Beautiful and Deadly

Some distance away, the emergency room buzzed with activity as doctors and nurses hurried past, their scrubs swishing in a flurry of purpose. But the hallway outside the operating theatres was quiet. Callie leaned against the wall, her white coat wrinkled and stained with blood. She tried to compose herself, wiping away the remnants of tears that stained her cheeks. Elias didn’t release his grip on Callie, his eyes penetrating into her soul. ‘What happened?’ he asked, his concern seeping through the sternness in his tone. ‘Why were you crying? And what’s with the blood on your arm?’ Callie’s guard shot up like a fortress wall. She wiped away her tears, determined not to let a stranger witness her vulnerability. ‘It’s none of your business,’ she snapped, her voice tinged with defiance. Elias moved closer, his gaze unwavering. Callie’s breath hitched as she felt his proximity, his presence engulfing her. ‘Maybe it is my business,’ he countered, his voice low and commanding. ‘I don’t like seeing tears in those beautiful eyes.’ Callie’s cheeks flushed, her heart pounding against her ribcage. She wasn’t accustomed to such directness. Her instincts told her to step back, but a small part of her longed for the solace of a comforting touch. Her voice trembled slightly as she met his eyes. ‘It’s nothing, really.’ ‘Then why are you crying?’ ‘It’s nothing,’ she repeated, her voice shaky. ‘Just a bad day.’ Elias moved closer, his gaze unwavering. Callie’s heart skipped a beat, and she stumbled over her words. ‘I-I really can handle it myself,’ she stammered, flustered by his proximity. ‘Did you donate blood?’ Elias demanded. ‘Is that why you have a bandage on your arm and why you look so pale?’ Callie looked away nonchalantly, dismissing his remark. ‘I don’t have to explain myself to you.’ Elias leaned in, his lips dangerously close to hers. Flustered, Callie took an instinctive step backwards, bumping into the wall behind her. Her breath caught, and her mind whirled with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Just then, a familiar voice pierced through the tension, cutting through their conversation like a knife. It was Wendy, the spunky nurse with a fiery spirit and a knack for speaking her mind. ‘Callie!’ Wendy exclaimed, rushing towards them. ‘There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you. How are you feeling? You lost so much blood. Are you all right?’ Callie managed a weak smile. ‘I’m fine, Wendy. Really. Just a little tired, that’s all.’ Wendy’s eyes narrowed, her frustration evident in her tone. ‘Abby is such a pain, you know? Always acting like she knows everything. If it weren’t for you, that soldier wouldn’t have made it. She needs to learn her place.’ Callie patted the nurse’s arm. ‘Wendy, calm down. It’s not worth getting worked up over. Let’s focus on the patients.’ ‘That despicable Abby Colman!’ Wendy’s teeth clenched, still seething. ‘I don’t understand how Simon could choose Abby over you. You two had plans to get married next year, and your relationship seemed so solid. If it weren’t for Abby’s meddling, everything would have worked out perfectly. Simon is such a jerk. He must be after that witch’s wealth and status...’ Wendy’s words struck Callie’s heart once again, breaking it further. She intervened, speaking softly, ‘Wendy, that’s enough. Their relationship has nothing to do with me. I saved that soldier not to prove a point but because I’m a doctor...’ Elias watched the interaction between Callie and Wendy, his gaze shifting from one to the other. A pensive expression played on his face as he assessed the strength and resilience in Callie’s eyes, and the unmistakable anguish in her voice. Thoughts of the photo he had seen in her apartment haunted him—the despicable ex-boyfriend Simon, he concluded. However, the fact that the photo was discarded in the trash can brought him a sense of relief. Elias studied Callie once more, his eyes lingering on the bandage adorning her arm. Nurse Wendy’s words told him that it was a result of a blood transfusion. Impressed by Callie’s dedication, Elias couldn’t help but be drawn to her. She had not only performed life-saving surgery on one of his subordinates but had also donated her own blood for the patient’s recovery. Meanwhile, Wendy, engrossed in conversation with Callie, couldn’t help but notice the tall, muscular man standing nearby. Her eyes widened, and she almost let out a wolf whistle. Clad in a tight-fitting black t-shirt and black pants, the man exuded a commanding presence. His striking features and intense gaze were enough to make anyone weak in the knees. Wendy nudged Callie, pulling her aside. ‘Callie, girl! Do you know who that hunk of a man is?’ Wendy gushed, her eyes filled with excitement. Callie shook her head, her expression wary. ‘I have no idea, Wendy.’ Wendy swooned, her voice laced with admiration. ‘Look at him! He’s like a walking work of art. I mean, seriously, have you ever seen anyone so good-looking?’ Callie sighed, cautioning her friend and colleague. ‘Wendy, you have to be careful. Just remember, the prettier they are, the more dangerous they can be. It’s like in nature—beautiful creatures are often the deadliest.’ Elias, standing nearby, caught wind of their conversation and couldn’t help but smirk. Callie warned Wendy to keep her distance, and yet, here she was, praising his appearance. Elias found her contradictory statement amusing. Unconvinced by Callie’s words, Wendy pressed for evidence. ‘Come on, Callie, you can’t just judge a book by its cover. Is there any proof that he’s dangerous?’ Callie almost revealed the truth, her thoughts drifting back to that rainy night weeks ago—the torn blouse, the forceful kiss. But she caught herself just in time, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She deflected Wendy’s curiosity, dismissing it as nothing. Just as Wendy pressed her for an answer, a soldier in combat gear approached, drawing their attention. Both Wendy and Callie saw him, but paid him no heed. Rosedale Hospital, where they worked, had close ties to the military. It was not uncommon to see soldiers there. The soldier came to a halt before Elias, saluting sharply. He addressed Elias as ‘Lieutenant Colonel Westwood’ and reported that the injured members of their squad, who had been admitted to Rosedale Hospital, were now in stable condition. Elias nodded in acknowledgement, his military instincts taking over.