Were you mine?

Chapter 16A loan proposal

Phill's POV

It was way beyond my duty hours.

It was the dead of the night.

I had come back to check on Lea before going back home.

Thank goodness that I did.

"Lea? " I did not have to go to her cabin to find her.

I found her limping with her drip and cast and everything, at the corner of the hall, overlooking the French window.

" What are you doing here?How did you... nurse?? "

She looked at me with anger filled in her eyes.

" Can I not be left alone for sometimes? "

Her eyes were red and her hair was a mess.

" Of course you can. Lea, you can do whatever you want. But your bones still need time and rest. Your drip line is completely tangled. You got blood flowing into your IV line. Let me help you, Lea. I promise I will not disappoint or disrespect you. I will be right here to help you with your choice. "

I cautiously approached her. She looked extremely vulnerable.

"GO AWAY! I don't need anybody's fake promises. I just want to die, alright. I don't want any of your sympathy. "

It was clear that she was having a mental break down.

" Ssshhhh! Lea, it's alright. I am not making any fake promises. I am your doctor, remember? I have an oath to fulfill. I would help you even if I didn't know you. "

She was looking constantly out of the window and I still had a few more feet to cross to reach her hand.

" I don't need your help, doctor. Can you please, kindly put me out of my misery? It's getting unbearable. "

She chirped.

Post accident trauma was very common in patients but this was not only that. It was her hormones going crazy but the trigger was what had happened between her and that loser.

I needed to address the core of the matter.

" Is it about the child, Lea? " My question effectively drew her attention.

" Yes, it is. Yes. What am I going to do? "

She grabbed her hair and started pulling, rocking her head to and fro.

I sat down on my knees beside her finally approaching with much caution.

" Do you want to keep the baby, Lea? Or do you want it gone? "

I asked.

She looked at me as if I had asked for her soul.

" Gone? What do you mean by gone, Doctor Phill? This baby is precious. Don't you dare talk about it in that tone. Its my Jake's blood. I will protect it and take care of it no matter what. Even though I have to work five jobs, I will raise my baby right. I will give my baby everything that it ever want. I will... "

I took her hands in my hands and pressed firmly.

She was shaking. I had to stabilise her.

" But doctor... I... I can barely move. How will I take care of myself and this child? I am crippled. What work can I do in this state? Where will I go? "

She completely broke down.

I took the liberty to gently pat her back.

One stroke at a time and it felt so soothing. It felt like I was calming my own nerves instead of her.

" Lea, can I tell you something? "

She did not respond but I went ahead and said what I had in mind.

" I had been wanting to ask for your help. I needed someone trustworthy to help sort some papers. I have alot in my hand. If you don't mind, will you be considering this offer, Lea? I would really appreciate your help. I will pay you of course and it will not be very tedious. "

I held my breath as I waited for her reaction.

She looked up with her teary eyes.

" Are you offering me a job? "

I nodded.

" Yeah, something like that. I will be honest with you, Lea. I don't clearly understand what is going on between you and Jake. But I do understand that you might need some time alone to think about everything. I don't want you to vanish like the last time, specially when you need proper treatment and care.

I am offering you a job and a place to stay in. Think of it as a temporary arrangement. This way, I will be able to be there when you need my help. "

I could not read her expression and then she suddenly asked.

" What's in this for you, Doctor? Clearly I am not the best fit for whatever job you are offering. I am sure there are far better candidates. Is this charity? What do you get at the end of this bargain. "

Her words stung me like a venomous thorn.

But I smiled at her and answered, " A friend. "

She looked confused.

" I don't have many people whom I can call my friend. Trust is not something that I can openly disburse. I found that comfort in you, Lea. I would not dare to look down upon you. You taught me a lot of things. Things that I didn't know I needed to continue living. Take this offer as a loan if you will, Lea. Pay me back with interest in the future. Now, are we cool? "

I could see her hesitation.

" You can think about it all day, all night. You still need a few more days in the hospital. "

I grabbed the handles of her wheelchair.

" Now, if I may... Is it alright if I take you back in your room, Ma'am? "

I saw a smile escape her lips. I smiled back triumphantly.

" I don't want to go back inside. Will it be alright if I could go down, " She pointed at the garden downstairs from the window. " I am feeling claustrophobic. I just want some fresh air. "

She heaved heavily.

" Alright. I will take you. "

" No, doctor Phill! You don't need to. Please ask a nurse or a ward boy... "

I bent down and whispered in her ears, " Lea, I insist. "