"I’m touched," Theo said sweetly. "Makes my day a whole lot better."
"Ms. Lane—I mean Mrs. King!"
"Gary?"
He came forward and gave me a big hug. "The news gave me a mini heart attack. Are you okay? In pain? Are you missing a limb?"
"Your questions scare me more than your concern," I deadpanned.
He waved me off with a light chuckle before taking a good look at me. "A broken hand is better than a broken neck."
"What are you doing here?" I asked, amused.
I wasn’t expecting to see him, I mean, we weren’t really close, but Gary had been a helpful colleague over the years.
"I escorted Mr. Mercer, and I’m also representing the entire company to check on our boss’s wife."
Huh...
I throw a look at Theo. "You knew which hospital I was in?"
I thought it was confidential.
Theo gave me a nervous smile before saying. "Bought that last minute. Please don’t tell me you hate it." He pointed to the bouquet.
"I think your quick decision earned you good."
His smile grew wider.
"Where’s the venting machine here? Need something to snack on," Gary said as he left us.
"So I take it my location has been compromised," I began.
"Not exactly, at least no reporters are raging for a story at the entrance."
"So how did you find me?"
"Well..." He scratched the back of his head. "I may or may not have went through a few systems to get info. I was worried when I heard the news and needed to check if you were okay."
"A bit of a stretch for someone you barely know."
"Catherine, I was sweating my ass off because of that meeting, and you made it less hell for me, even though it was a fallout for me."
My expression softened. "Fallout?"
"Mr. King’s pending response was the final nail on the wall."
"I-I’m sorry about that."
"It’s okay, just still hoping he changes his mind. Gambling everything on that one decision."
As much as I knew Ares, I have no idea what goes on in that head of his. But there’s this feeling that Mercer Systems got delayed because of me.
Ares couldn’t have halted his decisions because I got friendly with Theo, right?
I released a heavy sigh. My brain was seriously having an overload because of the impossible thoughts I keep conjuring lately. Maybe I hit my head or something during the accident.
Tori was right. One-sided or not, I need to get my act together before this kicks me in the face.
"Should we head back to your room? You look tired," Theo said as he osberved my face with a worried expression.
Go back and face Tori’s pending questions? Or Nico’s attitude? Thankfully, he didn’t follow me because he was ordered to stay put during my appointment.
"Let’s hang just a bit. Already getting cooped up where I was..." I walked to the lounge and sat on the sofa.
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I’m good."
"Should I get you water?"
"Water would be fine."
I said that, but he sat down next to me and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. I was a bit taken aback by his actions, fixing him with a look of confusion.
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
His sudden question made me uneasy.
"T-Talk about what?"
"I got in an accident a few years back, so bad I almost lost my leg."
I looked, and he chuckled softly.
"But I didn’t."
"T-That’s good news."
"Yes, but I suffered from a lot of mental stress. I have a photographic memory, so my mind kept playing everything, the scenes, the pain. Did a few therapies to help... and that look..." He pointed to my face. "I recognize it so well. Shortness of breath, the shift in your eyes, and constantly telling anyone you’re okay..." He leaned forward and whispered. "I get it."
I opened my mouth to speak, but he didn’t let me.
"There’s no need to say anything about it. I just wanted you to know it gets better, if you let it."
I forced a smile at his words.
"I’ll get you that water." He rose to his feet, and I watched him go, meeting up with Gary, who had problems with the vending machine.
I leaned back on the sofa. After a second, I dipped my hand into my robe to take out my phone.
Damn! I left it switched off the entire night.
My phone came up, and it took a few seconds before I could swipe through. It dinged as a message popped up on my notification panel.
My body locked when I saw it was from Ares.
Husband: You hung up on me. You shouldn’t have done that.
My heartbeat spiked. That was it, nothing else, and he sent it immediately after I switched my phone off. It was a single message, yet I couldn’t tell if I had ticked him off or not.
I just kept staring for a while, trying to figure out if he was pissed or amused by it. So I went in blind, typing sluggishly with my one hand.
Me: You deserve it for what you did. ( ｡ •`ᴖ´• ｡)
It was read instantly, and my breath hitched. Was he waiting for me to reply the entire time?
Husband: What did I do?
Is he seriously asking me that question? I could tell he was smirking too. That devil!
I thought of several curses to throw at him, but then I decided on a simpler approach to ward him off.
Me: I’m not talking to you anymore. I’m busy. Having fun with Theo, and...
My fingers are cramped. Using one hand was torture. I was about finishing up the text when his call came in.
I thought about not answering, but I did nevertheless, and his deep gruff voice came through with far too much calmness, making a chill shoot up my spine.
"Do you want his blood on your hands?"