4. "Make one wrong move, little one, and your family will be mourning for you."
After an entire busy day at the hospital, I was packing my bag to go home around 8 pm. But of of course, luck wasn't on my side.
Dr. Bailey approached me, and the look on her face told me she bore no good news for me.
"Dr. Aysel, go and check Mr. Knight one last time. If everything is alright, prepare his discharge process."
I inhaled a deep breath. "But Dr. Bailey—"
"No buts." She upbraided.
I pressed my lips together and nodded, turning to walk to the elevator.
Of my colleagues had been tending to him the past few days. I heard how he was recovering. And he hadn't even given anyone a hard time after me. I just couldn't understand what his problem was with me.
As the elevator doors opened, I shuddered in fear in remembrance of what he did last time. My shoulder throbbed dully as I recalled the events.
Stupid psychopath.
Taking a deep breath and mustering up all the courage I could, I opened the door to his room and stepped inside.
My eyes instantly met his cold, dark brown ones. I felt so scared, I wanted to cry. I couldn't maintain eye contact with him as I walked up to his bed. How embarrassing. He treated me so aggressively and here I was, making sure that he was alright.
I licked my lips, forcing myself to look at him. "Hello, Mr. Knight. I'll be checking you one last time hopefully, and if everything is fine, you can go home."
I saw him breathe a sigh of relief before he nodded.
I took his vitals and examined him superficially as quickly as I could. "Mr. Knight, I'm going to expose your abdomen so I can take a look at your wound."
He nodded, still not saying anything.
I felt warm all over and extremely nervous as I exposed his abdomen. My body stiffened as the hard bricks of his abs came into view. I could feel my cheeks turning red, and I prayed he wouldn't notice.
I forced myself to focus on his stitched up wound in his left lumbar region.
"Like what you see?" He asked, his voice barely holding any emotion as he locked his eyes with mine.
I felt like a deer caught in headlights.
"I... don't really like seeing my patients hurt, even if they almost break my shoulder to pieces." I replied softly, deflecting his question, my heart beating nervously in my chest.
He snickered softly, with zero humour as usual, before licking his lips.
I covered his abdomen. "Okay, you're all good. You can finally go home. You'll have to be back here in ten days to get your stitches removed."
He sighed agitatedly, but didn't say anything.
"I'll go start your discharge process." I announced, turning to leave, but gasped as he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him. I found myself putting my hands on his chest to steady my balance.
My lips parted in surprise as I stared at his impassive face eyes wide. "Does your shoulder still hurt?" He questioned, his voice low and almost a mumble.
I shuddered. Our faces were too close. My hands were on his chest with his big hand wrapped around one of my wrists like a bracelet. "Um... no."
He extended his other hand toward my shoulder, but I removed one of my hands from his chest and caught it. "What are you doing?"
"Checking for any bruising." He replied simply.
I frowned slightly. "That's not your job... you shouldn't be grabbing people like that in the first place."
"You shouldn't be inciting people to behave like that." He said lowly, a hint of menace coating his words.
"I didn't do anything." My frown deepened.
He let go of my wrist, and I instantly stood up straight. "You pushed my buttons."
I bit my lip to keep myself from arguing. Without another word, I headed for the door and left.
I prepared his discharge form and informed Dr. Bailey who said she would take care of the rest. Then I returned to the OPD to start gathering my stuff again. I was so glad I didn't have a night shift.
I finished signing some forms, and shoved some more stuff into my bag. That's when I lifted my head to meet familiar dark brown orbs staring me down to my soul.
He was dressed in a dark grey t-shirt and black pants, and I noticed a man almost as tall as him standing right behind him. I swallowed in fear when he started taking small steps toward me.
I tilted my head back to look at him when he finally stood before me. He was so damn tall. "Dr. Aysel." He uttered, his tone low and dark.
I gulped as a shiver ran down my spine. His tone and demeanour were making me nervous. Thank God he was finally leaving.
I licked my lips, clearing my throat. "Mr. Knight... congratulations on finally going home. Don't forget to take your medicines on time. I hope you have a speedy recovery."
He nodded, his eyes piercing through my soul.
"Are you able to walk?" I asked curiously.
"You see me on my feet, don't you?" He asked, his voice deep.
I nodded, pressing my lips together. Some strong willed man he was. Not surprising for a big, muscular, aggressive guy, I guess.
"Alright then. Goodbye." I said, slinging my backpack over my shoulder, hoping he would tear his piercing gaze away from me.
"Goodbye, Dr. Aysel. I hope you're not the one taking my stitches out when I come back."
I rolled my eyes. What was his problem specifically with me?
"Our feelings are mutual, Mr. Knight. Just to be on the safe side, I'll call in sick that day." I deadpanned.
"Splendid. Now you're acting like a good doctor, truly caring for a patient." I could hear the smirk in his voice. At least there was a hint of emotion in his voice this time. Usually he talked like a robot.
I gave him an exaggerated, sarcastic smile. "Good riddance, Mr. Knight."
Before he could react, I began walking away from him and out of the hospital. My walk was fast paced because I wanted to get away from him as fast as possible. The fear he instilled within me was annoyingly anxiety-provoking.
