clock on the wall and got up. I probably freaked him out or he simply chickened out.

“Well, I guess, nice to see you, Dylan?” I finally had my confidence to joke, offering my hand to shake.

He took it, but instead of shaking, he pulled me out strongly, tripping me into his bed. He caught me with his right arm to hug me. I wiggled for a release, stopping when hearing his grimace as his left hand which was hooked up with intravenous needle, accidentally hit my head as he wanted to place it over my head.

“You’re so cute, Kimberly. Let’s have a date. Please,” he whispered it to my ear.

I didn’t want to look up as I could feel his face was so close to mine.

“But I told you before,” I reminded him softly.

“I don’t care. You are so worth to be awaited, Kimberly,” he purred on my ears.

He lifted my chin up, facing him. His blue eyes got a bit darker, I breathed out and moved away. I don’t want to be kissed by someone I’ve just met again.

Not after Alexander.

“We’ll see about that,” I finally responded.

“Fair enough,” then continued, “Now, Kimberly. I don’t want to act like a patient, but since you’re here… Could you please ask them to unplug this catheter and unhook the IV?”

His face wasn’t joking.

I smiled to him, “Does the physiotherapist not visit yet?”

“I asked to the primary nurse, he will visit me before evening,” he muttered in unsatisfactory.

“It’s the weekend, please have a mercy on us, Dylan,” I teased. “Well, IV fluid, not yet for hydration and medication reasons, but the catheter, in my opinion, only if you haven’t felt any pain on the incision, have you tried to get off?”

“Not yet,” he replied.

“You may try to get out of bed gently by bending both knees and rolling onto your side by moving your shoulders and knees together. After that, lower your feet to the floor, please use arms to push yourself into a sitting position on the side of the bed,” I outlined.

If he could do it, he may walk and get the urethral catheter removed.

Dylan put on puppy eyes, “My abs are fine.”

His right hand reached to mine asking for a help.

I laughed, “Sure they are, but I have to the call the nurse first unless you want me to help you withdraw it for you, it’s hydrophilic one, very easy to remove.”

“What the hell, not before the date, Kimberly!” he laughed.

I rolled my eyes and pressed the nurse call button to call the male nurse considering to his height and weight, just in case he needed support to prevent falling. Once I did, he put a naughty grin on his face.

“So, you no longer let female nurses to touch mine?” he asked.

“You’re tall and heavy, Dylan,” I rolled my eyes again and we both laughed.

Two knocks on the door and a male nurse assisted by female one came in, politely confirmed the request to Dylan and they glanced at me first as I nodded. I stood up and watched while the male nurse started lowering the bed first before coming to help him.

“I’m sorry, Kimberly. I don’t think I want you to watch this,” he told me sheepishly and winked.

I took my sign, “I’ll be outside.”

The suite is bigger enough for him to unseen and the bed is equipped with reeled cubicle curtain, but I wanted to give him full privacy.

“Don’t leave!” he shouted when I was about to close the door.

I was blushing, the nurses must have heard it and pretty sure would continue to secretly talk about us. When I turned my body against the door, there was a tanned man in his dark suit standing in front of me. He is tall and muscular.

“Doctor Vanderwood,” he politely nodded.

I smiled to him, “He just got his catheter out,” I told him to ease his worried face.

He nodded again with a relief.

“How long do you work for Mr. Knight?” I tried to make conversation, standing, even when there was spacious glass-roof waiting room in front of the room, with elegant chairs, sofa, and a black grand piano.

“Six years, Doctor Vanderwood,” he replied.

“You may call me Kimberly,” I told him.

“Yes, Doc,” he replied shortly.

I’m not here as his employer’s doctor.

Is he a bodyguard?

Because he looks like one rather than back office staff and too well-built for a chauffeur. Wait, Alexander’s chauffeur was even more like celebrity himself.

Alexander.

