It Hurts When It's True (Affaire de Coeur, #1)

Chapter 20: Realization

Two weeks had passed since Maggie started working in the pediatric ward. And it was only in that department that she learned the true definition of 'exhaustion.' Nothing had truly changed either on the distribution of tasks or the treatment she received from the other nurses.

But if there was one thing that had kept her going then she would say that it was Damian's continuous supply of meals. May it have been lunch or dinner, a pack of a well-balanced meal would arrive at the nurses' station. Her co-workers were already wondering about the mysterious sender of her tasty meals. However, she denied them the information they were hungry for just so she could get back at them even if it were indirectly done.

Although Damian had been sending her meals, she had not really seen him for more than a week now. He would send her random text messages or give her a call, but he never dropped by to show himself.

Maggie did not mind his absence at all because she could feel his presence through the variety of warm meals that were being delivered during her shift. She knew she was warming up to him more and more, and she could foresee herself giving in to him sooner or later.

Like always, she still continued to wonder what exactly it was about her that kept Damian around. She would sometimes watch the late night entertainment news program to catch up on what was happening to his career. He was seen with different ladies in his arms, thus, making her wonder if he were really serious about her.

They were all pretty and slim unlike her plain and plump self. She would catch herself looking at herself in the mirror, looking for the anything that could bring her to the same level as the ladies Damian was being linked with. But even how much she scrutinized herself, she could not find any.

And the thought of it would bring her a moment of depression. Yet she would just shrug it off in the end, knowing all too well that she was perhaps attractive in her own unconventional way. After all, the gorgeous Damian Williams had been paying her so much attention these days.

Maggie had already changed into her regular clothes after her morning shift. Her eight-hour shift had been uneventful, except that it was still as tiring as before. She was thankful, however, that she could have a day off the day after.

She was about to leave when she felt her phone vibrating in her bag. Unzipping her bag, she pulled out her phone and found Damian's name flashing on the screen.

"Hey," Maggie greeted in her tired voice.

"What time are going to get off?" He asked.

"My shift had just finished," She replied. "I'm about to leave, actually."

"I'm just around the corner. Wait up for me at the entrance."

Then, Maggie heard nothing, meaning that he had dropped the call without waiting for his response. His voice did not hint any urgency; in fact, he sounded like his usual self. So she wondered why it sounded like he was giving her orders that she had no right to say 'no' to. And that had irked her a bit.

Just when she reached the lobby, she caught a glimpse of Damian's sleek-looking black car. She had already been fascinated the first time, but she was quite in love at the moment.