The conference room was lined with dark mahogany, the polished table reflecting the faces of men who carried influence like a second skin. Kieran sat quietly, back straight, expression unreadable as his father, Henry Moretti, led the discussion.
It was supposed to be a routine business expansion discussion, new ventures, fresh profits.
Today's focus: art.
Mr. Novak, a seasoned businessman with a subtle smirk always lurking on his lips, leaned forward.
"We can hire a few young artists from our own schools. It'll be easy to convince them, and cheaper too."
Henry tapped his fingers against the table, thoughtful. "And what if they don't agree?"
Novak smiled knowingly. "My wife is very good at making people agree. Besides, if we offer certain perks, benefits, and exposure, they won't refuse." His words dripped with confidence.
Kieran listened silently, his mind half-anchored in the room, half wandering elsewhere. He wasn't uninterested; he knew this business mattered, but something in him wasn't fully here.
Then his phone buzzed on the table.
He ignored it at first. The meeting was important. His father's sharp gaze reminded him that distractions weren't tolerated.
Mr. Novak continued talking about contracts and pricing strategies, but Kieran's phone lit up again. This time, the name flashing on the screen caught his attention.
Alena.
Without hesitation, he pushed his chair back.
"Excuse me," he said in a blunt tone, standing before anyone could object. He stepped out of the cabin, thumb pressing the call.
"Yes?" His voice was steady, controlled.
On the other end, the guard's voice came, breathless.
"Sir, Ms. Alena fainted at the art school. I've taken her to the hospital nearby."
Kieran's heart skipped. The air seemed to vanish around him.
"What?" His voice rose, sharper than intended. Heads turned in the conference room; Henry and Novak both looked toward the door, startled.
"Send me the location. I'll be there immediately." He didn't wait for confirmation.
He re-entered the room briefly, his expression unreadable but his urgency impossible to hide.
"Please excuse me. Something urgent has come up. You two continue."
Before Henry could speak, Kieran picked up his blazer and was already gone, strides purposeful, his hand tightening into a fist as he pressed the elevator button.
At the Hospital
The hospital smelled faintly of antiseptic and fresh paint. Kieran rushed through the entrance, his chest tight, heart racing, eyes scanning until the guard appeared.
"How is she? What happened?" His voice was rough, a mixture of fear and demand.
The guard bowed slightly, nervous. "Sir, I don't know exactly what happened to her. She was with her friends, and suddenly she collapsed. I tried to wake her up, but she didn't respond. So I brought her here."
"Where is she right now?" Kieran snapped.
"This way, sir," the guard guided him.
Kieran followed, his heart hammering. When he entered the ward, the sight of Alena hit him harder than he expected.
She lay pale against the white sheets, unconscious. The lady doctor was checking her pulse, writing down notes.
Kieran moved quickly to her side, his voice breaking with urgency. "What happened to her, doctor? How is she?"
The doctor glanced at him, calm but firm.
"She fainted. It seems she experienced a sudden shock, something emotionally disturbing. That's why she lost consciousness. Don't worry, she'll wake up soon. I've given her the required medications."
Kieran exhaled shakily, running a hand through his hair. Relief mixed with unease, and his eyes softened as they fell on Alena.
The doctor looked at him. "Don't worry, she just needs rest. I'll check back in a while. Don't disturb her too much."
Kieran barely heard the last words. His gaze stayed fixed on her, a storm building in his chest.
When the doctor left, he turned sharply to the guard, his tone low, dangerous.
"Tell me everything. From the start."
The guard swallowed. "Sir, I was waiting at the entrance for her. She came out with her two friends. She seemed fine, and then suddenly she collapsed. That's all. I swear."
Kieran's jaw tightened. "Did someone approach her? Did she see someone?"
The guard shook his head. "No, sir. Just her friends. Nothing unusual."
Kieran looked back at Alena, his eyes dark. What did you see, Alena? What could shake you this badly?
A soft movement interrupted his thoughts. Her fingers twitched against the blanket. Her head turned slightly. Her lashes fluttered open.
