She woke up again, reaching to her side to find something, anything.
Lori's hand grabbed her and squeezed it warmly. "I'm here; whatever do you need?"
"How long have you been here?"
"Since yesterday."
Calah expressed a dissatisfied face. "You need to get some rest."
"Yes, I know. But I want to make sure you're fine already."
Just then, the doctor came in. "Ah, you're awake. How do you feel?" He asked, checking her vitals and dropping her bags.
"Just calm."
"Do you feel pain anywhere, or is something hurting you?"
"Not really, except for this bulge on my neck."
"Sorry about that; the fall was great, and you're lucky you didn't land directly on your neck. You could have died. "
Calah shook her eyes to prevent the memories from flashing back. She had let herself in too deeply, scared of the unknown that had almost cost her life.
Her father had not raised her this way, and she was ready to correct things.
"You could be here for a month or less, depending on how quick you heal, and afterwards, you might be subjected to a wheelchair."
He looked at her face. She had no reaction, so he went on.
"And you'll need a massage therapist; it'll help your spine heal faster."
"Doc," She finally said. "I'm going home next week. Contact the best masseur in town, preferably not signed with any company. In less than 2 months, I'll be back on my feet."
" Miss_"
"No, Doc, what I said isn't up for debate. I've been calm for too long, and a week more than that here, I'll be dead."
She moved her neck slightly to catch a glimpse. "Send for the masseur today. I'd like to see him and brief him myself on how I want things done."
"Any suggestions or questions?"
"Not exactly, Miss Calah."
" Good." She turned to Lori. "Get out of here and get yourself a life. Clean up and get behind your desk. I'll be fine here."
She turned her neck towards her too. "Any questions?"
"Not at all, miss."
"You're dismissed then. Take the day off if you please. Just get your shit together. I want reports every day."
"Doc, is there any other thing you'd like me to know or refrain from?"
"Uh, nothing, miss Calah; just avoid trying to turn your head, so you can heal faster just as you please. Also, I'll let the nurses know when there's a need to change your medication."
She nodded slightly. "Please send for a good masseur as soon as possible; I've got work to do."
The doctor stepped out of the room, leaving Lori and herself behind.
Lori didn't want to leave and sat there with Calah until a nurse eventually came to wheel her out.
She was a mess on her own.
An hour later, the doctor returned with a handsome man walking briskly. Apparently, Calah wasn't back yet, and only Lori was there.
He stepped in, creating space for the man to follow behind.
"Where's Miss Calah?" He asked.
"She's off to use the bathroom. Anything you'd want her for?"
"Oh yeah, this is Philip. A personal masseur for Miss Calah; if she approves him, He'll come by the hospital a few times and begin fully when she's discharged."
Lori watches him closely. Alas! It was him. The guy from the gym that was spying on herself and Calah while she danced
She was so certain it was him, and in that moment, his entire physical appearance just pissed her off.
"Miss Calah won't approve of him," she replied from her own judgment and not necessarily from Calah's point of view, still eying him.
The door had opened, and Calah was almost in, definitely hearing Lori's last statement.
"Approval of what?"
All eyes turned to her.
"Miss Calah, I had brought in a new masseur for you, and your assistant was just telling me you wouldn't approve of him. Do you mind if I ask what kind of masseur you are looking for in terms of physical appearance?"
She eyed the young man too and threw a questioning glance at Lori, but Lori had hidden her face.
She eyed him again, trying to find out something peculiar, but nothing clicked; her memories weren't clicking at that point.
He was tall and looked sturdy enough. That was what concerned her. Someone who could hold her if she were to fall and, at the same time, be strong enough to apply pressure to her bones
Not finding any fault, she spoke up. "He's fine for the job, since you're recommending him. I would hold you accountable."
Lori shot her a 'really! look. She didn't understand the fact that Calah hadn't even asked him any questions about his profile or anything.
She shrugged, getting the message and replying with her eyes that she didn't say anything before she approved him.
"Ah great!" The doctor replied, reaching out for a paper board he kept on the shelf.
"I'm Philip" The young man finally spoke, reaching out his hand to Calah. She looked at it for a few seconds before taking it. "I'm Calah, and that's my assistant, Lori."
"Here is a contract stating that we're providing you with a masseur for a duration of 10 weeks."
"10 weeks?" Calah turned to Philip. "Can you make this work before 10 weeks?"
"Sure, why not?" he chuckled. "As long as you're in cooperation with me."
"It's all fine with how long you'd want it to last, Miss Calah, but the hospital is giving you 10 weeks. That's the recommended duration. Get off the therapy when you feel good."
"My assistant will handle it then."
Lori took the clipped paper and went through it. It stated exactly that, and she signed.
He collected the paper and left.
"Mr. Philips, would you return later, after Miss Calah has had some rest?"
"Sure, and Philips is just okay." He added with a smile and left as well.
"It was him!" Lori squealed, jumpstarting Calah.
"Who? "
"The guy from the gym. The one spying on us"
"You're sure?" At that point, her memories started overlapping. "Did you run a background check on him like I asked you to?"
"Not yet; things happened too fast," she said. "But he could be a spy, like you suggested."
"I don't think so, Lori, or"
"Calah, think of the fact that he was in an unauthorized area at the gym the previous day. All of a sudden, he's showing up as a masseur. Does it make sense as a coincidence?"
Calah thought hard for a while. "Well, there's only one way to find out. Run his background check again, and we'll find out."
"Alright, ma'am," she said, standing up to leave.
In the meantime, what do you think about inviting the FBI to say a little hi to Zach?"
"The FBI?" Her eyes widened.
"I could press charges on and
on. Maybe it's high time I started using my power. Let's give him a taste of his own medicine."