Chap. 13 Locked up
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« Hey sunshine, how are you today? »
"Better. My forehead doesn't hurt me as much."
"I'm glad you're back, there's so much work. Could you please go to Mr Price room, to check on him?"
"Sure."
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Penelope walked confidently in the corridor; she was glad that she didn't have to work in the same area where Derek was. She wasn't ready to talk to him yet.
She knocked at room and looked at the chart in her hand.
"Good morning Mr Price, how are you today?" she asked cheerfully.
She raised he head suddenly when the man replied.
"Good morning Penelope. I'm glad to see you." Derek whispered smiling.
"What?" Penelope turned back quickly to leave but the door was locked.
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Carol quickly got up when Penelope left the room; she hoped her plan would go well.
She silently followed her friend and when she saw her entered the room, locked the door behind her with the key.
She giggled when she hear Penelope tries to open the door, and calling after her.
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Penelope wanted to pound at the door but she thought about the other patients.
"Carol, open that door!" Penelope said with a panicked voice.
"You two need to talk, honey. I'll come back later."
"There are people needing me."
"I'll take care of them…."
"Carol!" she warned.
"I just want you to be happy! Listen to him, then I'll release you."
Penelope didn't answer and turned towards Derek.
"What do you want from me?" she asked with a tired voice.
"Please sit down and listen to me."
Penelope sighed and sat in the farther corner.
"How are you? I mean I know that this Elena…"
"That's ok. I don't want to talk about it…" Penelope said getting up.
"Please… why are you running away? I just wanted to apologize."
"You're not really responsible. Your fiancée is just jealous, I just can't pinpoint why…"
"You know it… I meant what I said to you…"
"Derek, you don't even know me…" she whispered.
"It's not about knowing, it's just something I'm feeling."
"What do you want?"
"I don't ask you to return my feelings, just to give me a chance to know you, to get to know each other."
"I can't you're my patient."
"I'll be released soon. Is there a chance?" he asked hopefully.
"I don't know…"
"Please."
"Why me? I mean have you seen your fiancée," she asked with disbelief.
"My EX is nothing compared to you. You're a caring woman, an angel. I don't know I just feel warm when you're around me."
Penelope blushed.
"You just feel gratitude."
"NO! It's so much more than that! What about your crazy beauty, the way you brighten my day, or why I always want to grab your hair in my hands." he said with conviction.
Penelope wanted to believe him but she couldn't picture them together. She stared into his eyes and was overwhelmed by what she saw in them.
"Derek, I must go back to work." She said letting the fear speak.
"Will you think about it?" he asked showing that he didn't want to let it go easily.
"I'll think about it. I don't know what you've done to Carol, but she's your ally now." She said smiling frankly.
Derek smiled back, knowing that after all there was still hope.