Game of Passion

Chapter 11: News

The next few days felt like a blur. She worked and worked, not at all resting until the end of her shift, trying to keep her mind out of her problems until the day she gets her consultation with Doctor Harrington again. By the time she goes to her room, she was immediately in bed and sleeping, forgetting to clean her body and only doing it in the morning, waking up doing the same routine.

Adam was gone and she was not used to seeing a different pair of eyes whenever she parts the curtains on the cubicle he used to occupy. It was the first time she felt lonely, knowing that a patient is not there anymore. Mayhap because Adam had made such an impact on her life, giving her hope in remembering her past even just a little.

It does not even help that Nancy announced to her that she will be away together with Franco since Flynn had already approved the man’s day off. Unexpectedly, Nancy had some as well.

“I really cannot believe I will have a whole week together with him,” the woman said, smiling widely as she walks her out of the hospital when their shift ended.

The night was extremely cold. Her sleeves were long but they did not keep her warm. Good thing Nancy has her cloak with her to shield her from the extreme temperature as she rides back to her apartment.

"Please be safe," she said.

Nancy grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "Of course, and I will bring back something for you."

"You don't have to. Spend your money for yourself, Nancy. Life today is difficult already."

"But that does not mean I will not be gracious to my friend who had helped me have this off."

"I only talked to Doctor Harrington, that's all."

Nancy pressed her rouge-colored lips tight before replying, "And I thank you for that. It's not everyone could speak to Doctor Harrington about matters like that."

The woman’s words hold another meaning but she ignored it and went on walking. Nancy is a firsthand witness to the treatment of Doctor Harrington to her. During those times, the woman never commented on anything. Mayhap that is why Flynn chose Nancy to be assigned to her since the woman does not pry on others’ business.

There is already a hackney carriage outside and standing close to it is Franco. He is a decent-looking man and she has not heard anything bad about him spreading the hospital so mayhap he would be good to her friend. Though she cannot be a great judge of character when she has never really been with him before. Nancy only introduced them shortly and that was their only encounter in which they spoke to each other.

Nancy waved at him then faced her. "It's just for a while, Freira," the woman said, hugging her. "I know you'll be well. You will not notice the passing days for certain. I'll be back before you know it."

She smiled even if she feels her throat was constricting because of the cry she is trying to hold in. "Goodbye, Nancy," she said and the woman hugged her tighter.

That was a fortnight ago. Indeed, just like what Nancy said, she didn’t notice the time passing. She just realized she will meet Doctor Harrington again when she was informed by the nurse at the front desk.

“Doctor Harrington informed me that he will have a consultation with you later this afternoon. Right after your rounds will suffice since it is usually the time you two meet before.”

Her mouth parted after hearing it, not expecting it at all.

But she knew the man had been out of the hospital for more than three weeks, tending to the soldiers on the forefront and when he returned, he had more patients with him and the hospital is packed yet again. It was the last batch and unlike the last ones, they are already healing, needing only a little attention from them. Still, nurses like her had more work to do that she has completely forgotten that she may have her consultation with the doctor one of these days.

She looked at the woman behind the desk who nodded at her, allowing her to go since her rounds just ended. She fixed her gown as she descends the stairs to the second floor. She has never gone down there after she walked Nancy out of the hospital and she has no plans of going there since she has no work there. Also, she is trying not to cross paths with Hyacinth again. It is already such a pain to think of what happened that night, she doesn't want to get confronted by the woman to be reminded of her stupidity.

She breathed deep as she contained her thoughts, bracing herself before she enters Doctor Harrington's office. The door slightly creaked when she opened it and she immediately saw the man she is trying so hard not to think about for the past few days.

Flynn smiled at her. "Good afternoon, Freira."

She swallowed hard when her eyes drifted to his lips, watching them as he speaks. She forced a smile after that and just walked toward him. It was unusual to have the floor all cleaned up and the books arranged. He has done all the work after she had fled in which he does not know it was her. He might have thought her irresponsible for not finishing the work when she was the one who suggested it. But she does not want to bring it up since it would only make her remember what happened in the room just beside his office.

"How are you?" he asked, leaning on his chair while green his eyes remained on her.

"Unfortunately, there is still no recollection."

Flynn nodded. "And how were your days while I was gone?"

"The usual. I just worked since there is nothing else to do anyway."

Flynn shifted on his seat and breathed deep. "Are you bored of the same routine, Freira?"

