Chapter 86_ Anti-Anxiety

Shortly after Al-Hakim left the room, Martina knocked at the door and poked her head inside. “Hello? How are you holding up?”

"Martina.” Arya called out, and Martina widened the door slightly as she ended the room and closed the door behind her. "Thank you for your visit."

“You’re welcome. Between colleagues, it's fair to support each other. Victoria is here too; we came to visit Lewis.” Martina said,

"Lewis is here too?” Arya asked, amused that she and Lewis were taken to the same hospital.

“Yes, but in his case, I’m not surprised. Considering the things he eats and his constant bitterness, I’m surprised he doesn't live here.” Martina said,

"Well, thanks for swinging by to see me as well.”

"You’re welcome. Just promise to slow down a bit and not kill yourself with work. The role of the lonely psycho in the office is already mine.” Martina said,

"Thank you, Martina. It means a lot to hear that. But I don't think you're a lonely psycho.” Arya said, and Martina shrugged.

"But I am. I'm not complaining; it's just the way it is.”

“Nah, it's not your fault. Tough women always have a hard time finding a man tough enough for them.” Arya said,

“And didn't you have any luck?" Martina asked.

“Maybe. It's hard to say sometimes because tough men are usually a huge pain in the ass.” Arya said,

“Oh, don't get me started on that.” Martina said as she laughed with Arya and left the room with a relieved smile on her face.

Once Arya was left alone, she looked around the room, feeling bored, so she decided to get on her feet and pay a visit to Lewis. ‘Since Lewis is here, I should probably go and check on him.’

After a little walk down the hallway, Arya reached Lewis's room, which was slightly ajar, and he was having a heated conversation with Victoria. Arya entered without knocking.

“Lewis, I… I can't, for several good reasons. I —--” Victoria said, cutting her sentence halfway when she saw Arya. “Arya! How…. How are you feeling?” Victoria asked,

‘I'm wondering what she was talking about with Lewis. She sounded pretty upset.’ Arya mused silently and answered, “I’ve been better. But good enough to check on Lewis.”

"All in all, I’m still in one piece. Thank you, Arya." Lewis said, while Victoria turned to look at him.

“Since you are no longer alone, I think I should go. I have a few urgent things to take care of. Goodbye.” Victoria said, and she stormed out of the ward without even waiting for an answer.

Arya and Lewis looked at each other, and Lewis grinned at her as he joked, “So, the two good halves of the team are both down, uh?”

Arya shrugged. “So it seems. What happened to you?"

"I don't know. A few hours ago, I started to feel dizzy and disoriented, but now I feel fine. My only serious pain now is the lack of true love in my life.” He said,

“A man like you should be able to fix that.” Arya said with a shrug of her shoulder.

"I wish I could. My love avoids me like the plague.” Lewis replied, and Arya couldn't help but think of Kane at his words as she mused, ‘I guess that's what lovers do these days.’

“I’m sure you will sort things out. Speaking of which, do you have any idea of what hit you so badly?” Arya asked curiously.

“I was taking some anti-anxiety pills before the race to keep a sharp edge... But apparently I went a little overboard.” Lewis answered, and Arya looked at him suspiciously as she thought, ‘That seems weird. Lewis doesn't look like the kind of person who takes anti-anxiety medications. Especially if he has to drive a car.’

“Seriously? Anti-anxiety medication before a race? Don't you know that medications that slow you down don't work well with fast cars?” Arya said,

"It was just a couple of pills.” Lewis defended, and Arya raised her brows.

"Really? I heard that someone just had their stomach pumped because of anti-anxiety medications, and I'm starting to believe it was you. How many pills did you take, Lewis?” Arya said, and Lewis lowered his head as he tried to avoid direct contact with Arya.

“I... I don't know.” Lewis said, and Arya shook her head, musing to herself, ‘He's clearly lying to me. I would like to understand why.’

“Well, see you soon then. I should return to my room now.” Arya said, and Lewis nodded at her.

"Bye, Arya. And thanks for the visit."

======

When Arya got back to her room, she found another visitor waiting for her already. “Hey, how are you feeling?” Marco said, standing up from his seat.

“Much better now, thank you.”

"I’m glad to hear that." Marco said, and Arya mused silently, ‘If the streak of shitty timing I’m having these days intends to continue, Kane should come in any moment.’ Marco continued, “With you and Lewis down, the office feels empty. I really hope that”

The door to the room opened, and Kane entered as he said, “Good morning, Tigress. I really hope you are awake because I have a very nice surprise for you." Kane trailed, and as he and Marco stared at each other with narrowed eyes and pursed lips, Arya could almost hear a bell tolling in the distance as she glanced between both men.

‘Damn it. I guess this one's on me. I jinxed it badly.’ She mused silently.

Marco turned to Arya as he spoke with a dry and monotonous voice, “What the fuck is he doing here?”

“Well… He… He’s kind of my boyfriend.” Arya confessed, and Marco blinked at her.

"What?” He exclaimed, completely stunned by the revelation of her words. Marco stepped forward and faces Kane. “You remember what I promised to do? If I saw you again, don't you?” He said, and without any warning, he swung a powerful hook at Kane’s jaw, putting him on the floor.