Nicholas Wild was silent as he watched Christabel Bloom slowly sit up. He was silent as the nurse told him to be patient with her before shutting the door behind them. He was still silent as Christabel Bloom smiled with a welcoming face.
"Thank you for coming to see me sir. But, forgive me, I don't think I have ever met you in my life," Christabel said.
"You haven't met me," Nicholas smiled as he let himself accept that he was talking to Christabel Bloom physically and not in a dream.
"I knew I haven't met you before even though your face is kind of familiar," she continued with the same smile on her face. "Why don't you tell me your name? I may be able to picture a world where I have met you. I am quite imaginative some times."
"I felt it," Nicholas' voice rose. "I felt you had good thoughts in your mind about the world. But, you don't have to stress your mind in finding a place for me to dwell. I am contented with the position I occupy in your mind now. A stranger I mean. It gives me quite the reputation I deserve."
"If you say so," Christabel was adamant on not arguing further. "Since you are a stranger who I have never met before in my life, can you do me the honor of telling me what your name is? At least, that is a simple favor any stranger can be able to grant someone who just fainted on a track during a race."
"My parents gave me Nicholas as my name. You can call me that if you want."
"What is your surname? A handsome guy like you must have a beautiful last name to match with your first name."
"My last name is not as beautiful as you think. Besides, it represents something extreme, something dangerous that could cause people harm if they are not cautious."
"Tell!" Christabel demanded.
"Wild," Nicholas replied, sitting down on a chair that was close to Christabel's bed. "My full name is Nicholas Wild. I am from one of the most powerful families in New York City. You must have heard of my father's name several times."
"I have heard of his name a lot of times when I was young," Christabel's voice suddenly became low. "I have heard about the wealth, power and influence that surrounds him," she paused. "I hope I am not in any kind of trouble, sir. All I did was to run a race. I am an athlete not someone who struggles for power and influence. I am also in no way affiliated to any political party. I do watch elections on television some times but that is it. I don't proceed with any political ambition."
"It is fine," Nicholas laughed softly. "I am not here to harm you. I can see you are afraid of my father and his influence. I give you my word, Christabel Bloom. No one is going to hurt a single hair on your head."
Christabel found it hard to believe what Nicholas had said to her because it was almost unimaginable for her to think she would be visited by a member of the family that she heard so much about. She wondered what Nicholas was doing in her room as she stared at him. She wondered if any of her family members owed him debt and he had come to take it forcefully from her. She wondered if any one she knew in her circle had said something nasty to Nicholas' mother and he had come to take vengeance on them through her. She stopped wondering as Nicholas coughed slightly.
"You are surprised," he said.
"Of course, I am," she admitted. "I am trying to figure out why you are here and it is not easy for me to get my head around the truth. I think it is best if I come out clean and say my mind as I have always done in the past."
"You should do that," Nicholas tried to encourage her. "I bet it is going to ease the tension growing between us and make things easy right here and now. You are free to say your mind."
Christabel tried to relax as she thought about what she was about to say and if it was going to make sense to him. She relaxed as she thought about the number of times her truthfulness in a situation had saved her and how many people had appreciated her for telling them what was going on between them that she didn't feel comfortable with. She gathered some courage and stared at Nicholas' face that appeared appealing to her now.
"Do I know anyone who has offended your family in any way?" She asked.
Nicholas shook his head as he found her question quite odd.
"Do I know anyone who owns your family a great amount of money?" She continued with her questioning.
"I don't know. I am not sure," Nicholas said as he tried to answer the questions she had asked him in a reasonable way. "I have a strong feeling none of the people you associate with every day in your life has had any business with my family. Also, if there is anyone in the whole of this city that has offended my father, I am supposed to be informed about the details of the person. So far, I am yet to come in contact with an enemy of my father for close to two years now."
"I don't believe you," Christabel said her mind again. "It is strange to accept Nicholas Wild whose father owns major parts of the city's beauty can show up in my hospital room without a reason."
"I don't have a reason," Nicholas lied, trying to sound confident. "I can assure you, Christabel Bloom. You are in safe hands. I mean no harm to you."
Christabel brought her legs close to the floor. She attempted to stand up but changed her mind. "How do you know my name?" She asked.
"The nurse told me," Nicholas lied for the second time.
"I don't believe you."
"You have to!"
Christabel squeezed her face. "Then, why are you here?"