Always: Dr. Klein, #3

Always

Dr. Klein

Book III

Diana Scott

Published by Diana Scott

Copyright 2017 Diana Scott

Always

Dr. Klein

Book III

Foreword

Wake up

New moons

Don't look for me

Truths

With the scent of a woman

A matter of luck

Passions of Africa

Hidden glances

Run while you can

Bargaining

Caramel and beauty

Alliances

Learning to fly

Hidden feelings

Reality dawns

Ghosts of the past

Chained and released

Of jealousy and truth

I am this

I am who I am

Part II

Clouds in paradise

Perfect days

Don't walk away from me

Desperate solutions

Let's write together

Unresolved frontiers

Saying goodbye

A not so distant future

Looking for you

Good, thank you

Don't listen to your heart

Back to

You and I

I want to be...

Epilogue

Other books by Diana Scott

Foreword

Her body was outlined in the wet sand of the beach under the glow of a moon that existed only to illuminate it. Her image nourished him like a starving man before the most delicate delicacy. Fingers numb with need tried to reach for her but her figure wandered away happy and laughing like the most mischievous of fairies. The smile on her full lips enticed him and he longed to join her but could not, she was his juicy forbidden fruit. No matter how much effort he made to hold her, she always left. Frustrated he cried out claiming to wait for her but the words would not come out. The rough, dry throat did not respond. Again and again his arms moved trying to hold her, but she fluttered around him like a butterfly, slipping through his fingers. The silky auburn hair vanished before him like a soft sigh and the scent of her sweet body marked a luminous path for him to follow. Once and a thousand times he tried, he wanted to stand up, to run to her side and claim what was his, but the harder he tried to get up, the harder he fell.

No, no... don't leave me... he pleaded desperately, but she continued to smile and move ever a little further away. Her seductive lips whispered for him to accompany her but his body did not respond. He tried, he wanted to run, he wanted to hold her, he stretched out his numb hands but she continued to blur in the distance. Desperate, he begged and cursed, but dense, lead-heavy legs crushed him to the ground again and again and again. Wait...please wait... he stammered choking as he felt himself losing her.

––––––––

-No!" Her muffled cry echoed in the silent room.

-Come on, boy. Come back... It's time to wake up. We need you to wake up. This time the voice sounded a little more concerned and Akim felt covered by a thick cloud as she disappeared under his nose.

-No... no... -He gasped as he watched her body move farther and farther away. Brenda looked at him. He was no longer smiling now. Tears streamed down her delicious face and he wanted to scream with helplessness. Nervously he struggled to jump from the heights but his body refused. Don't cry.... I will not leave you... -He sentenced with superhuman strength struggling with the ropes that now tied him to a dark mattress. Tears bathed her delicate woman's face and Akim felt panic-stricken.

-No!

The roar of his own scream made him open his eyes, which, confused and drowned by sweat, searched for her in a room where she was no longer to be found.

Wake up

A man in a white robe insisted on dazzling him with a small flashlight and Akim felt increasingly confused. His head hurt like a thousand demons and the inability to understand what was happening there was upsetting what little consciousness he still retained.

Not far away he thought he recognized voices, maybe his father's and his best friend's, but his mental condition was not safe enough to guarantee anything, much less presences that sounded like ghosts from beyond the grave. Dazed, he tried to ask where he was but his voice was dead. With a superhuman effort he tried to move his arm but it would not obey either. Something was holding him back. Something hard and cold covered it from the elbow to the wrist, immobilizing it completely. Two weak, cramped fingers of his hand tried to free themselves, but even this simple task proved to be too tiring for a body as battered as his. Stunned and dazed he strained to hear what those voices were diagnosing in the distance but dozed off sooner than expected.

––––––––

-We need to run some tests. We will bring him in as soon as possible.

The stretcher moved so quickly that he felt like a baby cradled in one of those high chairs with soft fabrics and sweet melodies. Tiredness and the hundreds of drugs in his vein delivered him directly into the arms of Morpheus, whom he embraced with willing desire. Whispering her name, like the mantra of a young man in love, he went to where she was waiting for him with lips full of passion.

