You had me at that kiss

Chapter I

"What's this? Can't you do your job properly?" Zeus shouted to his private nurse madly when he accidentally dropped the dressing tray while changing the dressing on his left leg. "I can manage it, just, just, just don't touch me". Even Zeus himself couldn't understand why he is on the edge.

"Sir Zeus, I had been telling you that you can't walk just by yourself yet. You need the physiotherapist's assessment before you can walk on your own." The private nurse explained but Zeus wouldn't have it. "Just leave."

The private nurse couldn't do anything but just leave the man alone, it was his first day but he is already aware of this. He has been warned and it is his fault for not listening about the warnings. He just started yesterday but he guessed it was worth a shot.

Zeus feels miserable. He is not invalid and he hates to feel like he is one. He had been very independent, living on his own condo, preparing his own meals, cooking them even. At the age of 28, he is a well-established man. He plays basketball but he owns 3 restaurants by himself. He is pretty much a capable man so he is now feeling miserable, and sick of all these private caregivers his Mom is sending him to "take care' of him. He is just not used to it and never will. He doesn't need anyone. Period.

He usually has great control over his feelings but these days, every time he sees the white bandage on his casted left leg, he couldn't just bear it. He can't help it but feel imprisoned in his own condo. Even if he is miserable, he also has to think about the life of the nurse he just fired. He is not that heartless.

He reached out for his private cheque, wrote down a month worth of the nurse's salary, and have his house help bring it to the nurse. He is not opposed to the idea of one help in his condo. At the least, if he is not around, somebody is taking care of the condo and cleans it.

Zeus sigh deeply before looking back to the screen in front of him. Watching the game that he played and bring the team to championships. It was a replay but all the frustrations and pain are as fresh as the other day. He could have made his team won the championships but because of a faulty landing from a lay-up, he fractured his left leg, and now it is casted

 

He just turned the TV off.

 

              James is currently reading news on his phone when the screen suddenly changed and displayed the name of his company's name. "Hi, James speaking!".

              "Hey James, this is Dean. How are you?"

              "I am great Dean; I hope you are too."

              "I am great, though, I hate to be a bearer of bad news but I have to let you know something." James felt uneasy but he knows this was a possibility when he applied for this job.

              "What is it?" He sounded brave but deep inside, he is already mourning. James is currently applying as a private therapist in the US.

              "Due to the pandemic right now, the US economy is still suffering some loss, and the company that is supposed to sponsor you backed out. They said they will do local hiring for the meantime to boost the economy." Dean sounds so disappointed and frustrated, why wouldn't he? Aside from knowing from the company, Dean also happened to be his first cousin.

              "It's alright Cous, this is not surprising at all. Just let me know if something comes up again."

              "Will do." James' shoulder dropped. "But be careful okay? We don't know until when this COVID will last."

              "Stop worrying now Dean, I am safe."

              James just hanged up the call when it ringed again. It just might be his cousin again as he usually did this in the past.

              "What else Dean?" James answered in a bored tone.

              "Sorry James but this is not Dean, It's Carla. Duhhhh!!"

              James suddenly sat properly. He knows no one will see him on the balcony of their house but Carla is not really his friend. She is his BESTFRIEND. Carla knows everything about him. As in Everything. Way back since High School.

              "James, I heard you resigned from your job in the hospital, do you have any other plans?" Carla opened right away.

              "Yeah, I did, I originally planned to go to the US for a bigger hospital but it was delayed. I might do private Therapy Sessions for the meantime." I answered honestly. I mean, that's the most logical move of action right now. I need to find a temporary job until the US borders open again.

              "Great, I have a job offering for you, something you wouldn't even think about and say yes."

              "Hmmm, what is it? Don't tell me you want me to be a house-help again?" Remembering the past job offer given to him by Carla's company.

              "No-No-No. This is in line with your profession. And don't worry, you won't be at the disadvantage here.

              "Ow! Really?"

              "Really, in fact, we were just talking about a physical therapist and you came into my mind. I think you'll be the perfect candidate." Carla owns a private human resources company. She is involved in different kinds of jobs as the president of her own medical agency. The agency sends out nurses, therapists, support workers, and other health professions to be in hospitals or homes.

              "Stop fooling me Carla, you don't have to do that, but since your flattered me enough, I won't think anymore and I'll just say yes. I accept your offer."

              "Arghhhhhhh!!!! Great. I heard it. You said yes, no more backsies okay?"

              "Wait, the way you sound is so suspicious."

              "Don't worry, James, no hanky panky on this business. I'll meet you tomorrow for the job details."

              The next day, James and Carla met at a nearby Starbucks café.

              "Okay Carla, spill it out, what's going to be my job?" James took a sip of his latte.

              "Your job is going to be a physical therapist for a well-known sports personality who was involved in a serious accident. Well, not so serious but he needs assistance even if he claims otherwise.

              "Alright, who is this going to be?"

              "Want to make a guess?"

              James rolled his eyes. If there's one thing about Carla that's irritating, it's the fact the Carla would always kid around even in serious moments. Good thing he doesn't mind this at all.

              "I don't have a psychic power you know."

              "Okay, I'll spell it out." Carla paused for a dramatic pause. Her eyes sparkled and smirked. These just all added to his increasing heart rate. "It's Z".

              "Z? Z who?"

              "Who else? But the one and only Zeus Lopez, your one and only prince charming, who happened to be my cousin's best friend."

              James was about to take a bite of the luscious red velvet cake in front of him but it froze on mid-air when all the memories came rushing back to his mind, replaying everything related to that Name.