Tabitha

Chapter 4

Tabitha

Tuesday…

I returned from the bathroom to be greeted by a bouquet containing two flowers I was deathly allergic to – bourbon rose and mugwort. I could smell the sweetness of the bourbon rose as I quickly picked up the hotel phone and called for someone before I returned to the bathroom. Earlier, the front desk had called to say there was a bouquet for me. I told them to deliver it while I took a shower as I didn't want to be late for my date. Had I known this was the bouquet, I would have told them to return it or throw it out.

But by the time I reached the bathroom, my throat had started to constrict, and I could hardly breathe. I crawled out of the bathroom when someone entered the room. Unable to speak and in a state of utter agony, I was curled up on the floor and this might have caused the prompt reaction from the staff. I wasn't certain what happened, but the hotel's medical team arrived within minutes, and I was given a shot of epinephrine and oxygen. Soon after, I was transported to the hospital and immediately admitted.

This hadn't happened in a while and Linda had ensure me that the hotel was aware of my allergy. My own EpiPen was inside my handbag, but I had been unable to reach it. This was the reason I didn't travel as much as I wanted to because I was unable to control many things around me, especially this kind of allergen exposure.

I spent most of the day sleeping as I usually do after an allergy attack and awoke sometime after seven in the evening. They kept me overnight and I was set to be discharged the following morning. The hotel concierge checked in on me and apologized for the flowers that were sent to my room. Apparently, they were sent from the date I was supposed to meet.

I found it strange that he would send me these flowers where my information would have told him of my allergy. Being too weak to do anything about it now, I made a mental note to have Linda double check the profile she inputted on the dating site to make sure this was addressed. This was a deadly allergy, and I could have died, there was no way she would have left it off my profile.

After supper, I dosed off again and was awoken by someone caressing my shoulder.

It was the nurse. "Someone is here to see you."

Zakhar

The second time was not the charm, but I was pissed enough to want an explanation. Earlier she'd left a message that she would be on time, and she was looking forward to meeting me. So what happened? This prompted me to call the hotel front desk and enquire about her. The desk clerk was reluctant to give me any information on the phone, therefore there was one thing I needed to do.

The hotel lobby was spacious and smelled like the ocean. I met the concierge as soon as I walked up the front desk.

"Mr. Mikhailov will you be checking into your suite?"

The penthouse suite was permanently reserved for me whenever needed and I perhaps would need it tonight. Something told me that I shouldn't leave the hotel without answers, therefore I responded with a nod of assent.

"About a guest you have here. She was supposed to meet me for lunch, but she never showed."

The clerk looked surprised and asked in a soft voice. "You were the one who called earlier?"

"Yes."

It was the concierge who answered. "My apologies Sir, Miss Desher has been rushed to the hospital a few minutes ago."

I was taken aback. "Are you certain? I received a message from her that she would be on time."

"I sent the message to the restaurant on her behalf," the clerk responded.

This was unexpected. "Would you be so kind as to inform me of what happened?"

The manager looked at me sharply. "The bouquet you sent her, she's deathly allergic."

Nathan. That was the only explanation. I would have to deal with him later but for now I was concerned that her health was my responsibility. It would have been futile to find excuses and to explain about my assistant to the concierge, I apologized and asked which hospital she was taken to.

I was never one to have much urgency about any situation until this moment. Being calm and taking prepared action has always been my modus operandi. Tabitha not showing had sprung me into action of which am yet to discover why. A stranger was having me act out of character and I was unable to stop it now.

My brother had always been the careless one in the family. But today would prove that I made mistakes as well, though technically Nathan did. But I would be damned if a woman I was supposed to meet died on my watch. I dismissed my driver and guard and took the steering wheel, driving at top speed to the hospital. As soon as I walked up to the entrance of the hospital building three doctors met me.

"Mr. Mikhailov. We understand you have a friend in our care. We assure you we are doing all that is necessary to ensure her comfort."

Being a sponsor of this facility has afforded my family much recognition and the best health care in the region. The Concierge must have informed them of my arrival which made it easier for me to get to her room. When I arrived, she was asleep, and I was advised to not disturb her. I went to speak with the superintendent about financial matters, after which he took me to the new children's clinic. I returned to the ward a couple of hours later and a nurse went to inform her of my arrival, returning moments later.

