Chapter 19:I promise, I didn't mean to stress you out.

Aileen's POV*

"Take this piece of shit out of here. I don't ever want to see her shadow not to talk of her" Anthony instructed with disgust in his voice.

"Yes sir" Dean retorted as he dragged Monica out forcefully.

"Mr. Price, please don't fire me. Please Mr. Price", Monica's pleading voice gradually disappeared into thin air.

After they'd gone, Anthony helped me back to the bed "Careful" he said, supporting me with his hands wrapped around my waist.

The pain increased, "Ouch", I wrapped my fingers around the affected area to prevent more blood from gushing out.

"Doctor, doctor, your attention is needed here", Anthony yelled at the top of his voice, worry evident in his eyes.

"Sit" he added, prompting me to sit gently on the bed.

Doctor Evelyn barged into my room without hesitation following Anthony's call. "I told you to be extra careful Aileen. Your health is more important than anything else" Dr. Evelyn scolded me as she treated the wound.

"Am sorry for the stress doctor", I replied, tears already welling up in my eyes.

"How can I help?, is there anything I can do?" Anthony asked, towering in front of me and Doctor Evelyn, his eyebrows drawn together, fear evident in his eyes.

"It's bleeding again" Dr. Evelyn said, as she patched up the wound with a bandage.

"I'm so sorry Anthony," I said as I lifted my teary eyes to Anthony.

Anthony gently squatted in front of me "No Aileen, this has nothing to do with you. Listen to me. Look at me" he said as he cupped my chin in his hands. "Whenever something like this happens, you have to call for help. You cannot do this alone. Okay!", he said as he held my hands softly.

"By helping, you mean you?" Dr Evelyn asked teasingly.

"No, no not just me. Just.... ". Anthony stammered but Dr Evelyn didn't let him finish.

"Whatever, I need to sleep now. Good night you both" she said as she left the room. Leaving me and Anthony in a deafening silence. Only the sounds of our breath and the ticking of the clock could be heard.

"Anthony, I promise, I didn't mean to stress you out. It's just that... " I finally broke the goddamn silence but a thunderous growl my stomach produced didn't let me finish my statement.

I held my stomach, "My God" I whispered frailty, my lips slightly pouted as I slumped my shoulders downwards.

"I'm hungry too" Anthony placed his hands on his stomach.

"What do you want? Should we get a late-night snack? He asked, his eyebrows raised.

"Huh?"

"Yeah, my treat". He added with an accommodative smile before rushing out of the room.

5 minutes later, Anthony returned with a large tray filled with varieties of snacks. He paced gently into my room and dropped the tray on the bed.

"Wow, big treat" sparkles of excitement filled my eyes.

"Yeah, a big treat indeed", he retorted as he sat in the bed too.

He picked out a crispy flaky snack and pointed it directly to my lips prompting my lips to open. "Mmmmm, yummy". The snack tasted so good and spicy, I thought.

"Absolutely," he said as he pointed another one to my lips but I shifted my face a bit backwards. "My hands are still functioning. Thank you". I said, stretching forth my hand to receive the snack but he slightly drew his hand back.

"No Aileen, you need to take it easy on yourself all right. Doctors orders" he insisted as he kept stuffing snacks into my mouth.

"Aren't You eating too?" I asked as I noticed that he hadn't taken a bite from any of the snacks.

"No, not yet" he shook his head.

"Cause what? or, you're just here to keep an eye on me?'I asked darting my eyes.

"I care about my employee's health that's why".

"Hmm," I exhaled.

"What's wrong?" He asked with an uncertain smile.

I rolled my eyes upwards, "Ummm.. Just that..., just that my husband will get jealous and so is your wife". My words made Anthony freeze, his countenance changed immediately "My wife?" He asked, barely smiling then he fixed his eyes on mine "But how are things going on with you and your husband?" He asked and seemed so interested to know.

Piqued by his unexpected question, my heart skipped "Oh, umm..., we're madly in love" I lied with a brief flash of teeth.

He was about to put a snack in my mouth but he paused, his smile faded immediately, following my reply "You know what, you enjoy the treats. I have a meeting to attend" he said as he dropped the snack back on the tray and left without saying anymore word.

He slammed the door forcefully and I could hear the clicking of his shoes from outside.

"Yeah, madly in love," I said as I vented my frustration on the tray by pushing it aside.

"Whoever he is and wherever he is, I just hope he cares for me like my boss does". I said as I lay back in bed

******

*Anthony's POV*

"I don't know what triggered me to leave in such a manner but I feel like she shouldn't have told me that part", I thought, frowning my face as I slammed the door behind me then Dean immediately rushed to me.

"Mr Price, everything has been taken care of. Monica has been put behind bars". He said as he at my face.

"Very well Dean" I retorted as I adjusted my collar.

"Mr... Price, what happened? You look so annoyed" Dean asked, trying to know what was going on in my head but I kept a straight face "It's none of your goddamn business Dean. Just do your job and inform Aileen that we'll be flying back first thing tomorrow morning. Both of you should prepare I've booked a flight already, we need to get back to work" I commanded as I slightly pushed him aside and left to my room.