Chapter 3

It was the night, and I had a horrible day. One of the patients whom I was very fond of passed away. We were fighting for her life for an hour before Doc pronounced her dead. I just wanted to be alone. Away from the mission. I felt like I wanted to run away from everyone and everything. I could not go back to my room. It felt suffocating. I felt sad but I was raging inside as well. I set my mind, and no one was going to stop me. I needed my safe space. My little clearing that no one ever goes to. I was marching towards the edge of the jungle when I saw him.

- Ma'am… – he started.

- Are you working? – I asked rather abruptly.

- No ma'am.

- Perfect, then you can come with me – he looked at me questioningly.

- The clearing – I said as if it was obvious – you don't want me to go there alone because it is not safe. So, you will come with me – I said and started walking before he could say anything. I was expecting him to try to stop me and was surprised when I heard his footsteps behind me. I suddenly stopped when we reached, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath to try to calm myself and hold back my tears. I could feel him carefully observing me, but he didn't say anything which I appreciated. After a few seconds I sat down and was looking at the stars. I heard him sit down next to me. I could feel my lips starting to tremble and I needed to distract myself.

- Tell me something about yourself – how the tables have turned, I thought. He hesitated for a second.

- My name is James. James Atkins – he said, and I looked at him.

- People call me Minty – I replied in a quiet voice. He smiled at me.

- Tell me something else – I said – like how does one become a SEAL? – he smiled again and talked to me about the gruelling training he had to go through and how he became the explosives expert of the team. We were casually chatting for quite a while. He had a great sense of humour, was actually very personable and I started to feel more comfortable around him. I also realized that I found him very attractive. I mean, from the beginning I always thought he was very handsome. However, as I found him more approachable, I started to feel this unexplainable pull towards him. We went quiet for a while and were just looking at each other. I could feel myself getting lost in those beautiful blue eyes of his. I could tell he wanted to say something but was hesitating.

- I am really sorry about the child who died today. Doc told me. I heard you were very close to her – he said finally. It took me by surprise how full his eyes were with compassion and empathy.

- Thank you – I whispered – no matter how many years you have been working, at times it still gets to you.

- I know what you mean. A few days ago, a friend of mine never came back from a mission. He was escorting the ambassador in Abuja – I knew he was referring to the night when we were talking in front of the hospital.

- I am really sorry – I said and for some reason I cannot explain to you, I put my hand on his upper arm. He looked at me and I thought he will move away. However, he gave me a kind smile, put his hand on my hand and gave it a little squeeze. When he touched me, I felt electricity going through my body, so I let go of his arm.

- It is getting late. We should head back - We walked in silence until we reached the mission, then I turned to him.

- Thank you for tonight….Red – Although he told me his real name, I didn't want to overstep any boundaries.

- Please call me James – I nodded my head and gave him a little smile.

- You can call me Minty.

- Good night Minty.

- Good night, James.

The next day I was at the military base again, briefing Doc. As I stepped on the corridor, I saw Red walking the same way. He was not in his usual navy outfit but was wearing a white short sleeved shirt and grey tracksuits. Now, I have to tell you something. I have a thing for men in grey tracksuit bottoms. There is just something so sexy about it. And he was so sexy in it. His shirt perfectly outlined his broad chest and chiselled waist and stomach. I had to swallow really hard.

- Morning – I said in a voice even I barely recognised.

- Morning – he smiled at me – I see you are on duty.

- I see you are not.

- Well, technically keeping physically fit is part of my job – we started walking side by side.

- I am surprised to see you working.

- Why is that?

- Well…after yesterday, I thought you will take it easy – I stopped and turned to him.

- I am a nurse. I often see people dying. Yes, yesterday was difficult but you can't let it get to you. You need to keep going.

- You are a very strong woman – I did not expect that compliment.

- Thank you – I said and started to turn away, but he took my hand. My eyes widened and I could feel goosebumps all over my body.

- Just make sure you take care of yourself – I was so taken aback that I could only nod. He gave me a smile and left.