Chapter 18: One Step Closer

< Shirley >
After having several terrifying thoughts, sleep didn't touch me for a while until I almost slipped off the bench due to dozing off. I was rubbing my forehead with a frown as I had hit my head on the armrest when I heard someone chuckle.
I looked up to meet a nurse standing close by. I flashed a sheepish smile and sat upright again. I took out my cell phone and decided to play some games to pass my time.
"Why don't you grab something to eat? You seem very tired," said the nurse.
"Huh?" I looked up at her again.
She gave me a sweet smile and approached me. "You have been here since your patient was admitted. I doubt you have eaten anything."
Now that she mentioned it, she was right. I did feel hungry; in fact, my stomach was growling.
With a sad face, she told me, "I would suggest you go to the hospital cafeteria, but it's currently out of service." Her face lit up as she suggested, "But don't worry. There's a nearby café. It's just two blocks away."
"I appreciate your offer, but I don't think I can leave my patient with no one to tend-"
"Oh, please it's my responsibility to look after the patients. Feel free to leave him under my care," she offered.
I hesitated but smiled at her before standing up. I thanked her before making my way out of the hospital. Although I didn't want to leave Ryan under some stranger's care, she was a nurse. It was a safe bet, I guessed.
And I really needed some air to cool off. It became more apparent as I stepped out of the suffocating hospital. The chilly breeze brushed against my bare arms, sending chills down my spine.
It was cold due to the downpour earlier. I rubbed my palms together to warm them up. Why couldn't Richard get me something warmer?
Well, beggars don't get to be choosers, taunted my subconscious.
Standing outside the gate, I wondered, "Wait, did she even tell me which direction to go to?"
I looked around, hoping to see a watchman who could guide me but found none. Huffing, I took the right turn. I probably saw a café in that direction on my way here.
I was walking through the quiet walkway, looking around at the occasional cars passing by. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of sprinkling droplets of rain from the tree leaves as the roadside lamps cast a serenity to it.
All of a sudden, I heard a few male voices laugh, probably drunk. The last thing I wanted tonight was to get assaulted by animals.
I wrapped my arms around myself in a way to shield myself. I picked up my pace, no longer seeming to care about the turns I took in a panic.
Before I knew it, I was in an unfamiliar lane.
You fucking idiot, cursed my subconscious.
My lips quivered as I found myself lost, the weather feeling colder than ever. I started walking forward aimlessly, thinking of a way to get back, before I bumped into someone's back. Something metallic crashed on the ground and that person stumbled forward, letting out a groan.
I jumped back, not wanting to interact with any male at this time of the night.
"Can you please watch where you are going, lady?" hissed the person.
C'mon, you're kidding me, right? How many times do I have to see him today?
"I'm so sorry," I said, and he turned around with wide eyes.
"...cursed. Today is a fucking cursed day," he murmured. "What's with you and bumping into me?" He narrowed his eyes at me.
"And what's with you and standing in my way?" I placed my hand on my hip and stepped forward, challenging him. I felt my chest swelling with pride at the comeback.
Dylan frowned and bent down to pick up his cell phone from the puddle. He groaned and said, "Look at what you have done to my phone."
"You shouldn't be using a phone on the street," I retorted
"Well, pardon me for checking the time on my phone while walking on an empty street with nearly no one around," he spat out and turned on his heels to walk away.
I stood there for a while, conflicting if I should follow him or go the opposite way. Taking a sharp intake of air, I started walking beside him.
"Why are you following me?" he asked distractedly as he was trying to make his phone turn on.
"I'm lost, so I might as well as follow you," I chirped.
"Stalker," he said.
"Hey!" I pouted. He didn't pay attention to me anymore as he busied himself trying to fix his phone. I crossed my arms across my chest and puffed my cheeks, continuing to walk by his side.
It was silent for a few moments with only the clattering sound of him dismantling his cell phone—it irritated me. Meanwhile, I took in his appearance. He was dressed in casuals, which I found unusual—not that he didn't have a right to wear normal, human-like clothes. It was weird yet somehow endearing to see in a hoodie and jeans. Not to mention the fact it made him look hotter.
I shook my head before I started to ogle him, and I knew that if he noticed me staring, he wouldn't let me live it down.
"Would you stop tampering with that?" I finally let out.
"I won't. I need this thing to work. I'm supposed to receive an important text from one of my executives," Dylan told me.
