Chapter 3: Unexpected Reunion
The halls of St. Margaret's were busy with morning foot traffic when Lila spotted Aiden moving through the surgical wing. Recognizing his face from the alley night, she called out softly, "Aiden!"
He jerked at the sound of his name. For a moment, he thought: No way, not her. But the memories of last night were fresh. Lila stood a few steps away, pushing a cart of supplies. Pain flickered in his eyes. He knew he should look normal, but she knew the cuts on his face too well, and she'd recognized his expression.
He stopped and turned. A smile, small and cautious, crept onto his bruised lips. "Lila, hi."
She smiled back shyly. "I'm off-duty today. I heard you work here? I recognized you from the news."
Aiden's throat tightened. "News? What about me?"
Lila glanced around to ensure no other ears. Then she whispered, "It said a man in a hospital coat saved an artist from being beaten. It didn't mention your name, just said 'hospital employee.'"
He blinked. That would be how they'd get the right story out. He fiddled with his hands. "I… I didn't think much about it."
Lila wheeled her cart closer, curiosity alight. "But you were there, right? I was a witness."
Aiden hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Part of him wanted to change the subject. Part of him wanted to admit it. He forced a steady voice. "Yes, I was. It was last night."
"You got pretty hurt," Lila pointed to the bandage above his eye. Aiden touched it, wincing as he felt dried blood. "I should have called an ambulance for you."
He managed a grin. "I'm tougher than I look." Inside, alarm bells rang. Why was she so gentle? "Thank you," he said quietly.
They stood in silence for a heartbeat, each thinking of the other's kindness. Outside the room, footsteps approached. A doctor wheeled in a patient's bed, and Lila slipped away, mumbling, "Duty calls."
Aiden wanted to say more, but he felt a buzz of anxiety crawl up his spine. The demon within him stirred oddly at the sight of her. It had been calm since the alley fight, but now it churned, reminding him of its presence. We should kill time together, the dark voice whispered, or was it curiosity? It has been bored.
Before he could respond, Marion the pathologist poked her head out. "Aiden? Can you check on 3P?"
He nodded. Marion left. Alone in the hallway, Aiden exhaled loudly. Lila's presence was a soothing warmth he hadn't known he craved, but he could hardly breathe around her. Every smile she gave him released tension in his chest. But what about the other side of him? If she ever saw…
At lunch break, Aiden found himself sitting on a bench by the hospital garden, deep in thought. A flower petal drifted near him. You dream too much, a sharp, amused voice crackled in his mind. Humans and their crushes are so fragile. It's funny.
Aiden clenched his fists. "Stop," he hissed under his breath. There was no one but him on the bench. He stood, ready to walk away.
"Cold today, isn't it?" Lila's familiar voice came from behind. She approached carrying two coffees. Her cheeks were flushed from working.
Aiden jumped and turned. "Oh, Lila."
She handed him a coffee cup. The scent of cinnamon laced through the air. "I thought you might need this."
He accepted it, warmed by her kindness again. "Thanks."
She looked nervous. For once, she seemed unsure of how to continue. Then, with a breath: "I tried looking you up. Found the news, but no name. I figured, maybe you wanted to stay mysterious?"
Aiden hesitated, unsure what to say. His secret felt like it would burst from his chest any moment. Finally, he found words. "It's nothing mysterious. I just… doesn't matter."
Lila's brows knit. "You don't seem like the "doesn't matter" type." She took a seat next to him. He felt awkward with her so close.
"Listen," she said quietly, "I just wanted to say thank you. If it weren't for you, that artist might have been hurt worse. People like you are… rare." Her eyes were genuine.
Aiden's lips quirked at her sincerity. "I was glad to help," he replied softly, gulping down his coffee.
He glanced at her and saw the warm afternoon light catching her profile. Inside, his heart tightened. I'm falling in love with someone who deserves better than me, he thought, watching her. The pleasant daydream was shattered by the dark voice's growl: Don't forget who you really are.
His stomach twisted. He forced a laugh. "Shall we take a walk?" he suggested, surprising himself.
Lila nodded, smiling. They strolled around the garden. Flowers bloomed red and gold. She chatted about her work—how she loved bringing comfort to dying patients, how she had always wanted to be helpful. Aiden listened quietly, enchanted by her compassion.
The demon within him simmered. Your slave-driver, your saint... She really is all that.
Aiden felt torn. The good part of him wanted nothing more than to be with Lila and protect her. The other part whispered coldly, She can't handle what comes next.