Against The Odds: Guarded

14

MAYA POVA

As I entered the hotel, I couldn’t be more confused. Everything from last night’s unfinished argument and this morning’s kiss leaves me wondering what it all means for us right now. As I got in the elevator I wrapped Lucas jacket tighter around me and began to daydream, wishing it were his arms and not just a coat, but at the same time, battling the offsetting feeling of having a very serious discussion to continue.

Lucas wants us to work and I do too, but there is a feeling that loom deep within me that says that this may not be able to be resolved. Everything is still uncertain between us, but as nerve wracking as it is, to know that a flame of desire is still there makes all of the headache seem worth while.

I stumbled off the elevator to be greeted by none other than Dr. Koch who was already dressed and silently judging me by my appearance.

“Miss Hart, it’s nice to know that you had a good time last night by the looks of it. However, you’re getting ready to run on my time now. You smell like a brewery. I did not bring you to London for trivial matters. You’re here to work and I expect you to act as such. I also expect you to be ready, presentable, and professional in no more than forty five minutes. You will then meet me in the lobby and accompany me to the conference where I will expect you to act as a sponge, listening to soak in everything that’s said there. I’ll be quizzing you afterwards. Are we clear?”

I looked at Dr. Koch and felt the stress of the day already as I answered and apologized for my lack of professionalism. His steel blue eyes looked me up and down before pursing his lips and reaching past me to press the down button for the elevator. I began to walk towards my room utterly embarrassed and red in the face, only turning back around when Dr. Koch called my name again.

“Oh and Miss Hart?”

“Yes, Dr. Koch?”

“I have your new prescription ready. You can get it from me when you’re presentable...You’ve forty minutes left.” Dr. Koch looked at his watch before the door closed as if he was actually timing me, and I knew for a fact that he was.

I ran to my room removing clothes as soon as the door closed behind me. I jumped in the shower for ten minutes, hoping that the scrubbing done in such a short amount of time fully removed the smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke from the party out of my pores. When I got out I dried off quickly and rummaged through my clothes to find something to wear. I only have twenty minutes left and my hair is still wet. I feel myself get slightly anxious under the pressure, but nowhere near as bad as last night at Lucas house. I can’t even think about him being in the hospital for too long. The thought of him lifeless on a table while doctors try to pump his stomach and bring the color back to his cheeks makes me feel weak and the anxiety attacks start up again.

I quickly pick my black dress pants, a cream colored sweater, and the black ankle boots from last night to wear to the conference. With only ten minutes to spare, I quickly wrap my hair in a neat bun surprised by the outcome of it. Before leaving my room, I grab my key card, my phone; which is now barely charged, my notebook, and Lucas jacket instead of my own when I head out of my door. I can see the elevator doors about to shut but Peyton holds them open for me so that I can make it in time.

“Thank you.” I huffed before taking a deep breath. Peyton chuckled and then raised an eyebrow at me.

“You’re winded. What happened?”

“I saw Dr. Koch when I was coming back in the hotel from last night. I looked a mess; I can’t believe he saw me like that. Anyway, he told me I had to be ready in forty minutes so I had to rush. He doesn’t play around with time.”