"What are you doing out here at this time of the night?" I asked.
"I can ask you the same," he replied.
"Well, I was out for an adventure to find a café to eat something since I didn't have the fate to eat in the reception," I chirped happily.
"Goddammit, why won't this thing work?" Dylan grunted as his phone refused to turn on.
I gritted my teeth. Why doesn't he pay attention to me?!
"So where were you going?" I didn't want the conversation to end. I wanted to divert my mind from all the bad things that happened today. Also, what could have been better than trying to know my cold trainer? Everything was a step closer to him.
Dylan didn't respond and continued trying to fix his phone. Having enough, I snatched his phone from his hand as he let out a yelp. Before he could grab it back, I threw it in the dustbin.
Dylan gawked at me with wide eyes. I flashed him a tight-lipped smile and said in my defense, "That thing wasn't going to work, anyway."
I stuffed my hands in my pocket and started walking ahead. Not hearing his footsteps behind me, I let out, "Are you coming or what?" Afraid that he might be digging into the dustbin to find his phone, I turned around.
Dylan was looking down at his feet, lost in deep thoughts. His lips were curved down, vague sadness etched on his face.
I wondered what he was thinking.
"Dylan?" I called out.
Dylan snapped out of his thoughts and blinked a few times before looking at my way.
"What's wrong?" I asked with concern.
"Your head, that's what wrong," he responded and walked past me.
I pouted and whined, "It wasn't even about me." He rolled his eyes. "You aren't going to scold me for throwing your phone away?"
"It's pointless trying to put sense in an empty head full of air," he retorted.
I didn't understand what he meant for a few seconds before it clicked. "Did you just say I'm an airhead?"
"Indirectly, but yeah."
I snarled at him childishly to which he looked away.
"You still didn't answer what you were doing out here," I said, not wanting to get in a fight.
"Taking a peaceful night walk, which isn't peaceful anymore," he mumbled the last part, and I narrowed my eyes at him.
I sighed and asked, "Do you know any café nearby?"
"Oh, I totally know every nook and corner of this city, after all, I'm a resident, right?" he said sarcastically.
I rolled my eyes. "A simple 'no' would have worked."
"I don't take bits of advice from women who are dumb enough to walk alone in a secluded street with a man she has known for a week only."
I whipped my head in his direction with a slack jaw and asked, "You're the one who said I was an okay-looking girl." He clearly wasn't interested in me.
"Please do yourself a favor, and don't believe every word that comes out of my mouth," he cringed. "Also, I didn't imply I was going to do anything to you."
I scowled at him. "As if I would let you."
"I wouldn't need your permission," he retorted.
I swear I couldn't count how many times I wanted to strangle this guy. However, I racked my brain to come up with a topic to talk about since I couldn't stay without talking for a long time. "How many days are you staying here?" I asked randomly.
"One more night."
"Me too. Are you going to go sightseeing? It was my plan too, but now that Ryan was in the hospital, I don't have the mood."
He hummed in reply. "I have a car racer tomorrow nearby," he said quietly.
A genuine smile bloomed on my face. He wasn't being sarcastic. For the first time, we were having a normal conversation. "I would have loved to see it," I chimed. "Anyways, best of luck. Victory will be yours."
"Thanks."
I tilted my head and gaped at him as if he was an alien—although I had to admit, he would make a very handsome alien, but that's not the issue here.
Did he...
Yes, he did, assured my subconscious. Still, I found it hard to believe.
"What's wrong with you? Stop staring at me," Dylan said, interrupting my thoughts.
I averted my eyes back to the way ahead of me and mumbled, "No, I was just thinking something."
"Thinking what?"
Sensing his curiosity, it made me feel pumped to go on. "It's just that I thought you were the type of person who doesn't thank or apologize to people, so it surprised me when you said 'thanks'. I know I'm weird, and it's silly."
"It is silly," Dylan said with amusement. "Why wouldn't I thank someone for wishing me luck? I always make sure to thank my men if they do a good job because that's the least I could do for them. And why wouldn't I apologize to someone if I'm at fault? That is just stupid." He chuckled humorously.
I was astounded by his words. Never did I imagine Dylan to have such a righteous concept. To be honest, I found it rather sweet of him. Maybe he wasn't all bad. If I were given a hundred chances to kill him, maybe I would spare his life once at least. Before that, I would have killed in every chance I got.
Therefore, he just had a promotion in my heart, which I hoped wouldn't increase further.