Chapter 5: Definitely No Peppiness

Mordecai’s POV.

I couldn’t feel anything, and neither could I see anything, but I realized that the latter was because I hadn’t actually opened my eyes. I’m a genius like that so don’t judge me. If this is what purgatory is, then I’d rather stay here. That way, I don’t have to face God, or my sister.

My sister.

The thought of Nellie brought me out of my state as I registered the beeping around me. It was incessant, and from annoying it was, I knew exactly what it was. I’d been in the hospital enough times as a kid to remember how much I hated that stupid sound.

I struggled to open my eyes. Again, I’ve been through this before, so I know the exact pep talk to give myself into waking up, except this time it was different. While as a kid I used to motivate myself to get up to see my parents and Zeb, this time it was to see my biological mom, my sister and my brother.

After what felt like hours of going in and out of consciousness, I finally saw the light- no literally; the light in this room was bright as fuck. I didn’t even register the fact that I was mumbling, until the light in the room dimmed.

A cup of water was placed to my lips before I gratefully drank the water. It felt like I’d been out for a whole year, and whoever was giving me the water seemed to understand this as they got me a second cup of water. I finished that too.

I tried to sit up, only to hiss in pain at the burning feeling across my bones, and the searing feeling on the left side of my chest. I fully opened my eyes when my bed was elevated so that I wouldn’t have to do the work. I was met by a pair of worried eyes, a pair of glistening eyes and a pair of furious eyes.

My mother was on the verge of praying to the gods.

My sister was on the verge of crying.

My brother was on the verge of knocking some sense into me.

I was on the verge of needing an army of guardian angels.

“Hey,” I awkwardly said.

That was enough to break the tension in the room. Zeb walked out, Nellie burst into tears, and my mother got onto her knees and started praying. I know my family like the back of my hand honestly, except they didn’t give me a guide on how to deal with situations like this.

So I waited it out.

I let Nellie drench my leg with her salty liquid, while my mother sounded like she was praying for me to be reincarnated altogether. It was the weirdest fucking thing I’ve ever experienced, and the worst part was that I couldn’t even leave.

I was stuck watching this happen!

“Guys, I’m ok,” I said lowly once my mum was done praying.

“Are you? You gave us a scare Kai!” Nellie sniffed.

“What happened? How long have I been here?” I asked.

“You were involved in a car accident. You had a heart attack while you were driving, and a car rammed into you from behind. The car was speeding because the green light had just flashed and they expected you to move, but you only moved a little before they rammed into you. There were five people in that car, and one of them lost their lives. Two of them are fine, one is in a coma and the other is in ICU. You’ve been here for three weeks,” my mother informed.

Three weeks? Damn!

“What happened to me?” I fearfully asked.

“You have a broken leg, three broken ribs, head trauma and you had glass shards embedded into your back and chest. You’re ok, but they’re going to leave scars. You also had to have a heart operation, but the doctors believe you’ll be fine,” my mother was again the person to respond before Zeb walked into the room with a doctor behind him.

“Good! You’re up! My name is Dr Alex Oswald and I’m the cardiologist who operated on you. How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Glorious,” I alerted, deadpan.

“Kai,” Zeb said in warning.

I scowled. “I’m in pain! What else did you expect?”

“Where are you in pain exactly?” Dr Alex Oswald asked as he held his clipboard.

I rolled my eyes. “Everywhere.”

“Baby, please cooperate,” my mother begged.

“I feel the pain mostly by my ribs, head, chest, legs and back,” I replied.

So again, everywhere.

“Right! How’s your breathing?” he asked as he wrote down.

“Fine,” I replied.

“And is the chest pain from the wound from the operation, or from inside?” he asked.

“The wound,” I replied.

“Alright! Another doctor is going to come and check up on you, as well as your assigned nurse Kimberly. I’ll also be back sometime later,” he smiled.

Something about him irks me.

“Doctor, what about that other patient?” Nellie asked.

“The one I operated on unfortunately didn’t make it, which makes it two casualties. The other one is still fighting for his life,” Dr Alex Oswald replied.

“Thank you doctor,” Zeb said stiffly.

“It’s a pleasure,” the man said before leaving.

“He gives me the creeps,” I commented.

Nellie glared at me. “That’s my best friend’s boyfriend.”

