Chapter 24 New Issues Arising
Arielle's POV
“Is she awake?”
“I think she's waking up.”
“That's a relief, go get the doctor.”
My eyes fluttered open and I saw the owner of the voice clad in a casual white shirt was Zane hovering over me.
“Are you okay?” He asked, gently.
I nodded my head and felt a sharp pain in my neck, followed by a throbbing headache, I winced in pain.
“Lay down Arielle, you don't have to get up now.” Zane advised and I adhered to it because honestly, my vision was still a little foggy.
Leo came back with the doctor trailing right behind him and how did I know? I recognized his voice.
“Please check her Doctor, she winced in pain as she attempted to sit up.” Zane blurted and I was shocked at how impatient he was to get the information across.
The doctor did a routine check on me. “She's going to need a lot of bed rest and some painkillers. She's fine, just ensure you take the necessary precautions as I've explained to you and there'll be absolutely no cause for alarm.”
“The pain?” Zane asked.
“It'll die down.” The doctor assured him.
Though my eyes were shut, I wasn't asleep and I heard retreating footsteps. I exhaled as quietly as I could, not wanting to raise any alarm then I felt a gentle touch, a firm yet protective squeeze on my palm, I subconsciously smiled.
“Zane, is that you?” I called out.
I heard his deep throat chuckle which sent a sweet sensation through me.
“I know I'm irresistibly handsome and I've been rumored to have a deadly touch but I didn't expect you'd be excited that you'd faint just by setting eyes on me.” He joked.
I laughed, though my throat felt parched. “Don't flatter yourself, I was probably exhausted from carrying that overwhelming ego of yours.”
He laughed, heartily and I felt drowsy as a much warmer liquid flowed through my veins. I realized the fluids have been changed and I could feel myself slipping once again into thr darkness but this time, it was comforting.
“I feel sleepy and that's funny since my eyes are already shut.” I informed Zane.
I felt his hand on my head, he gently caressed my hair and patted my head. “Shush, go to sleep little tigress, you'll feel a lot better when you wake up again.”
His voice was coaxing and soothing at the same time, i finally fell asleep and he was right because the next time I opened my eyes, the exhaustion and pain was gone.
“Look who's awake, the tigress herself. “ Zane arrogantly remarked. He sat on a couch across my bed, he wore his reading glasses and was going through a document which he held in his hands. Funnily he wasn't even looking at me when he spoke.
I pouted and curled my fist into a ball, pretending to air punch him but he guffawed.
“Save your strength, you're going to need it.”
He was teasing and making me at the same time and I could tell he was enjoying it. I tried to get up but he darted towards me and held my arm at a speed that can only be compared to the speed of light.
“Don't you dare lift a finger.” He cautioned.
I arched an eyebrow. “What are you doing? Am I bedridden? I feel thirsty.”
“I'll get you a glass of water.” He volunteered and with a lazy wave of his hand, he motioned to Leo who i didn't notice was standing there. Leo understood thr mission and stepped forward with a glass of water.
Zane took it from him and tried to assist me to drink it and I burst into laughter.
“Are you going to seriously help me or should I say feed me a glass of water? I'm not crippled or dead, I can do it myself.” I said, in between bouts of laughter.
Zane's face was flushed and he cleared his throat, pushing the glass of water into my hand and taking a step backwards. I gulped thr contents in one go and felt a lot better.
“So, is anyone willing to tell me what is happening to me?” I asked and the room fell even more silent than it already was. I looked at Leo, hoping his face would reveal some information but he only gestured towards Zane.
Zane sighed resignedly. “You wouldn't believe me if I told you not to worry about it and just focus on getting well would you?”
“Look at that, you know me better than I thought you would.” I replied, mockingly.
“You were hypotensive. It simply means your blood pressure dropped, Doctor said it is most likely due to the fact that you had the surgery years ago and your sodium potassium pump mechanism has been altered by some factors, but that isn't the only issue, your blood pressure was surprisingly high and then the next minute it drastically fell so you fainted and voila, here you are.” Zane casually explained like it was no big deal.
“Technically, what you're saying is that though my douche fiance couldn't kill me, the surgery that saved my life is now posing a threat to that same life?’ I asked, confused.
Zane wanted to reply but Leo gave him a ‘I've got this’ look and he relented.
“The surgery is a highly advanced one hence there would be some health issues arising but does it pose a threat to your life? No it doesn't. It happens and you're in no way in danger so pump your brakes on the self sabotage.” Leo assured me.
If it were before, I'd throw a candlestick or lamp at his thick head for accusing me of self sabotage but he was saying the truth and it made a lot of sense.
“What I don't understand is how your blood pressure shot up in the first place, the doctor mentioned something about your nervous system being fired up which likely resulted from an earlier traumatic event, tell me, did anything happen that day?” Zane asked, out of the blues and this made me nervous though I didn't show it.
Leo and I exchanged a brief knowing look and he shook his head, I know what he meant; spill the details and we'd both be in trouble.