Dr Sofia's POV
My eyes shot open at Anderson's bewilderment and question, and my reflection on the mirror was the first thing I saw.
This isn't so bad, I said calmly in my head, even though what I saw was the other way round. My face was all puffy and red now that the makeup which was covering it has washed off.
"What happened to you?" Anderson asked again, moving towards me.
"It was an accident. It's no big deal." I replied quickly, faking a smile.
"Ouch, no don't touch it." I cried out when I felt a burning sensation on my left cheek as a result of Anderson's touch.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know it still hurts that much." He apologized.
"It does." I replied
"Were you hit?" Anderson asked.
"Uhm... No I... I rammed into a wall." I stuttered, wondering if I should come clean right here or not.
"That is quite funny. How drunk were you? Anderson asked on a lighter note, and I suddenly wished I could tell him the truth.
"Not so drunk, just a few bottles of vodka." I said convincingly.
"I should get you something to reduce the pain and the puffiness." Anderson said, heading out of the bathroom.
"Are you just going to leave me here?" I asked with a pout.
"Come on then, let's head out." Anderson replied, stretching his hand to me.
"I don't think I can walk." I replied.
"Come on Sofia, it's your face that got hurt, not your legs." Anderson pointed out, just as he swept me off my feet, and headed out.
From my position on his arm, I watched him move with ease, and I wondered just how much I weighed.
I chose that moment to recall that night at the hospital, when I set him up with a patient, and I felt truly sorry. Even though it was Crawford's instruction, it was all my doing.
"Why do you look so pale? Does it hurt that much?" Anderson asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. I didn't realize that he has put me on the bed.
"I need to tell you something." I said instead, on a serious note.
"Whatever that is, it can wait." Anderson replied, heading out of the bedroom.
"Where are you going?" I asked him.
"To get something for your face of course." He replied , just as he stepped out of the door. I couldn't stop myself from feeling sorry for all the times I have cheated him, and collaborated with Crawford to compel him to be part of the mission.
I suddenly recalled the first time I made him have sex with me, and my face drawn up into one big pucker in disgust. He was shaken up from having caused the death of a patient, and the risk of having his license taken, and I had ordered him to have sex with me without giving a thought to his feelings.
How cruel of me!
"Is everything okay?" Anderson asked once he stepped into the room. He was holding a pack of ice.
"Nothing is wrong, except the left side of my face." I replied, and Anderson smiled dryly.
"Here," He said, stretching the pack to me while I placed it on the affected area.
It felt relieving, like pouring water on live coals.
"What is it you wanted to tell me?" Anderson asked after watching me for some time.
"Oh! I wanted to say a very big thank you to you for taking care of me, even though you didn't have to." I said instead. I decided against telling him the truth at the last minute for fear of what his reaction may be.
"Are you sure that is it?" He asked, scrutinizing my face as if he would get a clue from it.
"Yes. You've been really hospitable even though I am an unexpected guest." I said, emotion kicking in.
"Alright, that's enough. We should get some sleep now. We both work for a living." Anderson said cheerfully, and switched the bulb color to blue, giving the room a darker look so that I didn't realize when he headed back until I heard the rustling of the sheets as he eased into the bed.
"Good night, Dr Sofia." He teased.
"Good night, Dr Anderson." I teased back.
* * * * * * * * * *
Once I woke up the next morning, I unconsciously touched the left side of my face. The pain was less and the puffiness was gone.
It was still very early as the alarm was yet to go off. The room was dim-lit and quiet, and only the sound of Anderson's exhaling and inhaling could be heard.
Even though I could not make out the images in the room because of the florescent light, I got out of bed, and walked to where I believed led to the bathroom.
Once I stepped into the bathroom, I shut my eyes to block the reflection of the light. Unlike the light in the bedroom, the light in the bathroom was bright, very bright.
I proceeded to wash up, and in no time I was done. When I came out of the bathroom, Anderson was sleeping peacefully still.
I got dressed, and opting to hold my jacket in my arm instead I went through Anderson's bedroom door, and headed outside.
I needed to get to my house before reporting to work. Even though the puffiness of my face had greatly reduced, there was need to apply a little make-up to hide every last trace of it.
The impact of the chilly weather on my bare skin coupled with the fact that the day was still very young caused me to shiver in fear. I contemplated between continuing my journey home or going back inside.
Settling for the former, I located my car with the aid of my phone's flashlight, and got in, and at a break neck speed, I drove out of Anderson's compound towards the direction of my house.
It was a fearful drive. The streets that led to my house were completely void of cars or people, scaring the wits out of me. For a split second, I wished I had gone back inside to Anderson, or that my house is not so far off from Anderson's. It was pointless to wish Crawford had not called me as that had turned out so well.
At last! I exclaimed in my head as I pulled over in front of my apartment. It felt really good to be home and safe after a fearful drive.
I moved away from the sitting room after ensuring that everything is in place, and walked to my bedroom. From the hallway, I could see that my bedroom door was slightly open, and light seeped through.
Strange!
I remembered switching off the lights before I left for work the previous day, and I did not go into my room last night, before I rushed out.
"Who is there?" I called in the most fearful way I have heard myself speak when I heard footsteps from inside my bedroom.
"I have a gun, and I know how to use it." I said again with the same fearful voice, and the footsteps increased.
I heard a creaking sound as my bedroom door was pulled open, and all my false show of bravery disappeared, as I began to scream with my eyes closed.
I felt strong masculine hands cover my mouth to keep me from screaming, and a shhhh sound followed immediately.
"It's only me." I heard in a familiar voice, but my mind was too clouded to think of anyone, and I was too scared to open my eyes just yet.
"Look at me, Sofia. I'm not here to hurt you." The familiar voice said in a mild tone, and I opened my eyes only to see Mr Crawford.
"How did..." I started to ask, but trailed off.
There was no point in asking. He is Crawford. I reminded myself with a sad sigh.
It was sad to realize that my attempt to avoid seeing him today was all but wasted.
"We can continue with what we started yesterday." Crawford announced with a grin, leading me roughly by the hand, to my bedroom.