6 - Kiss

YASMIR SIERRA

I found myself repeatedly checking my phone and then shifting my gaze back to my computer screen, growing increasingly anxious as I waited for a call that never seemed to come.

My attention was drawn to the office door as Eli popped his head in. “Lunch, Mir,” he said casually. I glanced at the clock—it was only eleven in the morning. With a sigh, I tucked my phone away and started tidying up the scattered documents on my desk before standing up.

“Oh? Where’s Miss Hira? I haven’t seen your assistant around,” Eli asked, puzzled, as he came closer and draped an arm around my shoulder. He was a bit taller than me, by about an inch or two.

“Why are you looking for my assistant?” I asked, a bit puzzled.

“Because I have a crush on her?” he replied with a playful grin, which made me roll my eyes.

“Seriously, Eli?” I said with a disapproving look, which only made him laugh.

“Woah, easy, boss,” he said, withdrawing his arm but still grinning broadly.

“But I really do have a crush on her,” he continued, placing his hand thoughtfully on his chin as if deep in thought. “She’s cute, hot, gorgeous, and beautiful—what’s not to like?” He looked at me with a smirk.

I just shook my head and walked away, leaving Eli chuckling behind me.

When I entered the cafeteria, I immediately scanned the room for Hira's colleagues. I was certain that it was around their lunchtime.

I got in line and picked up some nutritious takeout food. As I did, Eli’s voice called out, “Oh, what’s all that for?” I ignored him, continuing my search. I soon spotted Hira’s female colleagues, identifiable by their uniforms.

“Morning, ladies,” I greeted them.

“Can you give this to Hira?” I asked, holding up the food. The three of them exchanged puzzled glances.

“She’s sick. Maybe she hasn’t eaten yet. I sent her home earlier because she was sneezing non-stop,” I explained, which they nodded in understanding.

One of the women, who had striking green eyes, smiled at me. “Sure, doc. I’ll take it over after this. Our dorm is just across the street.”

I nodded in appreciation and then returned to where Eli, along with Lucas and Liana, were now standing. Liana, Lucas' sister, looked quite upset, her frown evident.

“Yasmir!” Liana greeted me cheerfully, her mood brightening upon seeing me.

“Liana,” I replied, smiling back. We had a five-year age difference, and like Hira, Liana was also doing her OJT, though at a different school.

“Yasmir, do you have any free time this Saturday?” she asked, looking hopeful.

I paused to consider my schedule.

“Not quite sure; let’s check on that later,” I replied. I feel a sibling-like bond with Liana, given that we don’t have any female siblings or cousins ourselves.

It seems our family is cursed never to have female descendants—it's always been all boys. However, this situation has its perks for our grandfather. He can arrange for us to be paired with the daughters of his business partners, setting up advantageous matches for us. Being Sierra, it’s relatively easy for him to find suitable partners.

So far, Eros, Ethan, and Errol are the only ones who have followed our grandfather's wishes.

Eros is deeply in love with Samantha. Their relationship has progressed to the point where she is pregnant, and they are preparing for their wedding in a few months. Their commitment to each other is evident, and it seems like they are building a future together.

Ethan, on the other hand, is more enigmatic. His emotionless demeanor makes it challenging to gauge his capacity for love. He appears to have built a protective barrier around himself, likely as a defense against potential heartbreak. Yet, I’ve noticed a change in his interactions with Seraphina. There’s a glimmer of hope that Sera might help Ethan open up and adopt a more relaxed approach to life. His serious nature seems to affect those around him, and I hope Sera's influence can bring about a positive shift.

As for Errol, his situation is tragic. He was on the verge of starting a family with his fiancée, Louisa, who tragically lost their unborn child in an accident. After three weeks of mourning, Louisa took her own life, which sent Errol into a spiral of despair. The loss has clearly had a profound impact on him, leaving him emotionally shattered.

As I was preparing to leave, Fiona approached me with a tense and irritated demeanor. I was still organizing the documents I needed to take back to my condo for further work.

"I'm tired of waiting, Yasmir," she exclaimed, her frustration evident in her voice. Oddly, her irritation amused me.

"I didn’t intentionally keep you waiting, Fiona," I replied, maintaining my composure as I gathered my belongings and made my way toward the door.

