11. "You're my prey. If somebody gets to kill you, it's me."
Someone calling my name repeatedly slowly dragged me out of slumber. I groaned softly, slowly opening my eyes. Bright light coming through the windows hit my eyes, making me squint.
I blinked, sitting up. As my vision adjusted to the light, Mr. Knight came into view. He stood clad in a crisp white dress shirt and black pants, carrying his blazer on his forearm.
"Get ready fast. I have a meeting at my office. I'll take you to your place to get your stuff." His command came through abruptly.
"Get my stuff?" I asked sleepily.
"Yes, you can pack your necessities and bring them here."
"You're telling me to move in?" My eyes widened.
"Not really. You can stay here until it's clear that staying at your place is not a threat."
"But—"
"Aysel, I am running late." He said impatiently, tapping his foot on the ground.
I instantly pushed the covers off my body and rushed to my bedroom.
After quickly changing into my outfit from the previous day, I rushed out of the bedroom. Mr. Knight was standing by the staircase, waiting for me. His scrutinising gaze looked me up and down, before he started hurriedly rushing down the stairs. I followed him, struggling to keep up with his pace.
We sat in his car, and he began driving instantly. I bit my lip as I recalled the events of last night.
"Can I ask you something?" I asked him softly.
He hummed a reply, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Do you... um... want to talk about... last night?" I asked hesitantly, scared of his reaction.
"What about last night?" He responded nonchalantly.
"Um... your dream? Do you want to talk about it?" I said nervously.
"What dream?" He asked, making me scrunch up my eyebrows.
"You had a bad dream last night..." I reminded.
"I remember no such thing." He replied, his face impassive.
I wondered if he was telling the truth, but decided to keep my mouth shut.
We stayed quiet for the rest of the ride. Finally, he parked in front of my apartment. Fear took over me as I looked at the broken windows.
Mr. Knight opened my door for me, and I stepped out. Using my keys that he had forgotten to return to me last night, he pushed the front door open, and I cautiously stepped in after him. My eyes scanned my surroundings in fear. Everything seemed to be exactly how I had left it.
Except for the pieces of glass on the floor from the broken windows.
"My bedroom's upstairs." I told Mr. Knight.
He nodded, striding up the stairs, not a hint of fear or reluctance in his demeanour as he took the lead. He pushed my bedroom door open and stepped in. I stayed back, waiting for him to scan the room.
He gestured for me to come in.
Releasing the breath I was holding, I stepped inside.
"Hurry. Pack your stuff." He ordered.
I complied, taking a bag out of my closet and shoving my essential items inside. I could see him repeatedly look at his watch from my peripheral vision.
"You can go if you're running late." I said, even though I did not want to be left alone.
"I'm the boss, so it's fine." He replied.
His phone started ringing, and he immediately put it to his ear.
"Hello?" He was quiet for a few minutes as he listened to the person on the other end.
I watched him stiffen, his jaw clenching.
He turned around, giving his back to me.
"Are you sure?" He asked, and I could hear a little quiver in his voice.
As I put the last thing in my bag, I looked up to see his hand shaking.
He sucked in a staggered breath. "Where?
.... Well find out! I need all related information ASAP!
" He raised his voice. He listened to the person for a couple more minutes, before hanging up.
When he turned back around to meet my gaze, I saw a storm brewing in his dark brown eyes. He seemed angry, frustrated, hurt and... vengeful. "I-is everything okay?" I found myself asking.
His gaze hardened. "Are you done?" His tone was colder than his gaze.
"Yes." I bit my lip.
"Then what are you waiting for?" He quipped angrily, turning to the door.
I took a deep breath, slinging the bag over my shoulder, but before I could walk out, I noticed an envelope on my bed. One that I certainly had not put there.
Mr. Knight disappeared down the stairs as I stayed back to rip the envelope open and reveal the note inside.
Dear Aysel,
Nobody tells me no. Nobody insults me. And if they do, they pay the price.
Hide wherever you wish to. I promise I will find you.
My hand clamped to my mouth as I read the note, my body freezing in terror.
"Aysel?" Mr. Knight's annoyed voice sounded from behind as he re-entered my room. "What are you doing?"
I couldn't move. I felt paralysed. I heard his footsteps draw closer to me, before his hand snatched the note from me. He scowled as he read it.
"Who is this from?" He demanded.
"I don't know." I muttered, shaking.
"What have you involved yourself in?" He interrogated, his eyes piercing through mine.
