EIGHTY-FOUR

“Good morning, Ms. Harris.”

Yalda was back to this; she was back to Sarah cheerily greeting her every morning. They had returned from the Island three days ago, she had resumed work yesterday, and her relationship with Alexander had somehow gone back to how it had been before they had gone to the island. Their relationship had gone back to being unnerving; he had gone back to being distant, she had gone back to being the efficient secretary.

They hadn’t said much to each other, they hadn’t spoken about what had happened on the island, he had merely ensured she was back at her apartment safely and he had gone about his business like nothing at all was different. Of course, his attitude had caused her heart to ache, and in response to it, she had also become distant and cold.

“Good morning, Sarah.” She replied as she made her way into the elevator.

She blew out a heavy breath before clearing her throat quietly. Something about her monotonous lifestyle was beginning to bother her a lot; she had always found a sense of comfort in going about her routine every day, but right now, she found the soft ping of the elevator sickening her.

The door slid open and she bumped into someone just as she was about to step out.

“Watch it.” Maya Blackwood’s irritated voice had her mood becoming even more wretched.

Saying nothing, she stepped aside and gestured for her to pass; she was in no mood for a confrontation. Maya’s cold gaze raked over her slowly, demeaningly, she took her time to size her up properly before she stepped into the elevator. Yalda was more than glad to exit the elevator and make her way to her desk, she set her things down before making her way to Alexander’s office.

She knocked once before opening the door and stepping in. Alexander was seated on the sofa she had slept the other day; he was tending to a cup of tea while talking on the phone. She leaned against the doorframe unenergetically as she waited for him to conclude his call.

“No, I don’t need more medications prescribed, I’ve had enough.” He was saying.

Her gaze snapped back to him at once, he had her attention.

“How about stronger sedatives?” He asked.

The day had merely begun and she was already worrying about him; she’d end up falling sick if she kept this up.

“No, I can’t stop by the hospital today; I have a lot to do.” He spoke. He took a sip of his tea before setting it aside. “Tomorrow perhaps.”

Her eyes widened slightly and she straightened up immediately. Was he actually arguing with his doctor and negotiating an appointment? She couldn’t stand there and do nothing. She knocked on the door again to get his attention, and it was only then that he turned to look at her.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Doctor.” He said before ending the call and setting his phone aside. “How long have you been standing there, Ms. Harris?”

He was worried about how much she had heard?

“Long enough to hear you try to argue your way out of seeing your doctor.” She replied.

He rolled his eyes heavenwards before leaning into the sofa, he crossed one leg over the other as he blew out a breath. He was clearly exasperated, they had that in common.

“You weren’t supposed to hear that, but it’s fine.” He said. “Good morning to you too.”

“Some of your appointments for today are not very important; they can be rescheduled to tomorrow.” She told him. “You’ll be able to see your doctor today.”

“Ms. Harris, the appointments could be important and I’d scrap them if I wanted to for some random reason, I don’t need them rescheduled for me.” He told her. “I’ll see my doctor when I please. Please return to your desk and only come when I call for you.”

Her throat clenched but she forced herself to nod.

“Yes sir.” She replied. “Excuse me.”

With that, she turned around with the intention of leaving but thought against it; how could she possibly leave like that? How could she leave without at least trying to convince him? She turned around to face him again.

“Don’t say a word, Yalda. Turn around and leave.” He spoke before she could say a word.

She shook her head.

“I don’t__”

“I don’t want to hear it.” He cut in immediately. “Leave.”

Of course, she wasn’t backing down now, she had to say something.

“You know, ignoring your problems won’t make them go away.” She told him regardless of the fact that his eyes darkened. “You can’t keep ignoring the fact that you’re unwell.”

He barely ever slept, he hardly ate, his nose bled too frequently; of course he was unwell.

“I don’t pay you to talk back at me, Yalda.” He said to her.

She nodded. She knew that very well, but he didn’t pay her to love him either.

“I know it means nothing to you, but I care about you.” She told him, and he averted his gaze from hers. “I just want you to be alright.”

He rubbed his temple wearily before shaking his head.

“Truly, I fail to understand why I can’t let you go.” He said, he reached out, picked up his teacup and took a small sip before setting it down. “You just don’t know when to listen, you don’t know when to stop.”

Her heart was pounding heavily against her chest because she knew very well that he could snap at her at any time.

“I’m sorry.” She told him honestly. “I can’t help it.”

His gaze returned to hers.

“No, you can. You just do whatever the bloody hell you want.” He replied.

She shook her head.

“Lock the door and come here.”

…..


Yalda’s body was trembling anxiously by the time she got to where he was seated, she stood before him unsure of what she was to do next. He sat there staring up at her with those eyes in that demeaning manner that always ached and aroused her at the same time.

“On your knees.” He ordered.

Her breath faltered as she lowered herself to her knees slowly, the pit of her stomach burned and she felt a sudden need to clench her thighs. He continued to watch her in the same manner, and then he reached out and caressed the side of her face with a tenderness that ached her soul.

“What do I do with you?” He asked as he caressed the side of her neck. “Tell me.”

What could she possibly tell him? She lowered her gaze to his polished shoes as she tried to calm her thundering heart. Would she ever get over how intimidating he was?

“You know, I’d fuck you right now but I don’t feel so good.” He replied. “I’m a little unwell, like you said.”

Would she ever get used to how blunt he was? A shuddering breath left her as she tried to breathe.

“Have you seen Dr. Young yet?” He asked her.

Her heart fell to the pit of her stomach immediately. She hadn’t seen her doctor and she hadn’t renewed her birth-control shot. She forced down a lump that had formed in her throat before shaking her head.

He arched a brow questioningly, mockingly.

“Let’s try not to throw stones at houses, yeah?” He asked her.

Their cases weren’t the same; it wasn’t like she was unwell, unlike him.

“It’s not the same.” She replied quietly.

The subtle glare he sent at her had her holding her breath and her tongue.

“This is what we’re going to do, Yalda; you’re going to call Carl to take you to Young the very second you leave here.” He said. “Do you understand?”

She nodded immediately. She didn’t mind doing that, but what about him?

“What about you?”

“You won’t let this go, will you?” He asked her.

He knew her too well. She shook her head causing him to roll his eyes heavenwards once again.

“I’ll see my doctor today.” He conceded. “And then I’ll fuck some manners into you later.”

Yet another shuddering breath left her as the pit if her stomach burned even more.

“Go on.” He said dismissively. “I’ll see you later.”