Chapter 2 A certain Rex

My eyes felt heavy as I tried to force them open. The bright rays of light that penetrated my pupils forced me to squeeze my eyes shut. I slowly parted them again, allowing my eyes to adjust to the brightness.

My vision was blurry but I could see white walls, and the white fluorescent bulb above me. A dazzling headache threatened to rip my head apart, making me whimper. I waited for my vision to return to normal and as it did, my headache subsided.

I surveyed the room with my eyes which were still kind of heavy and my eyes fell upon a figure in a black tuxedo suit sitting on the chair by the wall. His head was bent over a book, probably a file from the file cover.

One look at him and I could already tell he is a man of great success, either the CEO of a flourishing company or a very successful businessman. His confident demeanor and expensive clothing exuded an air of wealth and success.

"Feeling better?" He asked.

His voice made me bite the inside of my cheeks. His voice was low and husky, like a man's alluring morning voice, it sounded sweet, yet firm.

He raised his head and our eyes locked. It instantly registered in my brain that his eyes could be one of the most beautiful and enchanting eyes I've ever seen.

His metallic piercing blue eyes that seemed like they could hurt you yet make you feel things, sweet things like butterflies in the stomach.

I murmured in response, nodding slowly. My throat was parched.

"You are in a hospital". He informed me. He closed the file and dropped it beside him on the chair.

"I can tell."

My voice was raspy and low, making me cough to ease the hoarseness. I expected him to get me water but he just stared at me with those intense eyes, not uttering a word for the first few seconds.

"Do you feel pain?". He asked, adjusting his suit.

Just as I was about to speak, I remembered Gramps and my eyes widened. I quickly sat up and so did he. My sudden movements made my head throb with a sudden sharp pain. I winced but didn't relent as I tried to remove the IV needle inserted in my right arm.

"Calm down". He soothed me, holding my hands to stop me from moving. I froze at his touch, his hands were cold against mine and were quite larger than mine.

"I'll call the doctor to know if you can be discharged. Just stay calm and don't remove anything." His voice was soothing and calm, and his eyes which bore into mine made me nod subconsciously.

"Mike!" He called his voice loud yet controlled. The door burst open and another man dressed in a suit walked in.

"Sir?". He stood tall in obedience, ready to receive orders, and I could immediately tell the charming guy beside me was Mike's boss.

"Get the doctor". He ordered and Mike left immediately.

I glanced down at my hands which were still in his and nervously removed them. He let go and stepped back in understanding, tucking his hand into his pockets.

I focused to see if I would feel any pain but I felt none, making me wonder if I had been hit at all.

"The doctor said you weren't hit but you passed out due to shock". He explained, tilting his head slightly to the left as if to observe my actions and reactions.

"Are you the one who..." My voice trailed off as he shook his head in denial.

"He ran away, he left you there and ran away". He squinted his eyes and an unreadable expression flitted across his face before it quickly disappeared.

"How long have I been asleep?" I asked after a few seconds of silence.

"The whole night". He replied, making my eyes widen with worry.

"The whole night?! Oh no, Gramps". I quickly started trying to pry the IV needle off again and he held my shoulders, his grip firm and strong on my delicate shoulders.

"Calm down Dawn". He cooed.

"I need to get to my grandpa, he is hospitalized and..." My voice trailed off. "How did you know my name?" I asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Your..books". He answered, his gaze not meeting mine. "And your phone". He added.

"You went through my phone? It's personal!" I protested.

"I needed to know who you are." He defended. "Although your phone is kind of broken".

"Who are you by the way?" I asked.

I attempted a polite tone but it came out more like a demand.

"I..." He paused as if trying to choose his words. "I helped you". He responded

"Thank you. Sir." I added the "sir" after a thought.

He looked young, maybe around my age or a little older. I accessed him once more, noting how tall he was, probably a little above six feet, compared to me who is only five feet three inches.

I mentally praised his looks. Especially his jet-black hair which was perfectly coiffed and shiny, it fell in waves to just below his chin, framing his face in a stylish but casual way. I badly wanted to run my fingers through his hair, both to compare its texture to mine and simply for the sake of doing so.

"Do you have something on your mind?" He asked, his facial expression a little too concerned.

His question made me wonder what makes him think I would tell him what's on my mind even if I had a serious thought on my mind. Except Gramps.

The thought of my grandpa lying lonely on the sickening hospital bed made me worry. I was about to fidget again when the door suddenly swung open and a male doctor walked in, accompanied by a pretty female nurse in blue scrubs.

"What took you so long?" My life-saver spoke to the doctor casually.

"Sorry, I was in the middle of an emergency". The doctor turned to me and smiled. " How are you feeling Dawn?" He asked.

"I need to get out of here, can I be discharged now?" I 'answered' bluntly and I could tell he was a bit surprised.

"Well, we've completed all the necessary checks and I'm pleased to inform you that you will be discharged right away". The doctor said, and I heaved a sigh of relief and impatience

"Thank you." Then the payment of the bills crossed my mind. I assumed my life-saver had cleared the bill but it would be so wrong to not ask.

"How much.." my voice trailed off as I tried as much as possible to have an expression that showed I didn't know my bills might have been cleared.

"No need to worry about that. Rex has taken care of it". The doctor stated.

"Rex?" My gaze flickered toward Rex, my life-saver. As I realized he was Rex, I smiled and nodded my thanks. He nodded in reply before his gaze flickered to the nurse who was now removing the IV needle at the doctor's command.

"I will prescribe some medication for you, please pick them up at the pharmacy on your way out". The doctor told me, but I knew in my heart I was not going to stop to get the drugs. I could not afford to spend any more on myself since Gramps needed all the money.

"Thank you, doctor.." I quickly glanced at the metal badge on his white coat. "Doctor John". I added.

The rest of what happened after thanking the doctor was a blur because my mind was preoccupied with Grandpa's condition.

Soon, I was hastening out of the hospital with my bag slung on one shoulder. As I strode briskly, I checked to see if I had some spare change for a cab that would take me to the hospital where Gramps was admitted. I was relieved to discover I had more than enough.

After ten whole minutes of waiting for a cab, I was frustrated. I tried for the one-hundredth time to turn my phone on but it didn't budge. The screen was cracked, likely from when I had fallen.

Suddenly, a black sleek car pulled up in front of me. I guessed who was inside but acted like I didn't know who by squinting my eyes and tucking my hair behind my small ear.

The tinted Window smoothly rolled down, revealing Rex sitting in the car. His eyes were focused on me as he asked me to get in so he'd drop me off at the hospital.

I quickly glanced at the car and instantly refused. I would just stain his million-dollar car, and as much as I needed a ride, I didn't want to hitch a ride with someone who smells and looks like money. Not that I'm intimidated, I just don't want too much familiarity between me and Rex, except for him saving me which I'm very grateful for. But despite my refusal, he insisted and I hopped in after contemplating.

My nose was immediately filled with his appealing cologne the moment I entered the car, the cool air conditioner calmed my hot brain which was starting to fry in the hot sun.

"Hi Dawn". Rex greeted me as if we were meeting for the first time that day. I politely answered him, anxious to get to Gramps.