A Baby For Billionaire Knox

THEME: The Golden Rule

SAINT PETERS HOSPITAL

Eretia opened her eyes to the bright sunlight filtering through the window. The sun reflected off the wall adjacent to it. She observed her surrounding through her blurred vision.

Eretia blinked as she refilled her lungs with cool air. She closed her eyes slowly for a moment and lay very still on the bed. White wall! She knew where she was.. the hospital!

How did she ended up there? Eretia asked herself within. Memories flashed through her mind. She remembered everything. Calling Oliver, deciding to take the day off to see Ryan, talking to Betty Lawson, her bracelet shining and it ended.

Eretia opened her eyes slowly trying to focus. Knox! The first person that came to her mind after she remembered the incidence. Eretia turned her head, she looked beyond and she saw him. Knox Martins was there, laying on a couch with his eyes closed.

“Knox..” Eretia called out.

Knox Martins was fast asleep. He hasn’t been able sleep since Eretia passed out. He had only managed to drift into sleep ten minutes ago after watching her throughout the night.

Eretia felt stronger now as she shifted on the bed to test her body. Then she got out of bed and went to the couch which was about five steps away from the bed.

Eretia studied Knox’s face and she knew he hasn’t slept in a while due to the dark circles under his eyes. Then Eretia couldn’t help but wonder how long she had been out? Eretia looked down at the bracelet as she recalled the look on Betty’s face at the sight of the shinning bracelet and her eyes. She had to stop Betty from telling anyone what she saw that day. She leaned up and paced the small area.

Eretia remembered the golden rule. She could make Betty Lawson forget what she saw. A friendly handshake would do the work. But how is she going to meet Betty Lawson? Eretia pondered.

At that moment, Knox opened his eyes. His gaze met hers and he sat up quickly. “Eretia..” He stood up and touched her cheeks. She is alive! He pulled her into his arms and her hands wrapped around him.

Knox didn’t know how long he held her in his arms and just whispering to her. Telling her how scared he was when he saw her in the hallway, when her heart stopped beating and while she was unconscious. Knox admitted that he had feared that he was going to lose her and he pleaded with her to stay with him.

Knox Martins drew back to look at her. He pulled her gently to the bed, made her sit on it and he also settled beside her. He grazed her cheeks with his knuckles.

“How are you feeling?” Knox asked.

“I am fine, Knox.” Eretia answered.

“Oh my goodness.. I was so scared.” Knox sighed.

“How long have I been out?” Eretia asked.

“Three days.. you were unconscious for three days and I was so scared of losing you.” Knox answered.

“Three days?!” Eretia eyes widened in shock.

“Yes the doctor couldn’t tell what actually made you unconscious for that long. I also tried to reach Betty to find out what she did to you but she hasn’t been picking up her calls.” Knox paused and let out a sigh before speaking up again

“Tell me what happened between you and Betty Lawson.” Knox requested.

Eretia looked up at him. “You see.. we had a fight that day.” She said.

“Why? Did she tried to bully you? Just tell me everything.” Knox rushed out his words.

“Well I called Oliver after I finished sending out the invitations. So he told me Ryan wasn’t feeling well and then I decided to look for you so I could take the day off to see him at the hospital. But then I met Betty in the hallway-” She paused to think of how to explain the situation to him without involving the bracelet.

“What did she do to you?” Knox asked.

“Betty said I was the talk at the agency and there is nothing special about me. Believe me Knox, I tried to avoid her by keeping quiet and walking away. Betty got mad after I gave her a piece of my mind too and she hit my face.” Eretia recounted the incident to him.

“Betty hit you?!” Knox fists balled automatically.

“Yes.. and I slapped her too.” Eretia nodded her bed.

“Then how did you pass out?” Knox asked

Eretia thought for a second. She knew it was the power in the bracelet that weakened her. And there was no way she could tell Knox about it. Telling him the truth would only reveal her identity.

“She said something about… your bracelet.” Knox pointed at the bracelet.

Eretia’s heartbeat accelerated. “What did she say?” She asked.

“It.. it shinned… something like that.. but I don’t really understand what she was trying to say.” Knox stuttered.

Eretia looked down at the bracelet on her wrist. She pondered about the bracelet. The sudden weakness and unconsciousness. What does that mean? A call by the sea to return home? Is something wrong in her world? She thought deeply. No it shouldn’t be this answer! Eretia wasn’t ready to go back to her world.