"Alena," Kieran breathed, immediately leaning closer. "You okay?"
Her gaze was hazy at first, unfocused, as if she was processing reality back together. She blinked, scanning the unfamiliar room, the worried face hovering over her.
Kieran motioned quickly to the guard. "Call the doctor."
The guard nodded and hurried out.
Kieran's hand lifted almost instinctively, brushing back strands of her hair damp with sweat. His voice softened, the tension slipping into something more vulnerable.
"You're in the hospital, Alena. You fainted at school. What happened? What made you collapse?"
Alena looked at him, and the memory slammed back into her: those gray eyes, that haunting smirk, the past she thought was buried. Fear clutched her chest.
Her lips parted, but no words came. She blinked rapidly, forcing the emotions back down, refusing to let them spill.
The doctor entered again, checking her pulse and vitals. "She is stable now," she said kindly. Then her eyes flicked to Alena's face.
"How are you feeling now?" she asked softly.
Alena said in a low voice, "I'm fine".
"Did you see something shocking? Anything disturbing?" The doctor asked again.
Alena's throat tightened. She glanced at Kieran's worried gaze and whispered, "No."
The doctor studied her for a moment. "Are you sure?"
Alena forced her voice steadier. "Yes. I was walking out of school and… suddenly everything went dark. That's all I remember."
The doctor nodded, though her expression hinted at doubt.
"All right. Make sure you eat properly and rest properly. Don't stress yourself. I'll prescribe some medicines. Take them for a few days and avoid overexertion."
Alena gave a small, polite smile.
Kieran listened carefully to the instructions, though his eyes never left Alena's face. When all was settled, he supported her gently, walking her out of the hospital toward the car.
The drive back to the farmhouse was quiet. Too quiet. Alena gazed out the window, her hands folded tightly in her lap, offering him small smiles whenever she felt his eyes on her. Smiles that didn't reach her eyes.
Kieran's grip on the steering wheel was firm. He didn't believe her silence, but he didn't push her, not yet.
At the farmhouse, Alena ate a light dinner, though her appetite was gone. Later, she sat on her bed, lost in thought, until a knock startled her. She flinched before forcing a weak smile as Kieran stepped inside.
"Feeling okay now?" he asked softly, walking over.
She nodded.
"Did you eat?" he asked again.
"Yes," she smiled.
"What about medicine? Did you take the medicine?"
"Not yet, about to take," she admitted, reaching for the pouch. She swallowed the tablet with water, then the syrup, her movements small and tired.
Kieran sat on the edge of the bed, watching her intently.
"Aren't you sleepy?" she smiled at him.
He gave her a soft smile. "Not yet. I just came to check on you," he said simply.
Her heart clenched at the concern in his voice. "I'm okay, Kieran. Don't worry. Maybe it was just… a normal fainting spell."
He leaned slightly closer, his eyes searching hers.
"Are you hiding something, Alena?"
Her heart stuttered at the blunt question. She forced a soft laugh, though it didn't sound natural. "Not at all. Why would I? I was with Jack and Jessi, and suddenly I went blank. Nothing serious."
Kieran held her gaze for a long moment, his instincts screaming otherwise. But seeing her fragile smile, he didn't press further. Instead, he reached out, patting her head gently.
"Just make sure to eat on time. Sleep properly. Don't drown yourself too much in colors and paints."
Her lips curved faintly, nodding.
He lingered a moment, then bent down, brushing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Good night. Rest well."
"Good night," she whispered, watching him leave.
The door clicked shut, and silence returned.
Alena's chest tightened as her thoughts swirled back to that face. Those piercing gray eyes. That smirk. The shadows of the past claw into her present.
She thought she had buried it all. Thought she was moving forward, painting new chapters in her life. But today had ripped open the old wounds.
Her hands trembled. Fear clawed at her inside, not just of the past, but of losing what she had now.
Tears blurred her vision, slipping freely down her cheeks. She buried her face in her hands, sobs shaking her frame.
She cried, again and again, unable to stop.
Because the past wasn't finished with her yet.