{PART TWO}

I felt like a ghost, a clump of body parts moving aimlessly without any sense of direction. Each step felt weighed by a million metric tons, forcing me to a standstill. Physically chained to the linoleum floor while mentally shackled to my unremitting thoughts— a prisoner to both. The blur of blue scrubs blew past me, terror looming behind their eyes but I remained still, barely breathing.

Elias squeezed my hand, a gesture that shocked my system- reminding me that I'm alive. This would be the end of me, I thought as I looked at his hardened blank expression. Without Isabella who would I be? I shook the notion to the back of my mind.

We're not there yet.

We all stood, hurled together as if we were lost in a maze. The words I wanted to say stuck on the tip of my tongue. "Is that her room?" Elias turned his head, asking the transfixed receptionist.

"Uh, uh I'm so sorry, I've never dealt with a code blue situation, I'm new here, It's my first day." the receptionist glared down at the tablet. "Um, the room...right... what's the patient's name again? I forgot I'm a little nervous."

I swiped my hand across my forehead. "Isabella Rayne Delacruz."

The receptionist slid her fingers up and down the screen, a drop of sweat fell down her temple. Her eyes scanned the tablet each second that passed felt like torture.

"Can I just go look to see if that's her?" I wondered why I even asked and pushed my way between the receptionist and Elias. I didn't care for her approval or need permission.

"No! please stop, family is not allowed in the room during a code blue." She latched her hand around my arm gripping tightly, her green eyes widened with anticipation of my next move. I narrowed my eyes at her as snatched my arm out of her hold. "Don't ever put your hands on me. Find her room now! Before I talk to your supervisor. This is unacceptable, I don't care if this is your first day you should have known before you guided us down this hallway. My sister could be in that room and—"

Elias peered at me causing me to stop in the middle of my tirade. His look grounded me, making me aware that I was taking out my aggression on an innocent bystander. The fact that he was standing beside me with no obligation to, made me feel a mixture of different emotions.

The receptionist coughed, her spit landing on my forehead. If she hadn't apologized profusely, I would have thought she did it on purpose. I tried to hide my annoyance, as I wiped it off, the only thing I needed her to spit out was my sister's room number.

"Ah, here it is, Isabella Delacruz room 257."

"Not room 248?" I pointed to the room with the code blue ignoring the frantic voices of hospital staff as they continued their efforts to revive the patient. "That room isn't Isabella's?" I asked needing confirmation.

She wiped the sweat off her forehead and nodded. Without hesitation, I ran. I ran, with my heart dragging across the floor. I ran, pulling strength from deep within that I didn't know I had and didn't look back.

One more room.

I pushed down the handle and swung the door open.

My sister.

She was unrecognizable, dried blood, scrapes, bruising riddled all over her face and arms. If it wasn't for her heart-shaped birthmark on her cheek, I wouldn't have known it was her. I felt betrayed by my own eyes. How could this be my sister? How could this have happened? How could my life be utter ruins in the span of two days? Turmoil, followed my every step, never letting me heal before the next disaster struck.

I half sat on the edge of the hospital bed, tears poured down my face with the number of cords that were attached to her. I wanted to throw up, curl into a ball and fade off into nothingness. Overfilled with an agony that was earth-shattering, soul-crushing— I wished it would all go away. But, whatever I felt it drew nothing in comparison into what she must be feeling.

I had to be strong and resilient. This was not a time to be weak. Wallowing in my self-pity wasn't an option.

I wiped my tears, staring at her chest rise and fall. My sister was alive and that was more than enough reason to be grateful. She seemed at peace with her eyes closed shut by her wispy eyelashes. I carefully laid my head on her chest. The noise of the heart monitor and her raspy breathing was all that was heard. "Isabella, I love you. I love you so much. You're not leaving me. I won't let you. I won't. Please, make it through this, I can't live this life without you. You're the motivation, the source of happiness in my life. See what you're making me do? I'm begging you. You always said I was too stubborn for my own good that—that I would never ask for anything even if my life depended on it. Please don't leave me."

Isabella slowly moved beneath causing me to jolt my head off her chest. Her beautiful brown eyes fluttered opened as she winced trying to lift herself into a sitting position. "Aww sister, hearing you say that is almost better than these drugs they're giving me. But calm down, I'm fine. Very much alive, just a little banged up."

The sound of her croaky voice destroys me as I wrapped my arms around her, trying my best not to become a complete mess underneath her. "It's nice to hear your voice." I placed her hand on my heart. "Look, how you have my heart beating. You have no idea how happy I am to know that you're okay."

