Above the water

It was the coldest day of all. That was the day she was born. In the arms of the woman that gave birth to her, she was playing with her beautiful green eyes under the soft blanket she was wrapped around. Outside the town of Vancouver, British Columbia in 1992, there was a small village that only the wealthy people lived in at that time. It was –20°C and Isabella Mayer was running with all the strength she had remained in her body. She could feel her life simply slipping away from her. Even the thick winter coat couldn’t warm her freezing heart. Close to her heart, she was holding this beautiful angel that just came to light. On her chest, there was a neckless lying with the name Sabrina Mayer – white rose, because she was born in the coldest winter day and yet she warmed her heart eternally. Even though she loved her with her whole heart, Isabella knew she had to let her go. She couldn’t let her child be victim of this plague of hatred, suffering and bloodsheds. She knew she will never see her again. She will never hold her again, see her grow up, her first steps or her first laugh. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she stopped to catch her breath. She saw a light and a smoke coming from a house nearby and she rushed herself. By the time she reached the door a fear grew inside her. ‘My sweet angel.’ - she kissed her forehead. - ‘You will be alright.’ - She placed her down, above the footsteps and then, she ran, without hesitation. The snow was so thick that day that the storm was covering her footprints within seconds. ‘DID YOU FIND HER?’ - Joseph’s voice echoed in the air. It was stone cold and filled with rage. ‘She is dead. Her body was ice cold, when we found her.’ - the other man standing there answered with his head looking down. ‘And the child?’ - he barked again. ‘Gone, sir!’ - he stepped back in fear. ‘YOU BLOODY FOOLS!’ - Joseph screamed, and his face became red with anger. – ‘FIND IT OR I WILL KILL YOU ALL MYSELF. I WANT ALL OF THEM DEAD. DO YOU UNDERSTAND MEEE!’ - he shouted, and the other man nodded and left the room. . . . 28 years later, Orlando, Florida ‘Doctor Olsen is ready to see you now.’ - she heard the nurse, outside of her office, saying to the last patient. It was already 45 minutes past her working hours, but she couldn’t care less about it. The day just slipped so quickly. It was one of those days, when you don’t have time to catch your own breath. But she was holding it together because what she was doing brough such a pleasure in her life. She had given an oath that she will save and protect human lives for the rest of her life, and that was exactly what she was doing. She greeted her patient with a smile and invited him to sit on the chair opposite her desk. After her last patient left, her phone rang. Her mother’s face showed up on her phone screen. She lifted it from her desk and signed loudly. Elizabeth Olsen was really not the mother figure she hoped for. On her age of 58, she was so irrational and overprotective. Always so dramatic of the way her life should go and she couldn’t bare listening to her unstable shits anymore. That was the last person she wanted to talk to right now. When she moved to the medical school, they both lost that mother-daughter connection that was already shaken off and they couldn’t find the way back to one another for so many years. She slided her phone off and took her things. ‘Good evening, Emma.’ - she said to the nurse, as she passed through, without even looking at her. At this point of her life she was successful, hard-working, strong and independent, but happy – this word did not exist in her vocabulary. There was this hole in her chests and whatever she was trying to do to fill it, seemed like it was not working. Like a significant part of her life was missing and every time she tried to talk about that with her parents, they seemed so intense and stressed about it that eventually she just stop asking questions and simply chose not to keep in touch with them. By the time she went home, she was feeling so exhausted. She wanted to pour a glass of wine and sit on the couch watching movies for the rest of the night. Unfortunately for her, she had meeting to attend with her co-workers and potential investors for the hospital cardiovascular department. It was a big deal for them and for her future growing as a specialist. There were so many people relying on her, and she had no idea how she would pull this deal tonight. She went to her wardrobe and stared there for a while wondering what she should wear. It had to be something appropriate of course because of her status as a leading specialist of the department, but still an eye-catcher. For her fragile 28 years she had achieved more than anyone she knew. She had always been professional with her patients and meetings, but she would never forget the fact that she was a woman and she needed to feel sexy and free and see in everybody’s eyes that burning desire. She grabbed this satin material warm light purple bodycon dress with V-neckline going down her breasts but still long enough to cover her knees. She wrapped up her brown hair, and her deep green eyes stood out even more in the moonlight as she entered the cab waiting for her outside. . . . Later that night ‘Doctor Olsen, it will be a pleasure for our company to invest in your hospital.’ - Mr Parker, one of the richest man in Florida shook her hand. - ‘Let’s settle the rest at dinner tomorrow.’ ‘Please Mr. Parker, the pleasure is all mine. I will text you the details.’ - she replied cheerfully. He nodded and turned back to talk with the other people at the event. A proud smile creeped on her face as she was now a step closer of achieving more than she could ever imagine. She greeted and talked with several more people and the night was sleeping well by this point. It was an open bar event, so she went down to the bar and signed deeply. She was feeling so tired already. There was not a single thought running through her head. She was just about to order a drink to the bartender, when he placed a glass of wine in front of her. 