Game of Passion

Chapter 3: Attempt

Freira thought of not being a problem to other people but it is difficult when her condition is a fragile case. She feels like she is wasting everyone's time when she gets to have an attack such as this. She feels like she is not worth their precious time when they should have attended to other patients that are in dire need of their help.

She does not want to be a burden but Doctor Harrington and Nancy were with her when she gained consciousness again. The ones who she saw for the first time as well. Worry was etched on their faces and they immediately went closer upon seeing her eyes opened.

"Oh my," she uttered. "I am terribly sorry." Then started to get up but Flynn gently pushes her back to the bed.

"Do not get up, Freira. Do not force yourself," he said.

"You have frightened me immensely, Freira," Nancy said. "You hit the floor badly when you fell."

"Did I?" she asked and reached for her head. "I am sorry for making you all worried. I never meant to be a burden."

"What exactly happened?" the Doctor asked, ignoring what she said. "Did you remember something that was too much for you to bear?"

She passed her tongue to her dry lips and swallowed hard.

Should I tell them about the man?

It was rather confusing how he could have such a certain effect on her as if he holds significance in her life. It is the first time she has seen him but mayhap she knew him before she has lost her memory. If that is, the man should have recognized her...but he did not.

It is all too confusing.

"That day must have been quite tiring for me. I apologize for forgetting to take care of myself," she replied to the doctor.

Flynn stood still next to her, looking down at her curiously. “Are you certain there is nothing more? Nothing more that may have triggered a memory?"

Determined not to say anything until she finds out for herself what was the matter with that unknown man, she chose to merely nod at the doctor who has been with her and helping her since day one. She does not want to be ungrateful but she does not want to be a problem anymore if she could handle it on her own. Flynn has many things on his hands already.

In the end, Flynn did not press more and just scribbled something on his clipboard. “I’ll check on you tomorrow. Nancy," she called the other woman. "I know you are assigned on the third floor but could you attend to whatever Freira wants now?"

"Oh, I do not need anything," she immediately said.

"You need to eat," Flynn stated then looked at Nancy again. "Could you see to it?"

"Of course, Doctor."

Flynn gave them a brief nod before leaving.

Nancy immediately went to her while shaking her head. “Remind me not to tire you too much, please.”

“I do not want the special treatment.”

“But it is what you will get especially with your condition,” the woman said as she tucked her into the bed again.

It is already night. She has slept the whole day through and it seems that they will not let her go back to work immediately. She hates being useless but she cannot do anything about it. She just hopes that someday, she will not be limited to doing whatever she wants. Ever since she woke up, she had stayed in the hospital, rarely going out—only with Doctor Harrington or Nancy. And that is only when they are not busy. She waits for the time that she could finally go out on her own despite her loss of memory. Besides, every day is a chance to learn and she could not do that if she remains here.

“I am here for work, not as a patient.”

“Doctor Harrington does not seem to agree with that. Remember that he only lets you do these certain tasks so you could earn for yourself while he gets to monitor you as well.”

She exhaled heavily. “I swear when he finally allows me to get out, I will start living on my own and just visit the hospital for my appointments with him.”

“You keep telling me that but Doctor Harrington has never given you the ‘go’ sign for almost a year now.”

“It’s because I never asked,” she said. “And I think he never imagined that I could survive the outside world alone.”

“The outside world which is still experiencing the aftermath of the war, Freira,” Nancy stated then brushed off the hair blocking her face. “Have some rest so Doctor Harrington could allow you to go out of bed already. I do not want to be forced to get along with the others while you are away."

“Why don’t you even like to be with them?” she asked since the woman is known to be approachable—always having a ready smile on her red-painted lips and her blue eyes sparkling with delight. But in truth, Nancy feels it was such a task on her part to always be in a good mood for the others.

“I just do not want to pretend often when I can always hear them criticizing everything that I do especially the nurses in the emergency room."

“They are always busy yet they have time to gossip,” she said then giggled.

Nancy rolled her eyes. “The same as we. We always live for the latest gossip.” Then stood up. “I’ll leave you be. I'll just grab something for you to eat. I won't be long."

She smiled and watched as the woman go out of her cubicle—closing the curtains as she goes. Indeed, Nancy did not take long. The woman gave her some porridge, a fish fillet, and a banana for dinner. She ate it all since Nancy is watching and she knows the woman will not allow her to waste any food. But even so, she will not waste a single drop. There are many people struggling now because of the war. She should be grateful she still has food to eat, a comfortable bed to sleep in, and people who care for her.