Isabella groaned, pressing the button for more pain medication. "Ouch, sis try not to squeeze so tightly. And stop that seriously, please don't put this on yourself. We got rear-ended in an Uber on the 405. Car accidents happen all the time, this has nothing to do with you. I'm okay, I swear."

I lifted myself off her chest and put her raven bloody strands of hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry, I am just so happy you're okay. That's all that matters. Anything you need, I'm here."

I kissed her forehead and walked to the sink, ripping open the plastic wrapping that contained a white towel. I let warm water run through and wrung it out. As I turned around she hung her head low and fiddled with her IV. I swallowed harshly, gripping my hands on the sink mentally preparing myself for the words that I knew that would escape.

Her eyes welled up with unshed tears. "I came home from school and saw dad drunk having sex with some random woman on our couch. I felt brave so I confronted him for once in my life. Spoiler alert, he didn't take it well. He yelled at me while she's was on top of him. Anyways, I'll spare you the gritty details. He enlightened me that I am not his daughter. I just left, needed to get the hell out of there so I called my boyfriend Tobias and he picked me up right away with his friend Cora. While I'm on the 405 I can't help but to reflect on my childhood and think, yeah makes sense, I'm not his daughter— "Isabella scrunched her nose with her mouth wide open staring fixedly at the door. "Omg either these drugs are hella good and I'm seeing things or-"

I unleashed my grip on the sink, seeing that the wood beneath cut through my skin. Unbothered by the minor cuts on my palms, I started to wipe the dried blood from my sister's face. "Isabella there is no truth to his statement. I don't want you to worry about that now. I am going to find a place for us to live, buy you a car and we'll never look back." She seemed distracted and uninterested to my words. Her eyes focused on the door, smiling as she waved her hand inviting someone in. Confused, I swayed my head at the door.

Elias.

My heart stopped beating for different reasons than before. I was so absorbed with the whereabouts of my sister that I didn't notice how good he looked. Good was an understatement, I swear this man was like a piece of art. A piece of art, that wouldn't mind getting lost in.

I met him at the door wrapping my arm around his shoulder. "I'm so sorry, I just ran in here- "

"Don't worry, I stayed back to give you two some privacy." Elias extended his hand towards Isabella, she reciprocated eagerly a bit too eager. "I'm Elias, Scarlett's...." we both looked at each other as he took a pause. "Boss. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances."

"Hi Elias, I'm Isabella uhh Scarlett's sister I think. I'm doing great, other than the internal bleeding and broken ribs. These pain medications are hella awesome, I don't feel a thing. Do you mind if I call you Godzilla? It just feels like I know you ...Ahh so nice to see the man my sister fantasizes about in the flesh. You have no idea how much she talks about you and her whooha." She raised her eyebrows and attempted to do a lewd hand gesture. "Together."

"Isabella really?" Heat rose to my cheeks, as I widened my eyes sending a warning to my sister but because of her medically induced state, I knew it was in vain. "No, you can't call him Godzilla. That's not very nice. I am very fortunate that Elias was kind of enough to bring me here in the first place, my jeep didn't want to start and he gladly drove me around Redbook in search of you. He didn't have to do that, but I'm very appreciative that he did." I turned my head toward Elias, hoping he saw the sincerity in my eyes.

"It's fine, I don't mind. Call me what you want although I'm not sure what I have in common with a fictional giant reptilian monster."

"Oh, Godzilla that jeep breaking on her is the best thing that's happened to her since sliced bread. Good luck, with that she's never going to replace that rust bucket now that she has the perfect excuse not to." She winked her eyes exaggeratedly at Elias. "If you get what I'm saying. And you're my sisters Godzilla because well... Oh yeah, because I saw your little fight with Thomas outside of my window. You totally showed him! How often do you work out by the way?" Isabella leaned in closer to Elias and whispered. "You have a lot of muscles."

Elias laughed genuinely, which calmed my nerves that he didn't feel uncomfortable with my sisters over the top behavior. "I've been called a lot of things but I think that has to be at the top. Thomas had what was coming to him with that mouth of his, eh? No sense of decency or respect."

Isabella raised up her hands in praise while Elias continued to laugh. I took a step back, looking at them both counter back and forth with witty remarks. I was the subject of their banter but I didn't care. This moment made me reflect on my life particularly my childhood. Good moments were rare, limited to spring gardening when my mom was home and birthdays, well if my dad wasn't there. I could count them on one hand. I wanted to change that.

