CHAPTER 032

CHAPTER 032
KEISHA’S POV

I jolted up from my bed, the moment the door opened.

“Oh!” I sighed, sinking back against my pillow. The smile on my face and the tiny spec of hope dashed away when I saw it was the nurse, holding another tray of injectables, coming to administer the afternoon dose of my medication. It was at this point I wished I could turn back the hands of time and not yell at Dominic the way I did.

It's been over two weeks and no one has paid me a visit. No flowers like before. No cards. Nothing. The silence was slowly driving me mad. With Dr. Chelsea away on her annual leave, I was left with unfamiliar faces—people who cared only about ticking boxes and delivering healthcare services, not about the lonely soul confined to this bed.

“Good afternoon Miss. My name is Nurse. Janet and I’d be administering your medication for the rest of today,” she said, already sliding her hand into a pair of latex gloves. “Before we process, do you have any complaints about your previous medications?” she flashed a smile, before turning her attention to the medication tray.

“No,” I answered, forcing calm into my voice. “Nothing new. Just the same persistent migraine I had complained about earlier.”

“I’m sorry ma’am, I give you some pills for that.”

There was silence between us though it was broken by the sound of ampoules snapping as she prepared the injectables. After she had finished injecting them through my lines and I had taken a couple of tablets, she began tidying up, ready to leave when the door opened.

My heart jolted in excitement. I tried to hide it but my cheeks burned until the smile escaped my lip. It was Dominic.

He stood by the door like a glass of temptation. Today, he wasn't dressed in his usual formal style just like the last time. He wore a pair of gray joggers, a crisp white T-shirt that hugged his frame, a pair of white sneakers and damn it, his perfume always made a statement before he did.

“Uhmm…I'm not sure if it's okay for me to come by and say hello,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “So ... .Uhmm if it's okay with you, do you mind if I come in?” he asked, his voice low and uncertain, carrying this gentleness that softened his usual commanding tone. He barely kept his gaze locked in mine.

I wanted to scream ‘YES’ already, but I held my excitement, taking my eyes off him with a scoff, unwilling to hand him the satisfaction so easily. By this time, the nurse was ready to leave.

“Do not forget to call me if you need anything ma'am,” she said, taking her leave.

“Sure, I will. Thanks a lot,” I gave a half smile as she walked off, greeting Dominic on her way out. Till now, I hadn't given him a response.

“I guess I'd take your silence for a yes,” he smacked his lips, taking a few steps backwards. “I'd be on my way then. I guess I'd see Dr. Cross whenever she returns. Do have a nice day,” he bowed slightly with a smile, turning towards the door.

I hated his guts. “Do you always make decisions for people or assume you read minds?” His hand froze over the door knobs from my question.

“Maybe I’ve just learned to walk away when I’m not wanted,” he shot back at me in a calm tone.

Those words stung me, though I couldn’t tell if it was guilt or pride that flared in my chest. My lips parted, but no sound came. I hated how much power his presence had over me.

“Fine, I could use your company if you're not so busy,” I mumbled in defeat, rolling my eyes with a small smile. He released the knob slowly and turned back into the room.

“I stand to be corrected. Did I hear you say something about needing my company?” he winced at me with a smirk.

The warmth in my cheek betrayed me, forcing a small laugh from my mouth. “Gosh! You're so full of yourself,” I shook my head.

“Well, I was just being a gentleman,” he shrugged, taking calculated steps towards me. My heart pounded in my ears.

He sat at the foot of my bed, facing me directly with his arm crossed over his chest, broadening his shoulders.

“So, how are you feeling now?” He asked.

“Well, still a bit sore but I'm much better than I was a couple of weeks ago,” I responded, curling part of my sheet around my finger.

Then there was another freezing silence. My eyes danced across the room, avoiding his sharp brown eyes until he broke the ice.

“Have you been able to recollect anything about yourself? I mean, I know it's going to be crazy to think a lot would change in a couple of weeks but then, that's why we have faith, right?” His brows shot up, perhaps hoping I give a possible response but instead, my mood changed.

