Page 8 of Tyrant

“Hello,” she greeted, walking over and stretching out her hand for a shake.

“How are you?” I took the hand in both of mine as she raised her eyes to connect with mine.

Furrows creased her forehead as recognition dawned on her. “You!”

I found myself chuckling, which was strange. “Yes, me from yesterday.”

She snatched her hand away. “So, you’re Zakhar?”

“And you must be Tabitha.”

Shrugging, she slipped into bed and pulled up the sheet. “Well, I would apologize for missing our date, but I suppose you’re happy we didn’t meet.”

“That is far from the truth, and I do apologize for my assistant’s error about the flowers.”

She scoffed. “Your assistant. I supposed that’s to be expected from someone like you.”

“I see you are angry, so if there’s anything I can do. Let me know.”

“No, I’m good. Just don’t let your assistant plan your dates in the future,” she advised, scrunching her nose. “It’s not romantic.”

“Again, I apologize. We will reschedule our date when you are much better.”

She sat up on the bed and looked keenly into my eyes. “Are you serious? You think I’ll want to schedule a second date?”

I was confused by her attitude. “I assume that due to the circumstances which prevented this date, we’d set another time. Perhaps another place?”

“Hah. You still don’t get it do you? After your behavior yesterday, I don’t think so, sir. Maybe this happened so we wouldn’t meet.”

Stepping closer to the bed and leaning forward, our faces coming closer. “I’m not leaving this hospital room without a date.”

“Why? I’m sure there are countless other women who would be happy to be with you. I’m heading back to the US in a few days, so it’s best we leave things the way they are,” she replied with a sigh and rested back on the pillows.

I liked her hazel eyes and the way they deepened shade when she’s upset. The pout of her lips as she settled on the pillows invited a kiss. This was unlike me. But something about this woman had caught my attention since yesterday and I was damn well going to see what that was.

Pulling up the chair, I took a seat at the bedside. I wasn’t leaving the hospital until she agreed on another date, regardless of the circumstances. If finding my wife would mean spending the next few days in this hospital room, then so be it. I relaxed and closed my eyes, trying my best not to intimidate her.

A chuckle was heard coming from the bed and I opened my eyes to see her shaking her head. “You must be joking?”

“Is there a smile on my face?” I asked.

“Why do you need this date so badly? We don’t know each other.”

“You want to know? Then reschedule.”

“Apologize first.”

It was my time to furrow my brows. “If my memory serves me correct, I apologized a few minutes ago.”

“Not that apology, I mean apologize for yesterday.”

“If I apologize for yesterday, you’ll set a date and time?”

“If you do that, I’ll think about the date.”

I shook my head. “Not good enough. I need your answer now.”

We glared at each other, and I could see her anger rising. She held my stare for a full minute before letting out an exasperated breath. “Okay, fine. I’ll reschedule if you apologize, sincerely.”

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