“I’m fine, I think,” I muttered while clutching the back of my head. “It’s not bleeding or anything. Though I might have a nasty bump here in a bit,” I said and rubbed it while looking at my hand to double-check it indeed wasn’t bleeding.
“Annika, I’m so fucking sorry,” he apologized again while looking like an overgrown puppy dog groveling to its master. I felt a small lump in my throat, seeing the amount of concern in his eyes. His efforts moved me, and I honestly couldn’t remember the last time someone showed so much genuine concern for my well-being. Sure, it was Leon’s fault that I got injured, but I knew that it wasn’t on purpose. Not to mention, I had utterly blindsided him with such triggering news so carelessly.
“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it. The inside of the car is small, and you were fueled by hurt and anger,” I replied and reassured him that I was okay.
“I think we should go to the hospital,” he said to me and continued to massage the back of my head for me.
“No, it’s okay, really. I’m not even dizzy. Trust me, I’m a doctor, remember?” I told him firmly.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m fine. If I feel anything other than fine in a few hours, we’ll go to the hospital. But first, we should figure out what to do about your hand. And the car window,” I replied and pulled his hand towards my face to examine his knuckles. Sure enough, his hands had formed several hematomas from his brutish display against the steering wheel earlier. “Mr. Von Doren, I think it would be wise for you to attend some anger management classes,” I suggested while thoroughly inspecting his knuckles.
“Waste of money,” he replied curtly.
“You’re speaking as if you’ve already been to some.”
“That’s because I have. I don’t have anger problems, yet Sadie seems to bring out the worst in me. Hearing that she lied about not wanting to have children and is now knocked up by your husband, I couldn’t help myself,” he said and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry you had to see that side of me.”
“Trust me; I was the same way when I found out. Jeff also told me that he wanted to wait to have kids until we established our careers. Even though years had passed, he would either pull out or wear a condom as well. On the off chance he did release inside of me, he would also make me take the Morning-After pill,” I confessed with a heavy sigh.
“Hmph, I guess we were both deceived. It seems that those two are definitely made for each other,” Leon sneered and looked off to the side. It seemed like he was suppressing something and as if he were trying to control his anger from spiraling out of control again.
“Let’s drop the subject. I shouldn’t have said anything either. As a doctor, it’s not my place to disclose a patient’s medical records. But I guess I couldn’t stop my own anger from getting the best of me. I actually broke the law just now.”
“I won’t tell if you won’t,” he replied with a small chuckle. I pursed my lips and hid a small smile behind them.
“What are we going to do about your car?” I asked him to change the subject.
“Don’t worry. I’ll call my assistant, Toby, to come and get it and bring a different one to the restaurant. Let’s hail a taxi.” I nodded my head, and a few short minutes later, we were back on the road to dinner
When we got to the restaurant, I realized that it wasn’t small scale, and it was very luxurious. It was in the heart of downtown, and there seemed to be a massive line that wrapped around the ornate building.
“Ummm, I don’t know if we’ll get in. That line is ridiculously long,” I said while pointing to it.
“Annika, have you forgotten who I am?” he asked me with a playful tone of voice. He put his hand on the small of my back and led me straight through the front door. “I, Leon Von Doren, never wait in line. Especially at my own restaurant,” he winked at me as he held the door open, and we just waltzed right in. I could hear the cursing and shouting from behind us. I honestly felt a little guilty because I was certain that those people had been waiting for no less than an hour to get in and were hangry.
“Mr. Von Doren, what a pleasant surprise!'' Someone in a very snappy suit came running up to us, and he gave a slight bow as he greeted us.
“Jasper, business seems to be going well,” Leon said courteously.
“Yes, sir! The business has been doing very well! As you can see, all of the tables on the common’s floor are filled to the brink. We are booked solid for the next several weeks!” the man replied with such glee and flashed a huge smile. “May I ask who this lovely young lady is?” he inquired, finally noticing me.
“This is Dr. Annika Hollands. She’s a new business client of mine, and I’m treating her to dinner,” Leon replied without any hesitation. I couldn’t help but frown a little when he said ‘business client’ without hesitation or remorse. I guess he was throwing that back at me for what I said at his office earlier. Was this what he felt when I told him the same thing?
“Oh, well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Doctor! My name is Jasper, and I’m the general manager of this establishment!” He introduced himself with utmost pride.
“The pleasure is all mine, Jasper,” I replied with a smile and shook his hand firmly.