"True, you didn’t deliberately make me wait, but you also haven’t taken any action regarding our arranged marriage, Yasmir," she shot back, her gaze piercing as she confronted me.

"What exactly do you expect me to do, then?" I inquired coldly as we walked side by side.

"Cancel the arrangement?" I suggested, fully aware that my proposal would likely provoke disdain.

Her reaction confirmed my expectations. Her expression twisted with evident disgust at the mere suggestion.

"See, you don’t even want it," I stated, taking a step forward and walking past her.

Fiona is undeniably stunning, elegant, wealthy, and intelligent—everything that epitomizes a woman's dream. She's the envy of many for her possessions and her charismatic personality. To the outside world, she is kind, caring, and loving. But that's merely the façade she presents. Only I know the real Fiona, and that reality is precisely why I am hesitant to go through with the marriage.

"But why didn’t you stop it? You could have just canceled it, Yasmir!" she exclaimed in frustration. I chuckled, recalling that indeed, I had the power to do just that.

The memory of the numerous conversations we had about this arrangement flashed through my mind. It wasn't just about personal preference; it was about understanding the true nature of our relationship and the reasons behind this alliance. Fiona had her reasons for wanting this marriage to go through, but they were not enough to outweigh my concerns and reservations.

Her frustration was palpable, and I could see the genuine anger in her eyes. But beneath that anger was a desperation—a desire for something that might never come to fruition if I had my way.

“I could have canceled it, Fiona,” I said, my tone more contemplative now, “but I chose not to. Maybe there are things we both need to understand before we make any definitive decisions.”

She looked at me, her expression a mix of anger and confusion. It was clear that this conversation was far from over, and that the issues between us were deeper than mere logistical arrangements.

However, both of our families are currently deeply involved in launching the largest cruise ship in the world. Terminating the contract at this juncture would be disastrous, especially considering that our grandfather had invested a significant amount of money into the venture to fulfill his dream of creating the ultimate cruise experience.

"We’ll get to that soon, Fiona," I said tersely before storming off, my anger fueling my steps as I headed back to my condo. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on me. How am I supposed to terminate the contract now? Paying back Lolo would require billions. This is a mess.

Throughout the night, Ethan and I engaged in a lengthy discussion about investments and the feasibility of terminating the contract. Our conversations were fraught with tension as we clashed repeatedly over the lack of viable solutions within my reach. Ethan, as the head of Black Stone Investment Company, clearly had a far superior understanding of investments compared to me. Despite his expertise, we found ourselves at an impasse.

The following day, I found myself frustrated and disheartened as I made my way to the hospital. However, upon arriving at my office, I was surprised to see Hira knocking on the door, dressed in her uniform. What was she doing here? Wasn’t she supposed to be resting due to her illness?

I inquired about her presence, and she simply responded that she was there to report for work. Given that she looked reasonably well, I allowed her to enter the office and left the door ajar to accommodate her.

I was about to assign her some tasks, as I had not been able to delegate them the day before due to her clumsiness. However, before I could do so, I asked her again if she was sure she was okay. She assured me that she was fine, so I turned my attention back to the computer to tackle the remaining work that had piled up.

As I worked, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of concern and irritation. Hira’s presence, though reassuring, only highlighted the depth of the issues I faced. The looming crisis with the cruise ship contract and the challenges of managing our investments felt overwhelming. Despite my best efforts, the solution seemed just out of reach, and every step forward appeared to bring more complications.

"You don't need to be with me all the time; aren’t you assigned to the private ward?" I asked without turning to face her. I was caught off guard by her sudden sneezing and glanced over at her, noticing the irritation in her expression. It seemed she had swallowed nervously.

"Why did she lie?" I thought to myself.

"You're still sick, Miss Hira," I said sharply. She was in the hospital, and with her weakened immune system, she was at a high risk of contracting additional viruses. Was she really a nurse?

She argued back, but I wasn't in the mood for debate. "You should’ve known better if you're a nurse, Miss Hira," I said, my frustration evident.

I didn’t intend to offend her, but it’s against hospital protocol for someone who’s sick to be working. We prioritize the health and safety of everyone, and having someone with a compromised immune system in the hospital only increases the risk of them contracting other illnesses.

