Chapter 5 : Brewing Chaos

JASMINE POV

I froze like a statue. It was not enough that Sebastian showed up like a bad dream and now he would work in the same space as me, worse still, as my boss?

Oh no!

My breathing alternated from slow to fast pace and right now, it felt like my heart would burst from too much workload.

“Dr. Ross,” Brady called wryly.

My soul jerked back to where my body remained in a frozen state. The movement caused my phone to slip from my hand and fall with a loud thud. I'm certain my screen must be damaged and also certain it's not up to what my life would be in minutes.

Wrecked. Absolutely chaotic.

I reached down in swift seconds, retrieved it like it never occurred, and saved myself the heartbreak of looking at the damage.

“...are you okay?” Brady asked with that goofy grin.

I could stake my career on the line that he didn't give a bloody hoot about how I felt. This whole charade was to rub my misfortune right in my face.

“Ye..ah” I gulped balls of thick saliva that were about to choke me.

"Let me reintroduce Mr. Sebastian Carter, your replacement...”

“Did you say 'new patient’?” I gritted my teeth on hearing how dumb I sounded.

Of course, he didn’t say something as stupid as that. Why would he parade a new patient like that?

Brady rolled his eyes. "You wish..."

"I could be both." Sebastian stopped Brady mid-sentence.

I wasn't talking to you, asshole. I fumed, mouthing the words at him while glaring. But he gave me his unique charming smile in response. Ew!

He was still as cocky and apologetic as I remembered. I wondered what sort of Alpha he would make with such an attitude. A good one, sadly.

"I look forward to seeing more of you.” Sebastian stretched his hand out for a cordial shake.

Should I? Should I not? I eyed him.

"It's wrong to keep the new director waiting.” Brady cautioned, a hint of mockery palpable in his voice.

I faked a smile and brushed my hand against Sebastian’s in a quick shake before he could take it in for a proper one. This could pass off as the weirdest handshake in centuries.

But that would do.

"You can go get lunch while I do the honor of reorienting the other staff of the harmless mistake.” Brady led the way.

Sebastian smirked before he following Brady behind and eight years of my life played before me like a flash. The good and bad and ugly experiences.

Surely, I was haunted by my past. I shook the thoughts away and turned like a robot to head back into my office.

"Ah!" I groaned.

I had totally forgotten I hadn't gotten it open before Brady intercepted me. Shit. My head hurts. Pouting, I twisted the knob and hurried in, slamming the door behind me in a flash.

Deep down, I wished I was banging the door on the asshole’s face. I would smile if that gave him a broken nose or something. Shit, I don't know.

Honestly, I was having a panic attack... Scratch that, a series of panic attacks and I would drop dead now if I let it eat me deep.

My heartbeat spiked beyond its limit and my brain was in different positions at the same time. I was going nuts because Sebastian Carter decided to show up after eight years and ruin my life.

I plucked my bag from the string on the wall and dug into it, haphazardly looking for my packet of Buspirone. Anxiety got the best of me during the early stages of my abandonment until Asher showed up and saved my ass like a knight.

“Moon goddess bless his soul” I whispered.

With visibly trembling hands, I knew I only had a few minutes until I syncope. I popped out two dreadful, white, and round tablets, and threw them in my mouth before scrambling for the bottle of water at the edge of my desk and flushing it down my now suddenly constricted throat.

“Breathe, Jasmine.” I tried to pull my shit together.

"Alright, bye.” Someone chuckled outside my door.

It must be Liam. He was done with his counselling session in the “Outpatient Department.”

How time flies when you've got nothing to worry about, but painfully drags itself on its butt when you're been stewed?

When the door knob turned, I swept the packet of my mood stabiliser beneath my desk, away from other prying eyes.

Still flustered, I ran into my office bathroom and shut the door. I wasn't in the mood to let anyone in, just not now. The door opened and closed.

"Jeez, I want a bigger space.” He muttered.

I heard him, very loud and clear like I was right next to him. Liam was a good guy. And his girlfriend and him have always had my back, but I just couldn't let them find out about this.

Before me, was a pale reflection of myself; white... shocked... scared. I turned on the tap, dipped my hand in the sink, scooped a handful of water, and splashed it all over my face and neck.

“Breath, Jasmine.” I practised my mantra, inhaling and exhaling.

“In.” I did as said.

"And out."

“Is anyone in there?” Liam called out.

Shit, he must have heard the noise of running water. But then again, I wouldn't leave my office open and disappear. It wasn't rocket science that I would be in here.

“Jasmine?” His footsteps got closer.

"Yeah?" I stuttered, in the hopes that it would keep him away for a moment.

I switched off the tap and walked outside to join him. He looked surprised on learning that I was in the bathroom. I figured it was because of the look on my face.

"Uhm...” He raked his fingers through his hair.

I knew he was worried about me. To be fair, I would be fine. I was just mad at Brady, and the freaking idiot that made me a despicable loser.

"How long have you been in there?" He started.

"Way before you stepped in." I tried to act normal. It would be helpful if acting not bothered made him any better.

“Did you just fart?” He tilted his head, scrunching his nose, a mischievous gleam entering his eyes.

My jaw dropped, but I knew this was Liam's way of trying to save me from myself. He knew I had a lot on my mind.

"Of course not! I would be an ass to act so low in front of you.” I smacked his shoulder hard and he winced.

I gave him a sweet smile, smacking the other one and removing imaginary dust off his shoulders. He smiled back, eyes telling me that he would get back at me.

There was a soft knock on the door and we both glanced at it, standing before my desk to receive whomever it was.

"Come in." I instructed whoever was on the other side.

The door opened and Nurse Carol popped her head through the space.

“Dr. Ross, Mr. Sebastian wants you in his office, now.” She revealed bluntly.

My heart sank.