9. Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Licia
I woke up with a throbbing headache that I couldn’t explain. I tried to get up, but it felt like I was carrying a heavy weight on my head, which pulled me back to the bed.
The events at the cave flashed through my mind once again, and I pulled the bed cover over my head.
What was wrong with me?
How in the name of God did I allow myself to be swayed by the kiss?
It was unforeseen; nevertheless, it felt like it had been a long time coming. I tried not to think so much about it, but I wouldn’t lie that it succeeded in keeping me awake for a greater part of the night, chiding and berating myself.
But what did this mean?
The question lingered. I was no longer as mad at him as I was earlier. I accepted his apology, but a part of me was scared that there was a possibility that I would have a nervous breakdown and relive the hurt all over again.
After three futile attempts to get up, I gave up and pulled out my phone from under the pillow. I had to call Melony and inform her of the new development – I wasn’t going to work either. I needed to call in sick.
“Hi, Mel,” I spoke into the receiver once she picked up.
“Hello, Licia. Our celebrity nurse.” She added. I could tell she was already grinning from ear to ear. She ensured that I didn’t hear the last of Kevin's home nurse.
“What’s good?” I asked, smiling widely.
“Everything is basically how it usually is over here. You are coming in, right? It's getting pretty late.” She pointed out, forcing me to check the time. I had completely lost track of time.
“That’s actually why I called. I can’t report to work today. I feel a little under the weather and my head aches terribly.”
“Whoa, so sorry. Could it be the stress of juggling both the home care and the hospital shift?” She probed further, already trying to diagnose the cause.
“I doubt that's the issue. I will just rest it out today, either way. Hopefully, it will go away before dusk.”
“That’s cool. Don’t forget to eat and take some aspirin, okay?”
“Mel, I am not a patient,” I laughed out, “but thanks anyway. I will take your advice into consideration. Just help me report today's absenteeism.”
“I’ve got you. See you after my shift.”
“You are coming over? It’s not that serious, Melony.” I protested. She didn’t need to come over. I actually needed to be alone in order to process my thoughts.
“I have said my piece. Should I get anything on my way?”
“Nothing, dear."
“Why did I bother asking you? I know what to do. Bye, Licia. Take care of you.”
I smiled, “fine. Bye.”
As I hung up the call with Melony, Kevin’s call came in almost immediately, sending shock waves down my spine. Seems like he had been trying to reach me while I spoke with Melony.
I ignored it and dropped the phone on top of the drawer. I wasn’t mentally prepared to see or talk to him yet.
What was I even supposed to say, to begin with? I was afraid to admit that the kiss ignited a spark I thought had died off.
I finally mustered the strength to drag myself to the bathroom. Probably, a warm bath would do the trick, I reasoned.
There was no escaping what happened the previous evening, I mulled, as the water slowly trickled down my body. But… I could stall having to face it for a while.
Kevin kept calling and even texted me a few times, but I didn’t return any of it. For one, I was grateful that he didn’t know where I now lived. He may have tried to come in person.
I know I was probably going about things the wrong way by avoiding him, but I didn’t know a better way out of my quagmire.
***
I arrived at the hospital earlier than my usual reporting time the next day. I needed to speak with Dr. Shepherd before he got busy with the administration of the day.
He was an early bird, so I tried to be there before him.
Melony’s shift was in the afternoon, so no one was going to talk me out of what I had proposed to do. My mind was beyond being made up.
I changed into my scrubs and went to the lounge close to the entrance of the hospital to wait. I couldn’t afford to miss him, so I mounted guard, biding my time.
Thirty minutes later, Dr. Shepherd strolled in, cheerfully waving and exchanging pleasantries with some of the hospital staff. I immediately accosted him, readying myself for the task ahead.
“Chief, I would like to have a word with you, please…”
“Okay.”
“In private.” I blurted, without a second thought. I had just crossed the Rubicon, and there was no going back.
His smile disappeared. “Michaels, what’s the challenge? Heard you weren’t too strong yesterday? How are you feeling today?”
“I am good, Sir. Thanks for asking.”
“Very well then… Let’s head to my office.”
He led the way, and I followed behind, going over my speech one more time in my head. I was trying so hard to convince myself that I wasn’t making a rash decision.
“How’s Kevin Brown, though?”
“Actually, he is the one I want to talk to you about.” I responded calmly, weighing his reaction.
“Michaels, I am listening.” He said, easing himself into his black leather swivel seat once we entered his pristinely clean office. “Did he develop any complications?”
I cleared my throat, “No, Sir. He is in great condition. I just want to resign from being his home nurse.”
His brows furrowed in a frown. “Not again, Michaels. I thought we were over this a long time ago. What’s the reason this time? Are they giving you trouble there?” He probed further.
