"Chris! I'm so happy you could make it on such short notice". Skyler was on his feet when the man walked in.
"How could I refuse my best friend's call?" They hugged, chuckling, and then shook hands.
"How was your vacation in Madagascar?"
Skyler took a seat while Chris sat opposite him. Chris and Skyler had been best friends since diapers but then they had to separate due to their college choices.
"So who's sick? Cause I can see you're very much okay". Chris said, unbuttoning his suit.
"A little child". Skyler sucked in a deep breath. He had not told Chris what had happened 4 years ago. Only that his mother drugged him and tried to impose a girl on him. Neither had he told him about Fira. He couldn't risk so many people knowing.
"A little child?" Chris questioned, staring Skyler in the eye.
"Yes. A little child and his nanny. The first is suffering from an allergy reaction and the latter....well... self-imposed harm. She's a child too. 16. Depressed. Hurt herself". Skyler shrugged.
"When did you develop a soft spot for children Skyler Wade Quinn?" Chris was shocked. Skyler shrugged.
"Since I laid my eyes on this particular child". He stood up and went round the desk.
"Shall we?" He pointed towards the door and Chris nodded, standing.
Their feet made a thud sound as they walked the pathway and to the room where Miguel and Alice lay.
Skyler had not been able to get any sleep throughout the night. His thoughts were on Fira, his son, and Alice. He noticed Vincent had been tensed too but he waved it off.
"Ahhh. She looks so pale". Vincent was by the door already.
"She's lost a lot of blood". Vincent's voice came from the door.
"Ahh! Vincent my man. It's good to see you". Chris smiled widely at Vincent.
"Can you check on them first? The greetings can come later". Skyler spoke, irritated.
That was how it was with Chris. He was like a smiling button. Always greeting everyone and everything and making sure to smile so wide you'll think it's Joker.
"Fine! Fine! We don't wanna piss the big bad Alpha off huh?" He smirked at Skyler who gave him a pointed look in return.
"You'll have to send someone to get a blood bag. She needs blood". Skyler turned to look at Vincent who nodded and rushed away.
Chris walked towards the little boy's bed. He was already stirring meaning he was likely to wake anytime soon. Skyler knew that with or without the boy sleeping, Chris was going to recognize him. Anybody could and that was the reason he couldn't take chances and bring another doctor. Only someone he could trust. At least for now.
Chris peered into the boy's face as if trying to unravel some mystery. Just that moment, Miguel's eyes opened and that of Chris widened in realization.
"Mum?" The boy called out, trying to adjust his eyes to the light.
"Skyler, what is this?" Chris dragged Skyler by the wrist away from the bedside.
"What is what?" Skyler asked, looking away.
"Don't tell me it's what I'm thinking Skyler. Don't tell me that's your son". Chris pointed at the boy on the bed without tearing his gaze from Skyler.
"And what if he is?" Skyler met his gaze with a fierce one.
"Damn you Skyler". He punched the wall close to Skyler's head. "You have a child this grown and I'm just finding out". His voice was more of a whisper now.
"I am your Alpha and you will speak to me with respect". Skyler's voice was coming out through clenched teeth.
"Mr Quinn?" A small and scared voice called out.
During their little conversation in the car the previous night, he had told the boy to address him as Mr Quinn. Father was too strong a word. The boy was supposed to call him that willingly or if his mother said so.
"Miguel". He looked at the child and then back at Chris who was in his path.
"You have some explaining to do". Chris whispered and let him pass.
"Hey, champ". Skyler squatted in front of the boy.
"How do you feel this morning?" Skyler forced a smile on seeing the boy's redneck.
"I don't know. Can't really tell. But my throat still hurts". He smiled.
"Don't worry the doctor is here to see you". He smiled and turned to look at Chris.
"I don't like him. He's scary". Miguel whispered into Skyler's ear and he chuckled.
"I'm here champ. Everything's gonna be okay". Skyler stepped aside after squeezing the boy's hands reassuringly.
