Page 8 of Unapologetic Obsession
“I have to attend an important meeting.” Or rather, I only had a few hours to turn two ethical officers dirty. Hopefully, cash would do the trick. Resorting to blackmail would require procuring dirt, and there wasn’t enough time for that. “I’ll be back later. Okay?”
She nodded as I kissed her temple. The last thing I had expected was the amenability, especially given how feral she appeared. I stood and walked out of the room, my footsteps heavy with discontent at parting with my stowaway.
Chapter
Four
ROSE
I cranedmy neck to listen to their conversation. Their argument was inaudible, but Dr. Maxwell’s harsh assertions told me he was winning.
I lay on the comforter, aware that my dirty feet were ruining the lavish covers. They felt soft, unlike any luxury I had known. Until today, I didn’t even know what it was like to be warm. Who knew heat felt so good?
Tears sprang to my eyes. How many times had I hoped someone would douse me with this type of kindness or look at me the way he did? It was the first dose of compassion I had experienced, and I was beyond grateful to him for restoring my faith in mankind.
Abiding by his instructions was a no-brainer, and I dutifully waited for the nurse. I melted against the soft mattress while awaiting her return. The elegant scents and the silky linens called to me, and I shut my eyes.
“Rose?”
My eyes fluttered to make out a figure. It was the nurse, Amelie. I didn’t remember introducing myself to her. Dr. Maxwell must have given her my name.
She sat on the bed, poring over me with concern. “Don’t fall asleep until I can rule out a concussion.”
For a moment, I was struck by her beauty. Rich golden-bronze skin and soft pink cheeks. Not a single visible pore on her face, which was framed by charcoal hair. Her deep brown eyes were striking. Even the shapeless blue scrubs couldn’t camouflage her perfect hourglass figure.
“You’re beautiful,” I said stupidly before I could think better of it.
Her stunning eyes rounded as if I had grown three heads. Dr. Maxwell had reacted the same way when I spoke for the first time.
She shook it off and shone a penlight into my eyes. I squinted but tried my best to follow her instructions. It was a while before she retracted the light and showed me to the bathroom.
The bathroom boasted a luxurious marble countertop and golden faucets with a fancy bathtub in the middle. I relieved myself, then hobbled to the sink, taking full advantage of the mini mouthwash bottle. Sitting at the edge of the tub as it filled, I dipped my feet inside to relieve the ache in my ankle. It was hard to rinse off from this position, and I couldn’t find soap or a loofah. Still, running hot water was a commodity, and cleaning my privates was a godsend.
Amelie eventually knocked on the door, insisting I return to the room to continue the tests. She held small prints from an arm’s length, moved them closer, and asked me to read out loud. She froze every time I looked her in the eye and gave her an answer.
Initially, I considered there might be something wrong with my voice. Soon, I realized she was awed that I met her gaze at all whenever I spoke. She was even more shocked when I didn’t react after she absentmindedly touched my ankle to examine it.She had immediately retracted her hand, almost as if she had crossed some serious personal boundaries.
I internally shrugged. Perhaps she had expected me to be a meek thing that couldn’t make eye contact while speaking or too timid to be touched.
Amelie scribbled notes, ultimately declaring, “I think we can rule out concussion, but Dr. Maxwell will want to confirm for himself.”
“When is he coming back?” I asked like a loyal puppy. Could you blame me? If someone fed a stray dog and showered it with love, it would wag its tail at the thought of its new owner.
“Soon.” She hesitated before busying herself with a tray full of supplies. “H-he mentioned you’re suffering from some memory loss.” She studied me skeptically.
I nodded, dissolving into the mattress. There was no point in convincing her I was telling the truth. Amnesia was a telenovela plot, even I retained that much recollection. Any normal human being would think I was making it up.
I closed my eyes. After all, she said I could sleep if I didn’t have a concussion. I hissed when something unpleasant grazed my cheek. Amelie tsked when I moved away from the burning sensation.
“These will get infected if I don’t treat them with antiseptic,” she insisted, chasing my face with a cotton ball. “Dr. Maxwell scheduled for vaccine vials to be dropped off before we set sail. You’ll be out of the danger zone after a tetanus shot.”
I didn’t know what a tetanus shot was, but it sounded unpleasant. Something else she said niggled at my mind.
Before we set sail.
But I couldn’t leave on this boat. The plan was to regain my strength and find my way home. My family probably lived in New York. Sailing away meant I was going in the wrongdirection. “I can’t leave,” I mumbled. “Can you let me know before the boat sets sail?”
She ignored the request. “Let’s get these cleaned up,” she said, lifting my arm to inspect the wounds. “How about I grab some toiletries and run you a warm bath? You can go back to sleep once I’m done.”
