Shuffle Playlist: A Fire You Started by Tatiana Manaois.
''It is my business because she doesn't want to go with you. Miss, are you alright?'' Sabrina asked the lady with a worried expression.
''I said it is none of your business, why don't you get lost?'' The man pushed Sabrina away. The books and her purse fell down. When the man tried to hold the woman again Sabrina intercepted and kicked the man with her leg.
''Miss, who is this man to you?'' Sabrina asked. She wanted to protect the woman at all cost.
''He… he is my ex-boyfriend. I broke up with him but he doesn't want to accept it. He followed me into the shop and forced me to go with him.'' The lady explained.
The man got up from the ground and removed a dagger from his pocket. ''I warned you but you didn't listen. I will put you in your place…'' The man's eyes were red as he stepped towards Sabrina.
Sabrina pulled the woman behind her and stood in front of the man. ''This is a public place. Do you think you will get away with hurting me? Look around you, people are filming what you're doing. Let me warn you, the internet is a scary place. In no time, the whole world is going to see the kind of person you are…''
The man laughed. ''That is why I told you to mind your fucking business. You are such a nosy bitch…'' He yelled and rushed towards Sabrina.
Before he could stab Sabrina, another hand intercepted and held the dagger tightly. Vincent kicked the man's legs and the man fell down.
''CEO, you are hurt!'' Georgia yelled.
Sabrina immediately took Vincent's hand and looked at his palm. ''You're hurt. I will take you to the hospital.'' She had forgotten about the man and was ready to send Vincent to the hospital.
''I will call the police. Hold him, don't let him get away. He just hurt someone.'' Georgia removed her phone as two men pinned the man down so that he could not run away.
''Mr. Maraj, I'll take you to the hospital.'' Sabrina stated and turned towards her car.
''No need.'' Vincent dismissed Sabrina.
''There is the need. You got hurt because of me. I have to be responsible. What if your hand gets infected.'' Sabrina picked up her purse from the ground and started her car. She opened the front door for Vincent. ''Please get in!'' She said authoritatively.
Vincent stared at her for a while before getting into the car. Sabrina joined him at the front and drove out of the place.
Georgia looked at them and smiled.
Rinhe Hospital.
Sabrina was attentive and had her eyes fixed on Vincent's as the doctor treated the cut. The doctor finished and stood up, leaving the bandaging to the nurse that was standing next to him.
''The knife almost cut into your vein. It could have been serious.'' The doctor spoke as he bandaged the palm.
''Doctor Max, how long will it take for the wound to heal?'' Sabrina asked worriedly. She was well acquainted with Dr. Max because he was her late brother's attending doctor and also now, she and Bia's doctor.
''Four to six weeks. The knife missed the vein but it still cut deep into the flesh and palm tissues. Make sure you don't let water get in touch with the wound. Avoid heat and remember to come for dressing and take the medicines on time.'' Dr. Max finished dressing the wound and stood up.
''This is the first time you are coming to the hospital with a man. Is he your boyfriend?'' Doctor Max asked.
''No! He… he is my savior.'' Sabrina replied and blushed.
''Savior? I see. How is Bia doing?'' Doctor Max didn't probe further.
''Bia is fine. She is currently on vacation.'' Sabrina replied and looked at Vincent's bandaged palm.
''That's good. Remember to be attentive to her emotional needs. She is still a little girl and won't get over the loss in a long time.''
''I understand. Thank you, Dr. Max.''
''You're welcome. You can go and pay the hospital bills at the revenue office. You can leave with your… 'savior', when you're done.'' Dr. Max said and smiled as he walked away.
''How do you feel? Does it hurt?'' Sabrina turned to Vincent and asked.
''It's okay.''
''Wait here, I will settle the bills and take you home.'' Sabrina said before walking away.
''Take me home? Does she even know my house?'' Vincent chuckled. ''This girl is interesting!''