I scoffed. “She has a bad taste in men.”

Zebedee glared at me. “He’s the least of your concerns Mordecai.”

“Lay it on me,” I sighed.

“Why bother? You don’t seem to care anyway,” he said before walking out.

“Can’t he just shout already?” I grumbled.

“He’s got a point you know? You don’t care Kai, and it bothers us more than you know,” Nellie huffed before storming off too.

Is this like a new trend I missed out on in my coma?

“Are you going to storm out too?” I asked my mother.

She pursed her lips. “A mother isn’t allowed such privileges.”

“So you’re saying you would leave if you weren’t my mother?” I didn’t hide my surprise.

She nodded. “Probably.”

“That’s brutally honest,” I mumbled.

“You’re failing to understand where we’re coming from Mordecai. We were so afraid when that heart monitor stopped. You were gone for about three minutes before you came back. They then operated and all. On top of that, your brother and Judith have had to deal with the press and your fans, while Nellie and I have had to deal with questioning about our relevance to you. Despite all of that, I had to learn from the doctors that coming to the hospital used to be a norm for you when you were younger. Baby, you need to take better care of your body,” she pleaded.

Seeing the tears in her eyes made me understand that perhaps my lifestyle was a bit extreme and clearly there are only negative repercussions for everyone, but at the same time, it’s my life, and none of them understand what it’s like to be me.

For that fact alone, I will carry on to live the way I want to.

“Mom...” I trailed off.

“You’re stubborn Mordecai, and unfortunately that’s something you got from your father. I don’t expect you to change overnight, but I am begging you son, please consider my words. I just got you, and it would kill your sister and I to lose you. We can’t forget about Zeb either, who has watched over you for all of your life. Please just think about us. We love you too much. Besides, I want grandchildren,” she laughed a little, making me laugh as best as I could.

I squeezed her hand. “I love you mom.”

“I love you too baby. I’m going to check if you’re allowed to eat yet ok?” she said. Feeling like the little boy I am when it comes to her, I nodded, and she kissed my forehead before leaving.

I looked around the room and it wasn’t hard to figure out that it’s a private room. They probably knew that I’d want one, so props to them, except I also want to get the hell out of here. Despite having been in the hospital a lot as a kid, I still hate them.

“You’re alive you son of a gun!” Judith said as she walked into the room.

“I’m alive,” I added to the obviousness of her statement.

“You gave us all one hell of a scare,” she commented.

I shrugged. “So I was told.”

“I see you almost dying didn’t make you any less of an asshole,” she commented.

“Just tell me what I need to know Judith,” I grumbled.

“You want the good news or the bad news first?” she asked.

I hate that question.

“Hit me with the good news first,” I sighed.

“The good news is that your fan base doubled. Apparently, thanks to Mendel Gold, her fans, as well as yours, have been blowing up Twitter and Facebook for the past three weeks. You have more followers now, which is important at this point in time,” she ended on a sombre note.

“I assume the ‘this point in time’ refers to the bad news?” I said, already expecting the worst.

“Yeah! You’ve been pulled out of March,” she said regretfully.

“What?” I asked wide-eyed.

“You’re going to take too long to recover and they have a deadline to meet. They’ve already recast everyone,” she explained.

“And the press release?” I inquired.

“They haven’t released anything. So far, it’s been hush hush, but only because they want to reveal everything when all has been put it into place,” she replied.

“And who have they replaced me with?” I fumed.

Please don’t say Hunter.

“Hunter.”

I felt like throwing the biggest fit right there. Hollywood is full of the faces people I know, and Hunter Kist is one of those people. Don’t get me wrong, the guy knows how to throw one hell of a party, but I hate his guts. He’s wanted everything I have from the moment he came onto the scene. The dude even told reporters that he wants to be just like me.

For him to land such a major role, having taken it from me, is just going to give him the boost he needs.

“I’m going to get your nurse,” Judith said awkwardly before leaving.

I was irate honestly, and the last place I wanted to be, was restricted to a fucking hospital bed. I wanted to be back in my gym, punching the shit out of something. My whole life just wasn’t going to work out with me being in this suffocating place.

I was lost to my own thoughts when the door opened and in walked this short Filipino looking woman. Her hair was straightened out in a bob, and she was dressed in scrubs, so I assumed she was my nurse Kimberly.

