After Divorce, She Bloomed

"She had them destroyed the moment she realized I had them." He explained and Vanessa made an 'O' motion with her lips.

That made sense, she thought.

"But obviously, I'm not going to let her get away, and what better way to get revenge than with the wife of her current lover. You know what they say 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend'.

"The conclusion of his explanation brought about a silence that lasted for a solid minute, broken only by Vanessa's heavy sigh.

"Fine," She uttered.

"I'll consider your offer, Mr. Hayes," The corners of Michael's lips curled up ever so slightly. "But, don't expect an answer immediately." She added as she turned in her chair to attend to her office phone that had been ringing for a while now.

"Yes, Hello?" "Hello Mrs. Bennett," Kathleen's voice boomed from the other end.

"There's a new patient who has just been rushed in for you, He's being led to the second emergency room right now."

"Thanks for informing me, I'll head there right now." Ending the call, she turned to already find Michael on his feet so she joined him.

"So that concludes our session then, Mr. Hayes?" She asked as she walked towards the door, Michael following behind.

"Indeed," Came his reply as he reached forward and opened the door before she could, holding it so that she could step out.

As they stepped out into the Hall, he pulled out his white contact card and handed it to her.

"It was a pleasure discussing with you today, Ms. Reeds, I look forward to hearing back from you."

Vanessa hesitated, something she found herself doing far too often around Michael Hayes, but eventually, collected the card.

"I hope you have a nice day, Mr.Hayes-"

"Michael," He corrected her with a soft smile. "Just Michael is fine."

"Right," Vanessa nodded her head. "Then, please have a good day...Michael."

Michael tipped his head and turned, heading towards the exist and leaving a rather flustered and confused Vanessa behind.

As he walked towards the exit, he caught glimpse of who he supposed was Vanessa's new patient. A scrawny man that looked to be in his late fifties, but that wasn't what drew his attention, the familiar back of the man was what did.

Where had he seen that back again?

"Hello Sir," Vanessa greeted with a kind smile as she joined her assistant nurse to lead the man into the emergency room.

"Hope everything's well today?"

The man shook his head and pointed at his neck. It was then that Vanessa took note of the fact that it was slightly swollen.

"Oh, poor thing," She cooed pitifully, while settling him on one of the examination chairs. "Let's get that looked at, yeah?"

He nodded his head and Vanessa quickly got to work, pulling up the necessary tools and equipment.

She checked his blood pressure, his breathing rate, his temperature, and other basic things.

"His vitals are stable, Nurse Kathleen," Vanessa informed.

"But we'll have to get a sample of his blood to rule out any infections."

"Alright, Doctor." Kathleen nodded and quickly retrieved the necessary instruments needed.

With practiced ease, Vanessa easily punctured the man's vein and started drawing blood, all the while engaging in casual chatter. with him, trying to take his mind off the needle.

"What do you think of the weather today sir? Lovely, isn't it?"

"Indeed, it is," He replied and Vanessa nodded her head. "The perfect day for a walk outside."

"A walk is indeed the best form of exercise. Something that you seem to be lacking right now." The man released a hearty chuckle at her causal way of pointing out his abnormality in B.P.

"You're a very straightforward woman, Doctor Bennett."

"Comes with the job." She said, finishing up and turning her attention back to him.

"But sadly the rise in My, B.P has nothing to do with my lack of exercising. It actually had more to do with my daughter. She's so young that I find it hard to keep up with her youthful exuberance." He explained in a kind manner, eyes glistening like that of a proud father.

"Is that so?" She asked, not surprised. She had seen many cases like his.

"How old is your daughter, Sir?"

"A few years younger than you. Five years at max."

Nodding her head, she finished the blood drawing and handed it to Kathleen for testing before turning back to her patient.

"I was once like that, so worry not."

They both shared a laugh at her words. A few minutes later, the blood work came back and after going through it, Vanessa announced.

"It's just an allergy sir, nothing to worry about. I'll prescribe you some pills and you should be fine."

She offered him a kind yet professional smile that was capable of melting anyone's heart.

Including that of Michael who had been watching her carry out the examination. What a impressive young woman, he thought, impressed by the fact that her skills and charismatic approach in real life had outweighed those of the ones he heard in stories.

And to impress Michael Hayes, was no easy feat.

One point to her, he thought and then moved his attention to the old man she was currently treating, perhaps she deserves a reward.

No, not perhaps, she did deserve a reward.

