Chapter 9: Chapter 9

"Knock-knock," Alex said standing at the door.

"Morning," Gabriella says happily.

"I brought some fruit for you." Alex puts the fruit basket on the side table and pulls a chair closer.

"Thank you," Gabriella says sincerely.

"I was waiting for your call last night," Alex teased.

Gabriella blushed a bit and fiddles with her fingers that are no longer black. Alex took her hands for closer inspection.

"I am no expert, but it looks like you will be keeping these."

Gabriella grew intensely shy at Alex's touch. She finally gets to talk to this handsome guy that never noticed her before. They chatted about this and that but no mention of what happened to her. Three hours flew by without them noticing. The nurses and two doctors came into the room to do the shift handover. Alex is shocked to see that it is 8 am. "Buzz me if you need anything," he said squeezing her hand before leaving.

Some of the nurses took note and they're jealously radiated off their faces. Alex felt their eyes on his back and is thankful that Amber only start her shift at 9 am.

"Have a good day ladies and gent."

He heard their giggles and rolled his eyes thinking how gullible they all are.

Alex is aware of his good looks and charms and used them to his benefit without shame. He went to the ICU unit to see if there is any progress on the Bus-stop man and to his disappointment, he is still in a coma. Alex did not know why but he felt the same kind of aura from him then what he felt when he is near Gabriella.

Alex is patiently waiting for Gabriella to mention him but so far it appears that the Bus-stop man is nothing to her, surely, she would have asked about him by now. Alex looked around and saw no one around, he quickly snapped a photo of the Bus-stop man and left.

Anthon arrived at 9 am and checked in with his mom's secretary for any messages. He really hoped that Gabriella would have contacted him by now. It took all his will not to go to her but around 11 am he instructed the kitchen not to take her food as he wanted to take care of it himself. Anthon asked his mom if there is a good restaurant nearby that can deliver some soup, explaining that he wants to attempt to break the ice with Gabriella.

Lunchtime the soup arrived that Anthon has ordered, and he took it to her after removing his jacket, wearing a jeans and a golfer tee to be more approachable.

"Ah, you are awake, got you some soup."

He entered the room without asking and took the soup out of the packet and put it on the side table intentionally. He didn't want her to eat just yet in fear that her mouth will be full, or she will avoid talking to him by eating.

"Thank you." Gabriella noticed his good looks. Her type is normally guys with dark hair. The smell of him is so familiar to her but she could not put her finger on it. She did not understand why this man is making her feel so uncomfortable, perhaps it is his good looks.

Anthon made small talk avoiding bring up what happened to her. Even though he is supposed to be her therapist he wanted her. He could not help noticing her beauty. Her plump lips and rosy cheeks. Those golden locks and emerald green eyes with splashes of freckles across her nose and on the top of her cheekbones. She had a good figure two. They talked about their childhoods for a bit.

Gabriella started to loosen up and felt more comfortable around Anthon. She strangely started to find herself attracted to him, how could she not she thought to herself, he openly flirts with her.

Just before 2 pm, Anthon took his leave after he warms the soup for Gabriella.

Gabriella dosed off after she had her soup.

Gabriella had a nightmare and cried hysterically in her sleep; it took a nurse to wake her up. Anthon heard the commotion from his office that is not too far away from her room and immediately ran over. He quickly went to her side and hugged her tightly. Gabriella, much to her surprise holds on to him if her life depends on it. It is just after 5 pm.

Alex went straight up to Gabriella's room only to find her in Anthon's arms.

They made progress he thought with a hint of jealously. He is not sure if he should enter or leave and ended up leaving instead.

Anthon moved himself onto the bed still holding Gabriella. Gabriella did not even notice and only realized that she is now lying in his arms instead of sitting in his arms.

Gabriella is not sure what to do at this stage and could not believe he maneuvered himself onto the bed without her noticing. She felt a bit awkward knowing that she is naked under her hospital gown.

Anthon stroked her curly blond hair.

Gabriella loved it when people play with her hair and soon fell asleep in Anthon's arms.

Anthon also dozed off eventually, but he did wake up during the night and even though he wanted to stay holding her he knew to avoid an awkward morning he had to leave.

