Collateral Damage

4

Alexander knew the first thing she thought when she woke up because she said it.

"I hope I'm dreaming those hospital beeps because I can't afford them." She grumbled, sitting up with a wince. Her eyes carded to the large presence in the side of the room. His dark hair now mused, his olive skin a bit flushed, long, dark lashes hiding his eyes, his gaze on his phone, furiously typing, while also speaking into the phone.

"I do not want another glorified hooker, Joshua. Stop sending random women to my office."

Steel eyes connecting with hers, a smile of relief forming on his soft, full lips.

"You're not dead," he said, hanging up. She nodded to the phone.

"What's that about?"

Alexander shrugged, his suit still somehow perfectly pressed and ironed, as his large frame was crumpled into a hospital chair. He rocked his ankle.

"My assistant was just trying to...assist me with things outside his scope," he stood, walking toward the whiteboard, pulling his hands behind his back. "They say you have a hole in your heart. It's congenital heart disease, you've had it your whole life. Did you know?"

Audrey sighed and pressed the call button. "Did you give them my name?"

He frowned. "Of course."

She scoffed and shook her head. "Listen, thanks for...but I can't afford this, and you didn't even have the sense to give them a fake name, so...we gotta run. Like now."

Alexander frowned, tearing his eyes from her chart. "Run? You almost died of...sleeping? You couldn't run if you wanted to. Don't worry about it. I paid for it."

Her hands poised to pull her cords off but he caught it, making her eyes burn into his hand.

"You are in serious danger, Audrey. You have to take my deal. You can't work. Not anymore. Not like this. You can't..." He looked away and closed his eyes. "You need the meds. Stay overnight, if you don't stroke out, I'll take you back."

Audrey eased herself back. "Yeah...fine." Far from her not to take anything free. Alexander's eyes raked down her form.

He sighed and waved his hand. "Alright. Since you belong to me—"

"Excuse me?"

"I may as well take care of you," his rings glinted. He sat next to her and took her hand in his. She tried to snatch it back but found herself unable to escape his grip. The veins in his large hands were prominent, and from this angle, she noted his tattoos seemed to go further up than she thought. "It's settled. You'll move into my guest house, and complete your studies from there."

Audrey scoffed and raised her brow. "Is it crack? I hear that's a dangerous habit, Remington."

Alexander was silent for a moment tapping on his phone. "Just bought out your lease...and there. Now, what school will you go to? I'd hope you'd remain local, after all, I've got a company to run and I can't trust you to go to the doctor."

Audrey frowned. Bought out her lease? With a few taps? She didn't put it past him with the amount of money he had. The way going he threw it around with no consequence.

"You're my responsibility and my investment," Alexander proclaimed. "And I am a very responsible man businessman."

He stood and adjusted his suit. "I have a meeting. You have to stay here. No need to leave," he dangled her keys. "I'll be turning in your keys before I circle back."

"Hey...I'm not some kind of toy you can just jerk around."

"Of course, you're not. You're more expensive than any toy I've ever bought," he remarked flippantly, pocketing her keys and shutting the door behind him. 

Audrey scoffed and focused her gaze on her hands. She could feel the needle moving around her arm, spinning her vision, making her nauseous. She was going to be going to school. Her smile widened. Even though she'd have to tolerate Alexander, and apparently, had a literal hole in her heart, she'd get her dream. To go to school, to make something of herself. To finally move out of this portrait of misery.

The only downside was...him. Him and the smell of his cologne, and that smile. If he would just...inch out of the frame, it would be picture perfect.  

Audrey closed her eyes, and let sleep take her, and this time, she dared to dream. She couldn't make sense of any of it, but she knew it was a sign that something in her brain had switched on something that had been turned off for a while.

Hope.

Meanwhile, Alexander entered his office with the distinct feeling of her keys jangling in his pocket. Was he really doing this? Taking her in like this, moving her into his space, all because of some guilt? Maybe he could just turn catholic for the day, do confession, and absolve himself of the responsibility.

But every time he closed his eyes, he could see her grave, the year always frighteningly close. And it twisted in his belly, grabbed his heart, and squeezed it. Alexander had done many... morally ambiguous things in his time as a businessman. 

And maybe some of them accidentally contributed to someone's death--any action someone takes with power does, it was just a part of the gig. But this seemed a little more direct for his sensibilities. 

He looked at the university, ignoring the meeting droning on, scrolling on his phone under the table, using the darkness needed for the PowerPoint as a cover. 

There was a very good university, and the fall semester was only a few days away. He sighed and enrolled her. He couldn't have her so far away, not yet, not until she recovered. Alexander decided for her Freshman year, she'd go to State, and then, if she was better, she could go anywhere she wanted. 

Then, he'd finally have Audrey Williams and her literally broken heart off his conscience. The lights flickered on suddenly.

"What do you think sir?"

Alexander blinked, looking at the worker. He was huffing as if he'd done something spectacular. Alexander just pasted on a smile, and clapped.

"Wonderful. Great. Whatever...you did, you did it well."

"Thank you sir," the employee bowed deeply, making Alexander frown. 

He stood, and Joshua followed after him hurriedly. "You have no clue what that was about do you? I'll have a copy of the report in your office," He said, "Your next appointment is in 30 minutes."

Alexander nodded. "Perfect. What would I do without you, Joshua?"

Joshua stopped, shaking his head. "Presumably die, sir." He mumurmed.

"You're probably right!"