A mechanic beep sounded next to me. I groaned reaching out my hand in search of my phone in attempt to shut off the alarm. The hell? Where is it? My eyes flashed open to find myself in a strange room. The beeping noise was coming from what was apparently a heart monitor. I looked over myself to see I was dressed in a hospital gown and had electrodes suctioned on my chest. I tried stretching my arms to feel a little resilience in one, where I found an IV stuck in it and pulled it out. The prick in my arm instantly healed. I looked around my surroundings, even though the room was dark, light from under the curtain was able to reveal enough of the cupic room. I then looked down to find the bartender from last night passed out right next me. What in the fuck happened? I glared at the man sleeping next to me, but I couldn't help from noticing his high cheek bones, his supple lips, and soft relaxed breathing. Something struck my heart reminding me of sleeping next to Njeri and how peaceful she always looked. I reached out a hand and gently combed my fingers through his brown hair. If it weren't for the gel that helped stick it up, it was very soft. His hand then ran down to graze his cheekbones that had a slight bit of stuble. He smiled, Well he is a guy after all. A small groan came from the bartender before fluttering his eyes open.
"Hm...?" His stared blankly at me. I froze in place unsure what to do.
He blinked a few times before a deep drowsy voice asked, "Are you petting me?"
I quickly withdrew my hand. "I-I was just trying to wake you up," I stuttered. I looked away, face flushed.
"Mhm," he groaned. "You're so cute when you blush like that you know?" His eyes closed softly. Phew, that was close but what the hell was that he just said?! Not even a moment later his eyes flew open and he sat upright. "You! You're awake!"
My face was still beet red, "Yeah what of it?" I looked away unable to look him in the face.
"Do you know how worried I was when I found you?!" He exclaimed.
"Uh, found me?" I gave him a puzzled look. Okay, what on earth did I get myself into?
"I found you in your car while it was on fire, stuck in a tree!"
My heart leaped into my throat, "What... did you say about my car...?"
"Uh, yeah it's totalled. But I got you out. Luckily you were uninjured," his face was looked relieved, but also puzzled.
"Well thank you, but why did you bring here?"
His face went blank, or was that shock? "I don't know maybe since you got into a severe car accident and were unconscious. You're supposed to get checked out after."
"Well don't do it again, I'm not going to get hurt," I lectured.
"Okay, then explain why you won't." His eyes expressed a challenge in them, daring me to answer.
I shook my head, "It's not your concern."
He sighed, "Well don't I deserve some sort of explanation? My boss and I worked it out so you wouldn't get caught with any legal issues for drinking and driving."
My eyes widened. "Huh, you did all that? I guess that saves me some trouble of trying to create a new life after. I've been content with this one that I've created," I mumbled.
He looked even more confused. I put my hand on his head, "Sorry for my babbling. I haven't been able to get this off my chest or talk to anyone about it. I think it's best I just keep all this to myself."
"Well, how about you just open up to me then? I'm going to school starting today to become a therapist. Maybe we could help each other out?" Those forest green eyes wandered around my face waiting for an answer.
I bit my lip, "I'll think about it."
A warm smile blossomed across his face, "Thank you, Adam."
My eyebrows knitted themselves together glaring at him, "How do you know my name? I don't recall informing you." Then again I don't remember crashing my car.
"Ah yes about that, I pretended to be your friend bringing you in here. I needed to know some general information about you so.." He began reaching into his back pocket, "I took your wallet and looked over your ID," he chuckled nervously as he handed it over to me.
"Thanks..." I said snatching it from him.
"Oh and why does your ID say you're 93?" Damn, this man really wants to challenge me today.
"Because that was when I created this life for myself and Njeri," I stared off. I was too tired to fabricate a lie.
"You mentioned that you lost someone important to you, was that this Njeri?" His tone was sympathetic.
I nodded, still unable to look him in the eye. I felt my eyes starting to burn and I took a deep breath trying to calm myself as thoughts of her reentered my mind. He must've noticed because he grabbed my hand. I gritted my teeth in an attempt to keep my emotions in check, but it was no use as the tears cascaded down my face. Njeri... Njeri I kept mentally calling out her name as if it would somehow bring her back. How could she leave me like this? How was I supposed to live out the rest of eternity without her by my side? If only I were better...
"Hey," a soft voice called out. I looked up to see that the bartender was now sitting on the bed in front of me. He held my face and brought it up close to his so he was all I could focus on. "I promise things will get better. Don't be so hard on yourself okay?" His expression showed nothing but sincerity.
"How do you know?" I whimperd.
"I just do," he replied. He pulled my face in toward his chest and rested his chin on the top of my head. I could hear his heartbeat in his chest, drumming its sweet song. I pressed my face further into his chest in an attempt to engulf myself in his comfort. I could feel a hand start to rub my back, soon enough I was lulled to sleep.