Chapter 17

It was already time to meet with Dr Jack and the man who was responsible for the funding of the Pediatric Wing but she needed to do a last-minute ward round.

On getting to Dr Jack's office, she met a man who was deeply engrossed in his tablet. The aura surrounding him was screaming wealth. Ever since she moved here, she avoided dates with men whose pocket seem to draw a lot of attention from women. She didn't want to have to fight for a man's attention.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, I had to do a last-minute ward round," she said.

The eyes that met hers was one she thought she had escaped. At that instant, her heart literally bounced out of her and bounced back in. It was Aiden James sitting in front of her in flesh. Was she dreaming? What in the world was he doing in Bathina of all places sitting in front of her boss? Could he be the man everybody was anticipating? She did the one thing she knew how to do best and that was acting. It was a natural gift.

She hid any sign or expression of recognition when their eyes met. He must have been wondering if she was the real Rachel Smith. She wasn't that school girl that loved leather, washed jeans and boots anymore. She fell in love with stilettos and suit pants. She didn't want her boss or anybody in Bathina to find out they had a history before everyone starts thinking she was the reason for the funding. How many people would she explain to that it was just mere coincidence?

After the introduction, she was expecting they all go straight to the event and wait till it was time but no, her boss had to leave her alone with Aiden. Why did he trust him so well? Didn't she mean anything to the hospital? What if he kidnapped her? She thought. Ok, maybe she was exaggerating.

She felt like an animal thrown into the lion's den. She intended to keep up with the acting until he jogged to the door, peeped at the corridor and locked them in. It was at that moment she knew it wasn't going to last for long. She and him alone in a room was like ice beside a fire. 'Kate' the one topic she never wanted to discuss was what he brought up. She didn't want to believe him and Kate had nothing to do. She would hate herself for misinterpreting the message.

While still hiding under the facade that she didn't know him, she was about to make a turn towards the door so that he could get the signal that she was done talking when he tucked her hair behind her ears and began to trail kisses down her neck. He knew she would melt like a lit candle under his touch.

Some of her dates had touched her like this but she was quick to stop them and she didn't find it pleasing at all. So why was it so easy when it came to Aiden.

"Aiden what are you doing? I hate what you do to me. I hate that my body reacts to your touch, I hate you. Stop it, please." she said with a very hurting tone.

And then he brought up the Kate issue again. Can somebody tell him he was throwing her from a frying pan to fire? Did he just say something about love? Or was she dreaming?

She wasn't thinking straight and neither was he. Ok so maybe she was wrong about him and Kate but it was too late already. She wasn't going to show that she was hurt because of the irrational decision she took because of a text message. At least she benefited something from it. If she ever wanted a place to settle down, it would be Bathina. She would love her children to grow in a place where everybody looks out for each other.

She didn't want a long-distance relationship and she couldn't leave her job. So clearing the air was the only left to do between them.

“I don't care. What we would have had would have been toxic. I'm happy here and I prefer it remains that way. We haven't even entered a relationship and I have gone through all this because of you. Your social class will never even approve of me. It's two minutes to the opening ceremony Mr James. Please come with me, I'll show you the way.”

She wasn't sure if his reply was the cause of the rumble in her stomach or it was something she ate. The thought of Aiden leaving the big city life and moving over here was looking like a scene from a comedy skit.

“Are you out of your mind? I guess it's the jet lag kicking in right now. You would leave everything and come here? Can you hear yourself? It sounds like something from a comedy skit.”

With that, she walked out of the room and left him to join her. It was going to be a long day. Knowing that Aiden would make sure to pick up from where he left.

The event was a success and from the smiles on the faces of the parents, she could tell they were extremely grateful. She was happy with the outcome of today's event and she couldn't wait to celebrate with the rest of her colleagues who had also anticipated this day for so long.