Heartbeat

F O U R

《Thurs. June. 30th, 2016》

Albeit having finished all my heaped up work, I couldn't relax, my mind couldn't shut down that night, it kept thinking. Millions of thoughts were swarming in my head, all of them were about her.

What's exactly wrong with her? She talked about having a heart attack, and those irregular heartbeats of hers. Is it possible she has a heart condition? And is she actually dating her doctor? Of course, she is they were kissing each other, for God's sake.

When these thoughts passed, empathic concerns replaced them and blocked my sleep.

Is she alright? What is she doing right now? Is she back at her house? Or is she still at the hospital?

I feel guilty to what happened to her. I shouldn't have snapped at her the way I did. I'm usually composed when it comes to dealing with arguments, but with her... she sparked something in me that made me break- break out of my norm. However, it wasn't supposed to happen, and it won't again.

***

With meagerly two hours of sleep, I headed to the office, the Everett's project meeting was set to be at 10. I had 3 hours to look over everything. As I reached the financial papers, I remembered the budget, it's still with Ms. Samuels. I guess it's time I talk to her.

She sat down in the chair in front of my desk after greeting me, her eyes were wary, her posture was nervous and her hands were fidgety. Her eyes then landed on me, they looked right into mine, they spoke volumes before she and I did. "Thank you for paying my hospital bill Sir. I'll be paying you back the money."

Oh.

I nodded my head, not expecting to her say that, "Of course you are, it's coming out of your paycheck." As response she nodded her head, so I took it as a sign to continue speaking. I wanted to ask her about the budget, but it seemed like my tongue wanted to inquire about something else, "I noticed this weird relationship with your doctor. Are you two... dating?"

My question took us both off guard. Wide eyed and shocked she looked at me. "Sir I don't think that concerns you."

Of course it doesn't you idiot!

"Right, this isn't my concern nor is it our topic."

Ask her about the budget.

"Ms. Samuels, I want you to tell me what went wrong with you yesterday. Are you... sick?"

... The budget?

She sighed, "Again sir this isn't your business to ask about."

"It is Miss. So please just answer my question."

Isabella looked away, "I... have a heart condition."

I stopped for a second, well I kind of expected that, but hearing it worried me. "Miss, you have been working at our company for the past six years since my father was here. Right? Right. Did he know about your condition?"

She shot me an incredulous look, "Of course he knew. If you don't believe me you can check in my profile."

Right! The employee's files, how could have I forgotten? I coughed awkwardly, "Well. Miss I don't know if my father had informed you about you this before you applied, but we don't employ people with chronic conditions and diseases. Many people apply with cancer, stroke, lung diseases, and many more, but we never accept them. None of them. So what makes you any different?"

Her glare could have killed me as she spoke, "Nothing makes me different. I simply applied and then your father put me through a long internship before I began working. Also, since when did this stupid rule exist? Nobody has ever mentioned it." She scoffed, "What do you even have this for?"