Knox was disturbed, he fought the urge to tell her what happened on the day she had collapsed. Strange things he couldn’t understand, those words she mumbled in her sleep and her heartbeat dropping at every minute almost giving him a heart attack and the bracelet on her wrist.

“What’s with this bracelet?” Knox blurted out. He tried to hold her wrist but Eretia withdrew quickly.

“Is it something magical?” He asked again.

“No.. no magic doesn’t exist.” Eretia response was immediate.

“Yeah it doesn’t exist.. but your bracelet is-” Knox Martins voice trailed off.

“Where is my cellphone?” Eretia tried to change the topic.

Knox knew she didn’t want to have the conversation with him so he let things slide. He stood up and took out her phone from the hold all bag.

“Here.” Knox gave it to her.

“I want to call Oliver.” Eretia said. She sounded like she was asking for Knox’s permission to call Oliver.

Knox Martins nodded and settled on the couch.

“Uhmm.. what’s the name of this hospital?” She asked.

“Saint Peters Hospital.” Knox replied.

“Saint Peters? Oliver works here.” Eretia said with a smile beaming across her face.

“I should call him. Oliver and Ryan must have expected me to come see them three days ago.” Eretia dialed Oliver number and he picked on the third ring.

“Hello?” Oliver said.

“Hi Oliver, it is, Eretia.” She bit her lower lip.

“Yeah I know.” Oliver said coldly.

The door opened and doctor Brandon stepped in.

“I am sorry for not showing up on Tuesday as promised.” Eretia apologized.

“Can we talk some other time. Eretia, I am busy at work.” Oliver said. He sounded like he wasn’t interested in talking to her.

“Okay.” Eretia mumbled. “But when will you be-”

Oliver ended the call before she could finish the sentence. She wasn’t happy by Oliver response and attitude to her.

“Good Morning, Miss Eretia.” Doctor Brandon greeted.

Eretia lay back on the bed. “Good morning doctor-” She paused not knowing his name.

“Brandon.” He said.

“Brandon.” Eretia nodded.

“How are you feeling?” Doctor Brandon asked.

“I am fine.” Eretia replied.

Doctor Brandon exchanged glances with Knox Martin. “I can see that your color is better now.” He checked her pulse. It was steady and normal.

“How is it now?” Knox asked.

“Good.” Doctor Brandon murmured.

“Can I go home now?” Eretia demanded.

“Yes, you are better now. You can go home in few hours time. Mr Knox, please come with me to sign the discharge papers.” Doctor Brandon responded.

“Wait do you know Oliver Scott? He is a surgeon in this hospital.” Eretia asked.

“Surgeon Oliver. Yes, I know. But why did you ask?” Doctor Brandon arched his eyebrows.

“Perhaps am I permitted to see him at work? I have some things to explain to him.” Eretia fiddled with her fingers.

“Surgeon Oliver has been off duty for some days now to take care of his little brother.” Doctor Brandon replied.

Eretia could hardly believe Oliver had lied to her. Oliver had said he was busy at work whereas he was at home talking care of Ryan. And why was he acting differently on phone? She pondered.

“Do you know him?” Doctor Brandon asked.

“Yes.” Eretia nodded slowly as she managed a small smile on her face.

“Okay, Miss Eretia. You have a nice bracelet.” Doctor Brandon complimented as he shared a look with Knox Martins.

Eretia figured that the bracelet must have shined while the doctor was tending to her. “Nice to meet you, doctor Brandon.” She stretched out her hand towards him.

The look on his face was that of shock. Eretia sensed that the doctor wanted to say more words to her but he was holding back for some reasons she doesn’t know. Doctor Brandon looked at her as if she had grown four head.

“Thank you for taking care of me.” Her smile grew broader as he shook hands with her.

The Golden Rule. Eretia wiped apart of his memory which concerns her in the process. Then Doctor Brandon moved out of the room.

Knox hated the sad look that replaced her face after doctor Brandon exited the room. He stood up and went to her. “Oliver lied to you?” He said.

And Eretia shook her head in agreement. “I think he is mad at me for not showing up on Tuesday.” She said soberly.

“You can go home and see them after I sign your discharge papers.” Knox asserted.

Eretia looked at him. There was no smile on his face. “Is that okay by you?” She questioned.

“Yes if that’s what would make you happy.” Knox nodded. He was concerned about her happiness.

Knox Martins had her in his heart. This is making her heart fluster. Eretia thought.

“Thank you.” She said before he made his way out to the door.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Knox Martins signed the paper and he drove Eretia to Oliver’s apartment before heading home to have a good rest after days of nursing Eretia.