3 It hurts

[Chapter 1 recap-

"...While waiting for your aunt to return I saw your ID peeking out of your bag. " Jaden said "So, I just took it out of your bag and put that ID in my pocket".

Her lips parted in surprise and she wondered how simply he said that he opened her bag without her consent. Did he not have the basic ethics? What was wrong with him?

Before she could curse him in her head Jaden said, "Don't worry I didn't see or steal anything else" he smiled and continued " The only thing I want to steal is your heart".]

On hearing his words she could not help but blush so, she looked down which restricted him from looking at her face directly . Looking away she shyly placed her side bangs behind her ears and said "May I ask the reason?".

"What reason?" he asked, as if he did not know what she meant.

"The reason behind you stealing my ID card from my bag" she gave out making herself clear.

"Oh …." he murmured.

"To grab your attention" he said loudly. On seeing the questioning look on her face he continued " I have noticed that you have been avoiding me and ignoring my presence recently ".

What he said was true. These days she had been avoiding him on purpose. But after hearing his straightforward confession she again lowered face.

"I didn't mean to make you feel guilty." he said tilting his head and trying get a glance of her face. She was way too embarrassed to raise her head and look into his jet black eyes.

Grabbing her wrist he said "Rose we will be getting engaged the next month. If you keep avoiding me like this then it will make me feel that you do not like me and as someone who is insanely crazy for you let me tell you" he sighed releasing her wrist and instantly placed his hands on her shoulders and said "Your actions hurt".

Rose flinched and took a note of her surrounding making sure that no one had seen him standing this close to her, she took two steps back and said in a trembling voice "I am sorry, I..I never had the intention to hurt you". When he saw her taking two steps back it again hurt him but he did not show that on his face realizing Rose's discomfort he said "It is okay, I know you can never hurt someone on purpose" hiding his pain with a smile.

"Now may I know why you have been avoiding me lately?" he asked "Make it quick. You know right you are already running late for the hospital?".

Finally Rose made an eye contact with him and said in a low voice "You are favored by the media a lot and I am still not ready to make our relationship public".

"I am happy to hear that it does not concern me in particular." he said but he was more happy on hearing her use the term 'relationship'. It made him feel like it was not a forced marriage or one sided love. "Let's head to the hospital " said Jaden as this little conversation of theirs took place in the garden where patients were taken for morning and afternoon walks.

Rose made quick steps to the hospital followed by Jaden. His steps were slow but big which helped him keeping pace with her.

On seeing Rose enter Amanda White the thirty eight year old head nurse was ready with her long speech on the importance of discipline during modern days. Amanda walked towards her making sharp moves which made Rose nervous. Amanda was a stern woman but she didn't know why she always had a soft corner for Rose, she wanted the best for Rose and for that she had to be extra strict with her. Her footsteps stopped when she stood right before Rose. All the other attendants, doctors, caregivers and patients who were present in the lobby were looking at Rose and Amanda. Rose lowered her eyes when Amanda's lips parted to speak.

But before she could even utter a word she saw Jaden entering. Soon everybody marked his presence and the staffs of the hospital bowed their heads in respect while the patients gave him a pleasant smile. Jaden after smiling and nodding his head finally fixed his eyes on Amanda.

"Good morning" she greeted bowing her head.

"Morning" he replied in a casual voice. "Miss Evans you may go and start your work now" said Jaden in an unusually polite voice. Rose left the room as soon as she heard Jaden's words.

In an opposing manner Amanda said "But … but today she-" .

"I am the one to be blamed" he said "We had a small conversation in the garden and that is why she is late for work".

"Oh.. okay" murmured Amanda. She did not dare to question him about anything else. Jaden smiled at her and walked towards the office to meet the director of the hospital.

[ Chapter 3 preview -

Her steps stopped near the reception. When her big green eyes met Amanda's sharp brown eyes , she greeted Amanda with a smile. Amanda remained expressionless and pulled out a file from the stack of files kept in the lower cabinet of the reception's table.

"You will be nursing a new patient" said Amanda looking into the folder. Rose was surprised to hear that.]