Tiger Lily: Part Two

by Amélie S. Duncan

  We walked up to check in at the built-in desk with a computer and a smiling young lady eyeing Jonas.

  “Insurance card,” she said to Jonas.

  I scrambled in my purse for the card, and he handed it to her giving her one of his winning smiles, to my annoyance. He placed his hand on my back once we were finished, oblivious or ignoring my irritation. Part of me was sure he was upset with me, though.

  We went to sit in the waiting area for my emergency appointment. I kept glancing at Jonas, expecting him to leave or use his phone. But he didn’t do either. He sat there and held my hand, as if he had all the time in the world for me. I didn’t have words for the feelings aroused in me.

  After a little over an hour, a slender woman with honey smooth skin and pressed hair dressed in a brightly colored uniform opened the door and called out my name. I stood up, and was surprised when Jonas stood to accompany me.

  “Mr…?” the nurse asked, clearly surprised herself.

  “Crane, her fiancé,” Jonas said with a completely straight face.

  My mouth dropped, but I just nodded. She didn’t press the matter, instead escorting us into an examination room.

  “You’re not feeling well, Lily?” the nurse asked as she perused my chart.

  I looked at Jonas, who took a seat in one of the small chairs next to the examination tables.

  “No,” was all I could think to say.

  “How about I take your vitals? Dr. Steinman will be with you shortly,” she said.

  I slipped off my shoes out of normal habit when approaching a scale.

  “Step on the scale and I’ll take your weight and blood pressure,” the nurse said, as if I didn’t understand the word “vitals.”

  I climbed on the scale. My pulse sped up as we looked at the reading. My jaw unhinged. I didn’t weigh myself much, as I usually found the numbers depressing. This time the number was much less than what I anticipated. I thought back over the last few months and my reduced calorie diet, exercise, half eaten meals, and lack of appetite.

  The nurse lowered her eyes to the clipboard. “You’re a bit underweight. Please have a seat and I’ll check your blood pressure.” I stepped down from the scale and sat down on the examination table. She put down her chart and wrapped the gauge around my arm. “Your blood pressure is a little low, too, sweetheart.”

  She checked it twice digitally, then switched to manual, using her wrist and watch. Jonas grunted.

  “Hmm. I’ll have Dr. Steinman perform a second check. Or an EKG. You say you’re not feeling well?” she asked again.

  I met Jonas’s eyes. They were watery.

  I stared down at my feet. “I’ve been really tired lately…‌lethargic.”

  “Okay. You can put on a gown, and Dr. Steinman will check you over,” the nurse said, pulling out a gown from a hidden drawer under the exam table. “Take off everything but your panties.”

  She eyed Jonas, then left the small room.

  I started unbuttoning my suit jacket and hesitated, a blush creeping up my face. I could feel his stare on me.

  “Would you turn away?”

  “No,” Jonas said.

  I frowned. “No?” I repeated.

  “We are certainly past this, Lily,” Jonas said, crossing his arms.

  I turned away from him and eased off my suit, jacket, and skirt. When I got down to my bra and panties, he let out an audible gasp. I dropped my chin. He was repulsed by me, just like Declan had said. I quickly put on the gown then I sat and put my head in my hands. Jonas was suddenly there, his arms around me.

  “I’m really fine,” I promised. “I didn’t realize I had dropped that much. I’ll eat more.”

  “You will,” he said with conviction in his voice.

  He pressed a kiss to the side of my head before Dr. Steinman walked into the room. Dr. Steinman’s military precision, pewter-colored crew cut was tight to his scalp. The style matched his pristine white coat and shirt and perfectly cut navy slacks. He kind of reminded me of that marine leader with the scar in the movie Avatar that I had a bit of a crush on. His steely gaze took us in.

  “Should I come back?” he mused with a brow raised.

  Jonas undeterred by his presence took his time letting me go.

  “He’s my…‌fiancé,” I lied in explanation.

  Dr. Steinman turned to Jonas.

  “Yes, that’s right,” Jonas said with an air of authority as he took a seat.

  “Fine.”

  Dr. Steinman went straight to work, checking my thyroid, heartbeat, back, and stomach.

