VIII.

ALESSANDRA

“What the hell is this! Isn’t it your duty to take care of the patients here? So how did this mistake happen? Are you kidding us?” 

“We are sorry but we ourselves do not know how this happened!”

“Meaning you were not focused on your responsibility! Then there is no point in this for employees like you!”

“We’re—,”

“The fuck! Stop begging!” 

“Sir please, It’s not that they did this intentionally!”

“Would you like to lose your job with them too?” 

“But sir, please listen to them at least? These people must have known something or the other.”

“I fucking don’t care! Due to the presence of CCTV cameras here, we don’t need the eyes of these people! These people are lazy! They should die by drowning in—,”

“Sir please?!” 

“What please!”

I looked at Nathaniel from the corner of my eye. Ever since he came, he has been shouting in anger at the people working here. This person is unable to bear the death of his brother. And Nathaniel is not able to digest this thing at all that his brother has been murdered. 

Seeing Nathaniel, it is clearly visible that he is less sad over the death of his brother but more angry at that murderer. Flame is visible in his eyes. I do not even know what Nathaniel will do to him if that murderer is in front of him. 

The moment he came to the hospital, I saw that he was fuming with anger. His burning eyes were enough to make anyone wet his pants, and his tall stature and muscular body were adding more danger to his menacing aura. On seeing him, all the employees turned aside because no one wanted to reach under his hands and feast on his own death. 

And ever since he came, the people here are being scolded by him continuously. He is angry that here the workers did not take good care of Nate. 

And since the time Nate’s mother and her two sisters came, tears have been shed. 

“Sir, from the CCTV footage, we saw that someone came here after the doctors had left the room.”

“I fucking know that!” He yelled once again, making the officer’s voice die down on his tongue. He immediately looked down when Nathaniel scolded him. 

“And he killed Nate sir, but we could not see that man’s face properly. He came wearing the uniform of a doctor.” 

I saw Nathaniel giving him a death glare. The officer gulped hard and immediately lowered his gaze. Before Nathaniel could grit out anything, another officer interrupted, “Nate sir has been under observation for the last two hours. The team found out in an hour that someone had killed him by repeatedly hitting his chest with a knife.” 

This got Nathaniel’s full attention. His eyes squinted and then he gave his full attention to the officer. It was clear that the officer wanted to save his partner so Nathaniel could not fire him, but then, by his worthy information, he got Nathaniel’s interest. 

“Exactly like what we got on the aim of that serial killer. He kills most of his marks by stabbing them like this non-stop. And in the same way your brother was also killed.” 

I focused on what they were talking about. I resisted the urge to go to them and listen to them because I did not want to be near Nathaniel. His aura is scary. 

“Then catch him quickly!” He roared before looking in my direction. I immediately averted my gaze to my mom, who was sitting next to me and consoling Nate’s mother. She was crying hysterically. 

My hold on my mobile tightened when I heard his footsteps coming closer. I turned towards my mother, who gave me a soft look before comforting Mrs Vincent back. 

“Allie…” He called my name and I almost flinched. I regretted doing it. Because he is not a monster! 

“Yes, Nathaniel?” I looked up to him. He looked behind me before looking back at me. I gulped hard when I accidentally looked into his green eyes. 

“I wanna ask you something. Come here,” he said, stepping back. I nodded before getting up and then walked to the next room with him. Just right in front of that room, he looked around before asking me, “Did you see that killer?” 

 I did not want to hide anything with him. It is his brother’s matter, that is why I decided to tell him everything. 

“Actually Nathaniel… On my way home, I saw Nate. He was injured. Blood was pouring out of his stomach.” His eyes squinted and my heart skipped a beat so I decided to avert my gaze before continuing, “So I brought him to the hospital. I saw that killer too.” 

I saw how his eyes slightly widened before he asked, “Who’s he?” 

“I… don’t know because it wasn’t clear… Maybe his face was covered with something.” I shrugged my shoulders, not raising my eyes. “Coming here, I wanted to tell you about his condition, but when I looked in the room, I saw that... Nate…” my voice cracked in the end but I did not let my tears come out. 

What Nate did to my friend was wrong but I have spent many moments with him in which he proved to be a good man. I am sad that his life was so short and he had to die in such agony. The murderer did not show any mercy. 

“You’ve seen that nurse? If you saw her again, would you recognize her?” 

