When Amanda rolled up to the hospital, Alexander was MIA from his ward.
She wandered around and finally spotted him in the park downstairs, chilling on a bench with a little kid next to him.
Dude was deep into a video game, and the kid, maybe four or five, was practically glued to him, eyes wide with excitement. "You're awesome!" the kid shouted, clapping as Alexander smashed through a level.
Alexander kicked off the next level, and the kid leaned in even closer, almost climbing on top of him.
Anyone passing by would think they were father and son, no doubt.
Amanda just stood there, not wanting to mess up the sweet moment.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtSoon enough, the kid's mom showed up and said, "You ran off again. Cback here." The kid pouted, giving his mom the puppy eyes. "Can I play a little longer?" Mom checked out Alexander, decided he wasn't a creep, and sat down. "Alright, five more minutes," she said.
The kid's face lit up. "Thanks, Mom!" Right then, Alexander cleared another level, and the kid jumped up, clapping. "You're amazing!" The kid's missing tooth made his grin both cute and hilarious. Alexander chuckled and handed the gconsole back.
"Tto go," Alexander said.
The kid took the console and said, "I'll cfind you to play again tomorrow." Alexander gave a slight nod.
The kid's mom shot Alexander an apologetic look and carried the kid away.
Amanda finally walked over and plopped down next to Alexander, who was still watching the kid leave.
"You really like kids, huh?" Amanda asked.
Alexander snapped out of it and looked at her. "What are you doing here?" "Quinn said you were in the hospital, so I cto check on you. Are you okay? I told you not to go out, and now look, you're in the hospital," Amanda said. Alexander ignored her and dug around in his coat pocket, pulling out a pack of smokes.
"You're seriously smoking in the hospital?" Amanda asked, shocked.
He lit up anyway, not even glancing at her. After the kid was gone, his usual icy vibe was back, and he barely acknowledged her.
Amanda pressed on, "What's the deal with you and Quinn? You like her or something?" He stayed silent.
"I can tell you like her, but she doesn't want to talk to you. Did you piss her off?" Amanda asked. Alexander stared at the burning cigarette, lost in thought.
Amanda kept going, "Why aren't you saying anything? Are you this quiet with her too? No wonder she doesn't want to talk to you. Even I don't want to talk to you." "You talk too much," Alexander cut her off, grabbed his cane, and got up to leave.
Amanda watched him. He was carrying the cane but not using it. He still had a bit of a limp but could walk without it.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmYet he still carried the cane, which was weird.
Amanda had a lightbulb moment and quickly caught up. "Alexander, if you can walk fine, why are you still m carrying the cane? Waiting for Quinn to csee you?" Alexander stopped, looking annoyed. "Can you shut up?" he asked coldly. Amanda was used to his grumpiness, so she just smiled. "Nope." Alexander smirked and headed back to the inpatient department.
He pulled out his phone and sent a text.
Amanda followed him all the way to the ward, spilling the beans, "Actually, Quinn askedto come. If shem hadn't paid me, wouldn't have bothered." Alexander stepped into the ward, stopped, and looked back at Amanda, nodding his chin. "Isn't that your dad?" Amanda spun around, but no one was there.
When she turned back, Alexander had already shut and locked the door. Only then did Amanda realize she'd been played!