––––––––

Why haven't they brought it yet? Akim's father was getting up and sitting down again and again from the hard couch. He tried to calm himself but the waiting was proving to be insufferable. His young son had been in an induced coma for five days and his hopes were beginning to waver. When Nikola opened the door with two cups of hot tea, she thanked him from the bottom of her heart. Better to drink the brew than to release his fears and end up unhinged with worry.

-What's new? -asked a very distressed Nikola.

-None. He nodded his head and reached out to pick up the drink.

The young friend leaned his long body against the wall while cross-legged, he puffed on the cup to cool his tea.

-This is the biggest scare he's ever given us..... - Nikola muttered with a touch of annoyance and the father smiled warmly.

He gave us? As if you were the father, he thought amused. Nervously he saw Akim's clothes folded on a chair and thoughts flashed through his mind. Why does fate always tend to prey on the same ones? I could never stop any of those damned blows blackening his heart. It was only when he met the doctor that he thought the sun might be rising for him. yet here we are, in a hospital."

-Thank you." He murmured sincerely as he looked at Nikola and saw her concern.

-Why? I couldn't be anywhere else. The young man answered so confidently that tears almost came to his eyes, and they would have if it had not been for the nurse who came in at that moment with his son's body on a stretcher.

Frightened to see Akim totally unconscious, he jumped off the couch, but was instantly reassured by the medical assistant.

-Calm down. He is asleep. Medications often cause such effects. He'll wake up in a few minutes. You don't have to worry. The danger has passed.

The father snorted loudly as if a thousand-pound slab had been lifted off his back and tried to take a sip of his tea, but the trembling of his hands made him spill much of the drink on the floor. The nurse left and Nikola sat down next to him by the stretcher. It was time to wait a little longer.

-Did you hear that? -Nikola said looking angrily at the dozing friend. He keeps calling her. Knocked out, asleep or stoned. It's always her," he grumbled between his teeth in annoyance.

His father would have liked to explain to him that true love is not forgotten on this plane or the next, but he did not feel strong enough to argue with Nikola's inexperience in love. Exhausted and nervous, he waited patiently as he had been doing for the previous four days. Akim had to wake up soon or he himself would have to be committed for temporary insanity. He loved his son and needed him in his life again. He may have looked like a young man molded by the hard knocks of life and some might even fear those wide tattooed arms but he knew the real Akim.

––––––––

The young man opened his eyes but was unable to focus anywhere. Darkness was all around him. His head was splitting in two and his throat was sandpaper and of very poor quality, by the way, he thought confused by so many medicines.

-Fuck... -The words came out almost by themselves as I tried to move my left arm.

-You are awake.

-Dad? Is that you? -Are you there? -. His father's face paled at the sound. Nervously, he reached out to turn on the lamp on the bedside table next to him and nervously pointed the spotlight at him.

-Fuck! You've blinded me." He protested, opening and closing his eyes with force.

-Can you see me? -he asked, his voice strangled with fear.

-Of course I can see you. What the hell is wrong with you?

Akim replied in his typical bad mood and his father smiled in relief. His son was back.

-You're welcome.

-For nothing what?

-You're welcome.

Akim didn't bother to understand. His gaze focused on the now plastered arm and the father patiently explained.

-You're in the hospital. You had a stroke. Do you remember? -Akim kept looking around. "Yes, we are alone. He answered knowing exactly who his son was looking for.

The saddened young man lay back as best he could but as he dragged his other hand through his hair he realized that half of his head was bandaged. Trying to spin some memories and he spoke in a most confused manner.

-I remember coming out of the store and something hit me in the back. I tried to turn around to defend myself but some guys grabbed me. I couldn't get free. He answered, narrowing his eyes as if he could remember something better.

-Did you see them? -Nikola entered the room at that moment.

-I thought you were going to rest. The father scolded him like a little boy and Nikola smiled mischievously.

-When you rest, I will. Now let your dear son tell us what the hell happened.

Akim frowned at his friend's irony. What was wrong with him? It was he who was in the hospital with a broken arm and a devilish turban on his head.

-What do you say? Have you seen them? Could you recognize them? -He asked again, interested.

-Philips." He whispered in embarrassment.

He didn't finish answering when he heard Nikola curse loudly and his father walk away from the bed.

-I'll fix it. Akim answered trying not to worry them but his father added to his friend's insults.

