Dr. Lee was a good friend and amazing teacher, he took me under his wing years ago after seeing how much I care about the patients. At the time, I was deciding on  becoming a doctor or just advancing my nursing degree. I can’t recall why I quit while working on my master’s degree, but I am so happy that I ran into him again. It’s like a breath of fresh air walking back into Jefferson Medical, and now Dr. Lee is introducing me to his newest star pupil so I can catch up quickly. As I glance at Dr.  Khalifa, I’m captivated by how handsome he is, with his deep mahogany skin, dark intense brown eyes, and clean facial hair, but there is something more about this man. He makes me feel the way my mysterious friend does. I keep rubbing my hands on my pants and shifting from side to side as I wait for him to look at me. When Dr. Lee pushes me forward to introduce us, I notice my heart racing. I demurely smile at Dr. Khalifa. He doesn’t look up at me hastily, just stays staring down at the ground. I think if I say hello, he might look up.

“Hello Dr. Khalifa, I am excited to be assisting you.” I coax.

I wait patiently for him to lift his head and when he does a whisper of euphoria flows over me like the mist of a gentle cool breeze.

“Hello, Mrs. Kadar. It’s nice to me you.” He responds gruffly.

I’m taken back at  his tone, was he upset about something? Either way, Mrs. Kadar, never again.

“Please, call me Eset, I want to get to know you without concern for formalities.” I implore and move closer. I want him to like me, but I’m not sure where this need is coming from.  Were my feelings because of someone else or is there something with him directly? I need to think about this. It was time I ended this introduction.

“Eset, that is a lovely name, but I know your husband so out of respect I will stick with being formal” He insisted.

“Ex.” I interrupted.

“Sorry, what was that.” He inquires.

“You do not need to worry about respect or formalities because he is my ex-husband!” I urge.

I want to clear up any miscommunication so there was no misunderstanding my reason for being there or my and Seth’s relationship.

“Okay!” He winks. “My apologies then, I was quick to jump to conclusions. I’m happy to call you Eset! Please call me Husani. I look forward to working with you.” He quips. “Do you plan to train as a doctor or a nurse?” He probes.

He acts different now, friendlier, somewhat flirty.

“Thank you, Husani, I plan to work as an NP. I am grateful for your direction .” I coax.

My feelings are all jumbled that I know I need to get away and let Dr. Lee catch up with his resident.

“Well, gentlemen it was a pleasure, but I should get going. Husani, I will see you on Tuesday. Dr. Lee, we need to have dinner, let me know when you are available. Thank you for everything. Both of you have a good evening.” I exclaim.

I didn’t want to but well walking away I peek back once and there I see those dark eyes follow me. This is going to be the start of something new and I’m ready to take on the challenge.

As I approach my car, I glimpse Seth leaving his, odd what was he doing in a place like this? Seth hates hospitals and reminds me that what I do is not a real job. I never understood that though and figure he was just finding something to attack me over. Either way, it’s strange that he’s here, but I need to talk to him anyway so what time is better than now? I follow behind him, but as he continues to creep forward, I feel a pinprick of a chill run down my spine. Where in the hell is he going, and why is he being so secretive about it? I watched as he bypasses the elevators, he slips through the door to the stairs, and disappears. A sting of surprise hits me like an electric current. I run to the door, open it, and blink out of sight. I catch up to Seth treading up the stairs towards the personal luxury suites. I creep quietly behind him making sure to stay invisible. I don’t understand why he’s been acting so shady. This was turning into a peculiar day already and now I was following Seth. He stops at the last door, glances around, and pulls open the door. I came upon the door a few minutes after him, look around, and go through. The luxury suites wing looks nothing like a hospital, it resembles a five-star hotel. I catch a glimpse of Seth as he enters a room on the right. I walk up to the room and discreetly peek in. I see a fancy hotel room foyer; it has eggshell two-tone walls with crown molding. It’s quite appealing for a hospital. I came this far already, might as well keep the momentum. The soft click of the handle worries me, but when no one comes running I slip inside and close the door behind me. I gently shimmy over to the archway and look in the bedroom. Seth’s there standing over a woman, but when he moves out of the way I gasp. What was going on? Why was Kalina wearing cuffs on both her wrists?

