3. Rescuing Her

Damien's POV

Life was exhausting.

I adjusted the gear, driving down the highways at the break of dawn. Last night was immensely tiring. From attending meetings to business parties, takes up the entire resting time I get to help me go. Nothing was exciting about those parties except for the wine and dining.

Escalating the speed more, I passed the highways and entered the broad road through the forest. Tall trees lined up on both sides. I rolled down my windows breathing in the fresh, cool air of the morning. Living in the tall-storeyed building you cannot enjoy the peace offered here. I didn’t remember when was the last time I ever went for any picnic or tracking.

It’s always meetings and business parties.

“Sir, the Japan delegates wants the meeting today itself.” I gave a nod to Ashton, my assistant as he typed frequently on his phone. He had always been a diligent worker, and are those who know how to handle their work well and fine. It’s been like five years since he had held this position, and for me, I never need to look for anyone else.

Before him, I had female assistants but I found them all a nuisance. No doubt some were well and good but they couldn’t take much pressure, while others just look for opportunities to drop their panties. I had never been a player unlike my best friend Steven, who can fuck whatever had a hole.

It’s not like I was a Saint or something, I have my shares of one-nights but they’re quite rare. Work pressure must I say, but along that was my dislike with the female population. I must not say hate, but a dislike was appropriate to fit in. Reasons I try to push as much back of my mind I can.

“Have you notified the Managing sector about it?”

“Yes, sir. They’re almost ready, they’re waiting for your arrival.”

“Okay, order a fresh set of clothes for me, I will not be going back home.”

“Ok, Sir.” With a nod and our conversation died there. Despite being working for son many years together, we never had any chit-chats or small talks. It’s always official. And I really didn’t have any knowledge about his personal life, it never needed. Just work and go home.

My eyes strained on the empty road, and breeze blowing when something rather someone caught my eyes.

I backed my car a little and corrected to my vision, there was a woman laid senseless on the wet, patchy forest floor just beside the road.

What the hell!

“Ash, look out. I sense someone is there.” Telling him, I opened my car door and walked out, with Ashton on my toe. I crouched near her and contemplated for a moment before checking her pulse.

She was alive.

“Sir, may I call the ambulance?”

“No, they will take time. It’s outside the town. Use the car.”

Her skin was so pale, sensing the lack of blood flow. There were reddish marks all around her arms and her clothes were torn and ragged. When my eyes travelled down I found her legs bandaged with a piece of cloth same as her dress. It was bleeding bad and dry patches of blood-covered all around her feet.

Something moved inside me looking at her self.

Not wasting any time, I gathered her in my arms and walked inside my car, and lied her down in the back seat. “Ash, take the keys and drive.”

He didn’t say anything and was quick to follow my order. I settled beside her and it was soon enough when we reached the town and the nearest hospital available.

The hospital staffs took her immediately to the ICU while I was left to fill in her details.

“Name?” The receptionist typed fast, the sound of keyboard echoing in the silent space. It’s just 7 am after all.

“I don’t know.” Her head shot up and she meet mine eyes, looking confused.

“I found her on the roadside, unconscious in the forest outside town.” She nodded understanding.

“Do you have any details regarding her family or anything, sir?”

“No.” how does she expect me to know when I said I didn’t know her. I settled myself in the nearest seat, and looked at the closed door in front. I didn’t know how long but soon Ashton strides towards me with his tab of course.

“Sir, the meeting will start in just an hour. We have a long way to go.” I contemplated to stay or not, I never does that. I gave him a firm nod regaining my composure. This was the most I could help her with.

“Are you her family?” The doctor walked out of the ICU towards us, adjusting his mask and gloves.

“No, we found her.” Ashton spoke on my behalf, and the doctor nodded understanding.

My phone ringed again in my pockets and I found myself to cut this entire helping thing short. After paying off the bills and telling them to hide my identity from her I walked into my car.

I didn’t want to keep any connection or something. It would be such a nuisance if she found out who was I then second day with all the thanks and all gratitude. Tying a string to this situation wasn’t a fruitful thing at all.