  He sighed. “Lily. You’re underweight. Any more weight loss would be a danger to your health. You’re at risk of heart failure with your low blood pressure, not to mention, septic shock and neurological disorders. I’m taking your blood and testing for iron deficiency today.”

  I touched my full hips. “I…‌My body is still….”

  I couldn’t find the words for what I wanted to say, but it wasn’t like I was super skinny or anything. I still had some curves. It hadn’t even occurred to me that where I was might be unhealthy. So many women were so much thinner than me.

  He pressed his lips together, somehow understanding what I was thinking. “Your body’s natural frame is never going to be waif thin. Some people are naturally thin and healthy. You’re not. Perhaps a nutritionist or counselor would be necessary?”

  “She’ll go to both,” Jonas interjected. “We’ll need the referrals.”

  “Good,” Dr. Steinman said. Both men seemed to be ignoring me. “She can return in two weeks. We’ll call with the blood test results. I suspect iron deficiency, but I’ll check everything.” He finally looked at me. “Are you tired all the time? How’s the sleep and stress?”

  “She was physically attacked.” The anger and hurt in Jonas’s voice shamed me. “You can see the dark circles and puffiness around her eyes. She’s not sleeping.”

  My shoulders slumped.

  Dr. Steinman smiled at Jonas. “Thanks for answering for her. Let’s hear what she has to say for herself.”

  Jonas lifted his chin.

  I grimaced. “I’ve been unable to sleep. I take sleeping pills occasionally. As for stress….” I thought about Declan and glanced at Jonas. “I have been under stress.”

  “Then, Lily, this is your warning,” Dr. Steinman said. “It’s you that needs to start helping yourself, or give in and go for hospitalization and have us insert a feeding tube. Hopefully that won’t get infected and cause other long term problems. Your other option is succumbing to possible debilitating illnesses or death.”

  “That’s not going to happen,” Jonas spoke up.

  I grimaced and crossed my arms. “That’s harsh.”

  “I’m here to help my patients get better,” Dr. Steinman said. “So, if it scares you into health, I did my job. I don’t want you collapsing at work so I will write a request for stress leave that you can submit to your Human Resources Department. I’ll leave it in front with the counseling referral.” He turned to Jonas. “You’re her fiancé, so take care of her. I’m not giving her medication. Healthy meals, slow weight gain. She should have warm milk, massages, absolutely no stress and therapy.”

  “I will take care of her,” Jonas said. “And we’ll be here for the next appointment. Thank you.”

  My eyes widened in surprise at Jonas’s assurance. He couldn’t promise to be here in two weeks. He had work.

  Dr. Steinman turned back to me. “See you in two weeks, Lily.”

  He shook Jonas’s hand then left.

  I turned back and quickly put on my clothing. “Jonas. You can’t be here.”

  “Oh, Lily, I can be wherever I want,” Jonas said, not to just for me, but also himself.

  He pulled out his phone and began texting someone. When I was changed, he took my hand. We walked out to the front desk and waited a few minutes to collect the referrals before leaving the office.

  Once we were seated in the car, Jonas immediately reached fo
r me. I didn’t resist as he placed me in his lap. I needed the comfort.

  “David. We’ll stop in Jersey City. Then, back to the Waldorf hotel,” Jonas said.

  I hid my face in case he saw my disappointment. We were right back into the same routine. He’d wine, dine, and leave. Still I snuggled against him. And, for the first time in weeks, I slept soundly.

  CHAPTER 17

  I could feel his breath on my ear. His nose brushed against me, rousing me from my sleep.

  “We’re here.”

  I opened my eyes, looking past him out the windows, and saw my apartment building. My heart sunk. The scene of the crime. My Hell.

  “Something wrong?” Jonas asked, tilting my head up to him.

  My brows furrowed. Yeah, something was wrong, and it was the gorgeous, unavailable man holding me. I moved off his lap and onto the seat next to him. I had been so enraptured by having Jonas here that I had completely failed to remember what Dani had said about Melissa. He was seeing her now. But she couldn’t give him what he needed, a small voice in the back of my head reminded me.

  “What are you thinking?” Jonas asked.

  I looked up and scowled at him.

  He gave me a look with equal irritation and added the quip, “An honest answer.”

