Chapter 5

Zach's PoV

Tessa, the nanny called me about thirty minutes ago, I had to leave the hotel because Kyra had an accident. My heart is beating a million miles per minute, that's my baby! As I change lanes stealthily, I utter a silent prayer: Lord, please keep her safe. Luckily enough, the traffic on the road isn't bad, the GPS predicts I'll arrive at Stonybrook Hospital in about 90 minutes. 

At Stonybrook Hospital

Rushing inside, I approach the receptionist demanding answers. "Where is Kyra Lindsay? I need to see her now!" My chest starts feeling tight as I start having flashbacks about our parents' tragic death. Closing my eyes, I take a few deep breaths as my therapist had taught me and I manage to contain myself and my emotions.

Her almond shaped eyes widen in fear, I take another deep breath and try to remain calm, despite my trembling hands. She clicks on the computer then looks up at me timidly, "Room 201 Sir."

Without any delay, I head to her room and the moment I see her, I finally relax. My subconscious tries to calm me down, She's okay Zach, it's just a minor injury.  I keep repeating that in my head as I walk toward her sleeping frame. Tessa avoids my gaze as she stands to the side twisting her hands nervously. 

"Mr. Lindsay I am.." I cut her off by holding my hand up. Sighing deeply, I retreat to the door and beckon for her to follow suit.I don't want to lose my temper and wake Kyra up unnecessarily.

"What the hell happened Tessa? Where were you?" I semi yell but then guilt consumes me as I am the one to really be blamed. This is the second time Kyra has gotten hurt while under Tessa's watch, I should have followed my instinct from the first time.

She starts crying, "I'm so sorry Sir, I was on my phone but it was just for five minutes. She slipped while getting out of the tub."

My anger surges immediately, "Do I pay you to be on your phone or to pay attention to Kyra?" She moves to speak but again, I raise my hand stopping her. "Don't bother with the excuses, you're fired, I'll wire you your full salary just the same."

The tears keep flowing but I'm unmoved at this point. I've let too many things slide where Tessa is concerned, from her having a boyfriend or some other family member over the house, smoking and even neglecting Kyra's meal schedule.

Returning to the room, Kyra rushes to me from the bed. "Zach, you're here!" She squeals but stops quickly and starts grimacing. Leading her back to the bed, I help her to sit then press the call button.

"Take it easy baby girl..." I kiss her forehead gently, careful to avoid the bandage above her right eye. "Now, tell me what happened."

She sighs and gets sad, "I finished showering and tried calling Tessa but she didn't hear me. I fell while trying to reach the towel from the rack..." Kyra looks up at me pouting, "I should have been more careful, I know the tub is slippery."

I sit beside her, pull her into a side hug and just sigh. "It's okay, I'm just glad you're okay. First thing tomorrow, I'm calling the contractor to redo your bathroom missy. No buts this time."

She giggles and my heart lurches with joy. The door opens and a doctor enters, preceded by a nurse with a chart in her hand.

"Mr. Lindsay I presume? I'm Dr. Mathews." He says smiling politely.

"Yes, that is me. Is she okay to be discharged?" I ask pointedly. "Anything I need to be worried about?" Hospitals are nauseating for me and it's even worst for Kyra since she's the only one who survived the accident.

He steps closer, opens the chart and skims through for a few seconds. "The scans are good, no bleeding detected. She's good to go." He hands me the discharge paper, I sign and return it then collect her medication from the nurse.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I give Kyra a gentle squeeze and she smiles up at me sheepishly. "Thank you doctor, I appreciate everything."

As they leave, Kyle rushes in baring balloons and assorted chocolate. "How's my favorite girl doing?" He asks poking then kissing her cheek. Kyra giggles and swats his hand away.

"I'm fine Uncle Kyle, but you need to find a girlfriend so she can be your favorite."

Kyle gags playfully, "You are irreplaceable my love. All the other girls are heartbreakers."

Kyra sighs exasperatedly, "Both of you need to find a girlfriend, it gets lonely being the only girl here, you know?" She looks at me and narrows her eyes, "Did you meet anyone special at the conference?" 