I fought back tears. "I haven't done anything... I don't know who is doing this and why."
"It's obvious that this person is very dangerous." He stated.
I nodded, wiping a thin layer of sweat from my forehead. "I'm just a junior doctor. An ordinary one. I have never been a part of anything that would lead to someone sending me threatening notes."
He sighed frustratedly. "You've clearly offended someone dangerous."
I couldn't help but narrow my eyes at him. "The only dangerous person who threatens me from time to time is you."
He rolled his eyes. "I don't have time to break people's windows and send them notes. I have someone on my target, I take my gun out and shoot them. It's as simple as that."
"Thank you. I feel so much better now that you've shared your murder method with me." I said sarcastically.
He rolled his eyes again. "Let's go now."
I followed him back to his car, where he put my bag in his trunk. We sat inside and he started driving to the hospital to drop me off.
"Can you tell Dr. Bailey not to scold me for being late?" I asked, biting my lip.
"I'll tell her to double your workload instead." He replied.
"I already have a night shift." I argued.
"Not anymore. I'll pick you at 8:00." He said.
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"Why are you helping me?" I wondered. "Don't you hate me?"
He sighed. "Someone clearly wants to kill you, and I can't allow that," I looked at him eyes wide, surprised at his words. "You're my prey. If somebody gets to kill you, it's me."
I frowned, narrowing my eyes accusingly at him. "You're unbelievably horrible!" I gushed.
"Yeah, whatever," He said, pulling into the parking lot of the hospital. "Get off quickly. I'm so late because of you."
I rolled my eyes, getting out of his car. He drove off the second I did.
I hurried into the hospital, taking big steps towards the OPD. Dr. Bailey was already strict, and when it came to tardiness, she would turn into a demon.
As I stepped into the waiting area outside the OPD, I spotted her standing next to the reception desk, giving instructions to someone. As soon as she finished, she looked up, her eyes instantly landing on me.
My feet slowed down as her gaze zeroed in on me. Scared, I took small steps towards her, preparing myself for an upbraiding and more 'I'll have you fired' threats.
"Dr. Aysel," she locked her gaze with mine. "Do you see the time?" I opened my mouth to respond, but her phone started ringing.
She held a finger up, before taking the call. "Hello?.... Yes, sir.... Oh I see... okay... bye."
When she hung up, I opened my mouth again to speak, but she beat me to it. "Mr. Knight just told me that he assigned you a task which you were working on, which is why you're late. So, your tardiness is excused."
I blinked, gaping at her. Mr. Knight told her what?
"Now go, work. Do you see the number of patients?" She chastised. I nodded readily, heading to the OPD.
The whole day was a busy one for me. As the chaos in the OPD died down, I was called to assist a surgery in the OT. After the surgery, I made my way to the doctor's room, but was stopped mid-way by a colleague, who told me I had been summoned to Mr. Knight's office.
I pondered over what he had in store for me now.
I knocked at his door. "Come in." He called.
I stepped inside, seeing him type on a brand new MacBook, since I had broken his previous one. "Yes, Mr. Knight?" I fiddled with my hands, scared to learn what new tactic he had come up with to torment me.
He finally looked up from his laptop, closing it. "Come closer." He stated.
I stepped closer to his desk, and as I did, he pulled a drawer open. Taking out a document, he pushed it towards me, on the desk.
"What's this?" I asked curiously, taking hold of it.
"Another surgical conference is being arranged this weekend. Since you wanted to attend it so badly, here's your chance to do so." He said casually, his face impassive, as usual.
I stared at him open-mouthed. "What?"
He sighed. "You heard me, Dr. Aysel. I'm not going to repeat myself."
"B-but how?" I asked, both confused and excited.
He sighed deeply. "You broke my laptop and slapped me, and here I am. Funding a conference for you."
I blinked as I gaped at him. I was utterly stunned.
He was funding for there to be another conference?
For me? He had to be the weirdest and most complicated person in the entire world.
He was a nightmare in living form one moment and the next, it would seem like he had a relatively tame and humane side to him as well.
"Why would you do that?" I questioned, softly, still in disbelief.
"Do you want me to change my mind?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
I instantly shook my head.
"Then go. Finish your shift and meet me in the parking lot at eight." He ordered, before pointing to the door.
I walked out of his office in a daze. As I finally processed that I was getting to attend the conference after all, a grin broke across my face.
The first time Aiden Knight became the reason of my happiness.