I nodded but I was a bit confused. I just want to ask, why? The nurse does not even know anything that can help Nathaniel, so why did he want to know her name? But because I wanted to reveal the whole truth in front of him, I did not hide anything from him and agreed to his question. 

“Okay, come then…” He said and before I could comprehend, he held my hand and pulled me with him. 

“Where are you taking me?” I ask him, forcing my legs to match his speed. We passed through a corridor and then went downstairs. On the floor below, he opened the door of a room and took me inside. 

Coming in, I found a nurse with two or three doctors. Some officers were also there, and in the middle of all of them was Nate’s body on the stretcher. 

Just his dead body made me cry once again. 

He again held my hand and pulled me forward with him. He then made me stand next to the stretcher while all of those people bowed down before him slightly. Slightly—because they did not want to show their fear for Nathaniel in front of me, who is an outsider. And these people are afraid of Nathaniel because he is a great force. A well-known businessman who has such power in his hands that can snatch the job of these people. 

Not noticing Nate and crying worse than this, I look at the doctors when suddenly his voice echoes from behind, “Is this that nurse?” 

I gulped before nodding. She gave me a confused look and I myself was utterly confused about this. 

“You’re fired, lady.” His deep voice stiffened me and I turned to stare at him. 

“Why?” I asked bluntly. 

“For her reckless behavior.” He answered straight. I gaped at him, while the lady’s voice came from behind, “I’m sorry, sir. Please don’t do this.”

“You!” He pointed at a doctor behind me. “What’s your name?” He asked him and the man gulped before stuttering, “C-Caleb… Caleb Stones.”

“Caleb, make sure she doesn’t find any job after that.” His eyes then fell on the nurse behind me, “I don’t want that as my brother lost his life due to her carelessness, the same thing should happen to anyone else!” 

Really? But I noticed only anger in his eyes, not even a piece of care! 

The doctor named Caleb immediately nodded. A frown edged my brows as I did not like his behavior. He behaved like a boss even though he has no control over this hospital. He cannot rule here. And snatching someone’s job is not his job at all! 

“Sir… sir please don’t do this… How would I earn money? No one earns in my house except me. My sister is on cancer medicine! If I don’t earn money, she won’t be able to take medicine. Sir please don’t do this! I desperately need this job…” She begged, folding her hands together. 

He heard her patiently just to answer her harshly, “I don’t fucking care, woman!” He then clutched my wrist and then pulled me out of the room. 

“Why did you do that, Nathaniel?” I asked him as soon as we came out. He stopped pulling me and then stopped in his tracks. 

“Really? My brother lost his life because of her careless behavior, why shouldn’t I do that?” His eyes shot daggers at me. I gulped but did not let him look into my eyes because they held fear. 

“But… It was just a mistake! She didn’t do it purposely!” 

“And this same mistake of hers can take the lives of people even further, doesn't it?” 

“But she needs this job… didn’t you hear that her sister is a cancer patient?” I literally felt bad when I heard her. 

“I don’t care, Allie…” 

“This is heartless, Nathaniel!” 

“Oh really?” 

I nodded and my eyes begged him to forgive that lady. 

“Thanks for telling me something I already know, Alessandra—the goddess. You can leave peacefully now. I’ll be grateful to you forever.” He even passed me an emotionless smile while whispering the word ‘forever’. I gaped as I could not believe this man. 

This is the reason why I am afraid of Nathaniel. The moment I met him, I learnt that he is a cruel businessman. He is the eldest brother and Nate was younger than him. I do not look him in the eyes because they always hold madness. He gives me stupid answers like he is from another world and most importantly, I have seen something unpredictable in his eyes for Nate. I do not know what that was, but today when he was caring so much about his brother, I could not help but feel suspicious. I never expected this from him. I mean his care. 

“Wanna spend some time with me?” He quirked his brow, stepping closer. I immediately stepped back as I sensed he wanted to scare me. 

Without saying anything, I just left. Coming to my mom, I asked her in her ear if she wants to leave with me. She agreed with it but Mrs Vincent’s condition was worrying her. 

“It’s okay, Allie. You should leave now.” Katrina looked behind—at her mother before looking back at me. “We’ll take care of mom.” 

“I didn’t mean that, Kat.” I shook my head, adding, “But mom needs some rest.” 

“I understand, Allie. We’re even thankful to you…” She gulped, swallowing down her tears. I knew she still wanted to cry. Nate shared a good bond with his sisters. 

