Double Assignment

•12|✨

Maxim

"Does it hurt sir?" Penny asked again for the umpteenth time, literally poking my sides and causing more tendrils of pain to shoot up my body. "I can get you more..."

"It's fine Penny." I gave her a strained smile, hoping that she'd get the message and leave me alone, but unfortunately for me, that didn't work out." I'm fine, you can get back to grading those scripts I gave you ."

"Okay." She straightened, her puppy dog eyes pleading to spend more time with me, but I just wasn't in the mood." Just call me if you need anything else."

"Sure." I watched her retreating figure make its way into the smaller office. "Finally," I mumbled as I slumped into my swivel chair, running a hand through my hair.

Yeah, she was hot and I enjoyed messing with her a few times but I just wasn't in the mood today. I hadn't been in the mood ever since ‘ she ' walked into my life. It'd been chaos after chaos, not to mention the mysterious creep that just wouldn't let me be.

Being aggravatingly handsome was definitely a blessing and a curse.

Sighing loudly, I heaved open my desk drawer and pulled out an envelope that'd come in for me earlier this morning. It was pink and cutesy, with red and white hearts pasted around it and some scribbled doodles around its edges. A large bouquet also accompanied this beautiful surprise. I was flattered at first and thought probably one of my students had sent it to wish me a speedy recovery, but that elation died when is ripped open the letter and read its contents.

I didn't mean for you to get hurt the other night. You know I'd never do anything to hurt you.

My blood ran cold as my eyes skimmed over those words and an unnatural chill spread through my body. The letter was definitely printed out so there was no way I could try to match who the handwriting belonged to. Even if I tried to fish for thumbprints, that would have already been wiped out because it was brought in here by the postman, with no returning address whatsoever. The bouquet, on the other hand, stunk of a particularly nauseous perfume I was sure no one I knew of wore.

Basically, all I was left with as a dead-end to any sort of clue to who this person was and a shit load of questions.

Great. Just fucking great.

"Maxim Woods speaking." I picked up my phone that'd been vibrating for a while now." How can I help you?"

"I believe I'm in a better position to be asking that." Came the reply in a cheery voice and I gave a weak smile." It's Chief Keith here."

"I figured." I grinned." How are you, sir?"

"Again, I should be asking you that." He replied." It's nice to know someone cares about this old handsome hunk."

"Of course, of course." I chuckled." Not to be rude, but is there a reason you're calling me right now?"

"Yes, I just wanted to check up on you and know the status of your health." He was calm and cool, his playful demeanor vanishing bit by bit and being replaced with a more professional one." And the nurses in charge informed me you were discharged yesterday of your own will. Weren't the security details we got you safe enough?"

"No, no. Not that." I shook my head vigorously, my glasses threatening to fall off my nose." I really don't like hospitals. They're not exactly my scene so I try my best to stay away from as possible."