What? That’s about as close to a “thank you” as I could manage. Besides, it’s sincere. Linden tea is awful, and I’m doing her a favor.
My siblings are all back in their respective cities now, which makes my life a bit simpler. I love them, but I really don’t need them snooping around and digging into whatever’s going on between me and Lauren Green. Hell, I barely have answers for myself, let alone for them.
Today’s a big day, though. I’ve got the initial investors’ meeting, and everything needs to be perfect. That’s why I got to the office early—so I could have everything squared away before the noon meeting with Mr. Lee. The plan? Take him to lunch, charm him, and make sure he can’t help but throw money my way. Easy. At least, that was the plan.
By noon, my phone buzzes, and I see a message from Lauren.
Bunny:
Your 12 o’clock appointment was canceled.
What the hell? “Lauren!” I shout, staring at the door.
She peeks her head in, her perfect face framed by the door, but hesitates to step inside, probably sensing the storm brewing.
“I was counting on that meeting. Did he say why it was canceled?” My voice is sharper thanintended.
“Her secretary said he had a commitment he couldn’t reschedule. Do you want me to call her?” Lauren asks, stepping just inside but keeping a cautious distance.
“No, I’ll call him myself,” I snap, frustrated. As she starts to retreat, I add, “Stay there. I’m not done with you.”
She freezes in place.
I sit back, my mind racing.
If the project starts like this, it’s doomed.
Anxiety pulses through me, tightening every muscle. I push up from my chair and start pacing the room, like a bull looking for something to charge at, scrolling through my phone for the contact. Suddenly, a sharp pressure hits the center of my chest, like an ACME anvil just dropped out of nowhere. The weight is so heavy, it forces me to collapse into the lounge chair. My breathing quickens, and for a split second, I feel like I’m suffocating.
What the hell is happening to me?
“Silas? What's going on?” Lauren's voice cuts through the haze as I try to catch my breath, massaging my chest like that’ll somehow make the pain disappear.
“I don’t know ” My words come out ragged, almost strangled.
Suddenly, my left arm starts tingling, and a wave of heat spreads across my body. What the hell is happening?
“Does your chest hurt?” Her voice sharpens with urgency, but there’s something else—an eerie calm, like she’s diagnosing me.
“Yes ... What the hell is this?” Panic grips me. The tightness is unbearable now, and my breath comes in short, painful bursts.
Lauren moves quickly, steadying me as I slump back in the chair. One hand presses gently against my forehead, and the other checks my pulse. I feel her focus—it's like she's switched into another mode entirely. “Do you feel nauseous?” she asks, her eyes locked on mine, searching for something I can’t quite grasp.
“Yes. How do you know?” I try to finish the question, but the words barely come out. I'm gasping for air, the room spinning.
Lauren grabs my phone out of my hand and starts speaking rapidly,rattling off the company’s address and details in a voice that sounds a thousand miles away.
“What are you doing? Don’t call 911, I’m fine,” I protest, trying to push her hand off my forehead and force myself to stand. But my legs are like jelly, barely responding, and I feel like I’ve just run a marathon. A wave of dizziness hits, and I slump back down.
“Stay put, Silas,” she commands before darting out of the room.
Sweat pours down my face and back, and my throat feels like it's closing up. The urge to vomit rises, and my vision starts to blur, like the whole world’s tipping over. Suddenly, I hear her voice again. “Open your mouth,” Lauren orders. I hadn’t realized my eyes were closed. She’s standing over me, placing a pill on my tongue. “Chew it and swallow,” she says firmly.
I follow her instructions, mostly because I don’t have the strength to argue or question it. For all I know, she could be giving me something lethal—but I’m too out of it to care. I just want the pain to stop.
“What ...” I try to ask what it is, but the words barely form.
“Aspirin,” she says, reading my mind. “The doctors are on their way. Try to stay conscious, okay? Stay with me, Silas.”