I wiped the solemn tear that fell across my cheek and broke the unfair alliance against me. The laughter and conversations continued throughout the rest of the evening. Due to my sister's drug-induced state, there was never a dull moment. Elias was a champ answering any and all inappropriate questions my sister asked usually all pertaining to me. My cheeks remained flushed with a permanent smile stuck on my face with his responses. My sister eventually ran out of questions and decided it was the perfect time to watch cable tv. She flipped through endlessly on the same 10 channels the hospital provided before she settled on channel seven airing Titanic.

Elias and I sat on the opposite sides of tan loveseat both of us disinterested in the movie, giving our undivided attention to each other as we held a private conversation via text. We went back and forth, occasionally exchanging adoring looks and coy smiles in between each flirty message. Until, my sister interrupted the silence, daring Elias and I to act out the gripping scene where Rose and Jack are stranded in the icy waters. I flat out refused, but Elias, on the other hand, told me sternly that we were doing this.

I tried to argue, but Elias was adamant that we couldn't refuse a dare. In conjunction with Elias, my sister guilted me by giving me her best puppy dog face as she shed false tears. I sunk my head, dragging my feet until we were in the center of the room, in front of Isabella's hospital bed. Elias looked at me smugly, rubbing in his win. Our acting skills were horrid downright cringe-worthy but we didn't care, we gave it our all. My sister was impressed, real tears now escaping her eyes, awarding us her best hospital bed ovation shouting as loud as her grating voice allowed her to. "Long, live Eliaslett no iceberg, is big enough to break your love. That damn door! Godzilla would have a fit! He didn't have to die!"

Fighting the urge to laugh, we continued to play the scene now at the part where Rose lets go of Jacks hands leaving him to fall deep into the ocean. As soon as I let go of his hand, he dropped to his knees dramatically as if he were being pulled down towards the icy waters. The door swung open, alerting us both. Elias stood up unfazed, while I covered my mouth giggling under my breath. He explained the situation in a smooth manner while the younger seemingly attractive women, a doctor, and a nurse, ogled completely smitten by Elias.

They continued to chatter asking him personal questions, both brazen and flirty. I couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Unjustly so, Elias and I weren't a couple. Technically he or any woman could flirt all they wanted. I turned around to see my sister glaring at me then at women, mouthing "tell them something." Right as I was going to speak up, Elias wrapped his arm around me.

The nurse smiled awkwardly and went to check my sister's vitals. While the doctor expressed the gravity of my sister's injuries. She looked down at the tablet, reading the prognosis stating Isabella suffered from blunt trauma, resulting in minor internal bleeding in her abdomen and broken ribs. The doctor was confident that the bleeding should resolve on its own, if not they would have to do an exploratory laparotomy. The doctor mentioned that Isabella didn't feel the extent of her injuries because she was on a heavy dose of morphine. Which explained my sister's eccentric behavior this evening. Overall, she was impressed with how well Isabella was recovering from when she was first brought in six hours ago.

My heart sank, my sister was here for six hours alone. It was then brought to my attention that my father and mother were the only emergency contacts they had on file. When Isabella became conscious she asked them to call me. I briefly explained our parental situation and put myself as the sole emergency contact. The doctor asked if I had any other family members to add, both I and my sister laughed saying no in unison.

They excused their selves and we were left the room again. I gave my sister a hug and kiss on the cheek. Elias ran his hands down my arm and expressed he was heading home. He said his goodbyes to Isabella, making him laugh one last time. I disclosed that I was walking him to his car, shooting him a daring look, that told him not to question me. He obliged whether it had to do with my look was unknown. We made our way down the bleak hospital hallway. Everything was still, quiet. Patients were asleep, while the nurses surrounded the charge station typing into their computers.

The cool breeze of the night sky sends chills all over my skin. I beamed at the sky, no stars in sight, just the moon shining brightly down on us. I pushed Elias's back on to his car, hugging him tightly as if he would disappear into the night without a trace. "I don't have the words to express how appreciative I am of not only today but these past days. It feels like I've pulled you into my mess time after time. You've made it easier to deal with. I just don't know how I'll ever repay you. Like If I should make you a cake or dinner, buy you a puppy, give you our first-born child?"

Elias bit his lip and chuckled brushing his fingers across my lips. "It's a little too soon for that don't you think?"

