Chapter 1 | A Strange Patient

Kiara woke up with a slight pain in her head. She blinked for a while and tried to regain her consciousness. She found herself lying on a hospital bed. Her friend and co-worker, Beth, was there with her.

Beth looked at her with surprise, "Oh, thank God. Do you want a glass of water?"

"Yes, please." Kiara drank the water as if she has been lost in the middle of a desert. She felt really thirsty. She then gave the empty glass to Beth. Her eyes swept to everyone around her. She looked at Beth again with confusion, "What happen?"

"You fainted again. Sawyer found you lied unconsciously near the bathroom. You're lucky he found you. Tristan and I weren't there when it happened."

"And where's Sawyer?"

"He's still in the shop. He refused to leave and told us to bring you here."

"Thanks."

Not long after that, Tristan and a doctor came in a hurry. They, especially Tristan, looked so worried about Kiara. Even though they saw that Kiara was already awake.

The doctor then started to examine Kiara. He checked Kiara's blood pressure and heartbeats. He took a mini flashlight from his pocket, turned it on, and moved it in front of Kiara's light brown eyes.

He turned off the flashlight. The doctor seemed okay though. There must be nothing serious with Kiara's health. "Does your head hurt?"

"Yeah, just a little. I'm sure it will go away in itself. Don't worry, Doc, this is not my first time fainted at work."

"I'll prescribe you aspirin and paracetamol."

Kiara shook her head, "No, don't, please. It's okay. I got lots of it at home."

"You sure about that?" the doctor asked again. This time he looked at Kiara strangely. She didn't look pale enough that you can easily point out that she was sick. Her weight was perfect too, not malnourished nor obese. No brittle nails. No chapped lips. No sign of illness.

Then what makes her faint?

"Do you consume enough calories every day?"

"Sure. I never went on a diet."

"How's your period?"

"It's normal. I get it every month."

"Have you visited a doctor before?"

"Yes, and none of them said there's something wrong with me. Or my brain. Or my organs."

The doctor frowned, "That's really odd, Miss Grimoire. Do you…"

"Uh, Doc," said Tristan before the doctor finished his words. "Can we talk with her for a while, please?"

"Sure. Just let me know if there's something happening again." The doctor left. Sure, just like another doctor who also got a visit from Kiara, he has no idea what exactly happened with his patient.

Tristan sat on the edge of the hospital bed, "Why don't you take your prescribed aspirin again?" He placed his right hand on Kiara's thigh and caressed it with his thumb, "I'm so worried about you."

"I just… I just don't want to be too dependent on the medicine. I'm not a car that can't function without motor oil." Kiara moved her gaze for a moment towards Beth, "She said Sawyer told you two to bring me here. Does he also going to pay for the hospital expenses?"

"Sorry to break your heart, but the answer is no. You know how stingy our boss is, do you?"

"Oh, and I just received his text," Beth continued while looking at her phone. "He says it would be better if you don't come to work for a week or so since this is not the first time you made a mess."

Kiara chuckled, "What the… Did I make a mess? You guys know that I wasn't pretending to be a weak and pathetic girl, right?"

"I'll cover your bill."

Kiara looked at Tristan with surprise, "No, no, you don't have to do that."

Tristan smiled, "It's okay. I know how important money is for you. Don't force yourself, Kiara. Take a rest as you need." He took his phone and black leather wallet, "Wait here, I want to go to the administration."

Beth whistled. "He does really like you, Girl," she teased while sitting in Tristan's place. "You better give him a date to thank him."

"That's the problem, Beth. I never liked him more than as a friend, and, uh, I don't think I owe him a date?"

"But he's freaking hot. If I were you, I would a hundred percent date him!"

"Then what are you waiting for? Just ask him," Kiara said jokingly.

"He wouldn't accept it because…" Beth pointed her right fingertip to Kiara's chest, "You're the one who stole his heart."