  That took the wind out of my sails, and my scowl became more of a frown. “You deserve an honest answer. So I was thinking that here you are, cuddling me. But you’re with Melissa.”

  Jonas stared at me and didn’t answer. That was answer enough for me.

  I lifted my chin. “Thank you for attending my appointment. I’m sorry for any inconvenience I may have caused you. I didn’t realize I had loss weight and…‌well, I’m home now so…‌see you,” I babbled.

  Jonas crossed his arms. We sat for a moment in silence.

  He then said, “My turn?”

  I shrugged.

  “You removed yourself from my life. So I don’t think it would be fair to expect me not to try to move on. What do you think?” he asked bluntly.

  I breathed through the truth and pain of his words. I covered my mouth as a wave of nausea went through me at the thought of Jonas with someone else. I had been naïve, of course. And in truth, I had never expected him to wait for me. My head fell forward.

  “So what are you doing here? You should go.” My voice broke.

  Jonas’s mouth tightened. “You want me to go?”

  I shook my head. “Do you want to stay?” I whispered.

  My bottom lip trembled.

  “Yes, Lily, I want to stay.”

  Jonas took my hand and brushed his lips against the back of it. I would have given anything for Jonas to assure me of his intentions, but he didn’t. Instead, he helped me out of the car while David handed me my keys from the pocket of my handbag to unlock the door. I saved the protest on my lips as I quickly realized neither one of them was going to listen to me. Not to mention, the tick in Jonas’s jaw let me know he was still upset with me.

  I tried to push my brain on the subject, but found it all too exhausting. In fact, I was practically dead on my feet. This must have come across as it took me a minute to unlock the front door once we reached my apartment. Jonas eventually took the keys away and unlocked it himself. My eyes scanned the place for anything embarrassing, as I hadn’t been expecting company. My unmade couch bed was the first thing I went to correct, walking over and folding my pillows and the blanket I had left out.

  “You’re place looks different,” Jonas said.

  He eyed the empty places where the lamps used to be. I hadn’t moved the furniture around to fill in the spaces.

  “My roommate, Natasha, moved out a while ago.”

  The sound of my cabinets being opened and closed had me looking at the kitchen. Jonas was looking inside of them.

  “What about your lease?” he asked as he opened my refrigerator and pursed his lips. “All I see is yogurt and water here. What did you eat for breakfast?”

  My scalp felt damp. I walked over to the thermostat along the wall and checked the temperature. It was off, and for the loft that usually meant cold. I tried to recall everything that had happened during the day. When did I last eat?

  “A salad for lunch. I’ll call and see if I can get a delivery tonight. I’m fine now. Maybe I’ll take a nap. Or do you want to talk?” I rambled as I squirmed, watching him look in every cabinet and even at my garbage. “What are you doing?” I asked with annoyance.

  I already knew he was searching for food. He didn’t trust I would give him a straight answer.

  “I haven’t gone shopping yet. I usually eat at work anyway,” I said, offering an explanation.

  Jonas reached inside the refrigerator. He took out the four cups of fat free yogurt, all my least favorites left, and a spoon.

  “You’re tired. Go to the bedroom, sit on the bed and wait for me. You’ll eat these and take a nap before we leave for the hotel. We’ll get dinner in a couple of hours. Oh, and you haven’t answered on your lease.”

  I crossed my arms and planted my feet. I didn’t move, but answered him, “A couple of months. I’m looking for a studio here, Brooklyn and Queens. But is that what this is?” I gestured between us. “You’re ordering me around like a child.”

  Jonas gave me a look that said “how could you ask me that?” With all my lies and deception, I couldn’t blame him for being upset, but that still didn’t explain his actions.

  I was frustrated, but the hurt in his eyes made me respond, “I’m sorry about…‌everything.”

  “Everything? This doesn’t settle everything. You’ll tell me everything,” Jonas said in a crisp tone.

  I shuffled on my feet. “I don’t expect you to understand.”

  He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. “Dr. Steinman said not to stress you. So I apologize if my anger is upsetting you, but I just learned that motherfucking piece of shit ex of yours beat you. And you told Ian and Dani, not me.”

  The hurt and disappointment in his voice cut into me. I casted my eyes down as guilt encompassed me.