'Excuse me.' - she looked at him with a bit of confusion. - 'I did not order this.' 'A gentlemen order it for you.' - he looked at him and nodded. She didn’t even bother to turn back to face him. She just returned the glass back to him. 'A doble shot of tequila, please.' – she stared at him, and he took the glass of wine back. 'I must apologize, I didn’t assume that a fine lady like you would prefer such a strong drink.' - a voice sounded behind her. It was not a voice she was familiar with, so she instantly turned around. For a moment she just lost her breath from the sight in front of her. But her eyes moved down on his tie, while he put his hand to fix it, when she turned around to face him like it was chocking him. He looked rich, charmful and handsome. His hair was dark, well-cutted, locks were falling on his face that she traced down to his blue eyes that overwhelmed her. His muscular arms outlined beneath his shirt. He was all dressed-up in suit and instilled respect. 'Well, alcohol may be the man's worst enemy, but the bible says, ‘‘Love your enemy’’.' - she snapped and took her shot of tequila and drank it quickly. She grabbed her bag and headed to the door. 'May I get your name, beautiful.' - he yelled after her. She stopped and turned around. 'Sabrina.' - she muttered. 'Well, I hope I see you again Sabrina.' - he said back to her with his eyes full of desire. 'I doubt that.' - she smiled. - Goodbye. - she turned around and left. She surely did not need a charmful one-night stand with a mysterious stranger that she met at a club, neither did she needed somebody to convinced her how wonderful woman she was. She already knew that. You could smell her confidence from miles away. She has always been a fighter in her life. If she needed something she get it doesn’t matter the price or the consequences, and in that case, getting the hospital financed was pretty much all she cared about. She was in a state of mind where her professional life was outstanding her personal life. . . . The next day She was determined to get this deal closed, so she sent the details to Mr. Parker for the location and the timing of their meeting and signed deeply in her bed. It was Saturday, that day that you should be all about yourself and here she was thinking about the sake of everybody else but hers. Don’t get it wrong, financially it was a lifetime deal for her, she would finally get this hospital on her feet. There were a lot of people counting on her, but somehow on the way of doing all of that she forgot to live her own life. Time was running so fast as usually in the weekends, by a blink of an eye it was around 18 pm. already and she was still laying in her bed with her anxious thoughts. Her phone vibrated to interrupt her overthinking once again as she took it from the nightstand. There was a massage from Mr. Parker. ‘Doctor Olsen, unfortunately, I will not be able to attend our meeting this evening, but my partner will replace me properly. I hope we see each other soon with good news. Good evening. 'Shit.' - she threw her phone aside. She got up from the bed and headed to the bathroom. She took a quick shower and curled her hair. She got her make-up done and put a red lipstick on. She opened her wardrobe and took the sexiest yet formal red dress she had. It was with V-neckline but good enough to cover her breasts, and a cross back strips. It was going down to her knees, and it was cutted on the right side to her thigh. She wore a black high-heels and headed out for the car that was already waiting for her. . . . At the restaurant 'Hallo, reservation on the name of Sabrina Olsen.' - she said to the standing on the restaurant's entrance guy. He checked his paper and lift his hand. 'Follow me. Your guest is already here.' - he said, and they headed to the table. - Here you are. - he showed her the table and she thanked him. She could see the man standing, but he was with his back to her, so she just took a deep breath and walked across him. 'Good evening! I apologize for keeping you waiti...' - she froze when her eyes met his. 'Mrs. Olsen, your timing is pretty precise.' - he stood up from his chair and raised his hand to greet her. 'You!' - she spitted out of her mouth still in shock from the person standing in front of her. 'Is everything alright.' - he asked with a deep serious tone. 'Um...yes, I just didn’t expect...' - he interrupted her. 'The man you last night said that you doubt you will ever meet again.' - a hideous smile appeared on his face. She lifted her palm and shake it with his. 'Pardon me.' - she said and headed for her chair. 'Allow me.' - he rushed and took her chair back so she could sit. 'Thank you Mr.' - she paused. She didn’t even know his name. And this probably didn’t even matter anymore because of her bitchy last night attitude. This deal was so screwed up... 'Please, you can call me Ryan.' - she looked up and met his blue eyes and they just stare at each other without saying anything. 'Ma’am, sir have you made up your mind on our menu. Perhaps I could offer some start up drinks.' - the waiter interrupted us, and she moved her eyes away from his. ‘Get yourself together.’ she screwed in her mind. 'If I may. - he looked at her and she nodded.' - I think a red wine would perfectly fit with my beautiful sight here tonight, don’t you think? - he turned to the waiter. 'Indeed sir.' - he smiled and left. Was he just talking about her? She cleared her throat and stared at him again. 'I hope you...' - he tried saying something, but she began first. 'Perhaps we should discuss our future partnership.' - she started. This guy was totally into her. She could see the lust in his eyes, and honestly for a moment she was thinking how she would crawl her feet up to his thighs and take him down to that bathroom in the end of the hallway and tare his shirt apart... 