I understood his frustration; we couldn't be going over the same subject time and again.
“Not at all, Sir. Working with the family has been amazing, but I am resigning for personal reasons.” I tried elucidating, hoping I sounded convincing enough.
He regarded me for a split second. “Like what, if I may ask?”
“It’s quite personal, Sir. I can’t share the details with you. I really do hope you understand.”
He leaned back into the seat, tapping his temple with his index finger. “Hmm…”
I interfered with his train of thought. “Sir, I tried not to let emotions get in the way of discharging my duties with due diligence, but I guess it’s not working.
I know it’s unprofessional, and I am ready to receive whatever disciplinary action you deem appropriate. But, I can't be Mr. Brown’s home nurse anymore.”
I set the ball rolling, but I had no control over where it would go. I sincerely prayed that there would be no repercussions to my decision.
But if at the end of the day, it boiled down to losing my job, then I would gladly bear my cross. Besides, Gramps had left me his fortune and a whooping trust fund that I had barely touched. I had nothing to lose.
Dr. Shepherd looked baffled and deep in thought, but there was no way I was going to tell him in plain terms the reason for my resignation.
That I'm a coward, who was trying to run from my feelings, and hoping against hope that it doesn’t catch up with me.
“You are on the morning shift, right?” He asked, breaking into my thoughts.
“Yes, Chief,” I replied promptly.
“Great. So, I will page you before the end of your shift. I really need to think this through, but I can assure you that no sanction will be meted out to you. We all have things that we can't stand at the end of the day.”
He must have figured that whatever personal reason I had, that necessitated the resignation, was valid enough.
“Okay, Sir.” I stood up to leave. “Thank you for your time.”
“You are welcome.”
True to his words, the Chief paged me during my recess. His conditions were very clear. I had to find a replacement for myself as soon as possible; only then would he accept my resignation.
It was not going to be a difficult task, though… Melony would be over the moon to take my place.
***
“Can you handle it?” I asked Melony, with a plea in my eyes, as we ate our cheeseburgers and chips at the cafeteria. I had stayed behind until she came to work so I could talk her into accepting to be my replacement.
She always claimed that she wanted to trade places with me in administering care to Kevin, but right now, she didn’t look excited at the offer.
“Wait, Licia. If you don’t mind me asking again, why exactly are you resigning?” She queried thoughtfully.
“Didn’t you hear me earlier? It's for personal reasons.”
“Did he make any sexual advances at you? Is he a predator?” Her eyes widened as she made the allegations.
“No… Melony! Geez, it’s nothing like that. He is really a chill guy.” I defended him, wondering why Melony had to think of him in that light.
“Don’t blame me for assuming the worst. You didn't leave me a lot of options to choose from. If he is a cool dude, and hasn't made any inappropriate advances toward you, so what is it?”
“You don't give up, do you?” I hinted.
She giggled, “you know me too well. So, tell me. No more games.”
I had to think fast. “I think I'm beginning to nurse feelings for him in my heart, and I can’t keep at it. I don’t want to be heartbroken in the long run.” At least this much was not entirely a fib.
She squinted, pursing her lips, “I don’t believe you. For all the years we have been working together, you have barely paid attention to any guy, not even Corbin who has a serious crush on you, and now out of the blues, you have feelings for Kevin Brown?”
“Seriously though. I am not kidding.”
“Fine. I will take over from you.” She consented, drinking her ginger ale.
I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Finally, I was free to back out. “Thanks so much.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I will have to see for myself. I don’t quite buy your story, but I will let it slide for now.”
“You will love it there, I promise.”
She eyed me and was about to say something but decided against it.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking about this whole arrangement.”
I toned down my excitement.
“Does he know you are resigning?” She asked me with a steady gaze.
“Who knows?” Was she talking about Kevin or Corbin? Corbin would definitely be shocked to learn of my resignation from Kevin’s care. I hadn’t even thought about him.
“Mr. Brown, of course. Who else are we talking about?”
“Oh…” I responded, picking some chips from the plate. “… he doesn’t, and please don’t act like you know me.” I had to crave her indulgence. She might innocently spill details I would rather she kept to herself.
“Why?” She asked with a raised brow.
“He may have questions about my whereabouts.”
“I doubt that, though. I think the Chief would inform them of the change before I arrive, so there is no cause for alarm.”
Melony was right. I was being paranoid for nothing. The Chief was a close friend of Kevin’s dad, so he would give them the necessary heads-up.
“Hurry up with your lunch, Mel. We need to go back to Dr. Shepherd. He would be expecting an answer from me by now.”
She shoved the remaining piece of the burger into her mouth, “Take a chill pill, Licia. Do you want me to choke on my food?”
I smiled, “No, Mel. I will wait.”
“Don’t forget. You owe me one.”
“Yeah, sure.”