***
JAYDEN ALEXANDER
It's been three hours since we rushed Rosaleigh to the hospital. The moment she fell into my arms unconscious, I my world came crashing down, once all over again. Her pale face was etched on my memory for eternity again.
Rosaleigh's doctor Mr. Brooks checked on her while he asked about what happened moments before her sudden blackout. It was her first blackout in the span of two years and just within a month of my arrival at Nashville.
Am I a bad influence on Bellé's health?
She'd had blackouts whenever she stressed on something or tried to reminisce her past.
Today too it was just cause of me that my Bellé was in pain. The stress she put on her brain to remember, cause it to shut down. If I wouldn't have sung that song she wouldn't be in this state. In pain. My heart ached staring at her sleeping form. Doctors had injected her with sedatives in an attempt to provide rest to her brain thus it gets enough time to cool down.
Earlier while I played the piano, Our memories came rushing back to me. The song which I chose was connected to me and Rosaleigh in more ways than one. It was the same song I sung when I asked her to be my girlfriend.
Flashback
It was a day after New Year's eve. The start of a New Year, New Beginnings. I sat in our piano room, my nerves were running in havoc. It's just a day before Rosaleigh and her family leaves for New York. She'll be gone for another year to come back again in Christmas. Mormor had adviced me to court her. Courting was a very early step for a fifteen year old, so I went for the easiest way.
The oak doors of the piano room opened as I straightened up and held my fingers on the key notes. As the doors closed, I could hear the feminine footsteps. Slow but steady! I concentrated on the musical keys and with a huff of breath started playing as well as singing Lovin You by Minnie Riperton . I sensed Rosaleigh getting closure while she silently took in the lyrics of the song.
Ending the song, I looked up at Rosaleigh. Her deep blue eyes shone with glee and her cheeks were starting to turn in a beautiful shade of pink. Walking to her with the most convenient smile that I could muster, I asked her the question I would always be greatful about.
Will you be my Girlfriend ?
***
I smiled remeniscing our moment. Listening to my question all Rosaleigh did was blush profusely! It was a sight worth watching. Rosaleigh had accepted me as her boyfriend. That time I didn't love her, I was soully fulfilling Mormor's wish and following her advice. But everytime after that day, whenever I sung that song it was just to express the love I had for her. Rosaleigh had squeezed her way into my heart without even trying.
"Rosaleigh can go home once she is awake." Entered Dr. Brooks halting my trail of thoughts.
Currently I was seated in his cabin with Uncle Henry as the Doctor prescribed a certain diet for Rosaleigh.
According to the reports, it was a good sign that Rosaleigh was remembering details like the song. It was a step towards her complete recovery. He adviced us to just go with the flow and do not press on a certain topic which may cause any further blackouts.
I listened to him carefully as Uncle Henry went to the pharmacist to get the prescribed medicines. Aunt Kate was in Rosaleigh's room looking after her as she slept peacefully.
It was five in the evening, I sat on the couch in Rosaleigh's room. My eyes stared at the magazine in hand while my mind travelled afar. I made a note of being extra careful with Rosaleigh. Yesterday too I had risked revealing our identities to the public by my foolishness but all I wanted to do was impress Rosaleigh.
Flashback.
We were enjoying our dinner, my eyes taking in glances at Rosaleigh as she relished her meal. I hope she likes this place and its cuisine. It has been a wonderful day with her.
We were waiting for the dessert, when my phone rung. It was our family's security head Ralph Ahlman. Dad had now appointed him and his team for my security since I was in Nashvillé. They kept a track of our locations and some followed us in disguise. Excusing myself I tried to find a secluded corner, finally standing near a pillar that was out of anyone's earing distance.
"Mr. Ahlman. Is there a any problem?" I answered, my authorative voice not going unnoticed.
"Your Royal Highness, I would advice you to take away Her Royal Highness Prinsessa as soon as possible. You are grabbing unwanted attention. There's a person from the media sitting in the booth adjacent to yours. There is a possiblity, he may recognize you and the Crown Princess!" He explained in his calm tone.
I silently turned to peek at the adjacent booth. There seated a man in his mid forties sipping coffee while his eyes roamed around the diner.
"I may advice you to live a low-key life until you're here. It wouldn't grab you unwanted attention as well as wouldn't cause any type of suspicion." He adviced before I ended the call.
I walked back in and did as Ralph adviced. Grace understood there was something wrong reading my impassive demeanor.
After I paid the bill, I stepped out of the diner making sure that Rosaleigh was lined behind me in a way to hide her from the people around us. Through out the journey I kept glancing in the rear view mirrors to check if anyone's following us!
Bless Ralph who kicked some sense into my head.
***
A slight sound of the nearby bed squeaking brought me back from my thoughts as I noticed Rosaleigh stirring in her sleep. I rushed towards her as she fluttered her eyes, opening them accordingly.