Chapter 3: Unexpected Alliance

Chapter 3: Unexpected Alliance.

As Kendra started to regain awareness, the sterile white of the hospital room swam into focus. A man in a long, white coat, a stethoscope draped around his neck, hovered over her. His face was a blur, but the gentle tilt of his head suggested concern. A black object, a pen, was tucked neatly into his breast pocket. "She should be fine in about ten minutes," he murmured, his voice calm and reassuring.

Kendra blinked, trying to orient herself. The room spun slightly, and a wave of nausea threatened to overwhelm her. She squeezed her eyes shut, then slowly opened them again, focusing on the ceiling.

"Thanks a lot, Doc, but will she be discharged soon?" The voice belonged to Austin, his familiar tone a welcome anchor in the disorienting sea of her awakening. He stood beside her bed, his face etched with worry, a stark contrast to the doctor's professional detachment.

"Yes, she will." The doctor offered a reassuring nod as he prepared to leave the room. "Her strength will return once she's fully awake." He paused at the door, offering a brief smile before disappearing, leaving Kendra alone with Austin.

"Austin… is that you?" Kendra croaked, her voice raspy from disuse. The words felt heavy, as if she were speaking through a thick fog.

"Thank goodness you're awake," Austin said, his voice filled with relief. He reached out, taking her hand in his. His grip was warm and reassuring, a grounding presence in the swirling chaos of her mind. "Are you okay now?"

Kendra’s face flushed immediately. The events of the last few days, hours, even minutes, flooded her memory, a tidal wave of pain and betrayal. "Austin… what am I doing in the hospital?" The question was a hesitant whisper, a plea for understanding.

"I… I went to get some coffee and when I got back, I turned back and saw you on the floor," Austin explained, his voice laced with anxiety. His eyes searched her face, trying to gauge her condition. "The hotel staff called an ambulance."

"Really? I… I passed out?" she murmured, the memory a hazy jumble of images and emotions. She struggled to piece together the fragments of the day, the phone call, the fear, the crushing disappointment.

"Yes, you did. And… I also heard you got fired. I’m so sorry, Kendra." The words came tumbling out, and the news seemed to trigger a fresh wave of memories, bringing back the full force of her troubles.

"Yeah… I remember answering the phone, and Mrs. Lucas… she told me that Michael Stone filed a lawsuit against the business for my errors in reporting… and then everything went dark." The words were colored with regret, the weight of the situation beginning to sink in. Austin, always the supportive friend, was the only one who seemed to have any idea of what she was going through.

"Anyway, the doctor said you'll regain your strength any minute now," Austin said, attempting to steer the conversation toward a more positive trajectory. He knew her well enough to recognize the pain that was churning inside her, and he wanted, more than anything, to offer a moment of comfort.

Two hours later, they were finally pulling up to the curb of her apartment building. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the pavement. "Thank you, Austin," Kendra said, sliding the key into the lock of her apartment door. Her voice felt stronger now, though the lingering weakness of her body remained.

"No trouble, Kendra." Austin asked, a concerned expression etched on his face, "What are friends for?"

As Kendra stood inside the door, hesitant to close it completely, she asked, "Is something wrong, Austin?"

"Actually, there is, Kendra," he said, the seriousness in his voice making her heart flutter. "Can I come in? We need to talk." His words hung in the air, creating a tension she couldn't quite decipher.

She hesitated, her mind racing, trying to anticipate what the conversation would entail. Finally, she murmured reluctantly, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs, "Yeah, sure."

"Kendra, the doctor said your blood pressure was a little higher than normal. He also said that it might be because you've been thinking too much lately. That's probably why you fainted," he stated, his voice a blend of concern and reassurance. The news helped calm her.

"Oh, he did?" Kendra replied with a noticeable sigh of relief. The thought of a looming medical condition was not the worry she needed.

"I figured this was why you were crying when I saw you at the hotel yesterday. Are you ready to talk about it now?" Austin's gaze was gentle, filled with a compassion that offered a glimmer of hope.

Kendra's expression betrayed her reluctance. The wounds of the past days were still raw, the pain still sharp. It was all so fresh that a discussion about it was not a good option for her.

"You seem… anxious." He inquired, his voice soft, hoping he hadn't crossed a line. But he was concerned about her well-being. She felt a wave of nervousness wash over her. "How long… have I been in the hospital?"

"For roughly eleven hours," he answered gently, his gaze searching her face. "You seem panicked. Everything's good, right?"

"Austin," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She started pacing, her steps erratic. "I… I don't think I'm safe here." The words were out before she could fully process them, a desperate plea for help.

"Wow, you really hit your head when you fell," Austin said with a light chuckle, hoping to lighten the mood.

She fixed him with a serious look, her brow furrowed. "I’m serious, Austin," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "I think… someone is trying to hurt me. I need your help, desperately." The words hung in the air, charged with fear and desperation.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to make you smile. Anyway, the room next to mine is available. You can book it here." He paused, searching her eyes. He had the power to protect her.

Kendra, her gaze concerned, smiled faintly, and said, "A hotel room for two months? That's going to be really 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 had already made arrangements.

"Austin… you're the best," she said, her voice thick with gratitude. She embraced him impulsively, a hug born of relief and a growing sense of connection. The simple act of kindness, the unwavering support, sent a warmth through her veins. Her cheeks reddened suddenly, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Are you okay, Kendra?" Austin said, smiling. Kendra stumbled, feeling a little flustered. Her heart was back-flipping now. "Y-Yes, I'm… I'm… good." The stammer and the blushes gave away more than she wanted.

Austin started to giggle at once. He questioned, trying to bring Kendra back to her normal 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 help me with my bag, please?"

Austin said as he gave Kendra the bag, "Yh sure."

Kendra's heart skipped 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?" The butterflies fluttered because of Austin.

"Seven sounds 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. Kendra was speechless. 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. The moment the waiter put their order in, Kendra began her questions.

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

Reluctantly, he said, "Oh umm, I have another job." This left Kendra in a tangle of questions she made known on her face. Suddenly, 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 don't want to lay my problems on you." The words were hesitant, weighted with a fear of burdening him.

Austin said, as he made their order, "What are you talking about, Kendra? We are friends, and what are friends for?" He gently took her hand, his touch a gesture of support.

"I think you're right." Kendra said, her face full of vulnerability. "I went to Richard, my boyfriend's, apartment to surprise him with the good news after the promotion. Only for me to see him in bed with my younger sister." Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling onto her cheeks. "Only for me to think that the day couldn't get any worse, then I received a call from someone claiming to be the drug lord, and he threatened me about my safety," Kendra stated, her voice trembling, her expression a complex mixture of pain and fear. The words felt like a confession, the release of a burden she had been carrying alone.

"I'm really sorry about everything, Kendra, but why not try to forget everything?" Austin said, his eyes filled with compassion. "Things happen for a reason." His voice was soft, his expression giving Kendra some encouragement.

"I guess you're right. Things happen for a reason," she added as she wiped her tears with a tissue. She felt a lightness, the first she had experienced since the day had started.

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?" The question was a frightened whisper. She did not know what to think.