"Have some rest. I would very much like it if you are out and about in the morrow," Nancy said, holding the tray.

"I will," she replied before the woman completely left her.

Now that she is alone, she does not know what to do. She is not sleepy anymore and her mind is in a haywire from what had transpired today.

That man.

Who could he really be in her life?

She will not react that way if he is just nothing in her past. Surely there is something she ought to know.

Slowly, she pushes herself up and stared at the curtain intently, contemplating what to do.

She could only find out about her connection with him if she gets to talk to him and she cannot have the time or the chance to be with him privately if she is back to her duties again by the morrow. Fixing her uniform, she decided that she is to go to him now.

Parting the curtains slightly, she took a peek outside—checking if everyone is settled on their beds and the nurses and doctors had already retired. There are some that are still up but she can easily get past their sight and out of their attention by walking in the dark.

She made her way out of her cubicle and walked as silently as she can. The lights on the hospital had been cut off due to the war and it is still working progress to provide electricity in the city again. Therefore, they are relying on candles and gas lamps for the illumination of the place.

Based on the arrangement of the cubicles and the faces of nurses she does not usually see every day, she realized she is on the second floor where the patients from the emergency room on the ground floor were taken after they have been tended to. It is also the floor where Doctor Harrington’s office is located. Therefore, she is always placed here whenever she has an unexpected attack—which is something that rarely happens at these times.

Stopping, she immediately pressed herself to the wall when she saw Doctor Harrington coming up the stairs. He was looking at his clipboard when he passed her and she was in quite a relief when he did not notice her—only to be stilled once again when Flynn suddenly halted after a couple of steps.

She felt cold, frightened that he would see her. She is not scared of him or anything. He is not a scary man, well, at least to her. He had been kind and understanding towards her. She is frightened that she will be a disappointment to him. But whatever she is doing now would certainly make him feel that. It is very obvious that she is hiding, not wanting to get caught. He is not stupid not to understand that she is going to the man who caused her unconsciousness today.

Slowly, Flynn turned and pressed herself more on the wall as if that could help.

"Doctor Harrington," someone called and upon seeing who it was, she felt grateful to the woman for the first time.

Hyacinth is the best-looking nurse in the hospital and one of Doctor Harrington’s admirers. But Flynn never acknowledged her feelings even when it is obvious that she is interested in him. And since the man is always checking on her, there was a time that an issue between them arose which made her hot in the eyes of the women who likes him—nurses, doctors, and patients alike. Though, it was immediately dropped by Doctor Harrington speaking of it as unprofessional.

She admits that Flynn is a beautiful man. He has those enticing green eyes blocked by his spectacles, tanned skin, a sharp jaw, thick eyebrows, and brown hair that is slightly curled. Other than that, he is tall and wide. If she hadn't known him, she would think he was one of the soldiers who fought bravely against Patria and did not stay in the hospital, treating the wounded from the war.

"Have you thought about it?" Hyacinth asked.

Flynn did not answer immediately and she may not know what they are talking about but she is curious. Stupidly, she stayed than be on her way while the two are occupied.

"No."

"No? As in you haven't decided yet?"

"It's a no."

Hyacinth frowned but immediately recovered and moved closer to Flynn. The woman reached for the doctor's nape and wrapped her arms around him so as to pull him closer.

Freira's mouth parted and she immediately looked around, scared that they might get into trouble because of their closeness.

All the while, Flynn did not move and just stared at the woman intently.

"But I promised I will make you feel good, doctor."

Her face heated, instantly understanding what they are talking about. Of course, it is not unexpected for Doctor Harrington to get some proposal. Hyacinth, for that matter, is such a pretty girl and willing.

"I promise I would be submissive," the woman whispered.

They stared at each other so intensely that even from afar, she can feel the tension. Their lips were an inch apart already and she immediately looked away, starting to walk away. She shouldn't have watched that. It was a private thing for Doctor Harrington and she shouldn't judge him in any way. He deserves to have some fun and feel cared for by a woman. He is very much into work that he forgets about himself.

She swallowed hard, thinking of how could have been to be taken care of by Doctor Harrington. Not in a way that he performs while on duty in the hospital but...in the bedroom.

Shaking her head, she felt like she is taking advantage of his kindness. He had been nice to her and here she is, thinking of such obscene things. She admits she sometimes thinks of what Doctor Harrington's private life is but she always drops it since it is of no matter to her.

She is his patient, for Heaven's sake!

Passing her tongue on her lips, she stopped in her tracks when she remembered the doctor's stare and his lips...his lips so red.

She has to snap out of it.