Words fail me as I remember Yana's beautiful face and her enchanting smile. A blush creeps up my face and their mouths hang open in shock!

"Bro, next time you lead with that bit of information okay!" Kyra slaps my arm and gets off the bed, grabbing her jacket. "Who is she? Where is she from?" She fires rapidly with a wide grin plastered on her face.

Kyle folds his hands, waiting for my response. "Her name is Yana okay. She is breathtakingly beautiful and the purest woman I've met in a long time." I gush with a wide smile.

Kyra squeals and jumps but I quickly grab her shoulders to hold her in place. "No strenuous activities remember."

Kyle takes the opportunity to take a jab at me, "Seems you've already fallen in love bro. When do we get to meet her?"

Shit! Here comes the sad part. Scratching the back of my head, I bite my lip nervously. "The thing is, we talked for a while but she left in a hurry and I didn't get her number."

They slap my arm and stomach simultaneously. "Ouch guys! It's not my fault her boss is a douchebag!"

Kyle narrows his gaze at me, "What does that mean? What are you going to do?"

Sighing, I lead the way as Kyra walks out behind me. "WE..." I point to Kyle and myself, "...will have to find her together."

Kyra hisses her teeth and huffs, "I have to do everything myself these days. Men! Uggghhh!" For a pre teen she is certainly overly dramatic and quite impatient. I mean, why is she so eager for me to be in a relationship? My subconscious snickers, Perhaps she's tired of you always doting on her and not living your own life?

Kyle and I snicker at her behavior, she is truly an old soul trapped in a youthful body. "Kyra relax okay. You'll get to meet her soon enough, be patient baby girl."

"You better pray we find her bro, otherwise you, my friend, are doomed!" Kyle shrugs and slaps my shoulder with a pitiful look on his face.

He's right, if I don't find her I'm definitely doomed! Could fate be really more cruel than this? The first woman who has managed to break down my defenses after my last disaster of a relationship has disappeared on me.

As Kyra walks ahead of us, I quickly fill Kyle in on what really went down. "I met her in the lobby while waiting for my bag. She paid for a night at the hotel even though I declined her offer bro!"

Kyle's mouth flies open in shock yet again, "I'll take her for myself cuz you're wasting time! She's a keeper!"

I smile proudly, "She's definitely a keeper. We genuinely connected and it wasn't a gold digger vibe bro..." I pause mid step and run my hand down my face.  Kyle glares at me with his hands folded into fists.

"What did you do Zach?" He demands.

Smiling sheepishly, I reply. "The thing is, she doesn't know who I am because I didn't tell her yet."

Kyle shakes his head in disappointment, "Listen, the first thing you need to do when we find her is to come clean man!"

I quickly nod in agreement, "I promise man. Let's get this little princess home then we'll tackle that first thing in the morning."

Moments later, Kyle pulls out of the parking lot and we head home. The moment we step into the house twenty minutes later, Kyra tries to talk her way out of taking her medication but Kyle and I refused to give in. She eventually conceded, but only because we told her her we needed to start searching for Yana. 

"I just want you to be happy Zach, you deserve it..." She kisses my cheek, "Plus I'm dying to have some babies around the house."

I was simply floored by her admission, "God and time baby girl. You'll get your wish soon."

She starts pouting, causing my breath to hitch immediately, "What's wrong Kyra?" Kyle in turn rests his hand on her forehead. "Talk to me."

Kyra folds her lips then replies, "Can I please sleep in your room tonight bro?" She bats her eyelashes at me, causing Kyle to chuckle and throw his hands up, gesturing exasperatedly at Kyra's behavior.

Sighing I ruffle her hair, "Yes of course baby girl. Go ahead." I watch as she runs off to her room excitedly, then returns with her favorite fleece blanket.

As I descend the stairs a few minutes later, Kyle hands me a glass of bourbon since we both know my night will be restless. Kyra literally roots around in her sleep and most times I end up with her arm or foot in my face!

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