I unlocked my car, throwing my bag in the backseat before sitting in the driver seat. Gripping the steering wheel, I sighed. The relief I felt out of that man's presence was enormous.
———
"She presented with acute diarrhoea. I believe it's E. Coli...." I explained a case that presented a while ago in the OPD to my colleague.
He nodded, taking a few notes. "Did you give her an IV drip?"
"Yes. Ringer's lactate."
He nodded again. "She needs monitoring?"
"Yeah, she's really not in a good condition. It's good to monitor her bp and fluid output." I replied.
"Okay. I'll take care of it."
I nodded, turning to head back to the OPD.
"Hey, Aysel, wait."
"Yes, Andrew?"
"Are you doing anything tonight?"
"Um... I'm not sure. Why?"
He shrugged slightly. "Do you wanna grab dinner together?"
"Uh... if Dr. Bailey doesn't make me spend the night here last minute, sure." I replied.
He chuckled. "I think she had a traumatic experience during her early work days, so now she takes it out on us."
"That would explain things. I honestly hate it when people project their trauma on others. Like how is it our fault you weren't treated right? Why do you have to spread the negativity ahead?" I rambled.
"You're so right." He agreed.
"Well, I better head back to the OPD."
"Sure... text me about dinner." He insisted.
"Okay."
"Aysel!" Eva's urgent voice called me from behind.
"Yeah?" I looked at her expectantly.
"Guess who's here." She said. Me and Andrew stared at her in silence.
"Aiden Knight." She announced, and I huffed.
"I don't care." I declared, turning away.
"You're forced to. Dr. Bailey told me to tell you to assist in getting his stitches out."
I facepalmed myself, groaning in annoyance. "What is her problem? Why doesn't she make someone else do it?"
"Don't worry. This is his last trip to the hospital anyway."
"I really hope so." I sighed.
———
My eyes locked with the cold man's as I stood by the table he lay on. I wished we had given him general anaesthesia instead of local. That way his stone cold gaze wouldn't be staring me down the way it was.
I fought the urge to tell him to close his eyes or look away.
Dr. Bailey had ordered me to take his stitches out. She stood at the opposite end of the table, watching me as I carefully worked on getting his stitches out.
In my mind, I was wondering if he would have more snide remarks for me after this. Or if he was cussing at me in his head.
"How much longer?" He grumbled.
I was just wondering how he wasn't complaining.
"Just a few more minutes." I replied.
I was being extra cautious just for his sake, so he wouldn't accuse me for any inconvenience. But he really couldn't be grateful for anything, could he?
"I'll be back in a minute." Dr. Bailey said, stepping out of the OR.
Damn it.
Mr. Knight let out a frustrated sigh. "You were supposed to call in sick."
I rolled my eyes. "I forgot... besides I didn't think Dr. Bailey hated me so much to make me tend to you again."
He snorted. "I read that taking stitches out was a quick procedure."
"I'm being extra careful for your sake." I glared at him momentarily, before returning my attention to his stitches.
He scoffed. "You being slower is not going to compensate for your lack of competence."
My head shot up to glower at him. "Don't you think you're in too much of a compromising position to be uttering such words right now?"
He took in a deep breath, the look on his face relaxed and uncaring. "Make one wrong move, little one, and your family will be mourning for you."
I removed the final stitches and sighed, looking up to glare at him again. "Little one?"
He hummed.
I scowled at him. "Dr. Aysel," I drawled. "That's how you will be referring to me, Mr. Knight. Being a junior doctor doesn't mean I don't deserve respect."
He smirked, amusement dancing in his eyes. Just then, Dr. Bailey returned.
"Done? Good. Rush to the ER. There's a new patient wheeled in." She said.
I nodded, pacing out of the OR. After discarding my PPE, gloves and mask, I hurried to the ER.
We were able to quickly stabilise the patient, and then I stood on the sidewalk outside the hospital. Dr. Bailey said I could go home as we barely had any more patient flow.
My car was at the mechanic's, so I stood there waiting for Andrew. I ended up taking him on the dinner offer since I got off work early.
"Need a ride?" A deep voice sounded from behind. My heart sped up as I turned around to look at the source.
His 6 ft figure towered over me, standing erect and strong as if nothing ever happened to him.
"No, Mr. Knight." I uttered, looking around nervously. A chill ran down my spine as I noticed the darkness that surrounded me with not a soul in sight.
As if anyone could possibly save me from this man.
"It looks like you do." He insisted, his eyes not once leaving me.
I took a deep breath. "I don't, Mr. Knight. Thank you for the offer."
His lips parted again, but before he could speak, Andrew's voice sounded from behind.
I internally sighed in relief.
"Hey. Ready to go?" He stepped in front of me, somehow oblivious to the giant standing right there.
I nodded, unable to get words out.
I watched a frown etch onto Mr. Knight's forehead as he glared daggers at Andrew like he was his biggest enemy.
What a bitter, hateful man.
I turned around and began walking with Andrew to his car, without bidding the cold man a goodbye.