"He's allergic to almonds. There was one in whatever he ate. He's really lucky it didn't get to Anaphylaxis. You should be lucky". He turned to face Skyler. "He'll be fine. The drugs that were prescribed will help. Just give him as was directed". Skyler nodded in understanding.
A knock sounded on the door.
"Come in".
It was Vincent with some blood bags, suiting Alice's blood group from when they had been to the pharmacy the previous night.
Chris fixed the blood bag above Alice's head and connected it to the needle which he injected her with.
"She should be fine after this bag. Who's gonna change the blood bag once this one is finished so I can show them?"
Vincent stepped forth and Chris gave him a look, nodded, and showed him what to do.
"That'll be all for today. The girl has to see a therapist so she can be recommended some antidepressants. It's not in my field". Skyler nodded.
"I'll be back champ. Uncle Vincent will take you downstairs for breakfast". Miguel looked skeptical at first but then nodded.
"Skyler, when did this happen and how?" Chris asked the minute they got back to his office.
His office at home was large but not as large as the one at the company which he rarely ever used.
"I don't know. It just happened. It wasn't planned. I never even expected it. To be frank, I'm just finding out about him".
"What do you mean you're just finding out about him?"
"Remember the night I told you my mother got me drugged?" Chris nodded slowly.
"Well. I didn't tell you everything". Skyler sighed.
"You slept with Amanda?? But Amanda has brown eyes not green. So where did he get the green from? Cause I've spotted your grey in them".
"Calm down. For starters I didn't sleep with Amanda".
"So?"
"When I got back to my hotel room, there was a lady in there. Practically, she was drugged as well and brought to my room".
"Did your mother set you both up? Did she double-cross Amanda?"
"No, she didn't. Apparently, the girl was drugged by her sister in a bit to blackmail her and take her mate as that was supposed to be her engagement night. They had randomly dumped her in a room which turned out to be my room". Skyler took a deep breath.
"So you raped her?"
"No. No. I can never do a thing like that. She woke up when I got there and wanted to leave but the effect of the drugs my mother drugged me with had kicked in and I pleaded with her to stay. We had sex and in the morning when I woke, she was gone. I vowed to find her, tried all I could but since I couldn't, I eventually gave up. Three days ago, she appeared in my hotel room to deliver some files from my manager. At first, I couldn't believe it was her but then on her way out, she bumped into her sister and ex-mate who had rejected her the morning she had left my hotel. They rained abuse on her, I had them kicked out and she cried, I talked to her and I confirmed it was her. Found out she had a son. Bla bla bla. Here we are". He took a deep breath out. He specifically skipped the 'mate' part.
"Whew! That's a long story. So where is she?" Chris asked, hands on knee.
"Well. I asked her out on a dinner date last night, during the date she got a call from Alice that Miguel was in a serious situation and 911 had been called. She rushed off and I ran after her. In the process, the earrings she left in my hotel room four years ago fell out of my pocket and she saw it. She knew I was the man that she slept with 4 years ago. She ran off without letting me say anything. Well, I heard of an accident a few miles away. She had been hit and... kidnapped". Skyler finished off with a heavy breath.
"Kidnapped?" Chris was beside himself in shock.
"Yes". Skyler's face palmed himself.
"What have you done about it?".
"Everything". He flailed his arms. "Everything. My men are still on the search. I'm worried Chris. Very worried. What if she's not fine? What if they're not treating her well".
"I'm very sure they are". Chris said with surety.
"How do you know?"
"Just a wild guess. Who's gonna maltreat a gorgeous lady?"
"Who told you she's gorgeous?"
"Just another wild guess. I know you don't settle for less".
Skyler looked at Chris. There was some hidden truth behind his words.
"Well brother. I'll get going now. I need to visit the hospital. Lots of patients to attend to". He gave Skyler a pat on his back and walked out.
"Smile. I'm sure she's fine". He peeked his head through the door again with a smile.
Skyler stared long after he had gone. He still couldn't shake away the heavy truth in his words. It felt as though.....he had seen her.