It's already six and I'm still walking around like a ghost.
It's already getting more cold now!
"Jess!", I hear someone calling my name and turn around.
"Aaron!", I smile.
"Hey stranger", he gives me side hug. "Long time no see."
"Yeah, just been busy", I murmur. "What about you?"
"Busy as well", he sighs. "You know how the manager is."
"He's still a pain in the ass", I laugh.
"So where are you going?", he asks.
"I was just about to return home."
"Do you want to go to the new cake shop that have just opened?"
"Which one?", I ask with smile.
"It's called Sweets Abode", he chuckles.
Aaron knows how much I love desserts.
We enter the shop. And it's really an abode for a sweet tooth like me. The air itself smella so delicious inside.
I let Aaron order. Everything looks good here. We talk while we eat and from time to time, I feel my throat itching. It's as if there's something swelling inside.
I clear my throat again. My back suddenly starts itching. My eyes widen suddenly when I realize there's peanut in the cake.
"Aaron", I start slowly. "What is the name of the cake?"
"Chocolate fudge peanut butter cake", he replies and keeps on eating.
I feel a tingling sensation around mouth and in my throat. I have already eaten most of the cake.
My greedy ass is going to die!
I gulp some water quickly and excuse myself to the washroom.
"Should I puke it out?", I mutter then shake my head at myself.
No! That's disgusting!
I splash my face quickly with cold water and try to take deep breath.
Finally feeling slightly better, I return back outside. Aaron have already eaten his cake and he has already paid for it.
"Won't you finish yours?", he asks.
"I'm full", I say and try to clear my voice.
"Oh by the way your phone was ringing when I picked it up, a man was searching for you", Aaron explains as we walk outside.
"I'll check later", I try saying.
I'm already out of breath!
"Are you alright?", Aaron asks giving me a weird look. "You turn too pale all of a sudden."
That's because I ate peanuts!
"I'm okay. I just want to go home", I say and smile forcefully.
"I guess I'll see you around then", Aaron says and giving me a hug, he leaves.
I feel a tightening in my chest and gasp slowly.
Should I call Stefan?
No! I'll disturb him. It's already nine. Besides maybe if I sit for a while the allergic reaction will pass.
But who am I kidding? I know it won't!
I hail a cab and simply tell him The Black Estate and he nods.
My skin is so itchy. I literally feel like a monkey in the back seat. The driver keeps giving me weird look through the rear view mirror.
I feel nauseous but I take deep breath. If I puke in this cab, this driver will kill me.
I feel so thirsty as well. My vision have start blurring and I give my head a slight shake.
I thank the driver when he stops in front of the huge gate.
"Are you okay Miss?", the security guard asks me.
"Yeah I'm fine", I whisper and wrap my arms around myself. I feel like I can pass out any minute.
Just a little longer Jess. I just have to go in my room and sleep and then maybe I'll be okay!
My fingers tremble while pressing the elevator button. My vision blurs again and I squeeze my eyes tightly shut.
SHIT! I have to get shots if I want to be okay. It's getting bad now. I can feel it.
My nose is already runny and I keep sniffing. I lean against the door before finally gaining a little strength to open it. I can't even breathe properly.
I walk towards the stairs slowly and clutch my stomach tightly. I feel so nauseous. I can see dots in front of my eyes.
"Where were you?!", I hear Stefan's angry voice from behind and groan slowly.
I don't feel strong enough to fight with him right now!
I decide to keep walking but gasp suddenly when I feel my throat start closing.
Today is the day I die!
I take another step forward but due to feeling dizzy, I miss the first step of the stairs and fall on my knees.
I hear Stefan approaching and try to get up quickly. I don't want him to see me like this. I fall back again when I feel like I can't even support my body weight.
"Jess", Stefan kneels beside me. "Are you hurt? Are you okay?"
"I ca- can't breathe", I whisper and clutch my stomach.
Stefan's eyes widen when he looks at my face.
"Why is your lips turning blue?!", he takes my face in his hands and try to shake my head when I start to lose conscience.
"Jess! Open your eyes!", he says worriedly and shouts. "Mary!"
Dimly, I hear soft footsteps approach us quickly.
"Oh my God", Mary gasps. "What happened to her?"
"I don't know", Stefan whispers. "I'm taking her to the hospital. Please look after Liam!"
