AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m Sebastian.” He finally said, stretching out his hand as he introduced himself.
“Van. Sorry, I was a little paranoid. But Alba never mentioned you were coming.”
“Oh, it’s okay. Maybe she forgot; she forgets things often these days.”
That was true. So I nodded.
“Are you okay?” He asked again, referring to his earlier observation.
“I’m good. I’m okay.” Although he does not push it, I can tell that he does not believe it.
“Well, you’re allowed not to be okay, too, you know. I’ve worked here a while now, and I know the boss is not the easiest person to live with. But you look like you can handle it. I can tell.”
When I was in my bedroom that night, Sebastian’s words came back to me while I was on the phone with Leila.
“So, how’s it been so far?” My friend asked.
“It’s a little tough; I will not lie. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“Now, that’s the Vanny I know and love. Not that I don’t love other parts of you, of course. But I’m proud of you.” Leila said.
“Thank you, Leila. If it weren't for you, I would probably be living on the streets within a few months.”
“Nah. I know you, Van. You would have been all right, with or without me. You’re going to be all right. I promise.”
I felt the tears gathering as I nod my head, even though she couldn’t see me.
“Thanks.”
After we hung up, I turned into my pillow, allowing the tears to flow freely, swallowing my sobs.
It did not feel like I was going to be all right; I was choking on my grief and putting on a farce for everyone else. It was exhausting.
My last thought before I went to bed was that Christian Fitzgerald, the third, was a battle I was not sure I could conquer.
Chapter 8
Christian
“Comein!”
The door to my study opened, and I saw a hand holding a tray before her entire body walked in. She was wearing black leggings and an oversized knitted sweater that swallowed the entire upper half of her body. Her hair was packed in a high ponytail, and her face was bare and free of makeup, making her look much younger than her actual age.
I’d requested her file from Ethan. She intrigued me, and I wanted to know who she was. She was brilliant. Graduating at the top of all her classes; high school, college, and nursing school, so I was a little confused about why she would come here. Her last place of employment said she worked at a top hospital in the city.
I wondered why a nurse as brilliant as she was would take a job in the middle of nowhere to look after a grumpy-assed man.
“Sir, your lunch is ready.” She barely looked at me as she set the tray for my lunch on the desk and stood by the side. I could tell she was very much on edge, and it gave me a twisted, satisfied feeling that I made her nervous.
“I already placed your pills on the cup by the side.” She showed me the cup even though I was barely looking at her.
“Your therapist will be here in one hour. So we should probably get you ready before then. Is there anything else you might need?” She asked.
“I won’t be needing your help to get ready. I can handle it myself.”
I’m aware of how much of an asshole I must sound like, but it seemed I could not help it whenever I was around her. I did not need a psychologist to tell me it was a defense mechanism against my raging attraction toward her. I felt like a middle schooler picking on the cute girl he liked in his class.
Seeing her in my workshop last week did not feel invasive, even though I let no one in there, not even Gigi, when we were dating. I was angry at the fact that I wanted her there.
