Chapter 2: Unexpected Alliance

As Kendra started to regain her awareness, a guy in a long white coat and a black object around his neck remarked, "She should be fine in about 10 minutes."

"Thanks a lot doc, but will she be discharged soon," another man beside Kendra asked as she lay on the patient's bed trying to rise.

"Yes she would." The doctor remarked leaving the room that her strength would return once she awakened. 

  "Austin, is that you," Kendra croaked feebly.

"Thank goodness you are awake," Austin said, squeezing Kendra's hand. "Are you okay now?"

Kendra's face reddened right away. "Austin, what am I doing in the hospital?"

"I left only for myself to turn back and see you on the floor when we got at the hotel," Austin observed with anxiety.

"Really, I passed out," she stated recalling events before that.

"Yes you did, and I also heard you got fired. I regret so much." Austin spoke these words instantly, and Kendra's thoughts of what occurred came very quickly.

"Yh, I recalled answering the phone when Mrs. Lucas told me that Michael Stones filed a lawsuit against the business for my errors in reporting; then everywhere went dark." With regret on her face she stated. He added to get Kendra out of the depressed mood,

"Anyway, the doctor said you will regain your strength anytime soon". 

  "After two hours we are finally here. Thank you Austin," Kendra remarked as she slid the key into the door of her home.

"No troubles Kendra". Austin asked, "What are friends for" as he approached the door with a concerned face.

As Kendra stood inside her flat waiting to close the door, she inquired, "Is anything wrong Austin?" "Actually Kendra, there is. May I enter; we need to speak", Austin remarked leaving Kendra anxious.

She murmured reluctantly, heart racing, pondering over what the discussion was about, "Yh sure".

"Kendra, the doctor said your blood pressure is somewhat elevated above normal, He also said it might be due to the way you think too much. That's why you fainted"; he said a little bit concerned. 

  "Oh he did," Kendra said with a breath of relief. 

  "I reasoned this was why you were sobbing when I passed you at the hotel yesterday. Are you ready to discuss it now?" 

  Kendra's expression indicated that she was not ready to discuss anything right now. 

  "You appear anxious". He inquired anxiously, hoping he did not say anything inappropriate. She inquired as a wave of nervousness overcame her, "How long have I been in the hospital?" 

  "For roughly eleven hours, you seem to be panicked. Everything is good, right?"

  "Austin, I am not sure I am safe here." Walking about, she said, freaked out.

  "Wow, you really hit your head hard when you fell," Austin said with a giggle as he tried to force a smile. 

  She said, "I'm serious Austin," as she continued to panic. "I believe someone is attempting to assassinate me. I desperately need your assistance" 

  "I apologies; I wished to make you grin. In any case, the room next to mine is available; you can book it here". He declared trying to assist. 

  Kendra said, gazing concerned, "A hotel room for two months, its going to be quite expensive, don't you think?" Smilingly, he inquired, "Trust me, it's not. Should I phone the manager and advise them to reserve it?" 

  "Austin, you are the best" She thanked him greatly as she embraced him to show her appreciation. Her cheeks reddened suddenly. 

  "Are you okay, Kendra" Austin said smiling Kendra stumbled feeling as her heart just back-flipped, "Y.....Ye......Yes,.....I'm..... goo......good". 

  Austin started to giggle at once. He questioned, trying to bring Kendra back to her Norma self, "When would you come?" 

  She shut her apartment door and said, "Right now really." 

  Kendra said softly as she gathered her additional baggage in her hotel room, "Can you hand me with my bag please?" Austin said as he gave Kendra the bag, "Yh sure." 

  Kendra's heart lost a beat right away and her cheeks reddened once more. Austin questioned politely, "You seem stressed, Kendra; how about I take you out for dinner" 

  "Yh sure". Kendra questioned as a thousand butterflies fluttered in her stomach, "How about 7." 

  "seven sounds all fine". 

  She said excitedly, "See you later, Austin." 

  "I live next door, you know right," he said laughing. "Catch you later, then," Austin said softly. 

  A knock came on the door as Kendra was applying the final touches to her makeup. "You ready, Kendra?" Austin inquired. 

  She said as she opened the door, "Yh, I'm coming." "Oh my, she seems fairly good," Austin thought and could not help but admire Kendra's attire. Kendra carried a green purse to match and donned a knee-length, body-con dress highlighting her curves. Mostly because she left her long brunette hair, curled at the ends, to bounce on her back as she walked, she also wore scarlet heels with a height of 3 inches and a scarlet lipstick that matched it exactly. 

  Austin stretched his arm to hold Kendra and remarked, "You look great". 

  As she extended her hand, she said, "Oh what a gentleman." She swiftly browsed Austin's dressing and couldn't stop herself from noticing the green tux suit he wore, which matched Kendra's outfit. Along with his shoe and watch that appeared to be worth millions.

  Kendra considered how Austin could dress this elegant. She wondered to herself if he was actually this wealthy only to be surprised as he opened the door for Kendra in his latest edition Rolls Royce. She considered but hesitated to say anything in order not to appear impolite, how is he this affluent.

  Austin said as he opened the door for Kendra to exit from the car, "You first, my lady." After Austin had drove them, Kendra came out to see the most opulent restaurant in all of Las Vegas and was amazed. "Is this where we would have the dinner?". 

  "Of course", Austin replied. Knowing full well that Austin would not live a false existence simply to impress her, she thought to herself, "This is Vegas most costly restaurant. How could he afford it?" She remarked carefully, "Who is he then, I have to know." 

  "Why did you inquire? Are you stunned," Austin answered with a sweet smile

  "Yes actually," she responded as they both laughed. 

  "Austin, please don't find this offensive but how are you rich all of a sudden?" Kendra inquired with interest on her face. 

  Reluctantly, he said, "Oh umm, I have another job." This left Kendra in a tangle of questions she made known on her face. Unexpectedly, a waiter bearing a tray of glass crashed to the floor with the drinks in glasses, drawing many people's notice. 

  After the incident, to make Kendra forget all her questions, he remarked, "So Kendra, are you ready to tell me what happened at the hotel?"

  "I'm not sure if I should tell you this. I'm not going to lay my problems on you. 

  Austin said as he made their order, "What are you talking about Kendra, we are friends and what are friends for." 

  "I think you're right. I went to Richard, my boyfriend's residence to surprise him with the good news after the promotion. Only for me to see him in bed with my younger sister", Kendra said as tears filled up her eyes. "Only for me to think that the day wouldn't get any worse then I received a call from a person who claims to be the drug lord and he threatened me about my safety," Kendra stated with a mixed expression. 

  I am really sorry about everything Kendra, but why not try to forget everything. "Things happen for a cause," Austin stated, his expression giving Kendra some encouragement. 

  "I guess you are right. Things happen for a reason," she added as she wiped her tears with tissue. 

  Their meals and drinks arrived early and they sipped until they both got drunk and chatted about themselves until 11 p.m. in the evening.

  Kendra woke up later that morning to discover herself curled up on Austin's chest, his one hand holding her near to him in her hotel room. She wondered as panic overcame her, "Did anything go on last night?"