She regarded him but she was the one who break the eye contact since she cannot stare at him for long. It just makes her remember how soft his lips were against hers, how his hands lingered on her body, and how good he made her feel that night. She exhaled heavily and stared at the shelves to avoid his gaze.

"Honestly, I do. Just like what I told you, Doctor—"

"Flynn."

She bit her lip and counted one to three before continuing. "Mayhap the outside world would be better for me. I cannot stay here forever, right? I still have to figure out what my life is and I cannot do that if I remain here."

"I know," he said then pulled the drawer by his desk. He then puts a file on top. "I have already done the work for your papers when I came back from the front, the reason why I did not see you immediately."

He pushes the folder to her and she was confused for a moment, not following his track of conversation exactly. Still, her hands moved to grab the file and opened it. Her mouth parted at the first words she has read.

"Your dismissal," Doctor Harrington said what she was looking at. "I told you that all I want is what's best for you and I can see that the outside world would, indeed, be a way to help you recover your memories than staying here." He leaned on the table after passing a hand on his face like he is bearing a heavy burden himself. "But you need to understand that the life out there would be difficult and very conflicting. It may trigger your memory but it may also distress you more."

"It's better than doing nothing," she said, reading the contents more, reading that she has also an apartment already.

"You are not obliged to meet me anymore but you can visit the hospital whenever you want," Flynn suddenly said which had taken her aback.

"But you will still be here, right?"

He forced a smile. "I will try my best not to be assigned elsewhere but if I did, I will certainly find you a doctor that is more capable to see your condition."

The idea of him not here where she usually sees him makes her heart clench, worse than what she felt with Nancy and Adam being gone.

"Promise to write to me," she said, trying hard not to be reined with her emotions and not look like she cannot let him go.

"I will." Flynn grabbed another item from the drawer and when she looked at it, she cautiously moved away.

"What is that for?"

"This is for you." Then pushed the gun towards her. "For your safety."

She shook her head. She has seen enough weapons in the hospital and the damages it has done to people and properties that as much as possible, she wouldn't want to use anything like that.

"I don't need that. I don't even know how to use that."

"You need this, Freira," he pressed then stood up and went to her, offering his hand. "It's not loaded. You can just scare people with it if ever you are in danger." She bit her lip as she swallows hard, watching him take the gun while his other hand is still offered to her. "Come here."

Slowly, she stood up. Flynn gave the gun to her and she was surprised by the weight of it. She holds it by shaking two hands and she looked at Flynn nervously.

"May I?" he asked, raising his hands as if asking permission if he could hold her.

She stared at them for a while, blocking unnecessary memories of that particular night so she could face him without looking too nervous as she is already now.

"Yes."

She caught a whiff of his scent as he settled on her back and she unconsciously closed her eyes because of it. She only opened them when Flynn spoke and she was frozen when she saw his face inches apart, staring at her with an amused expression.

"I'm sorry," she blurted out and moved her face to look forward.

That is when he grabbed her hands, his body closing in on her. She took a sharp inhale, trying so hard not to move that could potentially make him think that something is wrong with her. He positioned her fingers right on the gun, wrapping it with the right amount of pressure as he angles it in front of them.

"You're right-handed, right?" he asked.

"Yes."

"When you do this, you have to close your left eye so you could have a more proper sighting on your target."

"I thought this is not loaded?" she asked.

"It is for you to look realistic, Freira. Trust me. No one would believe that you hold a threat if you cannot hold your gun properly."

She did what he ordered her to do—closing her left eye. "Alright, what's next?"

"You will have to c.ock the gun like this." Then showed her how to do it. He also made her do it and when she positioned it in the middle, he immediately backed it up on the end. "You might get pinched here by this barrel. It would be best to do it by this end."

She nodded.

"After that, you can pull the trigger, right here."

"But I don't have any bullets so why do I have to do that?" she asked.

"It would be best that you know," he whispered then moved away from her.

She only became aware of their proximity since she had been occupied with figuring out about the gun a while ago. "Thank you."

"Don't show it to anyone else, alright? And only use it when you think that you are in real danger."

She nodded, meeting his gaze while they are still close. Her mouth parted, thinking of telling him that it was her who was in that room that night. She wants to be honest with him, she trusts him with everything that it does not sit well with her that she is hiding this for so long already. Besides, there is a possibility that they would not meet again.

"I—" she started but Flynn cuts her off.

"You smell good," he said with a gentle smile which caught her off guard, not understanding why he would comment like that for the first time, that is, unless her scent has been stuck on his system ever since that night.