I nodded, patting her shoulder, “Take care.” She nodded back. I then looked at mom. Holding her wrist, I gestured to her. She understood and got up before telling Mrs Vincent. 

“I’ll take care of myself… thanks, Mrs Jones…” She said between her sobs. Mom then held my hand and we came out of the hospital. Luckily, I did not bump into Nathaniel in the middle. 

And after coming home with my mother, I saw that time has passed. We reached home at two in the morning. My mom told me I should go to sleep now. Tomorrow I have to go to work also. If I do not get up early in the morning, I will have to run in the morning. 

But it did not happen the next morning. I woke up on time and got ready. I chose a cream colored knitted sweater with a white pair of pants. With that, I take my long cream coloured coat and never forget my ankle length pencil heel boots. I ruffle my hair a bit before heading towards my car. It is my habit.

When I arrive, I do not see Arabella at her place. Expected. Yesterday she told me that she would not join the next day. She wanted to spend some time with her mother. 

When I glance at her place, disgust crawls over to me when I see Yami there. She was chirping and talking with Jade happily. 

How can she? It was unbelievable! How can she be so happy and content by snatching a girl’s love, breaking her heart? I cannot do that at all. Rather, I feel that even after hurting someone’s heart, living happily is also an art—one should learn that from Yami.

“Hey, Allie…” She chirped when she saw me, passing through the large lobby. I ignored her and scrunched up my nose in disgust as if I saw some kind of trash. 

I did not even notice her face but heard her muttering something behind my back. Something like, “Dumbass bitch ignored me!”

Keep barking, you bitch!

I knock on the door when I reach Hades’ room. “Come in, Ms psychiatrist.” He says and I feel amusement in his voice. I chose not to react to how he got to know it was me. Because nobody visits his ward except me. Really? My subconscious mocks when I think that. Okay, I take my words back. I have checked he had some visitors and one of them was regular. I forgot his name because it was not compulsory. 

I enter the room, pushing the door behind shut. 

“Good morning, Psychiatrist.” He smirked. I nodded and walked to the desk. I sat and then told him about our plan for today’s. Once again we will go to inspect the outside

“I was waiting for it.” He shrugged and I noticed that small but mocking smirk on his lips. 

Now what? I did not get the meaning behind his smirk. 

He then held the glass in front of him which was filled with water and then passed to me. I frowned as I thought he was going to drink it. But no…

“Drink it…” He quirked his brow. I did not answer him. I did not even move my hand to get the glass. Even I frowned deeply. Why is becoming a caring buddy all of a sudden? 

“You look enervatic.” He shrugged his shoulders and there I realized that he noticed my eyes. My heavy eyelids might be looking heavier and horrible. 

I take the glass and then some sips. 

“Didn’t sleep well last night?” He asked with amusement. I looked at him through the glass as I kept the rim attached to my lips. Why is he happy about this?

“You can expect that…” I shrugged, just like him.

He arched his brow and a perfect smirk settled on his lips. 

“Fine…” He then got up and I followed him. He moved to take his jacket, while I waited for him. I could not help but notice his broad back. His muscular arms were hidden behind his full sleeve t-shirt but I could see them bulging out through the shoulders’ sides. 

They flexed softly when he grabbed his jacket and put it over them. He turned while adjusting the jacket and meanwhile, my eyes fell on his neck. The side of his neck was designed in ink. 

My lips slightly parted when I saw his tattoo which was not in sight anymore because of the collar. 

“Have you finished staring at me?” 

Hearing him, I did not avert my gaze, even narrowed my eyes. Why is being so naughty ? With his psychiatrist! 

“I was just looking at ya tattoo…” I rolled my eyes away. He is so full of himself. “By the way, when did you get it?” I asked suddenly when I realized no asylum allows their patients to ink their skin. How he then? 

“When I was thirteen.” He answered me which literally surprised me. He inked his skin at a young age. 

“Didn’t you feel pain?” 

“I enjoyed it.” 

Oh, how did I forget he’s a psycho Superman? 

“We should go now…” I say, ignoring that killer smirk spread across his plump lips. I must praise those juicy lips for being inviting. 

“As you say, psychiatrist.” Can’t he stop talking without amusement in his voice? It’s distracting! He’s being too sweet today. 

Last night I was skeptical about Hades for a moment because Hades had also stabbed his mother in a similar fashion before inflicting third degree torture of fire on her. But I cannot forget that he is in captivity. He cannot even come out of his room, it is a long way to kill someone. 

Why are you so mysterious, Hades?