JFK International Airport
Charles checked his passport and his flight ticket for what seemed to be the thousandth time. His hands were trembling. So far. So good. He kept repeating this in his mind, assuring himself that he was safe and sound. He had bought a one-way trip to Paris and now he was waiting in the common area to board the plane.
He had been so nervous all day, when he went to hand over his luggage, when he passed through the airport security gates but really, it was all in his imagination.
He raised his eyes to the TV fixed on a pillar, reading the words on the blue ticker: Obstetrics specialist consultant, Dr. Cassandra York is currently in a comatose state after brutal assault by employee. The state medical board sends heartfelt message. He huffed. So she slipped into a coma? He guessed that it was better than anything. All week long, he has kept a low profile and read articles about her. Her state has been worsening. She deserved it
Her head throbbed, her body felt sore and heavy. Cassandra stirred. She opened her eyes slowly and winced when the light felt too intense. She was about to cover them and as she raised her arm, something snapped, an excruciating pain slashing through her like a blade and she trembled, leaving her hand in place. She bit her lips hard, strangling a sob, vague memories coming back to her in fragments. When her eyes adjusted to the light in the room, she was startled to see that Selena was sleeping right beside her, her arms strongly wrapped around her body, her head pressed on her shoulder. Her heart raced. Tears trickled her eyes. Maybe everything wasn’t so bad after all. She sighed in relief, relishing her warmth. She terribly wished she could hold her right now. “Selena…” She realized how weak her voice sounded… and then it dawned on her about how sore and dry her throat felt. Maybe she should let her sleep. It must have been a terrifying night. She observed the hosp
Cassandra lamented to herself as she rested her head back against the edge of her wide jacuzzi, trying to find a comfortable way to relax. It was rather tiring and frustrating. How was she supposed to freaking live like this? She had been discharged from the hospital this morning with a plaster cast enveloping her right forearm and a tight waterproof wristband for her left hand. She rested her right arm gently on the edge, the sound of the plastic bag that Selena tied around it, annoying her slightly.She closed her eyes, letting her body soak in the warm water. No amount of painkillers could take away that agony and she was starting to get used to the pain now. It seemed that it was embedded in her, that it was part of her.She could barely hold anything. Not even a fucking spoon. She was rendered completely useless. Could she still call herself a doctor? Would she be able to continue working someday? She didn’t think this type of injury was alright in this line
Selena settled the grocery in the back of the Range Rover and drove back. She felt all giddy at the thought of cooking for the doctor and making her eat. She turned up the volume, blasting a popular song and whistling along. She stopped by the police department, parking the car beside those motorbikes. She walked in, looked around, seeing cops lingering around. She felt a bit nervous, wondering if she should have given Megan a call first. "You lookin' for something, miss?" One of the officers approached her and she baffled, a bit startled, "Yeah, my cat." She heard them laughing at her and she cleared her voice, "I'm looking for lieutena— Captain Brooks, actually." "Oooh, the captain, huh? Why, mmh? She'll help you find your cat?" She heard them cackling with laughter now and she was flustered, stepping away from them as they were clearly mocking her, "Yeah. I gave her my cat. I've come to take it back." They chuckled. The officer held her shoulder gently, di
Jeremy rang the doorbell and waited. Five people were standing right behind him, waiting. Those damn sharks couldn’t even wait for a day. Selena opened the door, frowning slightly. She stared at them, trying to put up an intimidating front. Cassandra clearly told her not to do or say anything reckless, although it was on the tip of her tongue to curse at them right now. Without saying a thing, she stepped aside, letting them in. She had no idea who all these people were and given that Cassandra’s lawyer, Jeremy Mayer was accompanying them, it could only mean one thing. They were here because of that darn footage. She closed the door and went back to the doctor’s side. As she watched Cassandra exchanging a few greetings with them, some kissing her cheeks, others patting her shoulder, she felt a bit hopeful that maybe, all of these people were close friends with her. Jeremy commented, smiling a bit as he spotted the little flowers, “That’s a pretty colorful cas
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "In the case of the State versus Cassandra York, we, the jury find the defendant... guilty of medical malpractice on that single occasion." Selena gasped. Her heart thundered in her chest. No. It couldn't be. This had to be wrong. She would never let them take the doctor away. Cassandra narrowed her eyes towards judge Darcy, unfazed by those heavy words. Somehow, she already knew that this couldn't be all that this woman had to say to her. She felt Selena gripping her arm, her nails digging into her flesh out of fear. “… but given that the footage doesn’t provide enough evidence of the real situation and that the victim, Selena Chase willingly confirmed that what happened was consensual, you will only be fined $ 12,000 and your license will be temporarily suspended for a duration of two years starting today.” Cassandra exhaled slowly, acknowledging her words, “Alright.” “You will be assessed by the Medical Board after this period to see if you are apt to c
Three months later The doctor has been driving for quite a while now and she still had no idea where she was taking her. She didn't say a word about this trip. She had just handed her a beautiful blue dress, told her to wear it and there she was, dying with impatience as they were driving into the unknown. Selena hummed, excitingly looking outside the window, “Sooo, you really won’t tell me where we’re going, huh?” “Nops.” She watched the doctor smoothly steering the wheel with her left hand, a bit amazed at the control she had. She was sophisticatedly dressed, wearing a burgundy suit with a stylish blazer and high heels. She exuded sex appeal accompanied with that usual air of intimidation of hers. She bit her lower lips, secretly fangirling over her, “God, I can't. You look so sexy in that suit… Are we like… maybe, going to a five-star restaurant or something?” She smiled slowly, dazzling her, making her heart race, “You’re relentless.” Selena pouted, crossing h
“Very well. Let’s take this to your father’s room then.”Selena swallowed hard. She realized that she still feared him. For all the times he had degraded her about ruining the family reputation, when he strongly and constantly opposed her career in arts, making sure no art institute would accept her. It made her depressed just by thinking how he was forcing her to forego the only thing she loved... and when he had burnt her paintings... it had been the last straw.She still recalled the warmth of his blood trickling down her fingers, down her scraper tool as she had stabbed him... and strangely, she had not regretted it. Not a bit.Reluctantly, she followed her mother and her siblings, her fear intensifying at every step she took in that direction. She timidly laced her fingers through Cassandra’s as they walked and the doctor gave her a comforting smile. She wasn’t afraid to face her fears, not when she was with her.As she passed by a specific door, she briefly paused, a violent tur
When her siblings left the room, Selena frowned towards her father. It seemed that Veronica had not been exaggerating when she told her that their father was sick... because right now as she looked at him, she could barely recognize him. He seemed to have lost a lot of weight and looked quite pale. Who would have thought that this was indeed Gregory Alexander Chase, one of the cleverest sharks in the law industry? She approached the bed, brought her arms around herself before asking, filling the silence, “Here I am. So make it quick… because the last person I want to see on Earth is you.” She made sure her tone was harsh. She made sure that he would understand that she was still furious at him and nothing would ever change between them. He seemed to be in a daze as he observed her, watching how beautiful she was. It had only been a few years and it felt as if it had been an eternity since he saw her, “Selena…” She gritted, “Don’t take my name.” Gregory Chase sighed, loo