Begin Again

Chapter Nine

*TW: Anxiety*

"I know you're scared 'cause you've been hurt. I'm right here, ain't nobody gon' control ya."

Trevon's P.O.V.

I hung up the phone and raised my gaze so that I was facing her. My expression seemed to reciprocate her own.

Confused.

Cautiously, I raised the back of my hand and placed it on her forehead, after positioning her in the recovery position.

"You're still hot, Miss Best. Let me put the air conditioning on. Just hold on, the ambulance are on their way."

I stood up to turn the AC on before hurrying back beside her and clasping her closest hand. Whilst waiting for the paramedics, I took this time to examine my fevered secretary. Beads of sweat was dotted on her forehead, with some of her hair stuck into her face. Her cracked lips were slightly apart as if she was barely breathing. Even though she had woken up for a short while now, her eyes were hung low and sunken, as if she was slowly losing consciousness again.

"No, no Miss Best, please stay awake." I started. "We can't have you dying on the job, you still have yet to prove to me that I was right in hiring you."

The corner of her lips arched upwards slightly. I realised talking to her would keep her awake.

"Miss Best...?"

No response.

"Kelly."

A little groan came from her lips. That was something.

"Kelly, wait, don't sleep. You wanted to know why my previous secretary would suddenly leave a well-paid post. I'll tell you."

Her lowered eyes raised slightly so that she could peer into my desperate ones.

"It's funny, really, because I've never told anyone this," I started, giving a nervous chuckle as I fiddled with my tie. "She had been with us when we declared this building ready for business. Hell, she was there when I was working jobs whilst doing placements for various companies. Answering calls from the Human Resources of those companies when I wasn't around, and making sure I had dinner with me whenever I came home at late hours. I..."

I cleared my throat, suddenly focused on the oak wood of my office door.

"I loved her. Despite the many beautiful and alluring women I met during the years. She had been my rock, I suppose. It wasn't always sunshine and rainbows being the CEO. In the past, I had serious competition, which she guided me through. She even sat in that chair over there."

I pointed towards the desk adjacent to mine. My finger wavered slightly as the memories I had with that woman filled my mind. Hastily, I dropped my outstretched hand and returned my attention to the woman beside me.

"But... That's no more, I'm afraid. I probably should have seen it coming, with all the pandemonium that comes along being a young CEO. I just-"

The opening of the door interrupted me as Mrs V hurried inside with the paramedics following behind her.

"Thank you Mr Baxter, you've done the most important part by putting her in that position."

"Thank you, I just want her to be safe..."

"Remind us of her name again, please."

"Kelly Best." Mrs V answered quickly, which made me look towards her in question. It was clear that she was just as equally worried about Kelly's health.

I stood back, helplessly, observing the paramedics continue their efforts to revitalise her, by giving her water and cooling her face.

"Mr Baxter, would you follow me to the corridor, please?"