“I didn’t think you would come to visit me, dear husband!” She implores. “I thought since you finally had our sister you would forget about me. After all, regardless of my betrayal that is what you wanted most.” she giggles.

I wonder why she is giggling and what she is talking about? I don’t understand she’s calling him husband; did Seth marry Kalina? What does our sister mean? I have so many questions, I must hear how he answers.

“Shut up, or I will gag you too!” He growls. “Of course, I would visit you, those cuffs don’t allow you much freedom, do they? Regardless of my relationship with her, you betrayed me, wife, so you will be punished for that.” He scolded.

What am I hearing, relationship with her, who does he mean me?  Who is he in all of this I wonder? And why does Kalina seem familiar in another way too? Why is she tied up here? Kalina creeps from the bed and stalks over to Seth coyly. She bends down and whispers.

“Oh, brother, always coveting someone else’s wife! Has our sweet sister started to come to her senses again?” she snidely asks.

Seth stares at her angrily, he grabs her by the hair and pulls her close, covering her mouth he laughs as she struggles to breathe. He bends down close to kiss her, and she tries to push him away. When he doesn’t budge, she bites his lip. He must like that because I watch him smile wickedly but he’s seething when he speaks.

“Don’t worry wife, I covet only what is and should be mine. Our sister is miserable, and I will make sure she never remembers her life with him. He is gone for good anyway, so both of you should just get in line and stop testing my limits.” He sinisterly chuckles.

Kalina stands there, looking at him in a blind rage. I always thought Kalina was infatuated with him, who knew it was just an act. She walks back over to the bed and sits, crosses her legs and smooths her dress, the soft silk clingy to every curve of her body. I always thought Kalina was pretty in a seductive way. She has long silky black hair and radiant blue eyes. She lays back slowly, takes a deep breath, and laughs loudly. I also thought Kalina had a few screws loose.

“Oh, how funny!"  Kalina taunts! “You know, I can feel him. He is going to break free. You poor man, living in denial again. It’s hilarious to watch you struggle with your inadequacies. But the truth is husband, brother dear, you will never win. Eset will find him, and she will save him, just like she always does. You can try all you want but face it he is going to break free.” She snaps.

Seth blasts to the bed and slaps a cackling Kalina; he grasps her face and holds it tight.

“That won’t happen, I won’t let it. She will never find him, I made sure of it and you both will succumb to me. ONLY ME!” He protests.

Seth walks toward the foyer, I move near a door to hide. Then I hear a loud cackle coming from the bedroom.

“You stupid fool.” Kalina seethes “Mark my words he will come!” She jeers.

I hide behind the door listening to her howling with laughter and screaming like a banshee about this mysterious man going free.

“He is coming. The resurrected king will return.” Kalina roars.

 What did Seth do to her, I’m worried about her sanity. Still, I have questions and if she’s not fully delusional she can help me with those questions. So, I wait until everything goes quiet, and Kalina’s breathing slows. I turn my phone to silent, so no one hears the calls coming in and set up a recorder. When it gets dark, I slowly tiptoe out into the bedroom. I look around again at all the luxurious things she was given and feel a sense of unease. This woman is pampered, but all I see is a gilded cage. We were both caged, just my cage is a little roomier and according to my jailer, I was allowed to branch away some since I never posed a threat as a flight risk. I slowly sneak up to the bed and stare down at the outline of the person. I quietly reach for her arm, place it in one of the cuffs, and clasp it closed. The noise brings those glowing blue eyes to focus, I smile down at her.

“Hello, Kalina I think we need to talk.” I admonish.