After settling the hospital bills, Sabrina returned to the emergency hall. ''It's done! I will take you home.''
''Do you know my house?'' Vincent stood up and asked.
''I… you can just tell me, right?'' Sabrina flushed.
''Sabrina, are you like this with every man or this special treatment is reserved for only me?''
''What do you mean?''
''You are asking a single man where he stays so that you will take him home. You are a celebrity. Aren't you afraid of getting into scandals with me or you don't mind at all?''
Sabrina's lips parted. She sighed. ''Mr. Maraj, are you rude to everyone or you are just rude to me alone? Or are you this doubting of people's good intentions or just mine?''
''Take a guess!'' Vincent stood up and leaned over Sabrina's face.
'I am not interested in…'' Sabrina's mind went blank when he suddenly leaned over closer to her face. She couldn't find the words to say to him and blurted nervously. ''I am not interested in…''
''You are not interested in me I know that already. But do others know that?'' Vincent chuckled and stepped away. He picked his suit from the bed.
''I don't care what others say about me. They don't know me at all so their opinion of me is not something I can control. You got hurt because of me. I am trying to take responsibility. Do you have to be so distant about it? Or do you think I am trying to cling to you using this opportunity?'' Sabrina stood up and asked.
''Those are your words.'' Vincent was an expert in turning people's words against them. He used Sabrina's own words against her.
''Whatever! I realize that I can never get through to you. Think whatever you want. Tell me your address, and I will drop you home. Better still, you want wait for your assistant to come and pick you.'' Sabrina realized it was pointless arguing with Vincent and gave up.
''Let's go to the office. I have a trip to make later on. I can't go home again.'' Vincent started walking out of the hospital.
''Suit yourself!''
…..
Tyme Magazine.
''CEO, are you alright?'' Georgia was standing outside the building. When she saw Sabrina and her boss, she rushed over immediately.
'I'm fine. What happened to the man?'' Vincent asked.
'That's a relief. At least, the woman wouldn't have to face any physical and emotional abuse.'' Sabrina empathized with the woman.
'You're right. Miss Sabrina, your comics and purse are with me. I packed them for you after you left.'' Georgia handed the bag of comics and purse to Sabrina.
''Thank you so much. I almost forgot of them.'' Sabrina smiled and followed them inside the building.
CEO's office.
''You did well in the audition for the main lead, but, this time around, we have to give it to someone else. But I thought you fitted well with the role of the second lead. I called you here to discuss that with you.''
''No problem!'' Sabrina accepted right away. She had her own reasons.
''That easy?'' Vincent wasn't convinced. He gave Sabrina a questionable gaze and she chuckled.
''Even though I had confidence in getting the role, I still weighed a lot of options. At the end of the day, you are a businessman and would choose what is beneficiary to the company.'' Sabrina replied.
''I'm surprised, but I like your attitude. Since you have no problem with it, my assistant will send you the contract in a few days' time. I have a flight to catch, so I have to leave.'' Vincent stood up.
''Hold on!''
''Anything else, Miss Sabrina?''
''The wound. I need to check up on you daily. I will be worried.'' Sabrina stood up. She wanted to ask for his number but didn't know how to go about it.
''Give me your phone.'' Vincent said. He seemed to have read her mind and didn't want to tease her anymore.
''Huh? Oh… here.'' Sabrina immediately removed her phone and found out it was broken. The screen had broken when the man pushed her and she fell.
''My phone is… broken.'' Sabrina replied and flushed.
Vincent looked at her and his lips curved. She looked cute at that moment. ''Then, let's leave it at that.''
''I will take your number from Georgia once I get a new phone. In case you see a new number calling, answer it. It might be me.'' Sabrina said, a little excitedly.
'Whatever!'' Vincent muttered and walked out.
Sabrina smiled and picked up her bag to leave. She looked at her wrist and saw a few more months have been added to the current time.
''Oh… today was a successful day. I like that!'' Sabrina smiled sheepishly.