5. Mireille
Mireille
The ride to the hospital is a blur of pain and awkward silence. Evander drives with laser focus, his jaw clenched tight as he navigates the busy streets of Starlight Bay. I cradle my throbbing arm against my chest, trying not to wince every time we hit a bump.
"How are you feeling?" Evander asks, his eyes flicking briefly to me before returning to the road.
"I'm fine," I lie, not wanting him to worry more than he already is. "It's probably just a sprain."
He shakes his head, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. "Let's let the doctors make that determination."
We lapse back into silence, the tension in the car palpable. I sneak glances at Evander's face, mesmerized at how different he looks outside the office. His suit jacket is off, his tie loosened, and there's a hint of stubble on his jaw. It's a more relaxed version of him that I rarely get to see.
At the hospital, Evander insists on helping me out of the car and into the emergency room. His hand on my lower back sends shivers up my spine, despite the pain in my arm.
"Sit here," he says, guiding me to a chair in the waiting room. "I'll take care of the paperwork."
Before I can protest, he's striding towards the reception desk, his authoritative presence causing the harried-looking nurse to snap to attention.
I watch as he speaks with the nurse, his voice too low for me to hear. Whatever he's saying seems to be working, because within minutes, a doctor appears and I'm being ushered into an examination room.
Evander follows close behind, his face a mask of concern. "Do you want me to stay?" he asks as the doctor begins to examine my arm.
I nod, surprising myself with how much I want him here. "Yes, please. If you don't mind."
His expression softens slightly. "Of course I don't mind."
The doctor's examination is quick but thorough.
"Well, Ms. Fontaine," she says finally, "it looks like you have a sprain; thankfully nothing is broken.
But you will need to wear a compression bandage to help with the swelling.
I advise you to ice your wrist, around thirty minutes at a time every four hours for the next few days. "
I groan, already imagining how difficult work will be with this injury. “Will it take long to heal?” I ask, wondering how bad it’s going to be.
"Could be anywhere between two to four weeks," the doctor replies sympathetically. "You'll need to take it easy during that time. No heavy lifting, and try to use your other arm as much as possible."
I nod, trying to hide my dismay. God, two to four weeks of limited mobility. How am I going to manage all my work duties?
As if reading my mind, Evander speaks up. "Don't worry about work, Mireille. We'll figure something out."
The doctor looks between us, a knowing smile on her face. "You're lucky to have such a supportive boyfriend."
I feel my face flush hot as I quickly correct her, "Oh, he's not my?—"
"I'm her boss," Evander interrupts smoothly, though I notice a slight redness creeping up his neck. "But thank you, doctor. I'll make sure she follows your instructions."
The doctor nods, seemingly unfazed by her mistake. "Very well. I'll have a nurse come in to apply the compression bandage, and then you'll be free to go. Make sure to follow up with your primary care physician in a week."
As soon as she leaves, an awkward silence falls over the room. I chance a glance at Evander, only to find him already looking at me, his blue eyes intense.
"I'm sorry," I mumble, feeling the need to break the tension. "About all of this. I know you had important work to do today."
Evander shakes his head, his expression softening. "Don't apologize, Mireille. Your health is more important than any work."
His words mean a lot more than they should. Before I can respond, a nurse enters to apply the bandage. Evander steps back, but I notice his eyes never leave me, watching every wince and grimace as the nurse wraps my wrist tightly.
Once we're cleared to leave, Evander insists on driving me home. The car ride is quiet, but not uncomfortably so. I find myself stealing glances at him, noticing the way the setting sun casts shadows across his strong jawline.
As we pull up to my apartment building, I turn to thank him, but he's already out of the car and opening my door.
"You don't have to—" I start, but he cuts me off with a look.
"I'm walking you to your door, Mireille. No arguments."
I can't help but smile at his protectiveness. "Yes, sir."
We make our way up to my third-floor apartment in silence. At my door, I fumble with my keys, struggling to use my non-dominant hand.
"Here, let me," Evander says softly, gently taking the keys from me. Our fingers brush, and I feel that familiar spark of electricity between us.
He opens the door and steps back, allowing me to enter first. I turn to face him, suddenly very aware that we're alone, standing close in the dim light of my hallway.
"Thank you, Evander," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "For everything today."
He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. "Of course. I... I care about you, Mireille. Not just as an employee."
My breath catches in my throat. Is he saying what I think he's saying?
"Evander, I?—"
But before I can finish, he takes a step back, his professional mask sliding back into place. "Get some rest, Mireille. I don't want to see you in the office tomorrow—take the day off to recover. We'll discuss how to handle your work duties when you return."
I nod, trying to hide my disappointment at his sudden retreat. "Okay. Thank you again, Evander."
He gives me a small smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Goodnight, Mireille. Take care of yourself."
With that, he turns and walks away. I watch him go; my heart heavy with unspoken words. As I close my apartment door, I lean against it, letting out a long sigh.
What just happened? For a moment there, I thought... but no. Evander made it clear that whatever is between us can't go beyond the professional realm. No matter how much I might wish otherwise.
I move further into my apartment, wincing as I accidentally bump my injured arm against the wall. As I settle onto my couch, I can't help but replay everything in my mind.
Evander's concern, his insistence on taking me to the hospital, the way he stayed by my side throughout the examination—it all felt so.
.. intimate. So far removed from our usual boss-employee dynamic.
And then there was that moment at my door, when he said he cared about me as more than just an employee.
