Chapter 2: Delicious Encounter

Edward's POV

It was almost time for the stakeholders meeting at the office, but I couldn't possibly leave my grandfather's bedside. He has been in the hospital for almost a year, and he is in quite a critical condition at the moment. I grabbed my jacket quickly from the table and proceeded to the doctor's office when I bumped into her.

"Can't you watch your steps?" Joe, my bodyguard yells at the young lady who looked like she was going to burst into tears any moment.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she said repeatedly, while impulsively approaching me to wipe the water she had spilled on my suit. I jerked backward reluctantly, wondering if this girl knew who she was about to touch.

She had the most beautiful blue eyes that I had ever seen. Her lips, which were curtly pursed, were succulent and inviting.

She was clearly not my type, though. There was something about her that was off, and not to my taste.

She was dressed shabbily, and I wondered if she didn't have a mirror in her house.

“Stop!” I held her hand instinctively, stopping her from making any contact with my suit or my body. “There will be no need for that”

The skin on her hand and palm was so smooth and delicate that I could hold it all day.

Her hand trembled in mine, and she looked somewhat pale. I could tell that she was deeply worried about something.

She withdrew her hand quickly, and I could smell that sweet fragrance of apple mixed with candy that my Mama always wore.

“I'm in a rush, right now. Please, forgive me, Sir…” Her beautiful lips moved so quickly that I could hardly understand a thing she said, not that I cared, anyway.

My attention was focused on something else… her boobs. I don't think she had the time to dress up properly because I could tell that she wasn't wearing a bra.

She was breathing quickly, and with each breath she took, her boobs moved with it.

I wasn't sure of what was happening to me. I was both disgusted and somewhat attracted to her in ways that I couldn't explain.

Before I could make another word, she zoomed off.

“Edward,” Liam, my bodyguard quickly glanced at his wristwatch, then continued, “You've just twenty minutes before the meeting commences.”

I wasn't listening. I was still looking at her as she left, wondering who she could possibly be.

“Sir?”

“Yes, Liam?”

“Do you want me to run a background check on her?”

“Don't worry. That wouldn't be necessary.” I said, then, added, “Don't you think she looks like Sara in a way, though? They have the same kind of lips. I must admit that she's way more beautiful than my ex, though, but then…”

“I thought you've gotten over Sara,” Liam said. I could tell that he was clearly disappointed. He never liked Sara, but he never gave a tangible reason as to why he despises her.

“I have,” I said, but even I wasn't sure if I believed myself, “or at least I'm trying to.”

Liam didn't continue the conversation, and I let out a sigh of relief.

I entered the doctor’s office, leaving Liam to wait outside.

The doctor seemed to be deeply engrossed in whatever he was doing, as he didn't notice my presence. I coughed slightly, and he looked up.

“Welcome, Edward,” he gestured towards an armchair, and I sat down.

My heart was practically in my mouth, and I willed myself to calm down.

“We've tried everything within our power. I'm sorry, but, Mr. Tony's days are numbered. It'd be better to hold a family gathering, and honor his last wishes if there are any.”

I wondered how doctors found it easy to relay such messages without empathy. It seemed as though he had just finished reciting an anthem and he was patiently waiting for an answer.

Mr. Tony's my grandfather. I was very much closer to him than I am to my biological father.

“Does he know?” I managed to find my voice after some minutes of silence.

“Yes,” the doctor stood up and picked a file from the other table, then sat down again.

I took the file from him and studied it. Yes. My grandfather had a terminal disease and had just days to live.

I looked up at the doctor, but, he was already busy on his laptop.

Without a word, I stood up and left.

“What happened?” Liam asked. When I said nothing, he took the file from my hand and went through it.

Liam is like family to me, aside from being my bodyguard. He knows certain things about me that no one else knows.

After going through the file, Liam gave me a gentle hug. I was fierce with everyone but Liam. People were scared of me and had heard and believed several rumors about me.

However, it's only Liam that truly sees me for who I am, and doesn't judge me based off of rumors.

I was vaguely aware of my surroundings and I felt numb all over.

A lady, dressed in a blue gown, whom I presumed to be a nurse passed us briskly and entered the office. Shortly after, the doctor came out of his office. Barely noticing that I was still around, he brushed past me and went towards my grandfather's room.

Scared that something might have happened, I ran after him.

**********

I stood outside the ward and watched my grandfather struggle for his life. I was not allowed to enter the world, as he was in the Intensive Care care Unit (ICU).

My heart fell into my stomach and I felt like throwing up when I noticed the doctors whispering amongst themselves. My legs refused to move and my body felt like jelly.

The doctor came out of the ICU, removed his slippers and gloves, put on his shoes, and then faced me. I already knew what he was going to say.

“I'm sorry, Mr. Edward, we did everything we could, but we couldn't save Mr. Tony.”

I couldn't make any words even though I wanted to scream. I entered the room and walked up to my grandfather's bed, where his dead body lay.

I was still trying to wrap my head around what happened when I heard a loud scream not far from me. I looked sideways and saw the mysterious beautiful lady that I encountered in the hallway not long ago.

She was crying hysterically, and holding on to a middle-aged woman, who lay peacefully on her sickbed.

‘That must be her mother,’ I muttered under my breath, grateful for anything that could distract me from my present situation.

Maybe her Mama died, too. Well…

…But, it was only when the young, beautiful lady, collapsed on the floor, did I rush over to her rescue.

I did not care about other people. Rumor had it that after my break up with Sara, I turned cold and bitter. I wasn't exactly who I used to be before.

In addition to that, I had resented women a lot. To me, they were they were deceitful creatures who used men as a means to an end.

But, strangely, something about me cared about this mysterious young beauty who seemed to be in distress.

What exactly happened? I hoped that for her sake, her mother was still alive.