Reaching into his pocket, Michael picked out his phone, found the number of hers that Bobby had fetched for him and texted a simple message to her.

[That patient of yours, are you aware that he's your husband mistress's father?]

When he sent the message, turned around and left, but as he walked away, he couldn't help but wonder;

What are you going to do with this information, Vanessa Reeds? The look on Vanessa's face the moment she got Michael's text, was incredulous. She read the text one last time, before rushing to take a look at the patients file

But just like Michael's text had said, the man was indeed her husband's mistress's father, his name written clear as day; Marcus Vans.

Oh, God, she thought, cursing at herself for the second time today. How could she be so stupid as to allow the problems she was having with her marriage affect her work ethic to the point that she had forgotten to check a patient's name, twice!

But that aside, Vanessa stole a glance at the man who was too focused on the treatment

Kathleen was giving him to pay her any attention. How could he be Serene Van's father?

She found it hard to believe even after seeing the name, because she couldn't imagine Serene being the daughter he had spoken so much of a few minutes ago.

Okay, let's just say he was speaking of a different daughter-you know the sister that was never recorded in their family register- Vanessa still had her doubts because there was no way a kind man like Marcus, produced the seed that fathered a she devil like Serene.

It must have been a mistake, a big one.

Vanessa tried convincing herself that was the case, but even she knew that the chances of it happening was next to none. So, she settled for the next question; was his visit to her hospital a coincidence? Or did he perhaps have an agenda?

"Doctor Bennett, is everything alright?" Victor's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

She glanced back and flashed him a smile, which turned out looking like a stiff twitch in her lips due to the stress that was building up inside her.

"Everything is fine, Sir," She responded, keeping her voice and expression steady as she turned to Kathleen.

"Please finish up with Mr. Vans, I have an important call to make." Kathleen nodded and Vanessa took her leave. The moment she was out, she called Michael's number.

It rang for a few seconds before it was answered.

"Michael Hayes." His smooth and deep voice rang through the other side and Vanessa had to suppress a shudder that ran through her body at his voice.

"It's me."

"Ah, Vanessa. I was wondering when you'd call." He teased and she had to resist the urge to roll her eyes.

"The text message you sent, you recognize Mr. Vans, so you must have known he'd come to my hospital, that's why you sent me that message, right?"

"I'd love to take all the credit and I say I did, but in this case, it was a complete coincidence."

"Coincidence," She repeated, brows furrowed. "Indeed. Your hospital is famous for its reputation with successful treatment, it only makes sense if he comes here to get checked out. The old folk likes to get his money's worth."

"Oh," Vanessa breathed a sight of relief.

But from the other end, Michael tilted his head and asked.

"How is it that you knew about my ex wife, l even, but not Marcus Vans?"

Was it safe to say she forgot while being under so much street? Vanessa pondered, but before she could respond, Michael clicked his tongue in a manner that showed he disagreed with something.

"You see, this is why you need a competent Ally like me."

"I already have a capable investigator, might I remind you." Vanessa retorted.

"Who? Daniel White?" He asked and Vanessa could no longer resist the urge to roll her eyes.

Of course he knew he investigator. He was that 'capable'.

"Well news flash," Michael began, sounding more serious, which quickly gained Vanessa's once divided attention.

"Daniel White isn't as trustworthy as you think he is. I'd be careful with what I say around him if I were you."

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said. Daniel has a side job of relaying information to media outlets, doesn't he?" Michael replied, right before he was informed by Bobby that there was an urgent call he needed to take.

"I have to go now, but don't hesitate to call me if you need any help." And with that, he ended the call.

Vanessa stared at her phone screen in silence, trying to digest what Michael had just revealed to her.

She knew All about Daniel's side job, but trusted him because never for once had he released a story she told him to investigate about, during a time she hadn't given him the green light to.

But, what was the guarantee that this time around was going to be different, a tiny voice at the back of her mind whispered.

After a few seconds of contemplating, Vanessa found herself taking Michael's words more seriously than she wanted to, as she called Daniel.

"Hello, Mrs. Bennett. It's good to hear from you."

"Likewise." Vanessa replied and got straight to the point. "I know what l'm about to say has never happened before, but I just want to make sure that the story I gave you is going to be released when I say it should be released, not a second earlier, is that clear?"

"Understood, Mrs. Bennett." Satisfied with the response, Vanessa ended the call and sighed as she turned back to look at Marcus's room.

Now, what exactly is she meant to do with the father of her husband's mistress?