Second Encounter
It had been two days since Adelia had woken up and she'd moved from stretcher to actual hospital bed which was an improvement in comfort to say the least.
She'd been informed that the surgery had gone by without a hitch and she would be discharged soon but she would need to spend the next month in rehabilitation.
"I can't go back to my normal everyday life back yet, huh?" She grimaced at the thought and looked down at her freshly sutured chest. She let out a quiet sob which snowballed into silently crying. It would certainly leave an ugly scar.
Why couldn't she have been born healthy?
Why was her life always interrupted by her illness?
Why did she have to make difficult decisions in order to live while her peers were off getting married and going on vacation?
Would a man even like her after he saw the scar?
Those thoughts cycled through her mind as her sobs wracked her body and she cried herself to sleep.
A week later, Adelia was back in her comfy apartment; sitting on her worn leather couch and practicing the rehabilitation exercises that the physiotherapist had taught her when a knock on the door sounded.
"Come in, it's open," she called out.
Elina walked in, hands full with a coffee tray and paper pastry bags. She placed her cargo on the coffee table and plopped down on the couch beside Adelia.
"I got your favourite danish and chamomile tea." She placed the cup and bag in front of Adelia. "It's from that coffee shop you always go to."
"Thanks. You're such a good friend. Coming in and checking up on me twice a week."
"Don't worry about it. You're the one who went through major surgery. This is no problem at all. Plus your parents aren't here to…" Elina looked down solemnly. "Sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up."
"It's okay. It's how they are. I have you now and I will eat your boyfriend's fabulous cooking any opportunity I get." Adelia chuckled playfully.
"Speaking of that. I'll bring you dinner tonight."
"Oh no. You don't have to. Don't make two trips here in one day. You have your own life too and a day job."
"Don't worry about it. Work's slow right now, so I can slack off a little. You're my friend. I worry about you. Let me mother you." She looked at Adelia sternly.
"You're not going to budge on this."
"No."
"Okay. I'll let you mother me as much as you want. No more complaints or apologies about inconveniencing you but you have to let me do something to repay you when I'm better."
"Okay. Good girl." Elina reached over and patted Adelia's head.
Adelia rubbed her dry tired eyes, trying to suppress a yawn as she did so. She glanced at the watch on her wrist.
6:15
Far too early for anyone sane to be up and out of the house.
"I shouldn't have stayed up so late finishing that project for work," she thought as she hid her yawn behind her hand. "It's only been two months since I was discharged from the hospital. I should take it easy." Glancing at the line in front of her she sighed. Four people felt like an eternity's worth of waiting.
She finally got her beloved danish and tea and rushed out of the shop. She would get a stern talking to from her boss or worse if she was late again.
She was so focused on her destination that she didn't notice the man in front of her until she'd bumped into him. Her face collided with his back and hot tea and coffee spilled everywhere.
"Motherfucker," Adelia cursed under her breath.
"Oh my god. I am so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going. Can I buy you another drink to make it up to you," she asked while getting up and attempting to smooth her now damp suit. She looked up at the man who'd already stood up and faced her.
Blue eyes met grey.
A look of recognition dawned on both their faces and she felt the blood rushing to her face as she blushed.
"You shouldn't be running so soon after surgery. You're going to end up collapsing," Law chided.
"S-sorry," Adelia squeaked out. She looked down at the floor and prayed that the shadow of her bangs would hide her deepening blush.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I think so."
"No shortness of breath or dizziness?"
"A little bit dizzy but I think that's more from the fall." She laughed a little, "I'm used to it. I'm a bit of a klutz."
"If your dizziness persists, go to the hospital."
"I will. I promise." She flashed him a small smile and he relaxed slightly, letting out the breath he didn't even know he was holding. "Can I buy you another coffee?"
"It's fine."
"I insist. It's my fault yours spilled. Please." She looked at him with wide hopeful eyes and automatically her teeth made contact with her lower lip. She chewed on it slightly, with more and more fervor as each silent second passed between them.
He let out a soft sigh. "Fine. Tonight at seven. This cafe."
Adelia beamed at him and a smile lit up her entire face.
"It's date."
She quickly rushed off into the direction of her work before he could see the blush that peppered her cheeks.
"Oi, I told you not to run," Law yelled after her.
Bonus
"It's a date? Why the fuck did I just say that?!" Adelia groaned and slapped herself on the forehead. "I hope he doesn't actually think it's a date. Fuck. How awkward and desperate does he think I am?" She stuffed her face into her hands and hoped that seven o'clock would never come.
AN: Hey, it's your friendly neighbourhood author. This is a three chapter arc. Right now we're on part 2. Next chapter is the final part. After that, I'll start to write random encounters and whatever readers' request.
Thanks so much to those who have favourited and followed this story. I really appreciate the support. I would also appreciate some feedback for the story as well, especially since third person isn't my strong suit.