Stefan picks me up in his arms and I groan when I feel my head spinning.
"You'll be okay", he whispers.
"Stefan keep her awake if she's having difficulty in breathing", I hear Mary's voice saying urgently. "It looks like she's having an allergic attack!"
We enter the elevator and he looks down worriedly at me.
"I shouldn't have let you go!", he whispers and adds loudly.
"Keep your eyes open. Do you hear me? Please keep your eyes open."
He almost sounds scared.
I feel him placing me in the car then fastening my seat belt.
All the way through the hospital, I hear Stefan's voice. He's holding my right hand tightly in his and from time to time, he gives my head a little shake.
I want to tell him that I'm alright but I feel so weak. It's as if I have lost my voice. One thing I know for sure is that, he's going to scold the shit out of me once I'm alright.
Well let's just hope I don't die. Because last time I had an anaphylactic shock, I almost lost my life. My mum had still been alive at that time.
The car stops suddenly and Stefan gets out instantly. He carries me again and that was when I finally lost conscience.
"She had an anaphylactic shock Mr Black", I hear a male voice saying when I try to open my eyes.
"What?", that's Stefan's voice.
"Anaphylaxis is a life threatening whole body response to an allergen. The symptoms include a sudden drop in blood pressure, pale skin, blue lips and fainting. No wonder she was having difficulty to breathe. I believe she have eaten something which have caused this allergic reaction. "
I feel Stefan's eyes on me but decide to keep my eyes close. I can already feel like I have to face his wrath.
"I have already inject her with an epinephrine. It's going to remove the poison in her system. I'll give you another dose to buy. Tomorrow morning, you can give it to her."
"Does that means she can go home?", Stefan demands.
"When she wakes up, we'll do another check up. Then if everything's normal she can leave. Otherwise I suggest tomorrow is better."
"I'm up", I say instantly. "That means I can leave now."
I try to remove the Iv from my hand but stops when Stefan catches my hand.
"Easy there", the doctor says. "Mrs Black, the attack could have been fatal for you if your husband didn't brought you on time."
I stare at the doctor, shock.
Did he just called me Mrs Black! I look at Stefan and he's just staring at me. I know he is angry.
"I'm not....", I start saying but the doctor ignores me and keeps talking.
"Your pulse rate was already low when he brought you here. Have you ever had an anaphylactic attack?"
"Yes", I say. "I was still a little girl."
"Did you eat anything that might cause this attack?"
"Yes", I admit. "I had a cake and it had peanuts in it."
"You will still have some reaction like itching, sneezing or coughing. That's why you need another dose of epinephrine in your system. I suggest you stay overnight. We can't risk having you have another breathing problem"
"But you said if I woke up I could leave", I say.
"She will stay", Stefan claims and the doctor nods. He gives me an amuse look before leaving.
"Who told you that you can decide for me?", I snap.
Stefan gives me a glare and that makes me shut up instantly.
"I can't stay here", I murmur. "I want to go home."
"I don't want to hear another word from you", he says slowly.
I start to nod then stop when I realize what I'm doing.
"How can you be so careless Jess?", he demands suddenly.
I want to retort back but seeing the concern look in his eyes, I stop myself.
"I didn't realize the cake had peanuts in it", I murmur.
"Didn't your date knew that you are allergic to peanuts!", he snaps suddenly.
"No he didn't knew", I say and frown slightly at the tone of his voice.
"Well next time date someone who knows everything about you", he growls.
"You shouldn't have go to this stupid date in the first place!"
I almost lost my life and this moron here is still salty over the fact that I had a date!
"Excuse me!", I retort. "My date was not stupid. Maybe yours had been."
"What are you talking about?", he asks slowly.
"I know you had a lunch date earlier", I snap and my eyes widen slightly.
Oh oh! I'm exposed! He doesn't know that I saw them at the restaurant!
"I didn't....", he starts saying then stops himself. " Is that why you are behaving weirdly with me?"
"Of course not Mr Black!", I say.
"So we're back at Mr Black again?", he questions slowly.
"Yes. I realize it would be better if we act professionally. So there will be no calling anyone by the first name basis."
"What's wrong with you?", Stefan frowns.
"Nothing. I just don't want Aaron to think that I'm too friendly with my boss."