While this is a hospital and we can provide treatment, for something as simple as a cold, rest is usually the best remedy. If symptoms worsen, we could run tests to determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment. But in Hira’s case, I knew the root of her illness, and she simply needed some time off to recover.

Despite her attempts to insist that she was fine, I wasn’t having it. I don’t tolerate this kind of behavior, not in my hospital, and certainly not among my staff.

Before she could leave, I asked if she had eaten the meal I had prepared for her. Her playful response was, "Because I’m not a goat." Her witty retort took me by surprise, but I managed to regain my composure. There was something undeniably charming about her, even when she was pouting and clearly frustrated.

Instead of laughing at her jokes, I frowned. “I’m not vegetarian, doc,” she said, her irritation and anger palpable, though she managed to stay calm.

Once I learned that she would be assigned to the private ward, I promptly contacted the ward to instruct them not to assign any tasks to Hira.

I then headed straight to the cafeteria to buy her some food she could eat. Back in my office, I prepared some hot citrus tea, added medication to the paper bag, and waited for her by the elevator.

When the elevator doors opened, she was the only one who’s in there, and I was glad. Her shoulders were slumped, and her face was hidden behind a surgical mask to prevent spreading her illness.

"Here’s your meal—no vegetables, just pork and chicken," I started, considering adding shrimp or other seafood but deciding against it in case of allergies. "I’ve also included hot citrus tea and your medication. Remember to take the medication every four hours and please keep me updated on your condition," I advised her firmly, stressing the importance of following medical instructions.

She sneezed again, which prompted me to scold her gently. She took the paper bag from me, and I removed my foot from the elevator door, allowing her to go home.

It was nearly three o'clock, and she still hadn’t texted me, leaving me with nothing to do but wait for her message. It was frustrating. Annoying. Why did she have this effect on me?

She made me wait, something I never allowed before. Her stubbornness was irritating.

Remembering that her dorm was just across the street, I decided to visit her. I stood by my car in front of their dormitory gate, waiting like a fool.

My gaze lifted when the gate opened, and I saw Hira’s friends, who appeared to be leaving as they were dressed to go out.

“Oh, doc, what are you doing here?” one of them asked. I didn’t know their names.

“Where’s Miss Hira?” I asked, and they exchanged glances that I couldn’t quite decipher. They smiled, but one of them answered my question.

“She’s still sleeping, doc, but if you want to visit her, our room is at the very end of the second floor,” one of them said with an air of condescension.

I nodded and took the paper bag with food that I had brought for her. Maybe she hadn’t eaten again.

I followed their directions and leaned against the railing outside their room. I couldn’t bring myself to knock on their door.

I yawned, feeling the fatigue from a sleepless night. Here I was, instead of resting, waiting.

Damn it. I’m a Sierra, and no one should make me wait.

It was getting dark, and her room was still dim. I glanced at my wristwatch and saw it was almost seven in the evening. I took a deep breath and was about to leave the paper bag at the door when the light inside the room turned on.

She’s awake. I just needed to wait a few more seconds.

I couldn't help but smile. I felt my heart racing so fast and loudly that I couldn’t hear anything else. Damn.

The door opened, and it immediately closed again when she saw me. I let out a soft laugh at the stunned expression she had left on my mind.

Damn. Why is she so cute? I almost wanted to pinch her cheeks. Aahh, she really looked like a lost, adorable kitten.

The door opened again, and she asked what I was doing outside their room. I noticed she was still wearing her uniform, so I asked, “Aren’t you dressed yet?”

Her reaction was to scratch the back of her neck, almost like she was embarrassed for not having changed and the scold from me tone like a boyfriend.

A boyfriend? She’s adorable, but I usually avoid relationships. A fling? Is that what this is? I’m not sure. All I know is, I want to be around her constantly, never letting her out of my sight. She’s incredibly stunning.

“What are you doing here, doc?” she asked again, changing the subject.

I observed that she was still in her uniform and had apparently just fallen asleep as soon as she entered the room. Why is she insisting she’s fit to continue with her duties when she’s clearly this exhausted? Is she out of her mind?

“Did you just wake up? You didn’t take your meds? What about the tea? Haven’t you eaten? What time is it?” I fired off questions, but she didn’t answer. I looked at her with a furrowed brow as she smiled.

Is there something to smile about?