I shook my head in response. “I try not to think about. The more I force it, the worst the migraine becomes. Most time, I get frustrated,” my shoulders slumped.

“I wish words could express how sorry I am,” he stated. The smile on his face disappeared the moment he noticed the switch in my tone. “Every day and night, I keep blaming myself for not keeping my eyes peeled that morning.” he leaned forward pressing his elbow against his knees.

I didn't have the words to say but I knew I had forgiven him for everything. We both wallowed personally in our respective thoughts until I shattered the silence.

“You don't have to beat yourself up. I guess everything is for the best. Maybe it was best I forgot my past and start a new life with new people and creating a better version of me.”

He tilted his head, studying me for a bit before a slow smile curved his lips.

“I love your spirit,” his eyes softened as he spoke.

“Uhmm…tell me about you,” I requested, disrupting his stare.

He heaved a sigh, sitting upright. “Well, I guess you already know my name, but for some reason, I'd love to ask you what my name is. No offence intended though,” he held his hands up in innocence.

I rolled my eyes into a mock frown, playfully jabbing his rib. “I'm not totally empty, you know. Plus, I have heard everyone around mention your name like a million times," I retorted playfully.

“My goodness! I wasn't saying you were,” he shrugged, bursting into laughter.

For the first time in a while, I felt genuinely happy. I redressed back into the bed, tucking my hair behind my ears.

“Well, you are Dominic Braun! Though I don't know much you,” our locked in for a while like we were frozen.

“I must say I'm proud of you,” he teased, dodging a pillow I playfully flung at me.

“I hate you!” She yelled.

“With this, I can outrightly say, you are a terrible liar because I know you don't,” he responded. After our laughter died down, he continued with the introduction.

“So, I'm Dominic Braun. I am a business man and that's all. No extra life!” He grinned at me.
“Now that you've known little about me, can we at least give you a name because I'm tired of the word ‘Miss or Ma'am,” he said.

“So what do you think is more befitting?” I queried.

He didn't hesitate. It was as though he had it already figured out in his mind.

“Ivy!” He suggested.

“Ivy?” My brows furrowed. “Why did you choose that?” I asked.

“Well, it symbolises growth and resilience. I think looking at you, I could see all that qualities in you.”

“Hmmmm…Ivy?” I repeated, thinking it through.

“It's a nice name and I love it,” I grinned like I was just handed an award of excellence.

“Then it’s settled,” Dominic said, leaning back slightly, though his eyes never left mine. “I’ll call you Ivy.”

I nodded in acceptance.

We both giggled, our laughter spilling over into playful rambling about everything and nothing. For the first time in weeks, the walls around me didn’t feel so suffocating.

Dominic’s eyes lingered on me in a way that made my stomach flutter. Then, slowly, he shifted closer, raising his hand. My breath caught when his fingers brushed my cheek, moving gently to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

My pulse quickened. His touch lingered, warm and deliberate, and I found myself staring hungrily at his lips. My body betrayed me, leaning toward him, itching to close the space between us. His breath fanned across my face, hot and sweet, making my chest tighten.

Our eyes locked and for a moment the whole room stilled, and it was just him and me. His lips inched closer, and I swear I could already taste the kiss hovering between us.

Then, the door swung open.

“I’m sorry ma'am,” Nurse Janet’s voice rang out as she stepped in.

Dominic jerked back, clearing his throat as though nothing had happened. I snapped my gaze to the opposite wall, my cheeks flaming hot.

“I apologise for the rude interruption Ma'am but I'm here to check on your foetal heartbeat,” she explained.

“Foetal heartbeat?” My brows furrowed. “What does that mean?” I questioned.

The look on Dominic's face changed. I knew something was up. There was something I wasn't being told.

He reached for my hand, wrapping his around mine, staring into my face.

“There was something we didn't tell you, Ivy. Dr. Cross and I were waiting till you're okay before we break it to you,” he paused.

My heart pounded in my chest.

“You are pregnant!” he announced.

“What?” my heart skipped a beat.