Mysterious Marriage

Chapter 18 - Disgust

Tate's POV:

God my head hurt. Damn, so did right arm and back. Hell, everything pretty much hurt.

But the pounding in my head hurt more than anything at this very moment.

I pressed my eyes together tightly in an attempt to make it through the next few moments of pain. When that didn't help, I lifted my hand to apply slight pressure to my eyes. Ugh, damn it! I was even having a hard time lifting my arm! For some reason it felt heavy and sluggish. I groaned in annoyance.

"Mr. Anderson?" A gentle, surprised voice asked. I didn't know that voice. I went to open my eyes but it took a few moments to do so. My eyes felt heavy and like lead, and wherever I was laying was super bright. I blinked a few times until finally my sight became clear. A shorter woman with brown hair up in a tight bun and brown eyes smiled brightly at me. I was confused.

Who was this woman?

And why was she wearing... scrubs?

"Where am I?" I spoke, but only managed to whisper gruffly. I looked to her for answers. Her hand came over and gently touched my arm.

"Calm down, Mr. Anderson. You're safe." she withdrew her hand. "You're in the hospital. My name is Amanda. I'm your Nursing Assistant. "

I furrowed my brows. Hospital? Why the hell was I here?!

"Do you remember what happened?" she asked gently, giving me a moment to try and think.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. What had happened? Last I knew I was at the office and Amilee handed me a letter-

My eyes flew open and I looked to the nurse, or whoever she was, in a panic. "Amilee?" I asked, my voice louder than the first time. She raised a brow and then smiled.

"Your wife? She's fine."

"Where is she?" I pressed more. I had to make sure she was safe. If that bastard came after me and I was now in the hospital, then he could surely get to Amilee easily!

"She's down in the cafeteria. I made her take a break. Poor thing has been sick with worry and not eating."

Wait... she was here? Why wasn't she home? And she hasn't been eating? Why would she do something like that? "Has she been here long?" I asked, curious. I watched the woman's features soften in compassion.

"She's been here with you since you came in with EMS in the Ambulance. You are very blessed to have such a caring, loving wife. She's been sleeping on this pull out bed-" she pointed behind her at a small chair that was pulled out as a bed, unmade. The sheets looked as if they had been slept in. "Each night since you've been here. I came in to change the sheets for her while she was out of the room, when I saw you move." She looked at me closely, as if examining me. "Are you in pain? I can grab the nurse."

"A lot of pain, actually." I grumbled, the pounding coming on even harder, and my skin felt as if it was burning. "Why am I in so much damn pain?" I asked, frustrated.

"Give me just a moment, Mr. Anderson." she told me gently still, then quickly walked out of the room. It was only a few moments later when she returned and with a small foam cup in her hand. "Here, it's water. Take a few sips for me please. Your nurse, JoEllen will be right in with some pain medication."

I took the drink with appreciation. I placed the straw, slowly, to my mouth as it felt as if my skin was still on fire and pulling, causing more pain. "Here, let me help." Amanda told me, taking the cup from me. I hated being treated like a child, yet at the moment, I needed it. I was in too much pain to care.