"You may go in now Sir," she said, motioning towards the door.

The room seemed empty when I entered, but the adjoining bathroom door was ajar. There was a window on the left wall which showed the lawn below and I walked over and waited. The room was like any typical hospital room with a bed, a night table, and a chair by the bed. I was pleased that they had given her a private room instead of a shared space. I turned at the sound of someone leaving the bathroom and came face to face with the woman from yesterday.

"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."

Tabitha

The arrogant bastard!

His deep, sea green eyes borrowed into my psyche, making my stomach flutter. I wanted to reach across and knuckle him on the forehead, the way my cousin used to do to me when we were little. I was so angry I wanted to scream when he insisted on a second date with me after I told him no.

But since he insisted, I would make his life a living hell. Moreover, if I said no, Linda and her aunt would only find another man to save me. If this date was a disaster, I would have an excuse to not allow them to fix me up in future.

It was always the most handsome men I meet that were the most insufferable. Since bumping into each other at the restaurant the day before where he refused to apologize, I knew he was bad news.

This man had a haughty air about him. He was the kind of man that intimidated other people. But I wasn't one of those people. The only reason I agreed to a second date was that I wouldn't hear the end of it with Linda or Aunt Beryl when I returned to the US. In Linda's mind, my potential new husband could be in Dubai.

I leaned back against the pillows, observing him trying to soften the impeccably harsh lines of his face. I knew it was something he purposely did to make himself appear tough, but it only added to his appeal. I didn't know who this man was, but I assumed that he was some kind of a businessman by the way he dressed.

He was quite tall, perhaps six-three – or more. I could see how his presence could make a girl's knees weak, but I ain't falling for that shit. Moreover, what he wanted with a black woman anyway? His accent was distinct even though his English was flawless. I suspected him to be Russian or close to that region such as Bosnia or Croatia. It didn't matter how piercing his eyes were, or the aquiline features of his nose, or the way his suit molded to his obvious muscles, I wasn't some desperate female waiting to be swept off her feet.

While he offered his fake ass apology, I basically zone him out while I thought about my business in Dubai and what that meant for me. I closed my eyes while his smooth deep voice echoed in the room. Unwittingly, I found myself being caught up by his tone and I heard the last part of the apology.

"I'm truly sorry," were his last words before silence.

I didn't open my eyes and pretended I was asleep. I heard him chuckle softly, perhaps amused of himself as he thought he might have fooled me. I heard him move and I relaxed, thankful that he was leaving, but the compression of the bed told me otherwise. What was he doing? The heat of his body answered my question as he leaned over me.

"You look like an angel when you're asleep. I could take these luscious lips and make them mine."

My eyes flew open as I reached up and pushed hard. He chuckled once more, and he raised himself and stood upright.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" I shrieked.

"I'm Zakhar Mikhailov, your future husband. I'll see you tomorrow …"

"I never gave you the date."

He continued speaking as though not interrupted. "…at one o'clock sharp, and if you break that date, I will find you."

"Who says I'm not married?"

"Divorced, with a deadbeat ex that I will eliminate, given the chance."

I sat straight up, my heart thudding. "Who are you?"

"I told you, I'm your future husband."

I leaned back, now confused and a bit scared. "I need you to leave, now. Please!"

He strolled to the door then turned around. "I didn't mean to scare you. Just meet me tomorrow and I will explain everything."

I waved him away and closed my eyes. This man must be very powerful, unless Linda told him about Gary. However, she wouldn't tell a stranger my personal affair. Did he run a background check on me? That would make sense if he was serious about meeting someone, especially from another country. Russians were known to not trust others, or for being untrustworthy themselves.

Tossing half the night, I could not get Zakhar off my mind. At around midnight, I started scrolling through my phone and decided to look him up on the internet. My mouth hung when I discovered who he was. One of the most powerful men in Asia and Russia. Power not only in terms of money, but business acumen, as well as he himself was often referred to as ‘The Business Tyrant '.

So many questions plagued my mind as I finally drifted off to sleep. What did he want with me? What did he mean when he said he was my future husband? What did he mean by eliminating Gary? Who was Zakhar as a person? What would his kiss feel like … zzzzz.