“Hi! So your nu-”

“Look, when can I get the fuck out of here?” I asked. I really wasn’t in the mood for any peppiness.

She looked up, probably stunned by words, while I had to keep my cool. With her big green brown eyes staring at me in shock, I realized that she’s probably the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life, and she’s not even my type.

I normally go for tall blondes, but here she was, a short brunette Filipino woman, doing something to my insides. She has a perfect round nose and shaped eyebrows. Her cheeks are not too drawn in, and they’re not puffy either. She had a cute little pout of confusion going on. Her caramel skin suits her perfectly. I can’t really tell about her body since she’s wearing scrubs.

Her eyes though, are what captivated me most. While they’re not completely green, they’re not completely brown either. The light was shining on her, which is how I was able to see that they were green, outlined with brown and had brown streaks going from the pupil.

I also noticed the sudden anger settled in them.

“Aren’t you just rude,” she mumbled.

So, no peppiness then?

“Do you know who I am?” I asked. She clearly wouldn’t be so bold if she knew who I was.

“According to this, you’re Mordecai Hart,” she replied, looking down at the clipboard.

“According to that? You’re telling me that if my name wasn’t on that thing, you wouldn’t know who I am?” I asked incredulously.

There’s no way she doesn’t know who I am.

She raised an eyebrow. “Am I supposed to know?”

“Of course you are! I’m the most famous actor out there right now!” I huffed.

“Well too bad! I don’t know who you are. Knowing who you are has no relevance in my life clearly,” she replied as she checked the machine I was apparently attached to.

“Well you’re bitchy!” I commented.

She shrugged. “And I really couldn’t care less what an arrogant egotistic know it all has to think about me.”

Definitely no peppiness!

“You don’t get laid much, do you?” I raised an eyebrow. My inner asshole was coming out.

“That’s none of your business,” she said, writing down something on her clipboard.

“I bet your boyfriend doesn’t even fuck you the way you want to be fucked,” I continued. I didn’t expect her to put pressure on my rib.

“Motherfucker!” I exclaimed.

“Oops! Everything seems fine there,” she said sarcastically before flashing me a smirk.

“You bitch! I could get your ass fired,” I said angrily.

“I’d like to see you try! Now, are you feeling any nausea or dizziness?” she asked.

I smirked. “Why would I tell you that?”

She shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

“You’re not supposed to give up that easily! You’re my nurse,” I reminded.

“I’m actually not your nurse. If your big-headed self would’ve let me finish my sentence, then you’d know that I’m doing your nurse a favour right now. She’s stuck with another patient, so I have to look after you,” she informed.

“Who are you then?” I asked, realizing that she didn’t have a name tag on.

She smirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“Whatever! I’m just glad I only have to see your face once,” I said lamely.

“Feeling’s mutual asshole,” she smiled.

I had to bite my lip to stop myself from telling her how beautiful she looked when she smiled.

“Would you hurry up and leave?” I instead said.

“Planning on it,” she replied before her pen fell. She bent down to pick it up.

“Nice ass gorgeous,” I commented.

“I feel sorry for Kimberly, or anyone who has to deal with you actually. You’re an asshole of note!” she ranted as she continued to write on the clipboard.

“You just want to kiss me,” I taunted. She walked up to me, surprising me when she bent low enough for her lips to be above mine.

I literally just had to reach up and we’d be kissing.

“If I wanted to kiss you, you’d know. Apparently you’re the one who wants to kiss me,” she purred lowly before looking down. I followed her trail and found that my boner was clear as day since it formed a tent.

Fuck my life!

“I wish you a speedy recovery Mr Hart. It would mean the world to everyone if you finally left the hospital. Your groupies are messing up the running of the hospital,” she said before she turned to leave.

“So you do know who I am!” I shouted after her.

“Don’t count on it,” she shouted back before closing the door.

I don’t know why, but talking to her made me feel better, even though I don’t know her name. For the little while that I spoke to her, I’d forgotten about Judith’s words, but of course this stupid room had to remind me.

Instead of thinking about the news, I thought back to the nurse. There’s just something about her. She’s definitely got a spitfire personality, and she is insanely beautiful, but I can tell she’s got some stuff about her that she doesn’t like people knowing. She looks very reserved for someone so beautiful.

