Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Eloise’s p.o.v
I blinked rapidly, trying to regain clear vision. Everything appeared blurry. "Are you okay? Do you feel any pain? Would you like some painkillers?" Eric invaded my personal space, not even giving me a moment to respond.
"Hmm," I attempted to speak, but I felt too weak to open my mouth.
"Sir, I think you should let her—" the doctor's words were interrupted by a growl from Eric.
"I wasn't talking to you," he snapped at the doctor, his hostility evident.
"Are you okay?" Eric turned to me with surprising concern, as if he weren't the same person who had made rude comments about my attire earlier.
Again, I tried to speak, but my words came out garbled and unintelligible. I couldn't seem to articulate properly.
"Why can't she speak? What's wrong with her?" Panic emanated from him, palpable even from a distance.
"Sir, it's likely due to shock, if you'd just—" the doctor's explanation was once again interrupted by Eric's growl.
"Oh, to hell with this!" A woman's voice interrupted. She was human, from what I could gather. "If you would kindly get out and let us do our job! Most of us are exhausted, Mister, so if you don't mind." She forcefully grabbed Eric's hand and dragged him out of the ward.
It would have been amusing if I weren't lying in bed, feeling a bit dizzy. With Eric gone from the room, the atmosphere felt considerably more relaxed.
"Hi, I'm going to administer an injection now," the woman who had berated Eric earlier stated, waving the syringe in front of my face.
I nodded, bracing myself for the pain.
"Your eyes seem to be irritated," she observed, examining them closely.
"They're, um, contacts," I whispered, lowering my voice in case anyone was eavesdropping.
"I'll have to remove them and run some tests, just to be sure it's nothing serious," she explained. I shook my head, attempting to refuse, but they wouldn't discharge me without a valid reason to skip the examination, and that would be a lengthy process.
"Fine," I acquiesced, averting my gaze. "Is there any way I can undergo the test in private? I'm not very comfortable with my eyes being examined publicly." She nodded, not giving my request much thought.
After the test was completed, I was allowed to leave. It didn't take long for me to spot Eric pacing outside the door. I ignored him as he approached me, likely to inquire about my well-being.
I rolled my eyes at his attempt. If he thought he could switch from being controlling to caring in the blink of an eye, he was sorely mistaken.
"Let's go," I said as I exited the hospital. Thankfully, Eric remained silent as he drove me back to the office.
The silence in the car was interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing.
"Hey, babe," I answered without bothering to check the caller ID. It was undoubtedly Anna.
"Bitch! There better be a damn good reason why I couldn't find you after work or why that cute guy is standing alone in front of the office, waiting for you!" I had to move the phone away from my ear, as she was about to burst my eardrum.
"Anna, there was a minor accident," I explained. She fell silent, too silent.
"Anna? Are you accusing me of lying? You think I just didn't want to go on the date, right?" Her voice sounded melancholic, as if she were the one who had been stood up.
"No, no, no," I protested. "I really wanted to go, believe me." Eric's grip on the steering wheel tightened, and I realized I was in trouble.
"Listen, how about I explain everything tomorrow when I return? Alright?" I suggested.
"Fine! Come up with a damn good excuse for standing that guy up. He's incredibly attractive!" she exclaimed, ending the call abruptly before I could even say goodbye.
"I didn't know you had plans," Eric calmly remarked.
"Well, you never asked," I retorted, not in the mood for another argument.
"Is that why you wanted to leave during our argument earlier? Because you had a date?" he inquired. I didn't respond. The truth was, I was exhausted from the long day and simply wanted to go home and sleep. The blind date Anna had arranged had slipped my mind. But there was no need for Eric to know that. Let him throw tantrums if he wanted.
"You know, it's polite to answer when someone speaks to you," he stated as we pulled into the company parking lot.
"And it's polite to mind your own business," I snapped back, glancing at him briefly before attempting to exit the car.
He locked the doors from his side.
"Your eyes," he suddenly noticed.
"What about them?" I asked, puzzled.
"They look... beautiful," he said, seemingly entranced. I instinctively used my hands to shield my face, as if that would prevent him from looking.
"Open the door," I demanded, just as the guy I was supposed to meet appeared in sight.
"Is that him?" Eric's demeanor immediately shifted back to anger.
"You know what? You're bipolar. I can't deal with this," I declared, trying to open the door myself.
"We're not done talking," he insisted, gripping my hand tightly.
"Hey! Let go!" I exclaimed, attempting to strike him, but it was futile. It was like hitting a solid wall.
"You're so desperate to be with him, aren't you? Is that it?" I noticed his eyes shifting from their usual blue to a golden hue multiple times.
"Let go, damn it!" I shouted, struggling to free myself from his grasp.
"No! You know why? Because you're mine! And I don't appreciate sharing what's mine!" His breathing grew heavy, clearly struggling to maintain control as his wolf instincts took hold.
"I belong to no one! You piece of shit!" His expression turned to shock, giving me a chance to break free.
"Listen," I said as I stepped out of the car. "If you come near me again, I'll call the police on you." He chuckled.
"Do you really think the police can keep me away from you?" He stepped out of the car, advancing towards me.
I backed away cautiously; his unpredictable nature made it hard to gauge his actions. "If you come any closer, I'll scream." That seemed to halt him in his tracks.
"Look, I'm just a little off right now. I'm sorry. Can we... Can we start over?" he sighed, attempting to reconcile.
"I'm not buying it. Stay away from me unless it's work-related," I warned, glaring at him, before walking into the building to collect my belongings.