"Nora? What are you doing here?", Amy was befuddled.
They had spoken about fifteen minutes ago. So how could she come to the hospital after what they agreed on? And she had registered as Jennifer Harper, how did she get the right name and room? She soon got her response when Suzy walked in. She was smiling as she put away her phone.
"I brought you a visitor", she happily announced.
"Yeah.... Um... How did you....?" Amy did not recall ever introducing them.
"Oh! I met her when Steven was checking in on her mother. I was with him then. Knowing the close relationship you have with her mother, I easily guessed she was here for you when I saw her at the reception", she explained. She looked at her watch and gasped, "I have to run. I'll let you guys chat."
She waved at the couple and turned to say goodbye to Nora but saw the girl was still in a daze. She shrugged it off and exited the room. Amy was unsure of how to deal with the current dilemma.
"Nora?" Her voice was soft and gentle. "What are you doing here?"
"Mom didn't buy my shit so I was sent to make sure you're really okay but wait, is he your brother? Tell me he's your brother", she sounded a little desperate as she pointed at Zach. Amy shook her head in response to which Nora groaned in frustration as she held her head. "How can you do this to me? I can't.... I cant.... Ugh!"
She paced around the room in confusion and frustration. The two followed her movements one in confusion and one in fear. She suddenly stopped in her tracks and looked at him.
"So he must be your husband then? It explains a lot, you must be some high rank official especially with the hulk team of bodyguards outside", she muttered before resuming her pacing.
Zach looked at Amy and she dropped her gaze. She couldn't look him in the eye when she felt embarrassed. Now he knows she's a big liar, lying to people who care about her. She must look bad in his eyes. And he must have tons of questions to ask to quench his curiosity. He placed a hand on top of hers before lacing the two together shocking her. She looked him in the eyes, searching for answers only to find gentleness and adoration. Was she misreading things?
Nora sighed in frustration when she took in the lovey-dovey scene before her. "I have to go", she said in resolve.
"About this-" Amy started.
"I'll tell my mom you're okay. After all, she did send me here to make sure of that. But should I... Should I tell her about his arrival?" She looked between the two. Amy would have mentioned on the phone if she wanted them to know, hence, why she asked.
"Both of us would love and appreciate it if you keep this little secret between us", Zach answered.
"Anything for you", she answered dreamily almost immediately.
Zach and Amy's brows rose in surprise. What was going on with Nora? The girl excused herself with Amy promising to call Stella later on. Once the door closed behind her, Zach retracted his gaze.
"She's weird", he commented.
"She's a lot of things", Amy said with a shake of her head.
Close to an hour later, she reached home to find Stella on the couch with Richard cutting up some fruit for his wife.
"Did you see Emily? How is she? Is it serious?" Stella wished she could get up off her seat and run off to the hospital herself.
"Yes, she's fine", she answered in her dreamy state with a smile plastered on her face.
Stella's brows furrowed when she saw this. "Hey, did you really go see Emily?"
"I think she did. That expression can only be as a result of seeing Emily", Richard commented.
He had personally experienced it during the other night's dinner. His shameless daughter could not hide her dreamy eyes at Amy at every chance she gets. Stella sighed, it seemed her husband was right.
Nora walked to her room and threw herself on the bed. She thought back to when Zach and Amy watched her walk in.
She sighed in helplessness, "I'm in trouble."
Back at the hospital
Amy watched Zach clean up the empty plates and wheeled the cart back to the door. A man, Amy now learned was one of the bodyguards, took it from him. He went to the kitchen and searched the cabinets. He found a basin and disappeared with it into the bathroom and ame back in with a towel on his shoulder and the basin of water in his hands. He placed them on her night stand.
"I forgot to ask Dr. Glynne if normal baths are allowed, so let's make do with this for now", he said as he soaked the towel.
Amy felt embarrassed and quickly covered her face with her hands. How crusty must she look in this moment? 'So embarrassing!' she groaned. Zach chuckled when he saw that and removed her hands.
"I'm not saying you look dirty, I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable and icky as we wait on the doctor's orders", he explained.
Amy nodded away although she still felt dirty and embarrassed. He dipped the towel and wrung out the water. He held her by the chin with one hand and used the other to wipe her face. She immediately relaxed.
The warm towel, the feel of his fingers on her skin, the way his gaze turned serious and concentrative like he was doing an important task, the way he pursed his lips, and the way his scent enveloped her. She had to fight to not jump him, the closeness was torturous for her. Yet, it only got worse.
He soaked and wrung the towel before moving to her neck. His movements were precise yet gentle. The hospital gown was loose and adjustable. Her collarbone was exposed, and he could see how rapid her heart was beating from her carotid pulse. His movements slowed down as his eyes remained glued to that spot.
She closed her eyes when she felt his warm breath against her skin. Her elegant long fingers clutched the sheets.
'Anytime now....' she thought as she held her breath.
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