I have stop thinking about him. Feeling overwhelmed, I looked at the bodyguard again, offering my hands.

“Kimberly.”

He shook mine lightly and nodded with a small smile.

“Bill.”

“So, Bill, what do you do for Dylan?” I asked him curiously.

“I’m Mr. Knight’s security staff,” he answered in stiff but polite tone.

He is the personal protection staff indeed. Now I realized that Dylan is one of those high profile with luxury amenity aka bodyguard.

“So, you’ll engage a fight with the bad guy for Dylan?” I looked at him with amusement, I’m not into violence, but a man who can do martial arts or combat do amuse me, like in the movie.

“Let’s just say, I don’t want to be in the same room as the bad guy,” he smiled.

I laughed. The door was opened, as two nurses exited and smiled at me, Bill retreated somewhere else with giving me a nod. I entered the suite again with a smile.

“Are you free now, Mr. Knight?” I looked at him, already changed into designer tracksuit in light grey. He was looking dashingly handsome. His perfectly muscular body with long legs wasn’t covered by blanket anymore. He knew I was checking him out, but I tried to calm my blush.

“If I’m that free, you’ll be here with me, Kimberly,” he laughed and winked.

Naughty.

I didn’t mean that way. I walked to get close to him noticing that the waisted band were hanging low. He put his grin wider.

“Hold up. I’m just checking if the band not pressing to your sutures,” I explained and moved away to the sleeper bed next to him.

“Do you want to snack something, Kimberly? Mrs. Jones brought me a homemade yoghurt in the fridge,” he pointed to the small fridge.

“Mrs. Jones?” I repeated the name.

“My chef at home,” he told me, “She made a Greek yoghurt with tangy and sweet mixed berries better than any other places,” he said smugly.

I went to the fridge and saw few individually wrapped small bowls and took two. There was already spoon on each of the bowl. He tried to get down from the bed, so I placed the bowls and helped him. But it’s more likely he didn’t need my help, as his body is much bigger than mine, covering my figure. When he was standing up, I assumed he is six feet tall. He grabbed my hand as I was holding his right arm while my left hand carefully held his IV pole, rolling it to his side.

“Kimberly, you’re so tiny. Honestly weren’t you got difficulties when performing surgeries with other tall co-workers?” he asked and tried to lift me with his right hand, but I glared at him, pouting.

I actually have height complex, as my dad is tall, but mom is short. Unfortunately, I inherited the height from mother’s side while my brother is five nine feet.

“Are you always this honest?” I muttered in annoyance.

He chuckled and held me to the couch, carefully try to sit. I grabbed two cushions for his back.

“Thank you, and yes I’d rather be honest to someone I like and valued. I didn’t mean to offend you, Kimberly,” he explained softly.

I guessed I was being too sensitive, so I smiled at him, sitting next to him, giving him one bowl of the yoghurt, as I took mine.

“Sorry, I’m a bit height complex. To answer your curiosity, I rarely used stools to stand on and the table height is actually adjustable, so no. I didn’t meet any difficulties,” I told him while scooping my yoghurt, I moaned softly when the taste was actually as dreamy as he promoted.

He stared at me closer with his shining blue eyes, I closed my mouth shyly, realizing the effect on him.

“You know, for an inexperienced lady, you’re such a tease, Kimberly. How could you ever survive from the temptations? I mean, you’re a gorgeous woman, it’s almost unbelievable for everyone. Your ex-boyfriend is an i***t,” he chuckled.

I giggled and kept scooping more, ignoring his praise, “This is so good, please remind me to steal Mrs. Jones’ recipe.”

“I’m not inviting you to my house before the date, Kimberly. And having a date in my place will only get you problem,” he playfully teased me.

I laughed and hit his biceps.

My, they are hard.

I blushed and scooped my last one.

“You’re a slow eater,” I put my bowl on the table with winning look.

Dylan laughed, “You’ll love it when I eat you slow.”