I mentally cursed myself, nothing odder than a woman you're getting to know mentioning a child with you. "I meant my first-born child, that I may or may not have in the long future or something. Anyways, finishing on what I was trying to say is that... I've really enjoyed the hotel stay in San Diego, you know like watching Games of Thrones, seeing you eat a cheeseburger was kind of funny thought either you were going to die or pass out on me. The dancing on the balcony than the other stuff too..."

I really didn't know how to say, hey I also really liked having your tongue in my mouth again.

"Not saving the regret for another day? It's so unlike you, tell me how was your perception this time temptadora?"

I clicked my teeth and puckered my lips, tapping my finger against them. "Hmm, better I guess. I mean I was very exhausted to the point of delirium so I think that could hinder it a bit don't you think?"

He pulled me in closer, my breath hitched, no matter my intentions, my body was always willing to his every touch. "That's a good point Tesoro, but what about the elevator eh? What's your excuse there?"

"Fine, you got me. What do you want me to say? That I fancy you with passion, that you ease my troubled mind or that everything about you, especially your touch lingers on my skin and my soul? That you drive me crazy. That I think about you all the time. That despite logic, I want you and I don't care if doesn't make sense. All hypothetical feelings....of course."

He let go of me, as we held each other with our eyes no touch was needed. "And what If told you that I can't get enough of you either. That we should skip the going back and forth and go straight into it. That we say fuck the complications and ride off into the sunset not giving a damn what others think. But I guess we are just speaking in hypotheticals...."

We both stayed quiet. Even though in my mind I was shouting into the void. Where did all this flirting and kissing lead to? Or would we continue on this path with no acknowledgment of our actions? Would we go about our ways as nothing happened?

But the questions didn't dare leave my mind. Maybe, I didn't need to know all the answers now. Maybe we were the one equation I couldn't solve or one I didn't need to solve this very second. We gave each other another hug goodbye, the air thick with tension, both of us riddled with confusion on what comes next.

I waved goodbye once more, seeing him drive off into the distance. I walked back into the hospital with the regret of unspoken words. My phone rang startling me back to reality. I stared at the screen it wasn't the person I wanted instead, it was an unknown number.

"Hello, this Scarlett," I said sitting on the outside bench of the hospital.

"I know who you are Scarlett no need for introductions. How is your sister? Not that I care." Cain laughed sinisterly.

I barred my teeth and stood from the bench. Fury, anger, rage took place of fear with the mention of my sister. "I have no idea what you're talking about Cain. If this is some cruel sick way to terrorize me it won't work."

"Oh, Scarlett you're so naïve. How many times do I have to tell you and my son that I'm always watching? You're very bold, almost as if you really believe that you're not that damaged, apathetic girl you used to be with Thomas? Let me enlighten you, Scarlett, no matter what façade you act upon each day you will always be that girl. I will not tolerate your insolence. Don't forget that, when you feel like opening your mouth on matters you think you know or what you think happened. And if you believe for a second that Elias can save you from my wrath, you're in for an awakening because no one can save you from me, not even my son. Do I need to remind you of the consequences?"

I closed my eyes, trying to control my anger but it was too no avail. Too much pent up frustration accumulated and those words served as the last nail to unhinge me."Cain, I used to fear you but now you've just pissed me off. Do not ever mention my sister in that plagued mouth of yours because if you do you'll find exactly what type a woman I am now. You're a weak man, you don't fool me for a second."

He started to say something but I spoke louder stopping his words."You will not intimidate me any longer. I remember the consequences vividly but nothing is more dangerous than someone with nothing to lose. So I'll keep my pretty little mouth shut as you said only if you stay the hell away from me and my sister."

I clicked the end call button before he could respond. Smart enough to know, I'd probably regret this. He would make sure of that.

For now, I would shut out the consequences and relish in this brief moment of gratification.

•••
Author's Note

Thank you for reading! Another chapter, I struggled with. I had written about 2,500 words in Elias's Pov then decided to trash it. I didn't go through this chapter as many times as I wanted, so forgive me for any errors. Also, not sure what I feel about this chapter but biting the bullet and posting anyways.

But Hopefully, we liked this chapter? maybe love?

Do you think Scarlett will regret speaking to Cain in that manner?

What do you think will happen will they go back to work? Will they act as nothing happened or will they actually confront how they feel? If so, who do you think will disclose feelings first?

Next chapter, will be Elias's Pov.  It's another doozy. Be prepared.