The next morning Gabriella is excited to see Alex. They talked again for a couple of hours. Alex knew Anthon is coming in at 9 am and wanted to make sure that Anthon finds them together, thankfully he had a good connection with Gabriella and the conversation is easy and joyful.

Alex brought a deck of cards and they were now happily playing. He has successfully managed to get himself onto the bed but at the foot, end facing Gabriella while they played cards. Alex's back is turned to the door, so he did notice Anthon walking past and Gabriella is enjoying the card play so much that she did not notice him either.

Anthon is a bit furious but thought to himself he cannot stay here all day so he will just wait for his opportunity. Anthon had some sessions with some patients and checked in at lunchtime on Gabriella only to find Alex still there.

Alex and Gabriella were watching a movie.

"You live here now?" Anthon asked annoyed popping his head into the room. "Got you some food. Mash with gravy and a breakfast scones, the doctor said you can start on something solid today," Anthon intentionally went into the room with the hope that Alex will leave.

Alex kind of knew that Anthon wanted him to leave but decided not to.

When Anthon realized that Alex has no intention of leaving, he took his leave. Only after Anthon left Alex decided to leave as well.

"I should go have some lunch myself, I am starving actually."

"Have lunch with me, you can have my mash and gravy, I really don't like it," Gabriella said passing him the mash and gravy.

Alex also did not like mash and gravy but took it just for the sake to tick Anthon off. Anthon that is hiding around the corner felt heat boiling up in him and then left. Alex knew Anthon is standing outside because when he said he will leave as well; he noticed a shadow that is not visible from Gabriella's point of view.

After they ate, they continued watching movies, and eventually Alex drew the courage to show Gabriella the photo of the Bus-stop man. "Do you know this man?" Alex asked passing her the photo. Gabriella took the photo.

"Should I know him?" she asked with a frown.

"He was found at the bus stop the night I found you. He has been in a coma all this time; he was brutally attacked."

Gabriella still with a frown on her face passed the photo back to Alex.

"I don't know him," she thought about that night.

Alex regrets his actions and decided to elaborate. "The ambulance responded to his panic pressing of the bus stop button, when I heard the ambulance I went down to investigate. The ambulance took him away, but before they loaded him, he kept on pointing towards the play park,.." before Alex could finish Anthon came into the room.

"What the hell are you doing?" Anthon asks angrily.

"It's ok, I am ok, continue," Gabriella said quickly.

Anthon decided to draw a chair near. He sits down and gave an expected look to Alex.

"I thought he was pointing at his attacker and went in his pointing direction. I looked around the park but saw the hideout under the monkey bars." Alex is not sure if he should say that he took a photo first. "That is when I found you. I am sorry, I don't want to upset you, it's just no one knows the man, and no one has responded to his photo I posted," Alex said taking Gabriella's hand. Gabriella is a bit upset.

"I should go, sorry again," Alex said leaving not knowing what else to say and feeling uncomfortable with Anthon around.

With Alex gone Anthon took the opportunity to put a rift between them. "Seems he will do anything for a story," Anthon said swiping a stranded hair from Gabriella's face. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Thinking about what happened Gabriella started crying. Anthon got onto the bed and embraced her again. Gabriella stopped crying after a while. Anthon wanted to get off, but Gabriella pulled him back "Please stay," she said in a soft voice. Anthon did not let her ask twice.

A month went by of the two men fighting for Gabriella's affection. Her room is filled with flowers. Anthon made sure that no one knew the date of Gabriella's discharged as he wanted to be the one to take her home.

"Good morning." Anthon entered the room after Alex finally took his leave at 11 am.

"Hi," Gabriella says, eyes lighting up. She is torn between the two men but had to admit she is a bit more attracted to Anthon than to Alex. Her emotional connection is stronger with Anthon because he helped her deal with what happened to her.

"Guess what?" Anton said teasingly.

"What?" Gabriella asked eagerly.

"You are officially not a patient anymore," Anthon said smiling.

"Really?!" Gabriella is not sure if she is happy about this. Immediately thinking about the fact that she must take the bus.

Anthon saw the worry on Gabriella's beautiful face. "Hey, turn that frown upside down," he said touching her lips with his thumb and pulling her chin up to look at her eyes. "I will take you home, everything will be ok, you are ready," he said, drawing her into a hug. "Here is some clothing, my mom got it for you."