Smoking Mirrors

Chapter 8: coffee date

Natalie sat at the nurses' station, sipping the hospital's notorious coffee and wincing at its bitter taste. She couldn't help but frown, her eyes scrunching up in distaste.

Just then, Rachel walked by, a bright smile on her face. "Hey, Natalie! What's wrong? You look like you're about to spit out that coffee!"

Natalie laughed, shaking her head. "This coffee is atrocious. I don't know how you people drink it every day."

Rachel chuckled, walking over to her. "Well, we've learned to appreciate its...unique flavor. But I have a better idea. Why don't I take you out for a decent cup of coffee? My treat!"

Natalie's eyes lit up. "That sounds amazing. When were you thinking?"

Rachel grinned mischievously. "How about now? I'm done with my rounds, and I could use a break. Plus, I want to hear all about what's been going on in your life."

Natalie smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Okay, sure. I'd love to catch up."

Rachel's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Great! Let's go! I know just the place."

And with that, Rachel dragged Natalie out of the hospital, away from the terrible coffee and into the bright sunlight, chatting and laughing like they used to.

Rachel led Natalie to a quaint little bistro, its patio filled with vibrant flowers and the soothing sound of a water fountain. They settled into a cozy corner table, surrounded by lush greenery and the warm sunshine.

As they perused the menu, Rachel chattered excitedly about everything from her favorite TV shows to her latest shoe purchases. Natalie laughed and joked, feeling a deep connection to her friend.

Rachel's eyes locked onto Natalie's, her voice barely audible. "I'm in love with someone. Someone I shouldn't be feeling this way about."

Natalie's heart raced, her mind racing with possibilities. "Who is it?" she asked, her voice soft.

Rachel's face was a mask of guilt and longing. "I can't tell you. You wouldn't understand."

Natalie's thoughts were reeling. She had no idea Rachel was hiding something so big. "Try me," she said, her voice encouraging.

Rachel's eyes searched hers, as if looking for a glimmer of hope. "He's...connected to someone in your life. Someone you care about deeply."

Natalie's mind was racing. Who could it be? Her husband Alex? Her brother Justin? The possibilities were endless.

Rachel's eyes sparkled with emotion. "I feel like I've found my soulmate, Nat. But it's scary, because what if he doesn't feel the same way?"

"Rachel, you're scaring me," Natalie said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Who is it?"

Rachel's eyes filled with tears. "I can't, Natalie. I just can't."

Natalie's heart went out to her friend. She reached out and took Rachel's hand, her grip warm and comforting. "Whatever it is, Rachel, I'm here for you. We'll face it together."

But Rachel's eyes flashed with a warning, a silent plea to drop it. And Natalie knew she had to respect her friend's secrets, no matter how hard it was.

Natalie brushed her arm. "You have to tell him, Rachel. Honesty is always the best policy, especially with someone you care about."

Rachel nodded, determination etched on her face. "You're right. I'll do it."

As they finished their lunch and prepared to part ways, Natalie felt a sense of admiration for her friend's courage. Little did she know, Rachel's confession would set off a chain reaction of events that would change their lives forever.

As Natalie and Rachel parted ways after their lunch, Natalie headed back to the hospital to finish her rounds. She walked through the familiar corridors, her mind still reeling from Rachel's confession. She couldn't shake off the feeling that her friend's secret was somehow funny it was like a highschool crush.

As she turned a corner, she noticed a familiar figure standing by the nurses' station. Michael. Her heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and she felt a flutter in her chest. What was he doing here?

Natalie approached him, her eyes narrowing. "Michael, what are you doing here?"

Michael's smile was charming, but Natalie wasn't fooled. "I came to visit my grandmother," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "But I saw you and thought I'd say hello."

Natalie raised an eyebrow. "You just happened to be in this corridor, at this exact time?"

Michael's eyes glinted with amusement. "Coincidence, Natalie. That's all."

But Natalie's instincts screamed that he was hiding something. And then, without warning, he reached out and pulled her into a nearby storage room.

As Michael pulled Natalie into the storage room, she felt a surge of adrenaline mixed with a hint of fear. The room was small and dimly lit, with shelves lining the walls, stacked with medical supplies. Michael's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze intense and unyielding.

"What do you want, Michael?" Natalie demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

Michael's smiled his voice low and husky. "I want to talk to you, Natalie. About us. About what happened."

Natalie's heart raced as she tried to process what was happening. She had thought they were done, that they had closure. But the look in Michael's eyes told her otherwise.

"There's nothing to talk about, Michael," she said firmly, trying to sound convincing.

But Michael's eyes never left hers, his gaze burning with an intensity that made her skin prickle. "Don't lie to me, Natalie," he whispered, his voice low and menacing. "We both know there's unfinished business between us."

Natalie's mind raced as she tried to think of a way to escape, to get out of this situation. But Michael's grip on her arm was firm, his fingers digging into her skin like a vice.

Suddenly, the door behind them burst open, and Rachel stood there, her eyes wide with concern. "Natalie, what's going on?"

Michael's eyes never left Natalie's face, but his grip on her arm relaxed slightly. "Just a little chat, Rachel," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Don't worry about it."

Rachel's eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking between Natalie and Michael. "I don't think so," she said firmly, her voice commanding. "Natalie, come with me. Now."

Natalie didn't hesitate, pulling her arm free from Michael's grasp and following Rachel out of the storage room, leaving Michael standing there, his eyes blazing with anger and frustration.