Chapter: 80: Sleeping Beauty
Cornell
My day couldn't have turned out any better when I saw Elena at my doorstep. Despite the attitude I had on I was happy to see her there smiling at me even though her smile was short lived.
My heart sank as I saw her limp body headed for the floor. My body moved on automatic, grabbing her so she fell on me and not on the floor.
Her face had grown pale. "Elena." I tapped her lightly to get her to wake up but nothing.
I lifted her up to my room gently placing her on the bed.
"Sam," my voice echoed through the apartment.
In minutes he appeared before me. "Boss."
Sam was my right hand man who never left my side. I met him when I went abroad to study. After saving his life, he devoted himself to me.
"Call the family doctor, immediately."
"But boss she's not a member of the fami—" the words left Sam's mouth but my glare shut him up before he could finish.
"I'll call him right away." He bowed his head apologetically before leaving the room.
I sat beside her, watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest, gripping the edge of the bed harder than I needed to.
Minutes later the doctor arrived. "Took you long enough," I snorted, annoyed that Elena had to wait that long for treatment.
"I'm not jobless you know." He rolled his eyes at me before turning to check Elena's condition.
If not for the fact that he was one of the best doctors in town I would have had more to say.
He moved quickly but quietly, examining her with calm professionalism. I stood back, arms crossed, trying to control the frustration boiling beneath my skin.
"How is she?"
"Lucky it's nothing serious," he said as relief washed over me. "She just fainted due to exhaustion, with proper rest and a good meal she should be up and kicking," he added.
"Thank you. I'll make sure she gets the care she needs," I said.
"Alright, oh and the clothes she's wearing should be changed, they are tight and uncomfortable and could cause her condition to worsen," he mentioned before turning to pack his kit.
"Okay, doctor."
"I'll be leaving, call me if there's any drastic change in her condition."
I turned to Sam. "See him out."
"Yes, boss." Both of them left the room leaving me and unconscious Elena in the room.
I came close to her, arranging the strands of hair on her face. She always had a frail constitution. I could only imagine how my leaving must have affected her back then. I wish I hadn't let her suffer back then. I wish she would let me make it up to her.
Her skin wrinkled, I could see the discomfort on her face. "I'm sorry Elena but I have to take these uncomfortable clothes off," I whispered.
I stayed with her until her breathing evened out and color returned to her cheeks. Only then did I head downstairs to my home office, where Sam was waiting.
(Two hours later)
"She'll be okay right?" he asked as I walked in.
"Yes, the doctor said she was just tired," I said as I sat in my chair trying to get some work done but my mind wouldn't let me and Sam was being of no help, babbling up and down.
"I mean, did you see how she looked? Like she hasn't slept in a month. And you know how she always acts all tough and composed, but it's fake—like a mask, you know? And who knows maybe you added to the stress by postponing signing the business deal." Sam rambled on. "Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if she's being hunted by demons or something. Not literal ones, though, like—"
"Sam," I cut in.
Right, sorry," he said, clearing his throat. "Just saying… she's carrying something heavy."
Few minutes later, like he was being controlled, Sam's mouth sprang open.
"Boss you must really like Ms Kingston. I was surprised when after finding out she moved here, you paid ten times for this small apartment just to force the old tenant to leave immediately," Sam kept talking.
Turning to me he said some more. "Boss, do you want to make her the new madam?" His eyes widened. "But she's already married and your uncle wouldn't allo—"
"Are you tired of living?" My voice boomed. I had had enough with this chatterbox. Despite my lack of response he was here having a conversation with himself.
Looking at me like a scolded puppy, he gestured zipping his mouth with his hand.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Just go make yourself useful," I said when a scream cut through the air.
It came from my room. That's Elena's voice.