Amelie's POV
I felt better after having a scone, tea, and a good cry. I couldn't help but feel someone was watching me as I sat in the corner of the café, but when I looked up, I couldn't see anyone there. I headed to the bathroom to freshen up and wipe my tear-stained face. Oh my god, I looked like a mess. I dug through my purse to find my makeup bag. Luckily, I had a face wipe, so I freshened up.
I headed to the hospital's front information desk.
"Hi, my brother, Zander Cavanaugh, was brought in earlier, and they said they were moving him to a room. Can you please tell me where his room is?" I politely asked.
"Ah, yes, Zander Cavanaugh, Room 412 on the VIP floor." She spoke.
"I think that's a mistake. We can't afford the VIP floor. Can you please recheck?" I glanced at her, puzzled.
"No, that's his room. We are bursting at the seams today with patients. Dr. Carrera advised the hospital to put your brother on the VIP floor. The hospital is not charging you for the room." She smiled at me. I started to cry. "Oh, sugar, don't cry. Go see your brother; everything happens for a reason."
I whispered a simple thank you and headed toward the VIP elevator. I must remember to thank Dr. Carrera. His generosity had restored my faith in humanity.
I took the elevator to the fourth floor and steadied my breath before stepping out.
Room 412. I stared at the door numbers as I strolled down the hall. 402, 404, 406, 4…thud. What the hell did I just hit? Was there a wall in the middle of the damn hallway? I peered up from the floor. It wasn't a wall unless a wall had long legs with dress pants.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry, miss!" A large hand reached down to lift me. He lifted me as if I were a feather to him, not one ounce of strain.
My eyes fluttered up; I was met by a wide chest, broad shoulders, and up to his face. I let out an involuntary gasp. How is it possible for one man to be so beautiful? His dark, ebony hair, ruffled as if he had run his fingers through it haphazardly, was lush and thick. His face was like that of a Greek god, with chiseled cheekbones and a squared chin. His lips and nose were perfect. The crowning glory of his face was his steel grey eyes. Like the sky during a rainstorm, but warm and inviting.
"It's you," he spoke with a melodic baritone voice.
"Excuse me?" I replied. "Do I know you?" I scrunched up my nose and raised my eyebrow in confusion.
"It's you from the café."
"I'm sorry, you must have me confused with someone else," I said, moving around him to continue walking.
He reached out to gently grab my hand. "Please stay." He pleaded.
"I'm sorry, sir. I don't know who you are, but I need to see my brother," I pulled my hand from his.
"At least tell me your name…" he demanded.
I stared at his pleading grey eyes, and the words tumbled out of my mouth involuntarily. "My name is Amelie." Then, I continued down the hall to Room 412.
Nathan POV
"Amelie," I breathed out. Her name was intoxicating on my lips. "Amelie." A name had upended my life. I wanted to march down the hall into room 412 and take her as mine. I had never had this feeling. Ever. Dr. Nathan Michaels never lost his cool and never pined over a woman, but her magnetic force made me want to possess her, to claim her. Shake your head, Nathan! Have you lost your goddamn mind? The answer was yes.
I approached the ward desk, where a young blond nurse sat.
"Hi, I'm Dr. Nathan Michaels, a visiting physician." Ok, I lied, but it was necessary. Technically, I was a doctor, but not a medical doctor.
"Hello, Dr. Michaels," she smiled as she blushed. "What can I do for you today?"
I glanced at her name tag, "Becky, can I see the chart for the patient in room 412, please, sweetheart?" I said, followed by a panty-dropping grin.
The nurse giggled. "Right away, Dr. Let me just grab it." She stated as she sashayed away. "There you go, Dr. Anything else I can do for you…." She fluttered her eyelashes.
I quickly looked through the chart, pretending to know what I was doing. I handed her the chart back, "No, that's everything…for now." I winked.
I turned on my heels and headed for the elevators. Quickly, I dialed Samuel's number. He picked up the phone immediately. "Samuel, I need you to research all the information you can find on Ms. Amelie Cavanaugh and Mr. Zander Cavanaugh. I need the info like yesterday."
"Working on it right now." Samuel happily stated.
"Thanks, Samuel; let me know when you have any updates. It's important, crucial."
"Sure thing, boss," Samuel replied and hung up the phone.
Amelie, I thought, I hope you're ready to become my wife.
Amelie POV
Room 412. I took a deep breath and gently pushed the door open. Zander lay on the bed, attached to several monitors and IV bags. He looked so pale but so peaceful as he lay sleeping. I sat beside the bed and lightly intertwined my fingers through his. I would do anything to help him get through this. There must be a way to get the money.
I gently brushed his hair out of his face, causing him to stir and turn toward me.
"Hey, little bro, you know if you wanted to take a break from football, you could have just said," I joked with him.
"Ame...I'm so sorry," Zander whispered.
"Why are you apologizing?" I scolded him.
"I know you don't need this right now. We can't afford this now. The doctor said we can delay the surgery if I quit my sports and just hang out."
My heart broke at his statement. I could not let this happen. My brother deserved everything good in the world. He deserved to be an average teen. So much had been taken away from us, and I was unwilling to let this happen to him. I would do everything in my power to afford his surgery. Anything. I would sell my soul if necessary.
"Everything will be okay, Zander. We will make this work." I hugged him and fought back the tears.
"I trust you, Ame," Zander said. "You've never, ever let me down before."
"I will get the money somehow, Zander. I can set up a crowdfunding page for you. I'm sure the school will help with the fundraising."