"Who's Aaron?!", he demands instantly. "Was he the same one who answered your phone earlier?!"
"He was my date and I can see hope for us for the future", I say and give him a force smile.
"Then why don't you call him here instead?", he growls.
"Yes I will!", I snap.
Stefan instantly gets up and leave the room angrily.
Did he just leave me alone here?!
Well, I guess I deserve it. I push his buttons way too much.
What is wrong with me?! He saved my life and here I am behaving like a bitch. I look towards the door again.
He really left me here alone! My eyes start watering and I turn on my side. It's all my fault. I should not have said anything to him. I start coughing and sniff.
My insides are hurting from the allergy. My hands still have red rashes. This won't go overnight.
Why am I so dumb?! I should have known the cake had peanuts in them.
My mind drifts back to Stefan again and I start crying again. I don't want to but my eyes keep leaking.
I don't know how much time passes by but suddenly being alone in this hospital bed scare me. It brings old memories back. Back when Jake had try to kill me, I used to feel like he's going to find me in the hospital room.
I squeeze my eyes shut and curl into a ball.
I hear the door opening and my heart gives a loud thud. I close my eyes tightly again.
I sigh in relief when Stefan's scent hits my nose but don't open my eyes.
I hear him sitting on the chair beside me.
"I'm sorry I made you cry", he murmurs and wipes a stray tear on the tip of my nose.
"I was so scared earlier. I thought something bad might happened to you", he whispers and strokes my cheek.
I feel him kissing my hair then he lays his head beside mine. I feel even more guilty when he wraps his hands around mine.
The next morning when I wake up, I see Stefan's face besides mine.
He stayed with me the whole night!
Raising my hand, I brush the tips of my fingers over his cheek. He have a little stubble. He stirs slightly and I close my eyes instantly.
I feel him placing a kiss on my forehead and he gets up.
"I won't be reporting today.", I hear him saying after a while. "I trust you to look after the company in my absence, Eliot"
"Jess is in the hospital", he explains.
My eyes pop open. That means he's not going to work today because of me!
After he finishes his conversation, he cuts the call and turns around.
"You don't have to stay because of me", I say immediately and raise myself in a sitting position.
Stefan glares at me and then sighs. He presses a button to alarm the nurse that I'm already up.
"Why did you do that?", I whisper.
They are going to give me another injection.
Stefan takes his seat besides me again. So he's not going to speak with me.
"Are you avoiding me?", I demand and he just keeps scrolling through his mails.
The door open and the doctor enters in.
"Good morning Mrs Black", he says. "Are you ready for the next injection?"
"I'm not....", I start saying loudly then my voice change into a whisper. "What?!"
"Are you having any abdominal pain, repetitive coughing and sneezing?"
"No", I say and sneeze. My body shakes and I wince when I feel pain in my lower abdomen.
The doctor shakes his head.
"I would have inject it in your drip but since the dose for it is over, I have to inject it directly in your veins", he explains and removes the cap from the needle.
My eyes widen and I look at Stefan. He seems to be suppressing a smile.
Asshole!
"Is it necessary?!", I ask slowly. "I mean I'm fine now. I can even breathe on my own too. I don't need the oxygen mask anymore."
"This second injection is needed because you still have all the symptoms and denying that you don't have them won't make you feel any better."
The nurse rolls my sleeve up and I curl my fist into a tight ball. I feel Stefan curling his palm around my fist and squeeze my eyes shut.
I feel the needle in my veins and bit the inside of my mouth. It stings.
"There it's done", the doctor chuckles. "And if you want to avoid injection, stay away from peanuts!"
The nurse gives me a smile and I blush embarrassingly. She removes the needle from my hand and puts a bandaid over it.
"You will feel weakness for some days but then you'll be alright."
"Buy these medications for her", the doctor says and gives Stefan a paper. "It will ease her stomach ache and rashes."
"You can leave when you done Mrs Black", the doctor says and smiles.
I frown and wince when the nurse puts another bandaid over my hand because the little hole is bleeding too much.
"Is there a giant hole there?", I ask and the nurse smiles.
"No it oftens happens because the needle had been inside", she explains.
Once she's done, she leaves as well.
"Let's go", Stefan says and comes to help me get down the bed.
"I can walk by myself", I say and he leaves my side instantly.
