"Why do you have an 'A' inscribed into your car?" Lora asked again, her tone more inquisitive this time.
Sarima exhaled slowly, her body still heavy with fever. "I don't know, Lora," she dragged weakly. Lora studied her with concern, then pulled into a parking lot. She helped Sarima out of the car, guiding her carefully into a large clinic and settling her into a seat opposite the reception desk.
"If you're bullied again Sarima, you should let me know so it will be dealt with. Please stop keeping these things to yourself until I find out from someone" Lora said with a worried look. She knew her friend had some enemies who bullied her because of her family's wealth and connections but what worried her more was that she always kept pain to herself. She sighed as Sarima nodded slowly.
She remembered the time Sarima's first car was brought to school. The tires were slashed and on the windows were written ' I'm my rich daddy's adopted baby.' She originally didn't know about it until a video was published on the school's anonymous. She sighed again. Those bullies couldn't face her properly because they knew what would happen so they always hurt her indirectly.
While Lora spoke briefly with the receptionist, confirming the appointment details, Sarima sat back, watching her move. Her breath felt hot and her thoughts jumbled. Why couldn't she remember what had happened in the last thirty minutes?
Lora returned shortly and helped her up again. Together, they walked toward one of the clinic doors. Sarima reached for the handle.
Before she could open it, the door swung open on its own. The most striking man she had ever laid eyes on stood there.
Their gazes met and she didn't know if it was the fever or her messy mindset but bright light descended on him. Something in Sarima's chest tingled instantly. She couldn't look away. It felt like something was pulling her forward, something she couldn't name, couldn't understand, and didn't entirely want to resist.
Before she could move any closer, a firm tug on her arm broke the moment, and Lora guided her inside. "What were you doing, he was waiting for you to come in." Lora whispered. Sarima glanced back once, but the door closed behind them.
Inside the office, a calm voice greeted them. "Have a seat, ladies."
The doctor was a brown-skinned man with a gentle, composed expression that immediately eased the atmosphere.
They sat, and Lora took over most of the conversation, explaining Sarima's condition while the doctor occasionally asked questions directly.
After a brief examination, he wrote a prescription. Yet Sarima found her thoughts drifting back to the man she had seen outside. Strangely, she felt like she had begun recovering the moment she saw him.
She shook her head slightly, as if to bring her thoughts back to reality.
"For how long were you in the rain?" the doctor asked again as she seemed lost in thoughts.
"I didn't stay in the rain," Sarima replied quickly. "I just didn't dry my hair properly yesterday night."
The doctor nodded and continued writing.
When the consultation ended, they stood to leave.
Sarima suddenly placed her hand on his desk a little too loud, startling both him and Lora.
"Could you, nice sir, be kind enough to slip in the name of the young man who left before we came in?" she asked with a bright, expectant smile and the doctor exchanged a confused look with Lora.
"I'm sorry, miss, but we don't disclose patients information, It's policy," he said politely, his tone mildly amused.
Sarima paused, then nodded. "Of course," she murmured.
Outside, they both slumped into the car seats.
Lora turned toward her with an unmistakable smirk. "Love at first sight?"
Sarima didn't answer but she didn't deny it either.
The feeling lingered too strongly for that.
Lora laughed softly, already satisfied with the reaction. "If you could just move your interests from that..." Lora paused as Sarima glared at her. She raised her hands "I mean, there's nothing wrong in liking multiple people, You and Chen aren't even dating so you're not bound to him."
Sarima stared out of the window. "I feel so connected with Chen...Lora...and I'm just admiring the beauty of God's handiwork. The man is indeed beautiful." A small smile broke on her lips.Trying to steer the conversation away, she said "The seminar today was good."
"Mm-hmm," Lora hummed. "Nice try."
Sarima bit back a smile and reached for the radio, switching stations until a news report cut through the static.
"...All five victims were found with their DNA matching traces of sulfuric acid discovered outside each crime scene..."
Sarima leaned back slightly as the report continued.
"...Authorities believe this is the work of a serial killer known as the 'Midnight Venom.' He is also referred to as 'Nightshade,' due to the signature nightshade flower left at each scene..."
She sighed. "A freaking serial killer is on the loose, and all they do is talk."
Lora frowned at the severity of the murder. "Truly, this world is coming to an end."
"It shouldn't," Sarima replied with a faint smirk. "I haven't experienced everything I want to." Her nose tickled and she sneezed.
Lora laughed softly, and Sarima switched the station. Gentle music filled the car.
She leaned back, letting the breeze brush against her face, and soon her eyes grew heavy before she drifted off.
When she woke, the car door had already shut. Disoriented, she blinked slowly.
Lora appeared beside her and helped her out again, guiding her into the mansion. Her hands moved to Sarima's forehead and she sighed. "It's getting worse, you need to rest properly."
They moved through the hallway in silence until voices stopped them near the stairs, maids gossiping in hushed excitement.
"They say he got into enemy territory and killed fifty men alone without being detected," one maid whispered, giggling.
Sarima leaned slightly on the railing, too tired to move further, and looked down at them.
"Should we talk about his height?" another added dreamily.
She watched in silence.
"Did you hear his eyes are blue? Black hair and blue eyes," one said and the group practically swooned.
That caught Sarima's attention and her thoughts shifted. Could it be him? The man from the clinic? The description of black hair and blue eyes matched for such a coincidence.
She glanced at Lora and Lora returned a knowing look.
"I eavesdropped on one of the Ashfords' conversations. He's single and rumor has it that he would lead his family company" she said. Another chimed in "He's hot as a military man, imagine him being a ceo..." She continued "I heard his name is Aetos from a friend who works in the Milton's house."
Sarima's brows raised at such a strange name. Her eyes following their lips and movements.
The maids continued murmuring among themselves until her voice resonated, her tone sharp and commanding. The group quietened immediately.
"It seems your salary is too low for you to abandon your duties and gossip," she said coldly.
They froze instantly and Lora folded her arms in silence.
"The walls have cobwebs, the railings are dusty and yet here you are, standing around like flies. Now get back to work." Her voice lowered in finality.
They scattered immediately.
Sarima rolled her eyes and continued upstairs with Lora following behind.
Once inside the room, Lora collapsed onto the bed laughing.
Sarima shook her head and sat beside her.
"So, Mrs. Aetos," Lora teased, grinning, "what would you do to them for liking what belongs to you?"
Sarima gasped dramatically. "Isn't that too far? You've teased me at least three times today about different men. Do you see me as some sort of player?"
Lora laughed and ruffled her hair. "Sweetheart… you have the tendency."
They both laughed together.
Eventually, Lora stood. "You should go before your father sends an escort." Sarima joked.
"Urgh, that man is so frustrating," Lora groaned, kissing Sarima's forehead before heading out. "Rest well. And always dry your hair properly." She said holding the door handle.
"Alright," Sarima promised with intertwined fingers on her chest.
When she was alone, she lay back on the bed. She felt like throwing up but she didn't want to. Her body felt heavier but her invasive thoughts drifted.
One name lingered in her mind. Strange but unique.
"Aetos…"
Her eyelids grew heavier and she closed her eyes from tiredness.
Darkness settled in.
"…Aetos," she whispered.
A low sound,distant, almost unreal seemed to answer.
"Mm…"