002

The hospital hallway adorned with magnolia walls that complemented the shimmering morning light, creating a beautiful start to the day. Soft music played in the background, providing just the right emotional lift for both patients and staff. However, the true marvel lay in the ceiling, transparent and high-arched, showcasing the innovative architectural design that had been invested in for this small town. The owner had truly gone above and beyond to provide for the people of this community.

Jack and Hazel had been friends since their university days. After completing her degree, Hazel had planned to explore urban options in Charlotte. However, her father's decision to move to this small town to help others had changed her course. Her father was her idol, always putting himself out there to assist those in need. While part of her wanted to stay in the city, she remembered her father's words about using her skills to help the less fortunate.

"How are you finding this place?" Jack asked as he punched his attendance card.

"To be honest, I find it boring. There's nothing much to do here," Hazel replied. It had been a week since she arrived in town, and she had yet to make many friends. Fortunately, she had Jack at the hospital, someone she knew she could rely on.

"Give it some time. You'll grow to love it," Jack assured her. They made their way toward the assigned room, checking the patient charts they needed to attend to.

"Yeah, maybe you're right. But my mom, dad, and Eason are visiting my uncle in Texas, and I have to stay here alone for two weeks. It really sucks," Hazel lamented. She would have enjoyed her time alone with friends if she were still in the city. However, this new town felt even more empty at night, with no nightlife to speak of and a lack of friends aside from Jack.

"That's a bummer," Jack teased, causing Hazel to roll her eyes with a slight frown.

"Why don't you explore? Go on trails, hiking," Hazel bit her lip, contemplating the idea. Going alone wasn't her preference. It's not that she was scared, but she always enjoyed having company for outdoor activities.

"Alone? You know..." Jack turned to place the chart back on the shelf.

"You know I'm not interested in all these physical workouts. Instead, I'd rather lie on the couch with a big pizza on my lap and play Xbox with Eason." How could she forget? She was talking to a grown-up child at heart who still preferred games over dating a beautiful woman.

She blew out her cheeks and rolled her eyes.

"Sometimes I wonder why they gave you a doctoral degree," Jack chuckled. This ongoing conversation always seemed to end with him wanting her to play while she wanted him to explore the outside world.

"Forget about me; Eason told me your dad wants you to get married. He even gave you the green light to find a man for yourself." She frowned and shook her head. 

"Even if he did, what's the use? Am I ever going to find a handsome man in this town? Just look around. It feels like I'm stuck in the downtown of the '80s."

He chuckled.

"You will, Hazelnut." They reached the hallway door only to be met with an unexpected commotion. Nurses hurriedly moved in one direction, their sense of urgency evident. Hazel's forehead creased with concern until she spotted a stretcher being wheeled into the hallway and taken towards the Intensive Care Unit.

"What's happening?" Hazel murmured, but Jack had already made his way to find out the urgency. The patients were left unattended, and the entire medical team had gathered around the stretcher, indicating the presence of someone important. Hazel pushed through the crowd, her curiosity driving her, until she saw the head nurse signal for Jack to join the team. He turned and bumped into her.

"Who is it? What's going on?" As a doctor, she had the right to know what was happening, but the atmosphere felt more intense than it appeared. The nurses were trembling, even the senior staff members were out of their offices.

"Hazel," her eyes remained fixed on the crowd as Jack shook her, urging her to step back.

"Hazel, listen to me."

"You need to go back to the staff room," her furrowed brows struggled to comprehend the instruction. Why was he acting as if something terrible was about to happen?

"What? But why? Who is it?"

"Where is Dr. Larkin?" A voice thundered in the hallway, and Hazel could see the impact it had on Jack. His pupils dilated as if something had shaken his soul. Goosebumps appeared on the back of his neck, and his hands grew cold as they dropped from her shoulders.

"Go," he didn't wait for her, swiftly turning on his heels to approach the man who had captured everyone's attention. A crowd of people made their way towards him, while Hazel's eyes glanced at the stretcher disappearing into the ICU. Curiosity tugged at her, but Jack’s warning lingered in her ears like a gentle breeze, reminding her of the potential danger. Nevertheless, her feet carried her swiftly towards the doors, yearning to learn more about the situation.

"He's not breathing."

"What are we going to tell him?" The murmurs filled her ears, yet they failed to halt her determined steps. She approached close enough to see. It was a young man, barely eighteen, seemingly soaked as if he had drowned himself.

"Do something, someone call Dr. Larkin," Lyra Larkin, the head and the most respected senior doctor in the hospital.

"Remove the water from his lungs, position him carefully," most of the staff trembled with an unknown fear, but Hazel remained unaffected, diving into action to assist as needed.

"Hazel, hand me the syringe." She followed the instructions without distraction. However, a loud thud echoed behind her, a warning that they were dealing with something significant that she might not fully comprehend.

"Leave her, focus here," she was immediately pulled back into her duties.

"What's happening, doctor? Why is everyone trembling?"

"We need to save this boy. Otherwise, we will all be doomed." While saving the patient was their primary duty, dealing with a fearful atmosphere was not. It felt as though an earthquake had struck the building, leaving everyone on edge.

"He's out there," she heard someone murmur the words, further increasing the anxiety in their eyes.

"Hazel, check if Jack called Dr. Larkin," Hazel nodded and hurriedly stepped outside to locate Jack, who was responsible for making the call and providing an update, but something told her he hadn't managed to do so.