But then he pulled away, retreating behind that professional facade he wears so well. It's like he caught himself getting too close and had to put that distance back between us.
I groan, burying my face in my good hand. Why does everything have to be so complicated? Why can't I just have a normal crush on a nice, available guy instead of falling for my enigmatic, emotionally unavailable boss?
My phone buzzes, interrupting my pity party. It's a text from Lil.
Lil: Hey girl, heard about your accident. You okay? Want me to bring over some of my famous hot chocolate?
I smile despite myself. Trust Lil to know exactly what I need right now.
Me: That would be amazing and maybe bring some of those chocolate chip cookies too? I think I need comfort food tonight.
Lil: You got it, honey. Be there in 20.
As I wait for Lil to arrive, I can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring. Evander told me to take the day off, but the thought of sitting at home alone with my thoughts and my throbbing arm isn't particularly appealing.
Maybe I'll go into the office anyway. Just for a little while. To check on things. And if I happen to run into Evander... Well, that would just be a coincidence, right?
I open the door to find Lil standing there, her arms laden with a thermos of hot chocolate and a bag that undoubtedly contains her famous cookies. Her eyes widen as she takes in the sight of my bandaged arm.
"Girl, what on earth happened?" she exclaims, bustling past me into the apartment.
I close the door behind her, sighing. "I had a little accident at work. Lost my balance while watering a plant and took a tumble."
Lil sets her offerings on the coffee table and turns to me, hands on her hips. "And let me guess, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Grumpy rushed you to the hospital himself?"
I feel my cheeks heat up. "How did you know?"
Lil rolls her eyes, a knowing smirk on her face. "Please. That man may try to hide it, but he cares about you way more than he lets on. Now, spill. I want all the juicy details."
I sink onto the couch, wincing slightly as I jostle my injured arm. "There's not much to tell, really. He drove me to the hospital, stayed with me during the examination, and then brought me home."
Lil raises an eyebrow as she pours the hot chocolate into mugs. "Uh-huh. And that's all that happened? No dramatic confessions of love? No passionate kisses in the hospital corridor?"
I can't help but laugh at her dramatic imagination. "Lil, this isn't one of your romance novels. It's real life. And in real life, bosses don't fall in love with their clumsy assistants."
"Maybe not," Lil concedes, handing me a steaming mug. "But they also don't usually drop everything to personally escort said assistants to the hospital. Face it, Miri. There's something there."
I take a sip of the rich, creamy hot chocolate, letting its warmth soothe me. "I don't know, Lil. Sometimes I think maybe you're right. But then he pulls away, puts that professional mask back on, and I'm left wondering if I imagined it all."
Lil settles next to me on the couch, her expression softening. "Oh honey, you didn't imagine it. That man is crazy about you. He's just too stubborn or too scared to admit it."
I shake my head, not wanting to get my hopes up. "Even if that were true, what could come of it? He's my boss, Lil. It would be complicated and messy and probably end with me losing my job."
"Or," Lil counters. "It could be the start of something amazing. Sometimes the best things in life are a little complicated and messy."
I don't respond, mulling over her words as I sip my hot chocolate. Part of me wants to believe her, wants to think that maybe, just maybe, Evander feels the same way I do. But another part, the practical part, knows how risky it would be to pursue anything with him.
"Anyway," Lil says, clearly sensing my need for a subject change. "Enough about Mr. Grumpy Pants. Are you excited for the kite flying competition this weekend? I still can't believe you got him to agree to that!"
I groan, remembering the upcoming event. "Oh God, I'd almost forgotten about that. How am I supposed to fly a kite with this?" I gesture to my bandaged arm.
Lil grins mischievously. "Well, I guess you'll just have to let Evander do most of the work. Maybe you can guide his hands on the string, show him how to maneuver the kite just right..."
I feel my face flush hot at Lil's suggestive tone. "Lil! It's not like that. We're just... participating in a community event. As colleagues."
"Uh-huh," Lil says, clearly unconvinced. "Well, 'colleagues' or not, it'll be a perfect opportunity for you two to spend some time together outside of work. Who knows what might happen?"
I roll my eyes, but I can't quite squash the little flutter of excitement in my stomach at the thought of spending a day at the beach with Evander. Even if we are just flying kites.
"Anyway," I say, desperate to change the subject. "How are things going with you and the gorgeous lawyer, Liam?"
Lil's eyes light up, and she launches into a detailed account of her love life. I listen, grateful for the distraction from my own complicated love life.
As the evening wears on, Lil and I chat about everything and nothing, just like we've done since I've known her. By the time she leaves, my spirits are lifted and my arm is feeling a bit better, thanks in no small part to Lil's magical hot chocolate and the ice pack she insisted I use.
After seeing Lil out, I get ready for bed, my mind still swirling with thoughts of Evander. As I settle under the covers, I can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring. Despite Evander's instructions to take the day off, I'm already planning to go into the office, if only for a little while.
I tell myself it's because I have important work to do, projects that can't wait. But deep down, I know the real reason. I want to see him. To thank him again for his kindness today. To see if that spark I felt between us was real or just a product of the day's drama.
As I drift off to sleep, my last thoughts are of Evander's intense blue eyes, the feel of his hand on my back, and the way he said he cared about me as more than just an employee.
Tomorrow, I'll try to figure out what's really going on between us. And maybe, just maybe, I'll find the courage to do something about it.