It was almost dusk already and Ciara had almost finished with her patient for the day. This time, she was not really as exhausted as she used to be —in fact, she seems to prefer him better than her last few patients.

He is responsive and easy to communicate with, his state was not that better due to the much injury he sustained —but still, he acted like he was much okay.

At first, Ciara had wanted to declined being his private nurse, but after much persuasion from the doctor, she finally agreed. Well, not because she wanted to.

Finding out about the cause of the accident, Ciara felt she could relate to it —she had a familiar incident but not with her, it was her parents. There is only but one difference in it.

Ryan was lucky enough to have survived, but her parents did not, they died in the scene. Looking into it several times, she believed it wasn't just an ordinary or a random accident, something fishy was related to it.

—this made her grow interest in becoming Ryan's private nurse. ‘Maybe I might find some clue from him…’ That was her thought before accepting.

Today was her first day with him, she only focused on making friends with him just for him to feel comfortable when she's around, this way, she might get closer enough to him to get some clues.

With a small smile on her face, Ciara jotted down some few things on her pad. “Aside your lower abdomen, did you feel strange pain anywhere again?” She asked him as she tucked behind her left ear, the few strands of hair that fell on her face due to how she tilted her head.

He shook his head in a negative response. “Not at all…" He stated simply. “—and if I do feel one, it's endurable compared to my lower abdomen.”

Her smile was reassuring. “The injection may have worn off, but the drugs would last long enough to help reduce those pains in no time.” She uttered in a professional tone.

“Yeah. I know, right?” That was his simple response, before laying back on his bed. “If you don't mind —I'll love to get some rest and will need not to be disturbed.”

She felt slightly offended by his words but shrugged the thought of her mind, he might not mean it as she has thought and besides, she was also planning to leave.

She had wanted to help him but just with his palm raised, she understood the message which made her retreated her steps back —he'll be fine on his own.

“Ah —yeah.” She muttered in reply as she watched him lay back on the bed. “I was just about leaving. I'll be…"

The soft few taps on the door cut her off abruptly. She craned her neck, snapping it towards the door's direction. A lady was standing outside the door and maybe waiting on her approval to enter —it was the hospital's janitor.

“Come in, Ms…" She beckoned to her, giving her the permission she needed. Without wasting another second, she entered and bowed slightly to Ciara in greeting.

She reciprocated, smiling in reply. “Is it time to clean his ward yet?” Ciara asked the janitor, who shook her head negatively in reply.

“No —the doctor seeks your presence when you are done for the day.” The janitor explained in reply. “He said you should make sure everything is going on fine before closing your duty.”

“Sure, I will. Thanks for the message…" Ciara uttered airily. With this, the janitor excused Ciara, exiting the room.

She packed the left over of her tools on the tray and prepared to leave. “I'll get going now, Mr. If you need anything, just…"

He cut her off abruptly, giving her no chance to complete her words. “Quit talking and just go already…" He told her, his voice seemed like it was rising. “I'll be fine on my own, I need no help from anyone.”

Ciara shrugged her shoulders lightly, turned to leave. “Fine, you should have a goodnight rest then…"

He did not bother to respond to her, seeing this, Ciara exited the room and left him alone to himself —just as he wanted…

******

“You can have your seat.” Ryan's mother offered her, her facial expression was blank as it gives no hint on whatever she might have in mind.

Ciara did not know the cause of it, but she feels tensed, and her heart was almost racing fast in her chest, the look on the older woman's face was nowhere near soothing.

‘Why would she want me here in the first place?’ She could not help but ask herself as she tries hard to avoid a direct gaze with the older woman.

Pushing her thoughts aside, she reluctantly took her seat as offered, breathing in slowly. “The doctor informed me that you want to see me before today runs out completely.” She expertly stated, her expression was calm and inviting —unlike the older lady.

Slightly, nodding her head a few times for a couple of seconds, before opening her mouth to speak. “Yeah, I did tell him.” She cited simply, earning a mouthed ‘oh’ from Ciara. “I have come to learn that you are Ryan's assigned personal nurse, am I right?”

“Ahh —yeah, true.” Ciara responded almost immediately, nodding her head curtly. The resemblance was there when she first set her eyes on the older woman —and also, the doctor had told her about it beforehand.

“Earlier today, I saw how he was doing well around you…" Ryan's mother began, drawling her tone. “—well, I must commend your skills because it's really rare to see Ryan laughing with someone he doesn't even know.”

It wouldn't have been nice if Ryan's mother decided to be straight with her —that was her thought. She can't possibly tell her he never laughs or smiles except if it's his girlfriend in the picture.

Ryan's mother had never for once, liked her, not even a bit, and she did not want her for his son, but Ryan was never ready to listen to her, he insisted on being with her.

Over the few years, she had tried fixing him up with other ladies, setting him up for a blind date on numerous occasions, however, none of it turned out as she had sought —her son is one hell of a stubborn guy.

Now, seeing him getting along freely with Ciara, she felt as if she has seen the right lady for him —and without hesitation, she's ready to set them up together like she's been doing with other ladies…