Chapter 5 Five

5

MIRA

The next morning, I packed my hair in a tight bun, as always, and pressed down my short white gown with my palm. Putting on my white flats, I hurried to the kitchen. I wanted to fix something quick for the family.

I found my sister in the kitchen again, grumpily stirring spaghetti. Most of the food was on the floor already and the grip she had on the cooking spoon could make the poor thing snap in two.

"Greta, if you keep that up the floor will eat most of the pasta and we would have nothing to eat." I told her, grabbing a cup to make coffee.

I had never been a coffee person but I had spent most of my time last night studying about depressed and suicidal patients. It was an insightful process. I ended up exhausted and literally had to drag myself up this morning to go to work.

I sat at the dining table with the brewed coffee steams dancing from my cup. I took sips, letting the warm liquid calm my nerves. I thought of the day's work at hand and I was sure that imp would make it a living hell.

I had not come to understand it all. Like why would someone want to take their life? I knew life could be tricky, hard and difficult but I did not think it was enough reason to want to die. You could always find the light and happiness in every discouraging situation.

But then some people did not acknowledge that; they wanted the easy way out. Someone like James Carter. Did they not know nothing good ever come easy?

I was jolted out of my thoughts when Greta dropped a plate of pasta on the table before me. I heard Ma and Pa walking to the dining already. I quickly put up a smile.

"Good morning Pa. Good morning Ma." I greeted while Greta grumbled hers.

I wondered if Greta was in a sour mood as a result of having to cook, or something else bothered her.

"Good morning dearies," Pa chimed and quickly dug into his meal.

Ma frowned when she looked at me, "Do not try to fool me with that smile. I know you have been pretty stressed lately."

I laughed. "Ma, I get stressed everyday."

She shook her head, picking up her fork. "You look like you want to quit your job."

She did know. And she did not literally mean I wanted to quit my job, she was trying to buttress the point that I was very stressed out. So I told her about James Carter. She listened carefully as she chewed, not interrupting.

"You talk about James Carter like you do not know who James Carter is." Greta butted in, her moodiness gone.

"He is admitted to the special ward. So I guess he should be rich." I shrugged, eyebrows raised.

Ma chuckled. "You totally stopped leaving on this planet since you got that job."

I laughed and glanced at Greta to see her give me a 'what the hell' look.

"James Carter is the damned CEO of Carter.com. The greatest and most successful game industry in the whole country and its surroundings." Greta's eyes sparkled as she spoke.

"I saw he is good looking too," Ma winked at me.

My mouth fell open. "How much time do you spend on the internet these days, Ma?"

"You could be the angel that will save him and you both can get married and live happily ever after," Ma continued.

I scrunched my face in annoyance and pinched my nose. "Ma, can you tone it down? I hear you loud and clear. You want me married off. Even if it is to a total psycho."

She dropped her fork and I groaned, knowing a lecture was coming on.

"I am not sure you do or else I would have had grand kids by now," she countered.

Pa signed in exasperation. "Mary, take it easy on the poor girl. She is stressed out with work already and you want to add salt to injury."

Ma gave Pa a sharp glare. "You should support me on this."

Pa shook his head, "Do you want her to roll on the floor and beg any man to take her? Cut it out."

Ma sulked then and I wanted to laugh. I knew better though. "I did not mean it that way but I..."

"Then let her take her time," Pa touched her shoulders.

She nodded and resumed eating. "But make it sooner."

I groaned, here we go again.

I stood from the table, grabbed my handbag and dashed out. Ma had made it an obligation to drum marriage into my ears.

Maybe Kathy was right. Maybe I was making the decision to get married soon because of mother, and not because I wanted to. Maybe I should take up Kathy's offer to move in with her. To get away from the madness.

I did not find Kathy's car when I shut the gate behind me. That was weird.

I marched to the end of the street. Still no Kathy.

Retrieving my phone from my handbag, I was about to call my best friend when a message from her popped in.

'Mi. My car just broke down. I might have to take a cab. You should too. Kat🖤 '

Bummer. I sighed, returning the phone as I strolled down to the bus stop.

A grey car suddenly pulled up beside me and bummed. I had wanted to ignore it but the driver had alighted to call out my name. It turned out to be James's therapist.

"Oh hi." I beamed, waiting for him to walk up to me.

"Hey, Mira. Ummm...lemme drop you off," he offered.

"Sure, thank you." I responded and quickly got in. The bus stop was still far away and I was almost late for work.

"Thank you," I said again as I strapped the seat belt.

"No problem," he said and eased the car back on the road.

"Do you live around?" I asked, noting that I had never seen him around before.

"Yea. The next block. I just moved in last week," he explained.

"Oh!" I nodded. "Welcome to the neighbourhood. You would not have a problem settling in, I promise." I added.

"I am sorry I never got your name," I said after a few minutes of brooding silence. I was not one to enjoy silence.

He gave a charming smile, glancing at me. "Dr. Eric Reeves. But you can call me Eric."

I liked the way the name rolled out his tongue. Could he also be my gift from Santa?

I slapped myself mentally, getting a grip on myself. You had better take it easy, Mira or you will regret most decisions.

"Mira Scott," I introduced and he smiled.

"I know already. Dr. Einstein informed me you are now in charge of my patient." He said, turning a corner and the hospital's gate came into view.

"More like babysitting," I mumbled.

He chuckled. "He is a handful. Though not so difficult."

I gasped and my eyes bulged. "Not so difficult? A full grown rich guy who should not have a problem in the world with all the money he has got is suicidal and he is a not-so-difficult situation? Is that not interesting?"

He laughed as he parked in a spot and turned off the ignition. "How about I give you some tips later. Tonight. Over dinner?" He asked, looking me dead in the eye.

He was asking me out on a date already? He was one straightforward bastard, I squealed mentally.

The enclosed space felt hot immediately, even when the air conditioning worked perfectly fine. My palms broke out in a sweat and I wiped it off on the leather seats. This should be it, the real Christmas gift.

I swallowed, "Sure. Eight pm. That will give me ample time to get ready after work."

He nodded. "Works for me too."

We exchanged contact before alighting the car and entering the hospital.

I stopped by the reception to sign in and say hi to Kathy.

"Mi, I am so sorry. Hope it was not much trouble for you," she asked me, concerned.

I smiled at her, "No, it was not. What was wrong with it?" I asked her.

"It just could not start. But I called the mechanic and I am sure they should be on it by now," she said.

"I have to go now. Gist for you later," I promised her and she gave me a wink, obviously excited.

I waved her bye and walked to my new duty post. Ward 11. I knocked and tried to push the door open but it was jammed.

Certain our hospital doors did not have locks or bolts on them, I pushed again but the wooden door was adamant. Something was definitely wrong.

What had James planned to do this time?