Risky Alliance

“Who the hell does he think he is?” I questioned no one in particular. I left his room in utter shock and confusion as soon as he blurted out those words. “How am I supposed to help feign his death?” I can't be considering this.

“Argh”, I screamed “goddammit! Screw you Dante.” I cut my finger, instead of the veggies. I'm letting Dante take over my thoughts and that wasn't healthy. I didn't even know the man for God’s sake.

*****

“Ensure you're attending the right patient assigned to you.” Olga ordered as usual. ,”Audrey, you're strictly in charge of Mr Rossi.” She said, pleading with me with her eyes.

“What!” I whisper-yelled, while she kept barking orders. When she was done, I followed her into her office. “Why am I strictly in charge of that man that seems to be on crack?”

“He specifically requested for you,paid in full for your services and the hospital management approved of it.”

Shock was an understatement to describe my feelings. “He literally bought my services without my consent.”

Olga looked at me from her glasses. “No one is expecting you to complain, you gave the man three pints of your blood.” She said, with a little grin. “If I didn't know any better, I'd say you know him from somewhere or you like him.” She finished.

I felt my blood pressure rise, I was angry and frustrated. “How did you know that? And I like him?” I scoffed. “You can't be serious. I don't even know the man. I only felt pity for him that's y donated my blood.” I protested, trying so hard to taper my anger.

Olga raised an eyebrow, mischief dancing around the corners. “Save it Aud. I've seen the way you stare at him. And don't worry, I think the feeling is mutual.” She said in a sing-song voice.

I shook my head, I just wasn't going to win this argument. “How did you know I donated three pints of blood to him? I asked curiously.

“When have you known Dr Anderson to keep a secret?” She fired back. “I think he told Tessa during their sexscapades and trust Tessa to let us know.”

“You mean everyone knows?” I asked, feeling disappointed and betrayed. “Yep, everyone knows.” She said, nodding her head. “....well except for him. I made sure no one told him.”

I felt relieved and grateful to Olga. “Shuuu, leave my office, go do your job.”

I gritted my teeth, “how did I even end up in this situation?” I grumbled to myself as I left her office. I'm a nurse,not some caregiver to a rich, arrogant, demanding patient.

I got to his room. Reluctantly, I stepped in ignoring the brewing anger I felt. “It's time for your medication.” I announced. He was more alert and awake than I expected.

“Ah! If it isn't my favorite nurse, I've been waiting for you Audrey” he said with mischievous glint on his face.

I kept a poker face, took a deep breath, “Mr Rossi, it's Nurse Audrey to you. It's time for your medication.”

“Fine, nurse Audrey, I paid for your services and I will get it on full. Hand me my drugs.”

I gently walked over to his bedside, poured in the medication in a small cup and gave it to him an avoiding every form of physical and eye contact.

“Here is your medication, Mr Rossi” I said in a professional voice even I didn't recognize.

“Thank you”, he took the cup gulped down the drugs without flinching.

As I turned to leave, he stopped me. “You haven't given me an answer yet.” He said.

“What answer are you talking about?” I asked, pretending to be clueless.

He smiled. “It would be in your best interest to help me fake my death.” he said in pure amusement.

I felt like slapping the stupidity out of him. “It would be unprofessional of me to do such absurd things. Besides, it's not in my power to declare you dead. I'm a nurse not a doctor.” I said in a firm voice which I was proud of. I mentally patted myself in the back.

“When we discuss the details, you'll see how much you can help me.”

He sighed heavily, his face serious. "Come faccio a far capire a questa donna che è in pericolo così come lo sono io?"

“Look Audrey, you need to help me. So I …so I can….” He paused. “Never mind,” he said.

I couldn't say anything, I was just speechless. Then I turned, walking towards his bedside again. “Mr Rossi, what are you talking about? How can you fake your death, at least there l must be someone out there looking for you?” I asked, demanding and curious as well.

He smiled. “That's the Audrey my gut trusts.”

I looked at the man bewildered. Is he bipolar, one minute he is serious and the next heia smiling.

“You just have to cooperate with me…”

I shook my head, “cooperate with you. It's like you're asking me to give up my job, my life,my career. Do you even know what would happen to me if I'm caught?”

He leaned forward, his eyes intense as it locked into mine. “what if I promise that nothing will happen to you?”