-Don't worry? Don't worry! You heard it Nikola. My son tells me not to worry.

The young friend's eyes widened without daring to answer. It was the first time in five days that he had seen Akim's father lose his composure. The man looked like a runaway locomotive and he wasn't about to stand in his way. His friend was an asshole, and if his father beat him out of bed, he deserved it.

-Don't let me worry! You know you've been in a coma for five days? In a coma! Damn it.

No, the truth is that I didn't know. That's the thing about being in a coma.... You don't remember to count days. He thought with a touch of amusement that he preferred to hide. In all his years of life he had never seen his father so angry.

-At first I feared for your life, then for your blow to the head, but now that you have awakened, I see that you have not suffered any injury. You're still as dumb as before.

Akim glared angrily at a Nikola who unabashedly burst out laughing. He pressed his fingers to his temples trying to find some sanity in this crazy situation. He remembered Philips and some thugs, kicks, blows and darkness, but nothing else. Now he was in the hospital, according to his father, after being in a coma for four days. Four or five days, he had said? Anyway, with the mood he was in, it was better not to ask. And Brenda, why wasn't she there worrying about him?

-Did Brin...? -He couldn't finish the question. His father instantly turned to the window and his friend snorted angrily.

-Don't even think of bringing it up again. You almost scared us to death but you only think of her. You call her in your sleep and ask for forgiveness as if you were a fucking prisoner. We are sick and tired of your crazy love, not to say that.... You've got our balls all puffed up," Nikola grumbled, his fists clenched in fury.

-Dad! -. The door opened and the tender voice of a child echoed through the walls, silencing them all.

Lucien ran and was about to jump on his father's cast arm when Nikola lifted him up and gently pulled him close to kiss him on the cheek.

-You have to be careful, your father is hurt.

-Godfather, will he be cured? -The boy asked interested.

-Nikola answered with a sideways smile while Akim snorted in annoyance. The boy did not understand anything so he preferred to tell his father about his latest exploits.

-Nurse Carmen showed me the newborn babies and took me to the playroom. She is very kind, she gave me a ball and bought me an ice cream.

-Nurse Carmen? -Akim asked curiously.

-Yes, Uncle Nikola told her that he was my godfather and that we were alone in the world and she offered to take care of me until you woke up.

-Alone in the world? -. Akim asked smiling wickedly as Nikola gently rested the child on the ground.

-How about saying goodbye to your father. You have to go to school tomorrow. You have missed too many days. Grandfather spoke to the little boy in a commanding voice, but with a big smile on his face.

Akim looked down as he realized the discomfort he had caused. His family had really had a hard time and all the blame and worries originated from him. As usual.

-Nikola, could you take him with you?

-No." Grandfather looked at him in surprise, but the young man continued speaking as if nothing had happened. Grandfather looked at him somewhat surprised, but the young man continued speaking as if nothing had happened. You have not moved from this room for five days of hospitalization. You must rest. Grandfather was about to argue but Nikola didn't let him. I will spend the night here. If any problems arise I will call you.

Lucien held his grandfather's hand and the man saw that he was exhausted. Nikola was right, Akim was much better and out of danger. He should go home and try to get some rest.

-I will come first thing in the morning.

-I don't need anyone to take care of me. An angry look from his friend silenced him before he could utter any more words.

When the little boy and the grandfather found themselves outside, Nikola cursed loudly without sparing any insults and Akim stretched out on the mattress pondering whether it was really worth being awake.

-Your dinner. A very blonde nurse with a pleasant smile came into the room, holding a plastic bowl in her hands. The doctor will come later to check that you are all right. She said as she helped him to sit up on the backrest.

-Thank you. He replied, choking back the pain of crushed bones.

-We are here to help. The woman said smiling as she fluffed her pillow and glanced sideways at her friend.

Akim ducked his head to reach for the spoon. The soup looked awful but he wasn't in the mood to witness his friend's advances in front of his delicious nurse.

-Thank you so much Carmen, I will never be able to thank you for everything you have done for us....

Nikola continued talking as she walked through the door with her arm resting on the blonde's shoulders. Akim shook his head and looked at his cast right hand realizing that drinking the soup would be a titanic task for someone as dexterous as him. He was on the fifth spoonful and the thirteenth curse when Nikola entered the room again with a smile on his face.

