You know that point in time when you get so speechless and nothing runs through your head, you just keep staring forward and the last words you heard keeps recurring in your head.
That was my situation at the moment. I thought he was sleeping. I didn't mean to wake him. But with what I was looking at, I don't think I'm ever gonna repent for my actions.
His eyes were so...I don't know.... mysterious?. They were grey generally but had specks of gold in them. They were searching mine. Looking so deeply at me I wouldn't be surprised if he could see every thought in my head and mind.
I was quite close to him and it was in an inappropriate angle but I couldn't help it. The warmth he emmited felt so comforting, alluring even. It was intoxicating.
His eyes flickered to my lips and back to my eyes again. He cleared his throat jolting me from my position. I immediately stepped up from the bed ignoring the pain I felt by that action. It really didn't matter at this point
I looked back at him. The gold sparks in his eyes has disappeared. His eyes where just grey and cold now.
I was so speechless and embarrassed.
I was out of the room before he could say anything. Making a beeline to my room and the thought of finding out where and how Paige and the driver were doing was out of my head.
I took deep breaths to calm down. My cheeks were crimson red. I never viewed myself as a pervert but I displayed its characteristics today without even thinking twice. I could bet on my both kidneys that if he had tried to kiss me I wasn't going to resist.
This wasn't like me. What the fuck had happened. My feelings shifted quickly from embarrassment to disappointment. I was supposed to be focused on making my life better but here I was, flirting with my fellow patient... Geezz I was pathetic. I almost pulled my hair out in frustration as I sat on my bed.
But he called my name. He called me 'Anna'. How did he know my name? I checked the gown I was wearing for a tally or tag but there was none. How then did he know my name?
Shit this was really confusing.
I took another set of deep breaths again and started counting afterwards. I haven't done this exercise since highschool when I had anxiety issues when being in a crowd and even when I did; it was never twice in one day. But here I was, performing this exercise after meeting one person. Just one person.
Even though I didn't think he was an ordinary person.
I shook my head and mind into focus. I had to find Paige and the driver to know if they were okay.
I went to open the door but someone had beat me to it. It was a doctor.
"Hi Miss Annabeth, I'm Doctor Steele" He stretched forth his hand for a handshake. When I didn't return it he took it back. His smile didn't waver though....more like it became worse?
"I can see you can stand perfectly, that's really good considering the fact that you've been unconscious for two days. I'm so-"
"Two days?!! Two fucking days?! How's that possible? The accident wasn't that bad"
"Well Miss you see-"
"Just call me Anna..Okay?" I know cutting him off is rude but I'm sorry I can't help it. I just came down from a high right now and I was about to enter another.
Looks like New York is some kind of drama center. I haven't even gotten to the house yet!
" Okay, Anna. When you guys got hit the first time, none of you including the driver had their seatbelts on so you had hit your head hard and developed a concussion. You might not have felt it immediately because of the shock. -"
"-But when you got hit for the second time, it got really worse and you had some skin injuries because of the glass and you were bleeding badly. So you were put in a drug induced - sleep so that you could be treated." He said
I was speechless and seething. Drug- induced sleep? I was supposed to start working the day beforehand yesterday but I didn't because of sleep. I wanted to scream, kick and break things, anything at all to cause havoc.
But I couldn't. It had to be done. If they hadn't I'd probably be dead by now. It's crazy how it was my life or my job few minutes after entering New York. I did the exercise and counted from one to thirty before looking up to the Doctor again.
"How about Paige and the driver? Where are their rooms?" I asked him trying to keep a really calm façade.
" Oh uh.... Miss Paige was in room 507 but she had been discharged yesterday because her situation wasn't as bad as yours since you shielded her. She had been here earlier but left to take your things home."
It was really relieving to know that she was okay.
"Shit!! Did you guys call my family?! Please tell me you didn't "
" Uhhh no, we didn't. We couldn't actually. Your phone was pretty smashed and we couldn't find your ID."
Wew that felt really good. I didn't even want to imagine what would have happened if Mom or Karen found out about the accident. Jason would have a little paranoid too but not as much as Mom and Karen.
" You didn't tell me about the driver." I asked the doctor. The look on his face fell. All that smile and bubbly reduced drastically. He wanted to start talking but couldn't. Then he looked down.
"He didn't make it, did he" He shook his head. I didn't question him anymore. I just walked to my bed and laid down facing the wall.
I felt horrible. That man died because of me. If I had kept my mouth shut and just waited till we got home this wouldn't have happened. Today would have been my second day at work. I haven't even called my Mom or Karen or Jason. They'd be really worried. I turned to the doctor. He was checking something in the machine.
"Could you help me with your phone please? I promise to take every drug and exercise you give me."
"I'd love to, Anna. But your phone was replaced. It's in the top drawer and since you promised would you please bring your hands closer I need to start your IV" I frowned. I hate injections. " I promise it wouldn't be painful, just a small pinch , okay?"
I sighed and gave him my arm. He did his thing. He was right though. It was a pinch but for some reason my body didn't like it either ways.
When he was done I reached for the phone. I gasped when I saw it. It was using and iPhone 6 that had a glass web on the screen but this replacement was an iPhone 11 - not sure what stage it was- does every hospital do this?
I looked up to the doctor to see him grining again.
"Why are you smiling, Mr Steele? How did I get this phone? Why was it even replaced in the first place? Do you guys do this for all your patients?" I asked sitting up on the bed . I really needed an explanation for all this
"And why does the patient two or three doors down know my name?"
That question got him as all color drained from his face. It was so obvious because he turned pale.
He started fidgeting. I knew Doctors to be straight and put together but this guy... something seemed to be off with him.
When he had gotten himself together he started to speak.
"Your phone was replaced by the people that hit you guys and your bills too, they were paid by them. As for the man you met, he was also involved in the accident, Twas his driver that hit you guys first before the other driver."
"Mmmhmm....That makes sense. Thank you doctor. Atleast I won't owe you guys as I'm currently jobless." I said leaning back feeling dejected.
"You could take a report from the hospital to your workplace. They might reconsider, who knows. I'd happily write one for you. A very detailed one." Our cherry doctor was back . I think I liked this side better.
I hadn't even thought about going there with a report. I didn't think I'd be given the job back. It was a job without an interview for fucks sake. It was basically handed to me on a platter and I had missed it. I thought about it for a while.
"Your right, even if they refuse, I have nothing else to loose right?" I said looking away from the doctor. Didn't want him to see me sad. It might taint his pretty personality. I wouldn't want that.
" Ohh noo, let's not go in the negative direction now, Anna." He came to sit beside me. He took my hand in his holding it gently. "You are a good person, and you are pretty. I'm not sure they'd be that eager to push you away. Just give it a try, Okay?"
I sighed. " Okay, I won't give up" I said giving him a small smile and he returned a full blown smile of his own. It looked so sweet and funny. I was laughing before I knew it. Not my fault....it was infectious.
" Alright I'd go get it ready while you finish with the drip okay? I'd see you soon. I'd get the nurse to fetch you something to eat...no don't worry, it wouldn't be boring hospital food" Ahhh such a darling.
"Thank you so much " I was smiling for real this time. I was lucky to get a doctor this nice.
"Naa its okay, see you" He waved and left the room. I liked him.
Wait....not that kind of like like.. his personality is lovely.. what's there not to like.
I closed my eyes and released a deep breath.
One step at a time Anna, One step at a time.