Vanessa, Vanessa, it's me, Marcel.
"Why is my chest in so much pain," Vanessa thought.
Her eyes were still closed.
"My chest was in so much pain, it was like it could burn off any moment. Did I just hear Marcel's voice? What exactly did he say before I passed out?". She opened her eyes.
Sitting next to her was Marcel, his eyes full of warmth.
Marcel, she muttered.
It's fine, Vanessa, I'm glad you are finally awake. Marcel replied with a wide smile.
Vanessa touched her forehead.
"How long have I been out." She asked, her face eager for an answer.
"Well, it's just been over a day, the doctors tried all they could to bring you back and neutralise the side effects. I am really glad you are back Vanessa."
Marcel lowered his gaze.
"Did I hear well, or was it one of the side effects of the drug? Did Marcel just open his mouth to say he actually loved me? Should I ask him again, what if it wasn't true, maybe the intoxication from the drug may have tampered with my senses, forcing me to imagine things." Vanessa thought.
"You didn't have to, Vanessa, you shouldn't have taken the drug for me. I know it's your job to protect me from harm, but… there should be a limit to some things." His tone soft.
"It was probably the first time I had a decent conversation with Marcel. And it was the first time his voice wasn't arrogant but casual and friendly. What exactly is happening to him, did the injury really get to his head that he changed all of a sudden, but what really bothered me was."
"What is wrong with me?," she thought.
"My job is to protect him, but here I am acting unprofessional and I hadn't realised all this time that I had really grown attached to this spoiled arrogant man, no, it couldn't be love." Her face went pale.
"What is it, Vanessa? Are you okay?". Marcel stood up with a worried look.
"I have a question for you Marcel." Vanessa said, avoiding his gaze.
Marcel held his left arm, as if it were some sort of protection from the question.
Well, she swallowed hard.
"You….. told me, that you lo….. ve me, is that true?." The words struggled to come out of her mouth as she bit her upper lip.
Marcel scratched his head as he looked away.
Silence.
"Don't be silly, Vanessa. I meant it as a big boss, I am. I am not in love with you, don't forget I am engaged to Anna. Do not get carried away and do your job as the bodyguard you are." His face was turned away as he spoke like he was hiding something beneath the mask.
Anna had survived the mall incident. Vanessa almost choked on her spit as she remembered Anna's cruel manners and nature.
"Such a little twit, it was her fault she and Marcel ended up in the hospital, and she had the nerves to walk out unharmed, planning a party with Mrs Eleanor."
"Why did it matter to me so much?, I should know my lane. Marcel could never fall for a girl like me, but why do I feel so hurt, why does it feel like my heart has been pulled out of its plug? Just because he didn't love me." Vanessa thought as she glanced at Marcel.
"Make sure you get better quickly, we have a party to attend tomorrow." Marcel said with his eyes on his sandals, and his tone was rather authoritative.
"Why couldn't he look me in the eye again? A few moments ago, he spoke to me with warmth, and now he was talking like the Marcel I first met."
A doctor walked in, the one who treated Vanessa.
"I am very glad you are awake, we somehow managed to neutralise the effects so you would be fine in no time, and I must say you really are a strong girl." The doctor spoke with a grin.
Vanessa nodded, half-smiling.
"And Mr Marcel has been so worried about you, he hasn't left your side since the incident. He kept asking me if you would be fine and if anything could be done to accelerate your progress. But I kept assuring him that you would be okay." The doctor adjusted his glasses, smiling.
Vanessa glanced at Marcel with a curious look.
Marcel's face went pale as he looked at the ground beneath him.
"Of course I would be worried, I mean, you are my bodyguard, it's your job to protect me. I wanted to make sure you were fine, which is why I had to check up on you." Marcel crossed his arms, his pupils dilating as he stammered.
Vanessa almost laughed.
The doctor turned to leave with his register in his hands, but glanced back.
"By the way, she may be your bodyguard, but the way you stood and watched over her made me see more of a married couple. I have been a doctor for over 45 years, and we don't get to see that regularly."
He walked out.
Bloody old fool, Marcel muttered.
"Why would Marcel do that?, I mean he doesn't love me. Why isn't he at home with Anna right now? Did he mean what he said when he told me he loved me, or was it just boss empathy like he claimed?", Vanessa thought.
"I guess it's just attraction to him that makes me think of him so much. I mean, he clearly is the hottest guy I have ever come across, and I am sure he considers me the most beautiful girl he has met. Vanessa, what's wrong with you? Get a grip on yourself. Marcel isn't onto you, he totally is a nerd and not suitable for you." Vanessa thought.
I think I would leave you to sleep Vanessa, the doctor said I could leave as I have recovered and very quickly too. He frowned.
He turned to leave, but the sleeveless shirt he wore had a threaded rope that clung to Vanessa's white shirt button.
He tried to remove it with Vanessa struggling too but his legs gave way and he fell flatly on Vanessa's bed with a loud thud.
His face was staring at Vanessa's as they locked eyes with each other, their lips slightly apart.