-Goddess. He said looking at the ceiling.

-If you say so... -The friend answered as he abandoned the broth and tried to prick a pea that, shot by the pressure of the fork, left the plate and went directly to hit the TV screen.

-Come on, let me help you. Akim was about to refuse but he had too much appetite.

He finished the whole dinner. Not a single pea was left. His head barely ached and his body seemed to start responding to him.

-Nikola stammered as he pushed the now empty food tray away.

-It seems so.

They were both silent, and Akim didn't know how to bring up the subject without bringing up his colleague's fury. The last time he remembered her, she had left the nightclub with tears in her eyes.

-Nikola... -He said in a conciliatory voice.

-I haven't seen her. I wanted to let you know but I couldn't find you.

-You didn't find her? -he asked worriedly.

-No, not in the office, not at home, not on her cell phone. It's as if the earth swallowed her up.

-Son of a bitch. Akim spoke loudly and Nikola was instantly enraged.

-Forgive me for not spending more time on it, I was worried that my best friend was about to get it or become a bit more of a jerk than usual.

-The insult was not directed at you.

-Oh no? He mumbled, not quite believing it.

-I'm serious. The night I was attacked, Max was on the premises.

-How?" he asked with interest.

-Brenda didn't know she worked nights.

-Didn't you tell him?

-No, but apparently his ex did it for me.

-It's not so bad either," Nikola tried to play it down. She'll understand. She's an intelligent woman.

-Yes, well, there is also the little problem of the photos.

-Photos?

-Nikola's eyes widened in disbelief and Akim felt like a piece of garbage. It's not what you think. She caught me off guard. It was the only time and I broke it off instantly. In fact, I was even rude to reject her.

-And you say that Max has pictures? What a coincidence that it only happened once and he was there at that very moment, don't you think? -he said suspiciously.

-You too? I have never been unfaithful. Nikola looked at him with a face twisted in distrust and Akim smiled unwillingly. Not to her.

-Then more in my favor.

To tell the truth Akim had not had time to think. It had all happened too fast.

-That's not the worst of it...

-Mother of God, brother, problems come to you by the handful.

Akim nodded before continuing. -That idiot tried to buy me and I turned him down, but the jerk swears that not only was I unfaithful, but I cashed his stupid check.

-What figure are we talking about?

-One too high.

-A very good figure would make anyone think twice. He said with a nod of his head.

-You too? I didn't collect that money. Do you think I would do something like that to him?

-I would even change my last name for less. He replied amused.

Akim lay back on the bed. He felt exhausted and not because of the wounds. If his soulmate doubted, what could he expect from Brenda when Max told him. He should find her as soon as possible.

Five days. It had been five days. He thought furiously. That bastard wouldn't have stopped at his lies, of that he was sure.

New moons

Tears no longer calmed her. The deep pain mixed with the shame of deception, plunged her into a sadness whose bars were too heavy to free herself. To put an end and write a new chapter where the liars no longer had a place would be the best option, but how to do it when your heart is still calling out to him? The warm water sailed over her numb figure while with her palms pressed against the wall and her face turned towards the cold floor, she begged for the blessed drops to wash away the hypocritical memories.

Oblivion, he was her only lifeline. In love and dreaming of a far-fetched reality, she behaved like a brainless ingenue, believing in strawberry fairies and love glitter. Falling in love with a younger man, for heaven's sake! How could she be so naive? Did she really believe in the unimportance of incipient wrinkles or in experience as a rising value? Stupid and a thousand times stupid. Tears streamed down her face mixing with the heat of the shower and she felt even worse than before. Remembering Akim gave her a sense of pain and helplessness that disarmed her as a woman. She offered her feelings to a con man of hearts and on a silver platter. She gave them away to an unscrupulous liar, one capable of pretending just to get a measly paycheck.

-No! he shouted, slamming his fists against the wall as he remembered the damn money. That's what my leap into the void for you meant?" he thought painfully. You took it all with your lies.

She turned off the faucet and stretched out her arm to wrap herself in a towel. Motionless, staring at her figure in the mist-covered mirror, she was grateful that the steam had fogged it. How many times would that ingrate and his explosive girlfriend have mocked her? How many times would she have stifled her beloved's mocking laughter between her