Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Twenty Four

ARIS' POV

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The ambulance arrives in record time and Elodie manages to let them in. I've been sitting with the paramedics for the last ten minutes as they bring me around from my fainting spell. I know it doesn't seem that serious but when you're so distracted with everything else in your life and forget to take your vital medication in the morning, your body begins to shut down.

Luckily I carry extras in my bag for cases like this. I've only been in this situation one other time and I hate myself for letting it happen again. I'm here to look after Elodie, what if something happened and I hit my head? She would have been left alone.

I know she used my phone to call Nick but what if she didn't know how to do that? I fear that she could have gotten hurt trying to look after me when it should be the other way around. Guilt sits on my chest like a tonne of cement. It fucking hurts.

My back perches against the sofa as I listen to the paramedics talk me through what they're doing. I watch as they test my blood pressure, my blood sugar and everything else in between. The pain between my brows is protruding and I take down water through a straw to try and hydrate myself.

Elodie sits beside me holding my hand. She's scared and I despise that I've scared her. Nick said that he's on his way and I'm slightly relieved the ambulance arrived first because I could only imagine that he'd be worried for his daughters safety and I wouldn't be there to defend myself.

The other paramedic calls Elodie over and talks to her about how brave she is for knowing who to ring and that she helped me out. I watch them but I feel so much anger for myself. So many different thoughts flood my mind. Maybe I'm not cut out for this.

I glance at the woman's name tag who is looking after me. Pippa. I clear my throat and she meets my eyes. "Thank you," I tell her even though my mouth is incredibly dry.

"That's okay, we're here to help. She's a smart little girl," she notions towards Elodie.

My lips curl as I watch her being shown around a medics box and what each thing does. "Yeah, she is."

"Are you related?"

"No," I shake my head. "I look after her. I'm her nanny."

Pippa's eyes light up. "How sweet. She's very precious."

"Sassy too," I release a laugh but my chest clenches and I realise that I need more rest than intended. "She was fighting me on food earlier, I don't think that helped my situation."

"I have a seven year old," she shares. "Trust me, I think they get fussier."

I slump back against the sofa and tilt my neck towards the ceiling. "The guy I work for doesn't know about my heart condition," I murmur quietly.

Pippa leans forward. "Why not?"

"He wouldn't have hired me if he knew and I needed the money. I still do." My mouth twitches downwards subtly. "But now I realise that was wrong. I should never put Elodie in danger and I put her in danger today. I'm so frustrated with myself and I've just realised that this probably isn't the job for me. I'm meant to be looking after her. What if something else happened and she got hurt? I'd never forgive myself."

She flashes me a sympathetic smile. "I understand your situation, Aris. But you're right, you should have told him. Not just because of Elodie but for your health too. They might be able to help if they know what to do and if something else happens in the future. You should be honest, I'm sure something can be worked out."

"But I don't care about me," I explain with pinched brows. "I care about that little girl who is relying on me to be there for her. How can I be when I'm not well? I don't know what I was thinking. My health isn't cut out for this."