I glanced at him in disbelief, “Did you have to bring everything out sexually?” I shook my head.

“With you, yes,” he replied with confidence and took his last big scoop into my opened mouth. I tried to tilt my head to reject but it was too late, so I swallowed it anyway.

I was still chewing when my phone rang. I went to the sleeper sofa to grab my bag and pulled out my phone. It’s Bradshaw, Melissa.

“Hi, Melissa,” I greeted her in difficulty as I didn’t finish chewing.

“Kimberly? Are you there?” I heard it was Tyler, Melissa’s husband.

“Tyler? What’s wrong?” suddenly my heart was racing.

“Kimberly, it’s Daniel. He passed away,” his voice was hoarse.

“What? But how?” I gasped in shock.

“I’m sorry, I have to go to Melissa, she asked me to call you. Please let Tony know, Kimberly,” his breath was hard and as if he was running and he hung up on me before I responded.

I stared at my phone. I couldn’t hold back my tears.

Daniel?

“Kimberly, what’s wrong?” Dylan tried to get up.

I ran to him with my bag on my shoulder, ignoring my rolling tears.

“My friend… Daniel. I’ve just visited him before coming here and his in law told me, he passed away. I must help you to get back to the bed first,” I tried to hold his arm, but he held me instead.

“Kimberly, look at me. Please sit down. Don’t worry about me, there are nurses and doctor here, Billy is even outside. Just breathe first, calm yourself.”

I tried not to sob and took a seat next to him. He was right, I was so shaken, my hands were trembling. My chest was so heavy, about to burst out.

“I have to go now. Oh, Dylan. I didn’t have a chance to say that I forgave him,” I cried out in his right arm.

He held my head in silence as I was crying on his right arm. His jaw clenched with emotion.

“Kimberly, please don’t cry. Look at me please?” he ordered me softly, raising my chin. “Where are you going and were you driving here?” he asked, cupping my cheek with free hand and wiped my tear away with his thumb.

I shook my head, let go off his hand to find tissue in my bag, wiping my snot, “Lenox Hill,” I answered softly.

“Good, I’ll ask Zac downstairs to take you there. Please, no argue. Now, would you please to call Billy outside, I’d do it myself, but in current state…”

I got up instantly, “No, no. Please sit down. Bill the security? I’ll call him. But I’ll take a cab instead. Don’t worry,” I went outside and saw Bill was sitting on the small couch reading some magazine.

“Excuse me, Bill. Would you please come in?” I asked him.

He looked at my red teary eyes and almost ran inside.

“Billy, would please get Zachary ready to take Doctor Vanderwood to Lennox Hill?” he asked to Bill.

Billy.

Billy pulled out his phone and muttered almost silently.

“He’ll be at the lobby, Sir,” he informed.

“Now, would you call the nurse to help me moving back to the bed and please assist Doctor Vanderwood to meet Zac,” he ordered.

Billy pushed the button to call the nurse and nodded to me, “Doctor Vanderwood?”

But Dylan titled his head as if asking Billy to leave, and held my hand, staring at me.

“Now kiss me before the nurses coming. Please.”

I was running out of words. This guy was really trying to get benefit of me anytime. I sighed and gave him a light peck on his cheek.

“Thank you, Dylan. Rest well,” I told him and left, as soon as I got up, the same two nurses came in.

I nodded to them. I waved to Dylan before closing the door and met Billy. He walked beside me in silence.

I pulled out my phone to contact Tony, asking him to meet me at the hospital and told Amber that I have extra key in the dashboard’s compartment, so they shouldn’t wait for me in the outside, just in case they got back earlier.

Dylan’s POV:

“Her friend passed away, Billy,” I told him after laying on the bed, with Billy sitting on the couch scrolling up to his phone quietly.

So many deaths occurred recently.

Who was Daniel?

Kimberly said his friend, but the way she was beside oneself with grief because of him. I wished I could really hold and comfort her, or even go with her.