“I don't know you, I don't trust you Mr Rossi and I'm definitely not helping you achieve that stupid ploy of yours.”

His jaw ticked, eyes intense. “From what I remember, the people after me are dangerous, and they won't stop untill I'm dead. Maybe you too.”

“What do you mean? If this is your way of getting me to do your bidding, it's not working.”

He smiled, “you're a stubborn one and I admire that about you. Right now, your stubborness won't help you.”

“I'm only being being reasonable Mr Rossi.” I won't be a part of this. If you're in danger, I suggest you report to the authorities and get yourself body guards. I'm certain you're rich enough to handle that.”

“It's only a matter of time before they barge into this hospital. You too are involved in this. The moment you donated your blood to save my life, that's when you got involved.” He said, his voice firm, and sadness clouded his features.

“You are in danger, Nurse Audrey. His voice low and steady.

I paled. “What…wait how….?” I couldn't speak. His face went blank. I didn't know what to say.

“Come seat Audrey” he said in a commanding tone, patting the space on his bed.”

When I sat, he chuckled, but still had that blank look. “I'll tell you.” He said, “just listen to me.”

“The night after the operation, I was in between limbo and reality.” He sighed but continued. “Someone badged into my room, he snickered and laughed like a maniac.” He paused, then looked into my eyes. “I can't say if it was a male or female but whoever that was knew you gave me your blood and that's why I lived. They called you a ‘Bitch’ and promised to deal with you for meddling, then walked out.”

I felt my body shiver, fear took over my body. “What..who could this person be?” I stammered.

“I don't know Aud,but whoever it is isn't far from you and I.”

I needed air, I was going to have a panic attack. It's been so long this happened. I struggled to breath.

“It's alright, breath with me as I count.” I followed the voice. When I regained myself, anger took over me. I knew I was being irrational, but I needed to blame him to feel better.

“It's all your fault. If you didn't come in here looking like ….like..” I hoffed angrily.

“Like what?” He asked calmly. I had no answer to his question. “If only I knew that donating my blood to you would come back to haunt me this way, I wouldn't have.” I said, biting my lip. Something I do when I'm nervous.

He ground his jaw, his eyes flickered with pain and disappointment. But he managed to plaster a smile on his face. “Well that's why I need you to help me fake my death. You should be free once the hear I'm dead.”

I nodded in agreement, trying to push away my fears and doubts. I still didn't trust him. I hope this doesn't come back to bite me too. I thought to myself.

“Before we get to the details you're talking about, who are these people after you?” I asked. “Do you by any chance remember them or who they are to you?” He shook his head. “I don't know, I can't recall if I knew them, the face I see in my memory is blur.” He said as his express hardened.

Something about the desperation in his voice and face made decide to help him. “Now, we come up with a plan. And we need to do it fast.”

He nodded and give me a boyish grin that had my heart racing. “Now isn't the time for this, and definitely not this man.” I scolded myself.

“Mr Rossi,” I called. “Hmmm,” he turned looking straight into my eyes. “I'm helping because I think you're being honest, and I better not regret this.” He smiled again, I promise, you will be safe.”

“We need to make it look like you had a heart attack and died.” I said. “I'll inject you with nitroglycerine. When it triggers the attack, make sure to put the aspirin I'll give you under your tongue. That way, you won't actually die. When you're declared dead in the ICU, and taken to the mougue, I have thirty minutes to wheel you out of here through the emergency exit.”

He nodded, “I hope I don't actually die.” he said. I hope so too, I responded, scrunching up my face and my fingers crossed.

"Okay, I'll go get the medication. But we need to be careful. If anyone finds out what we're doing..."

Dante nodded. "I know. That's why we need to be fast and make it look like it actually happened.

I quickly grabbed the medication, while avoiding the CCTV. I got back to his room and administered it to Dante. I could see the tension in his body.

"Okay, now, relax and let the heart attack take over. On our way to the ICU, sneakily put the aspirin under your tongue" I said, trying to sound as calm as possible.

He nodded, and I could see the fear and gratitude he felt.

When we arrived at the ICU, I quickly briefed the doctor Jones on Dante's "condition." looked concerned but skeptical.

"Let's get him hooked up to the monitors and see what's going on," he said.

I nodded. Before I could fix up the monitor, Dante’s body went limp.

********

“Dante Rossi, aged twenty -nine. Died at 3:30pm

Cause of death, sudden heart attack.