Concerned
When they landed in California, Cassie was taken directly to the hospital and wheeled straight to the HDU.
They looked like a homeless couple and the nurses eyed them suspiciously when they walked in. Ethan hadn't even thought about his appearance or the fact that his tattered clothes, overgrown beard, and bare feet were attracting attention. All he was concerned about was getting Cassie the medical care that she so badly required.
She was still unconscious and the physician Dr. Miko, asked Ethan a lot of questions, to try and get a better diagnosis for her condition. Ethan patiently relayed the whole ordeal from the beginning, telling him about the plane crash right up to the night of the terrible storm.
"That explains your -uh-attire..." the Dr pushed up his glasses and gave him a stiff smile.
"If you really worried about whether I can afford to pay the medical bills...then rest assured that I have more than enough money to buy this institution and still pay your salaries in advance for the next five years.
"Of cos." Dr. Miko replied, but there was no conviction in his voice.
"I have a feeling you doubting my capabilities Dr?" Ethan as he quirked his eyebrow. "Never judge a book by the cover," he said in low tones of caution just as Mark came in with a change of clothes and other necessities.
"Here's everything you required Mr. Hunter," Mark handed him a brand new iPhone along with his toiletries and attire. "Will there be anything else you need Sir?"
"Food," Ethan smiled. "A nice juicy double beef burger with melted cheese, bacon, pickles and a generous portion of fries plus a double-thick vanilla milkshake."
"Of cos Sir," his trusted friend smiled back. "From the usual place, I presume?"
"Yes. Nobody does it better."
"I'll be back shortly Sir. I've arranged for your things to be moved to the penthouse two blocks away from here as you requested Sir."
"Great. You're the best Mark." Ethan said as he turned back to the doctor with a smug look, just as his personal assistant Amanda burst through the doors- looking like the First Lady instead of a secretary.
"Mr. Hunter! Thank goodness you're safe!" She ran towards him and threw her arms around him.
"It seems a lot has changed since I've been MIA, Mrs. Jones," Ethan laughed as he hugged her.
"You need a shave, a shower and-" she stepped back and eyed him critically, her head a little on one side.
"Yes Ma'am," Ethan chuckled. "I was going to dash over to the penthouse just after I spoke to Dr. Miko over here," he gestured as he spun around and fixed his gaze on the embarrassed doctor.
"Are you hurt? Maybe we should get you a thorough examination?"
"Mrs. Jones I'm fine. It's Cassie that I'm worried about"
"I insist Mr. Hunter-wait what?" Her hand elegantly manicured hand flew over her mouth, the shock evident." Did you say Cassie as in Cassandra Winters?"
"Yes, she was on the plane with me when it crashed-"
"The plane crashed??!" The poor woman stared at him in silence, agape with perplexity.
"Yes-look I'll explain everything later," he said as he gave his focus back to the doctor. "I'm sorry, you may continue Dr."
"As I was saying," the specialist cleared his throat. "By the looks of it, it seems like she has a severe case of bronchitis and it may have turned into pneumonia due to the prolonged exposure to the cold and rain." Dr. Miko deduced. "We will have to run some tests just to be sure."
"But she's going to be okay?" Ethan sort for the confirmation that he so desperately needed.
"I can't say until we have examined her and run the tests." Advised Dr. Miko, a tinge of asperity in his tone. "I have to go and see the patient now. I'll let you know when you can see her."
Ethan leaned heavily against the wall and sighed as he raked his fingers through his disheveled hair.
"What happened to Cassie?" Amanda asked her voice was pregnant with alarm, though she strove to make it sound like merely concern.
"She contracted a fever of some sort and she took a turn for the worst." He looked round in despair, then glanced at Amanda. His anguish was redoubled by an inexplicable struggle within him.
"Oh no..." Amanda cried out in distress. "She will pull through. Cassie is a fighter." She said as she patted him on the arm.
"I hope so..." the other answered, with some uneasiness of manner. "I'm going to go and freshen up. Can you-"
"I'll be here Mr. Hunter," she read his mind like a book. "You go ahead. Mark's already waiting outside."
"Thank you, Mrs. Jones," he flashed her an appreciative smile.
As he was walking down the corridor, Dr. Miko called out after him, causing him to stop in his tracks.
"Sorry Mr. Hunter, but we're going to need you to fill in a couple of forms and require a deposit-"
"My very capable assistant Amanda is still here and she will take care of the bill. I can fill in the forms as soon as I've taken a shower and feel human again-if you don't mind that is?" Ethan questioned.
"That's okay Mr. Hunter-there's also the issue of her next of kin?" he queried, "Will you be able to stand in? Or should we check her records?"
"You can check her records and if you can't find one then I'm more than happy to step in," Ethan said with a curt nod before he exited the building.
Mark opened up the door of the shiny black Mercedes Benz and Ethan thanked him before he slid onto the leather seat.
"You food Sir," Mark handed it to him before he closed him in.
"I've dreamed of this day..." Ethan chuckled softly as he tore the bag open and extracted the burger like it was a rare pearl.
"Dreams can come true old chap," he laughed as he looked at Ethan through the rearview mirror.
"Indeed," Ethan said before he sunk his teeth into the juicy meal.
"I managed to get the details for Mrs. Winters's parents," he informed his employer, "I have texted you the details."
"Thanks for that. Let me call them now," Ethan said as he wiped his hands with a napkin.
He punched in the number for Cassie's mother and waited patiently for her to pick up.
"Hello."
"Good afternoon Mrs. Winters?"
"Yes."
"My name is Ethan Hunter, I'm a friend of your daughter, Cassie-"
"I'm sorry Mr. Hunter but we still haven't heard anything from her-the police have called off the search as well-"
"I know where she is-"
"What?! Really??! Is she okay? Where is she? Where did you find her? How do you-" "She's been admitted at the California Private Hospital-"
"Oh no! Is she okay??! My poor angel!"
"Can we meet there and I'll let the doctor explain everything to you?"
"Sure-I-I'll tell her father and her fiance. He almost lost his mind with worry-"
"Really?"
"Yes, she's engaged to a wonderful young man, Kace Miles. He'll be so glad to hear that she's been found. Thank you so much, Mr. Hunter."
"Pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Winters. See you soon then."