I helped and now she could help herself.

••••

“When were you planning to call me for dinner anytime soon?” I rolled up my shirt sleeves and settled on my seat, huffing out an exhausted breath.

“Most of the days you have food in my house, without even invitation.” Steven feigned as if hurt and shook his head.

“How can you say something like that?”

“It's already said so suck it up.” I opened my laptop again, scrolling down the files I needed to recheck before approving. It’s just ten- in the morning and the fucker was already here eating my head.

“Man, stop it. You should entertain your friend.” I looked up at him, raising my right brow up.

“Do you not have a hospital to maintain?” Steven, despite being annoying was one of the best surgeons in the city as well as owns some of the best hospitals here.

He sighed, “I had an operation eight hours last night. I’m too tired to head back before lunch.”

“And you’re here why? This isn’t a resting ground.” I knotted my fingers together looking back at him. “And pun intended.”

He gasped, eyes wide and I almost rolled my eyes at his acting. “Did you just joke?”

“ I didn’t.” My face was stone cold of any emotions, I prefer this. The more you hide the better.

“That is a joke, my dear bestie.”

Who the hell made him a surgeon. If not for his academics, I didn't know what’s tolerable in him. A sharp knock at the door broke our conversation. “Come in.”

Ashton walked inside, the tab resting on his hands. I had never seen him smile or chit-chat with anyone in the company, nor attend lunch in the cafeteria. Maybe that’s why I prefer him more than any other employee.

“Sir, Mr Carter wanted the edited contract today itself. He asked for a lunch meeting.” I looked at my Rolex and its already twelve.

I gave him a nod, and stood up from my sit. He walked out while I grabbed my coat from my seat and rolled down the sleeves, adjusting myself. Steven was too much in his phone to know his surrounding. “I will be gone now.”

He nodded never looking up, “Fine. I’m will here.” This guy.

“Suit yourself.” I shrugged on my coat and strides out. Ashton stood with the files. I ran my eyes at the clauses further added. This would help me with the Star Heaven Hotel project. Coaxing him wasn’t an easy task but with the clauses and conditions I kept in front of him is too good to let go.

“Have you asked David for the finance and the total expenditure report I asked you to?

“Yes, Sir.”

“Call him and ask to bring in the report as well.” With a nod he was gone. My eyes strained on the narrow corridor of the office, and the sounding of typing alone could be heard. This floor was just for the CEO and the assistant. And another reception of course. 

I prefer to work in silence.

Soon David stood in front of me but no file in his hand. “I'm sorry sir. I had to leave office early last night. I couldn’t complete the entire report.”

Anger rose in me at his stupidity. How could he keep the work aside as the secondary in his priority? I fisted my hands and my jaws set tight. I didn’t like negligence in work at all.

“You may leave the company. You aren’t needed anymore.” I could hear his gasp but before he could start his pleading drama I turned and walked away. I don’t have time for the nonsense.

“Ash, hand over the entire report work to Ms Jasmine.”

“Okay sir.” I walked out and settled inside the car. I just hate when people didn’t give priority to that thing which brings them food and clothes.

The drive wasn’t long there. And for a fraction of a while I was reminded of the girl from morning. Was she okay now? I shook my head at the absurd thoughts. It never bothered me who was fine and who was not. Not my headache to think of.

But there was something with her that moved me a little. I had never helped someone just so suddenly and then taking to hospital and waiting. It’s so out of character of me. Maybe her battered self made me do that.

Pain and misery never affected me. You had to live with that, and mourning over it was of no use. Everyone out there is ready to pounce the moment you let go of the heavy shield protecting you.

Feel less, and show even lesser.

I walked out of my car, with Ash hot on my tail, as we strided towards inside the restaurant.

“Damien Black.” Ashton spoke and the receptionist was quick enough to show us the seats.

I found Mr Carter in his seat, when I joined him. We shook our hands and settled on our seats.

Let the business begin

•••••

Is the ML POV okayish?