Handcuffed Heiress

26. Accept help when it's given

26. Accept help when it's given

Niko
"She's suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. Her blood pressure is also a little high. We've got her on a drip. The fluids we're giving her should be enough for her to regain some strength. She'll need to eat properly from now on and drink lots of water. Also, she should rest for a few days before going back to work. It seems this was brought on by stress as far as I can tell. Low or no stress for a few days and proper meals and she should be fine." I watched Kaitlyn out of the corner of my eyes while listening to the doctor. It's obvious she can't be trusted to take care of herself. I excused myself as soon as the doctor finished speaking to make a call. Her assistant and publicist were fussing over her although she was still sleeping.

"Niko." I sighed before responding to my father. "Kaitlyn's in the hospital. It isn't anything serious. She's dehydrated and suffering from a mild case of malnutrition. I don't think she's fit enough to be on her own right now. She barely eats and it's obvious she doesn't sleep a lot either."
"What do you want me to do about it?"
"Entrust her to my care."
"I'm not in a position to do that. She's an adult and I am not her parents."
"There isn't a thing you can't do if you want it done. I'm asking you to let this happen. In some ways, she's still just a child. She refuses to take proper care of herself and does nothing if that boyfriend of hers isn't here."
"Uhuh. Let me get back to you." The call ended and I sighed. How stupid do you have to be to not feed yourself properly?

While I waited for my father to call back, I filled out the necessary paperwork. Thankfully it wasn't a lot. My cell rang as I was finishing up. "Padre?"
"You're now her personal and business manager."
"What authority do those come with?"
"As a business manager, she answers to you with regards to the company. She's still in charge but she's second to you. I'll email the specific details once I confirm them with her father."
"He agreed to this?"
"I might have overestimated your abilities. He'll be looking in to you no doubt."

"What about her personal manager?"
"I figured you'd be more interested in that part. She's under your care from now on. So you ensure she eats, rests and takes care of herself. You'll also be held responsible if something happens to her." I expected as much. "Her father will be calling soon. Kaitlyn is not going to like this."
"She doesn't have to. It's for her own good. She can't be trusted to make decisions on her own."
"You would know better than me. Just answer me one thing."
"What is it?"
"Are you interested in Kaitlyn?"
"If I am?"
"Yes or no, Niko." I ran my fingers through my hair. "Yes."
"I see. Then this is where my interference ends."
"What do you mean?"
"It means I can't help you or her. I love you both and I won't choose sides."
"I'm not asking you to."
"You two are on your own. Goodbye, Niko." I didn't understand what he meant about choosing sides, but I let it go. For now I got what I wanted. I was in charge of Kaitlyn's care.

"Ms. Paxton, you need to calm down. The doctors said your stress level is too high."
"What am I doing here?" She started pulling the IV out her arm. "What the bloody hell am I doing here?" Couldn't she relax for a few minutes? "I asked you a question Madeline."
"I brought you here." The poor girl looked liked she was about to piss herself. "You fainted on the way to dinner." She tried to get up. I carefully pushed her back and signalled a nurse over. "You're dehydrated and a little malnourished. You need to stay on an IV for a while. Cursing your assistant isn't going to help you. I was the one who brought you here. I vaguely remember something about you being scared of hospitals. I guess that's why you're panicking now."
"I'm not scared of hospitals," she grumbled. "I just don't like them." I chuckled. "Okay."

"Your father called a few times." I studied the guy who I know as her publicist. He's more casual with her than the assistant. He seemed more of a friend than an employee. "Give it to me." She took the phone and called back her father. I crossed my arms and stood off to the side. Her eyes narrowed and focused on me the entire time she was conversing with her father. My expression never changed. "No, I understand," she said before disconnecting the call.