Chased by a Gentleman

Chapter 13

❝How was your day?❞

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Bridget thought there was progress. But maybe that progress she thought existed was something that her mind created on its own.

After meeting Terrence at the bar, they exchanged phone numbers. At first, they talked frequently, but their conversations went from exciting to not so exciting. Bridget also noticed that she was always the first one to initiate the conversation. But she figured that Terrence was busy since he worked at the hospital. 

Her week couldn't get any worse when her parents forced her to come home. Her folks claimed that Trixy isn't always home and they should value her presence since she's leaving for Paris in two weeks. If only Bridget could express how relieved she is that Trixy won't be settling down permanently in North Carolina. 

"Hey, Bridge. We're leaving in five minutes. Hurry up." Bridget wasn't given a chance to give a reply as Trixy already closed the door behind her. But it wasn't like she was going to acknowledge her words anyways. 

Bridget was finally able to lock the clasp of her heart-shaped pendant necklace that Eloise gifted her a few years ago. She wasn't going to dress up as she knew everything is going to be about Trixy tonight, but your girl couldn't resist it.

Her choice for the night is a white turtle neck paired with some black palazzo pants, and some white boots to match her top. She sprayed some perfume and exited her bedroom.

"What took you so long, Bridget? We're almost late for our reservation!" Her mother scolded.

"All of this doesn't take five minutes, okay?" Bridget remarked as she presented her final look.

"Enough. Let's go." Her father dismissed the situation and marched off to the garage.

"You need to work on your punctuality, Bridge," Trixy whispered as she passed by her. Bridget felt her nails dig inside her palm. She detested being reprimanded in front of Trixy the most. That will just give Trixy a reason to tease her for being criticized by her parents.

Bridget recalled always getting in trouble for refusing to finish her food. Bridget and Trixy were not allowed to eat junk food as kids because their parents valued a healthy diet. But Bridget preferred eating anything that isn't healthy. Her past nannies were always stressed out after trying to make her eat what was on her plate. She would get screamed at by her father for spitting the food she had and claimed that she was wasting food.

Her demon sister will make it worse. She would wear a devilish smirk behind their father's back while her face was being screamed at by their strict dad, and when he leaves, she would say infuriating words. She would say; "Vegetables are good, you know? What's so hard in eating it?" or "Why are you so picky? I can eat this all day." 

Those words were not said to encourage her to eat. Those were thrown at Bridget to tell her that she's the perfect child while Bridget is the child who gives headaches.

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"Good work everyone! Get home safe!" Brahms announced as he packed his bag. He grabbed his car keys and made his way to the parking lot. He then realized that he wasted his time taking the elevator to the parking lot when he remembered that his car was borrowed by a friend of his.

Another day went by and he can finally go home. But his rest time isn't guaranteed. He can go home, probably get some sleep and get a call from his colleague that there is a patient in critical condition.

He stood in front of the hospital's entrance as he watched the rain pour. Even the sky gave up and poured. Will he encounter himself quitting this job? His parents spent so much money on medical school and he missed the climax of his college life all because of this major he chose. Why will he waste all of this?

He walked towards the vending machine and bought himself a can of soda. He placed a bill inside the slot and nothing came. 

"It ate my money again," He calmly stated. Brahms attempted to slap the machine but nothing happened. He had no choice but to pull out another bill.

To his surprise, two drinks fell out of the machine. "This machine is a scam."

He stood there and enjoyed his soda while he watched people go through the trouble to cross the street without an umbrella. 

"Haven't left yet?" He looked to his side and saw Eloise sticking her hand out to feel the raindrops fall on her palm.

"No umbrella."

"Don't you have a car?"

"Someone had to borrow it."

Brahms was supposed to feel giddy that Eloise was there beside him. But his body couldn't take it anymore. Imagine. All day, you handled so many young patients which are mostly brats and you only get two hours of rest. He wanted to smile and initiate a conversation. But his mind kept thinking about how soft his bed is.

"You must've had a long day." Brahms did not reply. He slowly turned to look at her. He took notice of the bags under her eyes. 

He handed her the extra beverage he had purchased from the vending machine. "Have some of this."

"Thaaank you!" She said, extending the tone of the thank part.

"How was your day?" Eloise asked as she took her first sip.

"Nothing different. Lots of crying patients and lots and lots of tantrums." Brahms was usually calm, but he said that with so much passion. He sounded so...tired.

"Where are you from?" Eloise asked out of the blue.

"Manchester."

"If you don't mind me asking. How did you end up here in America?"

"Well, I applied to Maximo University and got in." He applied to tons of universities and miraculously got accepted to every single one of them. Leaving his family back home was the hardest part. He had to depart and start living in a foreign country with no one to talk to and trust. But he somehow made it out alive.

"Wait! You're an alumnus?" Eloise exclaimed as she covered her mouth.

"That's right." Brahms couldn't help but smile at her reaction. Hearing him speak up close and hearing his accent made Eloise feel so different.

She thought her little phase crushing on Brahms was over. But his voice alone was so powerful to her. 

"Hey, Eloise."

"Hm?" She replied as she took another sip from her drink.

"Does it sound weird, if I tell you that I have feelings for you?"