Billy nodded, “Yes, how unfortunate,” and continued, “Master Ryan called after the burial, Sir. Upon his wife’s request, they will move to Lexington, her hometown along with the kids.”

“That’s almost eleven-hour drive,” I muttered, “Did he tell what time he’ll be here?”

“He will come after the luncheon, Sir. Probably he was already on his way here,” Billy replied.

I sighed, “You should go to Dayton’s, Billy. Why not just go for a while?”

“It’s my job, Sir. Dayton would want me here too,” he answered.

“If Ryan’s here, please take your time to go there. I’ll be okay,” I told him.

“I’m sorry, I can’t, Sir. Especially not with your state,” he sternly rejected.

Billy is so persistence, I couldn’t blame him, after last year’s kidnapping attempt and now Dayton and Emily’s death, Billy must be tensed as many visitors tried to meet me now. I should ask for another back up from my uncle, if he could lend me one of his men to work with Billy. I’d prefer getting one from trusted source rather than from agency. I have to discuss many things with Ryan and dad, about crash investigation, the upcoming board meeting, and I need to get our COO and Maya coming here for the meeting tomorrow. I want to personally arrange decent trust-fund and permanent place for Dayton’s kids, those are the least I can do for him.

My dad was retired at the age of sixty-five, gave up his position to me four years ago when I was just twenty-seven. Now that Ryan is just twenty-four, he’s still a part-time MBA student at NYU Stern and started to learn how the companies was running since a year ago. So, mostly he would do some errands for me, although not yet having official position in the company, as he requested so. Luckily, he is a nice kid, he managed to stay out of trouble unlike some of our cousins who prefer to have lavish life without working, so I greatly hope I can count on him in the nearest future after he finished his grad school.

I was staring at so many unread emails and messages on my MacBook’s screen. Billy placed the adjustable overbed table tray over my lap, so I could work the urgent tasks before my parents coming back from Baltimore, as mom will kill me if caught me working here. Mom call me this morning to inform that Emily’s funeral service will be tomorrow so she will be back tomorrow noon. My parents will go to meet Dayton’s family first before coming here. I love my parents, they could have other employees to do it, instead they personally come visiting for the sake of me. She also mentioned about transferring me to the affiliated hospital at Lennox Hill, one that Kimberly was going now, simply because it is a lot closer to her mansion and my place as I need to stay probably more than a week here. But I objected it right away. She said nothing, but I guessed she knew the reason, Kimberly.

What is she thinking now?

I could laugh with her at ease, as if I forgot about work tension and Dayton and Emily’s bizarre death. She literally brought light in just two days.

God, I even missed her already.Does she feel the same way?

Unfortunately for me, she is a surgeon, from what I heard from Ryan, a promising young surgeon like her must be even busier than I do. With my busy schedule and hers, it will be a problem for us to have quality time during weekday, but luckily most formal functions I have to attend mostly on the weekend. I bet she is free over weekend, isn’t she? Another major problem is that she is shockingly still virgin.

She is twenty-six, for Christ’s sake.

Well, not like I’m an addict or such, but I’m just regular guy with needs, I won’t survive seven months of not touching her like her former boyfriend, especially because she is beyond beautiful and hot. Ryan was right, she is a rare diamond, worth to be awaited. If I’m not helplessly laying here, I’d be pestering her all day all night now, scaring her. Well, who say I need months to wed her? I like her, truly. But it will be too early to call it as love since I literally just met her yesterday. But ever since I met her, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I want her. And if I keep having this good feeling about her after our true dates, I won’t waste no time to make mom’s wish granted. So, I texted her.

Hi, Kimberly. Have you safely arrived? I wanted you to know that I’ll be your shoulder to cry on anytime. I feel for your loss. Please embrace the good memories of the late to move on. I’m thinking about you. Call me. Or better be visiting me again. Be safe.

I ended it with folded hands emoji.