  Jonas ran his hand through his hair. “I’m trying, Lily. But what I need from you right now is to do as you’re told.”

  “I most certainly will not,” I said petulantly.

  The effect would have gone over better if I hadn’t yawned.

  “Do you need me to carry you? I will.”

  He suppressed the grin on his face.

  I leaned against the couch and looked away. That was all the time it took for Jonas to cross the room and swoop me up like a damsel in distress. There were no words I would be able to say to change his mind about what he intended for me. I relaxed into his hold. He pressed his lips to my forehead then carried me across the room, paying no mind to his black suit, which I crushed and creased against him.

  My bedroom. I let out the breath I was holding once I saw the lights were off. Declan hadn’t managed to come back inside, but his being there at all still poisoned my view of the room.

  “Eat and nap,” Jonas said, placing me down on the bed.

  I rolled my eyes, but gave a little nod. “You gonna baby me?” I whispered.

  Jonas finally smiled back at me. “I suppose I am.”

  Everything was fuzzy, as he fed me spoon after spoon of yogurt.

  “Don’t taste good together,” I believe I mumbled.

  “You’ll eat more soon. Rest now,” he said.

  I began to drift off. I was warm. Too warm. I tugged off my suit before falling into a dream.

  “I love you, Jonas.”

  “I…‌love you, darling.”

  “I need you. Please stay.”

  “I’m not going anywhere, my little tiger.”

  “I don’t give a damn. You will listen to me. Declan. Declan Gilroy. Find everything you can. That fucker won’t have two nickels to rub together to get a defense attorney.”

  My eyes popped open and I screamed, “You can’t!” My bedroom door flew open and Jonas rushed inside, his phone i
n hand.

  Jonas stared at me. I paused under the weight of his glare and looked down. I was no longer dressed in my suit. No bra. Just a tank top. I didn’t remember putting on panties. Did Jonas change me? I timidly gazed back at him and my answer was there. Yes, he did.

  I shook my head to return my focus to the issue at hand. Jonas was going after Declan and he couldn’t. “You can’t. You’re going to make everything worse.”

  “I’ll call you back. No. Go ahead.” Jonas’s mouth was in a firm line. He placed his phone inside his suit jacket. “Explain.”

  “Are you going to listen?” I asked my voice elevated. “This is why I didn’t want you to know. This is why I kept this from you.” I swallowed. “The police arrested Declan at his business. He’s furious. And he took….”

  Jonas’s facial expression went lethal.

  I was bawling now. Jonas sat down next to me and took my face in his hands.

  “Tell me. Right now,” he commanded.

  “I can’t. Please. It’ll make it worse.” I tried to shake my head in his hands. “Please understand.”

  “No. I don’t understand. I’m not calling anyone off. You tell me right now what you’re hiding,” Jonas demanded.

  “He came in and took my book and ripped some of my photos. He has more photos.”

  My skin heated and Jonas’s face turned menacing. He started to shake.

  “He’ll return the book. And he’ll stop with the photos,” I pleaded. “He’s just upset. Don’t ruin his life. Please. Jonas. Don’t do anything. Give him a chance to get himself together. I’m fine now. So please.”

  “No you’re not, but you will be. I promise you,” he whispered.

  He pulled me into his arms and held me His comfort and care was what I longed for, and I took it, molding myself against him. I couldn’t get close enough, and he patiently let me. He was a mountain of strength, and I was broken, but in his arms, I came together.

  CHAPTER 18

  I woke with a start outside of the Waldorf. I hadn’t realized I’d fallen asleep again. I kept my eyes closed for a few extra moments and inhaled, taking in Jonas’s scent and the warmth of his body. I peered through my lashes and made out his expression from the light coming through the window. His beautifully sculpted face was set in stone. My heart lurched. I had become a disruption in his order. He’d spent most of the afternoon and part of the evening with me. From our short time together and public knowledge of him, I knew Jonas wasn’t the type to miss meetings or work. Yet he had managed to miss both because of me. He had put up with a doctor’s office and mini breakdowns over my ex. Hell, he’d even changed me, fed me, and got me in the car once I had settled down, not allowing me to pack a thing.