I hop down the bed and instantly lost my balance. I can't feel my legs.
Stefan wraps his arm around my waist quick as lightening.
"So damn stubborn", he mutters and helps me put on my flip flops.
"I heard you", I say.
He ignores me again.
We start walking towards the door then I snatch the prescription paper from his other hand while he's reading it.
"I can buy my own things", I say firmly.
He glares at me then snatches the paper easily from me. We walk outside then suddenly feeling lightheaded, I lean my head against his chest.
"Are you okay?", he asks softly and his grip around my waist strengthens more.
"Yes", I murmur.
We walk in the parking lot and reaching near his car, he open the door for me to get inside.
Once we are back home, he helps me again to walk inside. Mary is with Liam in the living room. He giggles loudly when he sees us entering inside. He bounces excitedly when I start walking towards him.
"How are you feeling now Jess?", Mary inquires.
"I'm fine now Mary. Thank you."
"Not now Jess", Stefan finally speaks when I try to leave his side to take Liam. "You are weak to hold him right now. Take a shower it will make you feel better. And you need to sleep."
"I'm not even sleepy", I murmur and lets him lead me in my room.
"Give me my paper back!", I say once we are inside.
Stefan remains silent and gives a blank gaze.
"If you want to give me this silent treatment then you might as well give me back my paper. I will buy my own stuff myself!", I say loudly.
"Why? Will you give it to Aaron?", he demands and leans his face down to mine.
"Oh my God", I whisper. "Are you mad or something? Why are you bringing him in this?!"
He's getting so worked up when he thinks about him. Poor Aaron! I just used his name as an excuse yesterday and Stefan already seems to hate him.
"Don't drag my poor baby into this", I say and laugh internally.
"Poor baby!", he sneers. I nod.
Stefan grits his teeth angrily. He's jealous! I can see it. Let him burn. Let him feel what I felt yesterday.
"Go and take a shower Jess!", he snaps.
"I will but you're holding me", I say and point at his hand which is still around my waist.
He removes his arm but doesn't leaves.
"You can leave now", I say. "I don't need help in the shower."
"Well you might need it", he smirks suddenly and takes a step towards me.
"I'll ask Aaron if I need any help", I blurt and his blue eyes turns into slits. He leaves my room angrily and slams the door shut.
I smile and go inside the bathroom for a long shower. Once I'm done, I start feeling sleepy and wearing my pyjama, I climb on the bed and fall asleep instantly.
Maybe it's the injection.
"See she's sleeping", I hear Stefan murmuring. I open my eyes a little bit. Liam looks like he has been crying a lot and Stefan is holding him, actually trying to prevent him from throwing himself on me.
"What happened?", my voice croaks. "Why is he crying so much?"
I lift my hands and Liam instantly throws himself on me. I put him beside me and he keeps looking at me with a smile. I cover him with the blanket and he smiles more.
"I'm sorry", Stefan apologizes. "We disturb your sleep."
"It's okay", I murmur and hug Liam's tiny body.
"He has been crying all day for you. So I brought him here to see you."
All day?
"What time is it?", I ask.
"It's seven in the evening. You slept all day."
"I'm sorry Ste.. I mean Mr Black", I apologize quickly and try to get up but with Liam laying on my arm, I manage only to raise myself half way.
"You can cut the money for today from my salary", I say.
"It's okay", he says and his face hardens. "I'll send Mary to send your dinner."
"No I'll come downstairs", I say instantly.
"Do you want me to take him?", he asks.
"No. Let him stay here."
"He already loves you so much", Stefan claims in a soft voice.
I look at Liam and he's still looking at me as if he's awe. I kiss his cheek and he smiles lazily.
Stefan leaves after a while. I play and talk with Liam until he falls asleep. He must have been tired.
I cover him with my blanket and leave my room.
"Hey Jess", Eliot says when he sees me entering the kitchen.
"How are you feeling now?"
"I'm fine. Thanks for asking", I say and gives him a smile.
Removing two piece of sandwich from the fridge, I start prepping for my sandwich.
Stefan walks around the counter and snatches the plate away from my hand.
He pushes a bowl of soup in my direction. I scowl.
"I'm not eating that", I say. "Give me my sandwich back!"
"Sit down and eat!", he orders and his stern face makes me sit quietly on a high stool.