Hazel looked right, then left, feeling a sense of confusion wash over her. She followed the crowd and was suddenly startled by a scream. Her feet froze when she saw Jack hanging in the air, with a man standing behind him, gripping his neck tightly.

Fear gripped Hazel as she witnessed Jack’s red, struggling eyes and his labored breathing. Adrenaline surged through her veins, and she instinctively moved to defend him, even as others watched the scene unfold without offering assistance to the distressed young man.

Save him! If you don’t, I’ll slit your throat, you runt,” the man bellowed, his rage directed at the man in his grip. Hazel didn’t understand the term ‘runt’ but it hardly mattered at that moment.

“Hey!” she exclaimed, facing the man with his piercing cyan blue eyes. “Who do you think you are? We’re trying to save him, and if you continue like this, nobody will be able to help him.” Hazel’s small hands circled the man’s wrist, attempting to pull him away, but her efforts were in vain.

“Stop, he’s going to die,” she pleaded once more, but the man stood firm, as solid as a rock, his features contorted with rage. Hazel let go of his wrist, realizing that a different approach was needed.

“Stop!” she exclaimed, landing a punch on his face in an attempt to quell his anger, but it seemed to have little effect. Jack’s exhausted body gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily.

“Jack, are you okay?” Hazel cradled him close to her chest, her concern evident.

The hallway fell into a pin-drop silence. No one moved towards them. Hazel glared at the man standing before her, as though he were the type who could commit murder and end up ten feet under the ground.

“Help! Somebody, help him!” Jack was struggling to breathe, and seeking assistance was their only option. However, nobody came forward except for two muscular men who sprinted towards them and forcefully lifted Hazel by her neck.

“Let me go!” Hazel couldn’t comprehend why they were targeting her instead of the menacing figure before her.

“Leave,” the man commanded. They released their grip on Hazel, allowing others to attend to Jack. She was about to rush towards him, but someone grabbed her forearms and led her into a nearby room, closing the door behind them.

It was unacceptable for an unknown man to bring her into a room without her consent. Hazel turned around and swung another punch, but he easily caught her fist in mid-air, leaning down.

A smile played on his face, as if he found her efforts amusing. His eyes flickered, while Hazel’s hazel eyes burned with regret. She had missed an opportunity to land a punch.

She pulled her fist back, but before she could react, he swiftly twirled her around, and her back landed against his chest. His nose brushed against her shoulder, and he whispered, “Human... wildflower,” as if it were his favorite fragrance. From the corner of her eye, she noticed his blue eyes transform into raven-black before returning to their original color. She pushed away from him, creating some distance.

“What the hell? Why did you bring me here?” Hazel’s words tumbled out as she searched for something to hold on to in her hands. She would be ready to defend herself if he attacked again. Fortunately, he stood there, shifting his weight from one foot to another, allowing her to observe him more closely.

A black leather jacket covered his broad shoulders, and his leather boots seemed worn, losing their shine over time. His perfectly sculpted jaw and stubble beard complemented his blue eyes, although Hazel couldn’t shake the memory of them briefly turning black moments ago. She furrowed her brow in an attempt to dispel her confusion, but instead, he took a step closer, casting a dark shadow over her.

“Do you know who I am?” he asked, a captivating figure in Hazel’s eyes. However, she was only interested in him maintaining a safe distance.

“No,” she replied simply, hoping it would be enough to deter him. Yet, he persisted.

She raised her hands and stopped him.

“Stop there,” Hazel asserted, her voice laced with determination. “I don’t know who you are, and I have no interest in finding out.” Not when he’s behaving so rudely. It’s better to put down your weapons and find a peaceful resolution rather than provoking your worst side and making an enemy in the workplace.

“I am sorry. I didn’t want to hit you, but you left me no choice.” She finally raised her hazel eyes to meet those lust-hooded gazes gawking at her like a hungry wolf ready to eat her. If he dared to take one more step closer, she wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate with another punch, especially with her black belt third-degree skills. Her jaw clicked with anger, and her nostrils flared, but involuntarily, she took a step back, feeling unsettled by the enigmatic aura surrounding him. There was something about him that stripped her raw, making her vulnerable.

“How do you know Jack?” It startled Hazel. What’s the deal between Jack and him? Her back touched the wall, and she was completely at his mercy of being caged between his frame and gaze.

“Jack and I went to the same university.” Why is she answering his dumb questions? His expression was resolved, but not his intentions.

“Could you…” Is he psycho, or what? Her words stopped midway when he answered it.

“That boy is my younger brother,” The realization brought a brief moment of relief to Hazel, alleviating some of the tension in the room.

“Oh,”

“I am sorry. But please calm down and let us do our work, Mr..” She stopped.

“Wyatt Romano,” her change of expression told him. She recognized the name very well. And him acting weird in his own place wouldn’t be a problem at all.

He is the owner, and she is an employee; good or not, who wants to come under the employer’s radar?

“Yeah, right? Don’t worry; your brother will be fine. Please trust the team of doctors,” she assured him, offering a reassuring smile as she stepped aside, gesturing for him to follow her, silently conveying that she believed everything was under control.

“Shall we, Mr. Romano?” she asked, her voice calm and composed, as she led the way with confidence, looking back over her shoulder and tilting her head, inviting him to join her and prove that everything was indeed under control.