She doesn’t even look like she tries with her appearance; not I’m saying that she has to or anything, but I noticed that she didn’t even have any make-up on. I don’t think I’ve met a woman in this day and age who hasn’t cared about make-up.

“KAI!” Nellie shouted, bringing me back to reality.

I frowned. “What?”

“Mom got you soup. Do you want the chicken or the tomato?” she asked.

“Chicken. Where is she?” I asked.

“She’s talking to Bev,” she replied.

“Bev, as in your best friend Beverly?” I questioned as she placed the soup before me. Apparently she was feeding me.

She nodded. “Yeah.”

“What’s she doing here?” I asked.

“Do you ever listen to me when I talk? I’ve told you before that she works here,” she huffed. Before I could reply, my mom walked back in with Zebedee and Judith.

“So, the doctors say you’ll be discharged within the week,” Zebedee announced.

“Thank fucks sake!” I replied.

“But, you’re going to need someone to help you since we’re all too busy,” he informed.

“What? Nell and mom can take care of me,” I argued.

“No can do baby. I have to fly back home for about a month or so. I have some stuff to sort out,” my mother replied.

“And I got a job,” Nellie said nervously.

I raised an eyebrow. “You got a job? Where?”

“This really great company! One of Bev’s patients, the CEO of the company, hired me to work together with his son. His son is training to take over the company, and they both said that if I do great by the time the son takes over, I can be the deputy CEO,” she explained.

“That’s a lot of faith to put in a rookie,” I scoffed.

“It just says a lot about Nellie’s talents. Be happy for her and stop being a dick,” Judith commented.

“Whatever! So what exactly are you people suggesting? A live-in nurse?” I asked.

“Something of a sort. Would you be open to it?” Zebedee asked.

I raised an eyebrow. “Do I have a choice?”

“No,” he replied.

I glared at him. “Then why the fuck would you bother asking?”

“So I’ll take that as a yes. We’ll look into things and let you know,” he replied, disregarding my attitude as usual.

“Can everyone just leave?” I requested.

“You want us to go?” Nellie asked, the sadness evident in the voice, but I was just too upset right now.

“Yeah,” I replied.

“Ok! We’ll go, but we’ll be back tomorrow. We love you baby,” my mom said before they all got up.

“And can one of you call my nurse,” I requested.

“I don’t think Kimberly’s available,” Nellie replied.

“I know,” I replied.

They all left after giving me a weird look. I got myself lost in my thoughts again. I was just so upset. Life definitely wasn’t on my side, and neither was fate. There was so much going on in my head that I didn’t hear the door open or close, or realize that I was being watched.

“You called?” she said. When I looked up, it was the same nurse that had tended to me.

“I see you’re still doing Kimberly’s job for her,” I smirked.

She looked bored. “Did you really call me back here for this?”

“I didn’t call for you. I called for my nurse and you took the call. I’m beginning to think you have a crush on me,” I teased.

“You wish I had a crush on you,” she said before coming to sit down at one of the chairs.

“Rough day?” I found myself asking.

She rolled her eyes. “Like you care.”

“I see I have a bad image in your eyes for whatever reason,” I commented.

She raised a challenging eyebrow. “Besides the fact that you’re an egotistic asshole?”

I rolled my eyes. “You wound me.”

“What a pity! You’re still breathing. I guess I didn’t aim hard enough,” she said with a small smile.

“So how come you’re doing Kimberly’s job for her?” I questioned.

She shrugged. “It’s none of your business.”

“Are you supposed to be working now?” I asked. She took a while before answering that one.

“No,” she finally replied.

I frowned. “Then why are you working?”

“Lives need saving, which reminds me...” she trailed off before she stood up.

“Will I see you again?” I asked.

“You want to see me again?” she asked, looking genuinely confused.

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Why? I hate your guts and clearly you hate mine,” she replied.

“What’s that got to do with anything?” I smirked.

“Good day Mr Hart. And next time, only call if it’s an emergency please,” she sighed before heading for the door.

I laughed. “Can I at least know what your name is?”

“Cecily,” she replied.

“It was not nice to meet you Cecily,” I told her.

“Ditto!” she replied before shutting the door.

She definitely made my day better.