'f**k, STOP IT!' She screwed herself again. 'You are not here for that!!!' 'Please tell me Dr. Olsen...' - he began talking. 'Sabrina.' - she interrupted him. 'Sabrina.' - he smiled. - I could clearly see the passion you have for that hospital but tell me what made a beautiful woman like you to choose to become a doctor in a first place. 'Is that an interview now Mr... '- she stopped. - Ryan. Shouldn't we discuss business. - she asked him confused. He smiled. Pretty awesome smile he had there if you ask her. 'We should and we will, but I like to know the people I am working with so please allow me the interrogation.' - she nodded. The night was slipping well but she couldn’t hide her attraction to him neither. She didn't like mixing personal relationships with business, but he was constantly trying to catch a glimpse of her green eyes that made her feel uncomfortable and yet there was desire raising in her. Something that she never experienced before, or more the attraction to a man she just met and knew nothing about. They discussed a lot of business but also lots of personal things that she tried highly to avoid, but he was insistent and pushy all the time. She allowed herself to laugh and not to be serious for a moment and it felt nice, but their conversation was interrupted by her phone ringing. She took it out of her bag. Her father’s name popped up on her screen. She slided it off and tried to continue the conversation but the following massage she received from him made her shake. 'Is everything alright?' - Ryan asked her. He was looking straight at her so she couldn’t avoid her frame of mind. 'I am so sorry, but I must go!' - she raised up and took her bag. She was shaking and her eyes filled with tears. She took her bag and walked out before he could even get the chance to say something. She called a cab but in that time of the night it was so hard to get one. She tried dealing her father’s number, but he didn’t answer either which made her worry even more. - Come on! - she screwed and tried dealing another taxi. 'Sabrina.' - she heard Ryan’s voice behind her. - Do you need a ride? - he asked. 'No, there is a cab coming to...' - she dropped her bag down on the floor and everything poured from inside. She signed and kneeled to take her things. 'Hey... '- he came near her. - What is going on? 'There was an accident with my parents.' - she signed. 'My car is close by, let me drive you.' - he lifted his arm to show her the way to his car. She was not in position to decline this time, so she followed him. Her mind was lost in thoughts about her parents all the way to the hospital. She didn’t say a word to Ryan, and he didn’t bother asking her either. By the time they got to the hospital’s entrance she just flied out of the car and ran down the hallway. 'Elisabeth Olsen!' - she screamed to the lady, who was sitting there. 'Just 2 seconds ma’am.' - she was searching in her computer, while she was nervously tapping with her fingers on the counter. - She is in surgery... - she didn’t let her finish as she just turned around and rushed to the operational levels. - Maaa’am... - she screamed after her. - You cannot go in there. - couple of guards crossed of her. 'Move!' - she get her badge out of her bag. 'Apologize Dr. Olsen.' - they said and moved aways. Her dad was sitting there with his head in his palms, full of worry and so scared. 'Dad!' - she yelled, and he raised his sight. He stood up and hugged her tight. . . . Couple of hours later Ryan was standing in the lobby for 4 hours now. There was still no sign of Sabrina, and nobody knew what was going on. He walked to the coffee machine when his phone rang. He looked around cautiously and picked it up. 'Do you have something to do with that?' - he shot directly to the person standing on the other side of the line. 'Flirting doesn’t really seem to work with that one, does it?' - a man's voice sounded in his ear. 'Did I f*****g told you that nobody else is going to be killed on my watch.' - he snarled at him. 'Well, I don’t take orders from you and your father can be quite pushy and impatient. She needed a little push back to fall in.' - he said intense. 'Let me decide that, can’t you?' - his angry voice disturbed the other people standing in the lobby. 'Find out if she is the person we are looking for! And don’t fall for that one too, she is as good as dead anyways.' - he snapped, and the line ended. He took a deep breath and screwed. There was something in that one that he could not help but wanted to protect, and yet he could be responsible for her losing a parent without even knowing her. 'Ryan?' - her heard Sabrina’s voice behind her and turned around. - What are you doing here? 'I decided to stay a bit in case there is something I may help with.' - he headed her the cup of coffee he actually took for himself. 'That is kind of you, but there is nothing you can do right now. You can go.' - she snapped, clearly frustrated from the situation. - I apologize for how things go tonight, I will call in your office first thing next week to arrange new meeting if that will be alright with you. 'That won't be necessary. I will send you the deal and the budget. Take care of yourself. Good evening.' - he smiled at her and left. 'Thank you.' - she shouted after him. It was clear to him that it won't be easy with that one. She was a fire. A fire he has never seen before. He was in the corner of the hallway when he heard the doctor coming out of the surgery. 'Dr. Lee!?' - Sabrina’s voice sounded loud and go through him like an arrow. She was with her back so she couldn’t clearly see him, but he stood there hoping. The doctor took off her mask and put her arm on Sabrina’s shoulder. She trussed herself on the chair’s frame and sit down shaking. 'My condolences Dr. Olsen!' ‘f**k!’. - Ryan screwed. ‘f**k! f**k! f**k!’ - he hit the wall in front of him and left.