"Hello, back to Earth, Miss Hira!" I said, catching her attention.

"You're not answering my goddamn questions," I added with frustration, but she merely smiled.

"You’re not answering my questions either, Doc." I groaned. Right, I hadn’t answered her question either. Tsk.

After a lengthy discussion, Hira finally let me into their room. I looked around and saw how clean it was. The only things out of place were nursing books, pens, and papers scattered about.

Their room was fairly spacious, with two bunk beds next to each other and four study tables facing each other on the opposite side. Next to the door was a mini kitchen, and at the end of the bunk beds was a small balcony.

This room is adequate for them, though it’s smaller compared to my rooms in the mansion and condo.

Hira had mentioned earlier that she was going to throw out the trash, but she hadn’t returned for several minutes. Had something happened to her?

Unable to resist, I went downstairs. I saw a man kiss her, and I clenched my fists.

Why am I getting mad? Hira and I aren’t even that close.

I was about to return to Hira’s room when I heard a faint scream from her.

"Klaude, stop!" she pleaded, her voice trembling.

I noticed that the man was kissing Hira aggressively, and I saw him holding her hands roughly. Hira was sobbing quietly.

Shit. I immediately approached and punched the man hard. He fell to the floor.

I shook my hand to ease the pain. His face was so tough. Damn.

Turning my attention to Hira, who had collapsed on the floor, trembling and crying, I felt a surge of concern. Her sobs were growing louder.

"Are you okay, Hira? Fuck." She looked up at me, gripping my arms tightly.

Moments later, she fainted.

"Fuck." I cursed in frustration and glanced at the man, who was groaning in pain as he tried to sit up.

I looked back at Hira, picked her up, and carried her to her room, laying her down on the bed. I wasn’t sure if this was her bed, but I placed her there so she could rest.

What should have been just a cold had turned into a fever. She was burning up with a high temperature now. Damn that man! If I see him again, I’ll make sure he rots in jail for fucking with Hira.

I searched for a face towel, cursing inwardly. This isn’t my thing! Interfering with someone’s stuff.

I called Lucas to bring me some cooling pads for her fever. Shortly after, he met me at the gate. He asked what they were for, but I didn’t answer and just shut the door.

The bastard was gone, thankfully, or I might have lost my temper even more.

When I returned to Hira’s room, I saw her sitting on the bed, still crying.

"Hira," I called, but she didn’t respond.

I approached and touched her shoulder, but she immediately recoiled. Shit.

"It’s me, Hira, Yasmir." When I said that, she looked up at me.

She stood up and hugged me tightly, her grip on my clothes firm.

She was crying, and I couldn’t help but hug her back and try to comfort her. I rubbed her back to soothe her.

It pained me to see her like this. She had almost been raped by that man.

Her grip loosened slightly, and she looked up at me.

"T-take me, Yasmir. Kiss me. Make me f-forget." She almost whispered.

Her hands were on my neck and face, pleading. Damn.

"I-I can’t, Hira." I couldn’t do it because if I did, I felt like I’d go crazy over her.

Shit. I don’t want to lose my mind because of a woman. But, damn, since she kissed me that night, I haven’t been able to forget her.

"Please, Yasmir..." She touched my face and leaned in, pressing her forehead against mine. Then she kissed me on the lips.

I was caught off guard by her action. After kissing her forehead, she kissed me back, and I had been yearning for this taste again. I couldn’t resist any longer.

I returned her kiss with equal fervor, doing my best not to trigger her earlier trauma. But the kiss quickly escalated, becoming hotter and more passionate.

Both of us were gasping for air when I finally pulled away. She was panting, and I closed my eyes tightly, trying to regain control. I felt my arousal growing. Damn it.

I can’t let myself be tempted.

"We should stop this, eat, take your medications, and sleep," I said, moving to leave and prepare some food for her. But she tightened her grip on the hem of my shirt.

"Please," she whispered.

"No," I insisted. Fuck. The struggle to maintain control was intense. She was dangerously hot for Pete’s sake! The room was cold because of the air conditioner, but I was burning up from what she was doing.

"No, Hira. You have a fever," I said firmly, pulling her hands away from my shirt.

Damn. She's burning up with fever, but I'm the one feeling the heat! This is not normal. It’s driving me insane. Damn it.