7

But with the way things were going she will have to spend the next few days or weeks trying to reach the man who made her heart skip and left her with bruises on her neck. She loved every minute they had but she didn't want to have another one not because she didn't like to but she feared falling in love with a man she didn't know much about for the second time. The first man, Morgan Freeman, had left her broken and Andrea thought it would be wise she was careful with her heart. 

She lay her hand on her chin all this while for more than 3 minutes. "What are you thinking about?" Joyce asked.  "No, I am fine and not thinking about anything."

"Andrea, come on. You are not fine. I would like to help if you want me to, just that the boss had given the new regulations concerning submitting your work permit license if not I would have done otherwise with your case. I hope you understand." Joyce checked her watch. "It's about time for lunch, how about we go eat at the other cafe across the street, see if you feel any better around there? Maybe you might feel better being away from the bar." 

Andrea agreed and stood to go with her, but it seemed her legs wouldn't support her and she plunged back into the chair. Joyce had turned away so Andrea tried one more time, breathing in deeply before launching herself up. She stood still for a few seconds as a wave of dizziness spilled over her, the walls spinning and mixing with the sunlight from the windows. She took two steps towards the door before her left knee decided to stop supporting her and she stumbled, leaning quickly against the wall. 

"Here, sit back down," Joyce said, guiding her to the chair. Andrea slumped down, unable to say anything. Even mostly supported by the other Joyce, the few steps back to the chair were difficult. "I think you need to see a doctor."

For that Andrea was able to gain the energy to shake her head. She wouldn't are to that now. "Just need some painkillers and water. No hospital." Joyce didn't agree. But she reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a pill bottle. Andrea took it gladly and swallowed two white tablets and another bottle of water.

"How about a cool towel?" She walked out of the room before Andrea could say anything else. Andrea tried to control her breathing, hoping the room would stop spinning and that by some miracle she would stop sweating and cool down. This was so embarrassing for the first day of the week at work. She hoped they wouldn't think poorly of her. She slumped further in the chair, her eyes drifting closed.

She saw the forest and hills, in the distance a wolf howled. Andrea padded forward, hands reaching out to pluck a leaf from one of the trees.

"Andrea!" Her eyes shot open to see Joyce crouched in front of her.

This is not what she expected coming to work this morning. Her head is banging and her body temperature is abnormal. Andrea knew she would collapse if Joyce tries to make her move from where she stood, "Can you help me to the restroom I need to make use of it." Andrea asked. 

Joyce grinning at Andrea's current situation but had to help her to the restroom. "Just give me some minute I will be out," Andrea said as soon as she reached the restroom doorstep. "Alright, do take care of yourself I will wait for you at the reception." 

Switching on the tap, Andrea let the water run through the tap at its highest frequency. She pulled her palms together into a cupped shape letting some ample liquid overwhelm her curve palm before repeatedly relieving her temperature by pouring those water over her face. After about 3minutes it seems she would be able to walk. Early her sight was blurry and her energy drained. She felt like pulling out of her corporate blue pants and whites shirt. That would mean something more serious if she had done that hence she tried as much as she can to subdue that desire. 

Andrea knew this has never happened to her before, she didn't have much money but she ate a good diet and low fat. She couldn't remember the last time she had taken medication for any illness. Her health and body temperature has been stable all along, the only thing troubling her mind was the man she had met and the mark on her neck. She thought of it for some moment in the restroom but couldn't make a significant meaning out of it. If he were a vampire she should have changed right away in a few hours and not staying this long. It is over 36 hours she had the bite mark on the nape of her neck and all she felt is an increased body temperature and dizziness. 

"Are you feeling better now Andrea? You have spent over an hour in here. I think it is time to go." Joyce's voice came yelling outside of the restroom. She didn't need to repeat it some more to her. Andrea was feeling much better and ready to go now. She steps out of the restroom her feet were more stable on the floor than before which convinced Joyce she was fine to some extent. 

"I've got one of the interns here, Sauna, she's going to take you home." Andrea wanted to argue, but she could barely keep her eyes opened now. Instead, she just nodded. 

"Good, can you walk?" Joyce asked. 

She wouldnt, but even if it killed her. Something told her that Joyce would force her to go to the hospital if she couldn't make it out of the building under her power. But somehow she did, concentrating on the redheaded intern's back as she put one foot in front of the other until they made it to the parking garage and to the facility's vehicles which one was given to her.

The journey went by in a blurry path and she couldn't remember if Sauna tried to talk or if they rode in silence, but she entered her apartment and collapsed on her bed leaving all of the lights on.

Andrea tossed and turned for some time, casting off all of her sheets and then clutching them closely as a wave of cold shivers enveloped her. She desperately wished for water but didn't have

the energy to rise from the bed. After small moment darkness crashed over her and she surrendered to sleep. But even that wasn't restful. Her sorrows were beginning to emerge.