“Calm —indeed the calmest— reflection might be better than the most confused decisions” 

― Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis (n): a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one. 

Adrianna’s POV: 

“So, you are saying everything here belongs to your family?” I exclaimed in awe as I took in the vast property, my eyes lingering on the scary looking mammon statue situated at both sides of the gates. 

Archer chuckled, "We do own this property, yes,” He nodded answering my questions. 

The interior of the mansion was modernly decorated, beige and black themed. A stairway led to the second story.

A chandelier hung from the ceiling. The curtains that were draped over the full-sized windows fluttered slightly as the warm autumn wind caressed the finesse. 

“That is the kitchen,” He pointed to the other side of the lobby which was an open area with a dining table enough to accommodate 10 people.

A glass panel separated it from the living area. A small bar was attached to it, a wooden shelf displaying a variety of alcohols. 

“The current chef is Atlas Demetrio; he is instructed to cook meals per Ares’ wishes. If you feel like making any modification based on his health, you can request him to add or subtract anything.” 

I nodded, jutting it down in my small notebook. 

“May I take a look around the kitchen?” I asked, fixing my glasses. 

“Sure!” Archer led me to the kitchen, “Feel free to check anything.” 

The kitchen was neat and vast. It had wooden floor and another small chandelier hanging up from above. 

“It works as a fire alarm if necessary.” Archer answered, probably taking account of my surprise. 

“You didn’t provide me with his blood test report,” I commented as I took a closer look at the counters. Everything was shockingly neat and by neat, I mean not a speck of dust anywhere neat. 

“Oh, if you need it, I can provide it now,” Archer muttered, “I think I forgot.’ 

“No worries,” I let out a satisfied ‘humph’ as I shot him a friendly smile, “I need it before today’s dinner. Need to check his HDL and LDL. Also, in the case of diabetes or any blood disease, we might have to bring a change in his diet.” 

“As far as I know, he is mostly healthy. He eats healthy, but his sugar intake is high. He has a sweet tooth.” 

“Bad,” I chastised softly as I scribbled in my notepad, “Sugar is the reason behind major fatal diseases. Cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer- you name it,” 

“Sure, doctor,” His chuckle resonated through the empty kitchen. A blush crept up my cheeks as I realized the pseudonym he used for me. 

Doctor. 

“I’m not a doctor,” I corrected him, “An intern to be exact. I was good at what I was doing, so I was assigned with nurses. LPN."
 
He let out a hearty laugh, "I am still calling you doctor. Dr. Adams told me you are aspiring to be one right? I can already see you'll make a great one."

A smile escaped as I took him in, feeling more welcomed than ever.

Archer radiated a charming aura, his presence was that of platonically warm and I would love to have someone like him as my friend.

I was good at detecting unreliable people and I sensed nothing but sincerity in him.

“Well, good for Mr. Senior Estevan,” I sighed as I closed the notebook, fixating him with a look, “He needs all the help he can manage.” 

Archer smiled. 

“Now, where is my patient?” I huffed, “I need to have a talk with him.” 

“A talk?” Archer laughed nervously, looking almost guilty, “About that.....I don’t think Ares will do that....” 

My frown deepened, confusion swirling within me, “Why?” 

“I actually didn’t take his permission before assigning you...” Archer sighed, biting his lower lip, “He... might freak out.” 

Just exactly what I was dealing with here? 

I shut my notebook rather loudly, agitation dripping within me. 

“Mr. Estevan, I highly suggest you to have this talk with my soon to be patient. I wish to feel like I am dealing with a 35 year old guy, not a toddler.” 

“Ms. Campbell, I don’t want to cause any inconvenience for you,” Archer’s voice hardened as the warm look in his eyes suddenly melted into the greys, replacing it with something I could only describe as sternness.

“But I am afraid that Ares is someone that will cause inconvenience for you. That was the part of your job description.” 

I let out a breath. He wasn’t wrong. 

“Also, you are free to leave if you think this job is too burdensome for you. I was honest with you and I expect you to retaliate that.” 

I nodded, understanding.

“Mr. Estevan, I am sure that you are making a different meaning of my words,” I looked around nervously, “It’s not an inconvenience at all! I will try my best to look after Mr. Older Estevan, please count on me.” 

The hard look vanished as it was immediately replaced with a soft look, the usual smile was back on his lips, “I know you will, everyone recommended you and you're passionate. Time is all I am asking for; Ares might be uncomfortable around you.” 

“So, what do you suggest we do?” I questioned, genuinely curious. 

“For now, you can observe him from afar and take notes about him. I will introduce you to him when the time is-” 

“What is happening here?” 

My soul left my body as I froze in my spot. 

The voice was raspy, full of menace and was thrown across the mansion carelessly. It held power, dominance. It sent shivers down my spine. 

Archer stiffened as his eyes widened, his smile falling immediately. He looked like a deer stuck in the headlights- reverting his gaze back and forth as his mouth opened and closed. 

This person can’t be that bad, can he? 

Then again, I had the opportunity to observe some patients with anxiety up close.

Overthinking and constantly worrying about something that might not even come into play; that was them. 

“Brother..” Archer mumbled, somewhat dazed, his gaze fixated behind me, “I was just-” 

I heard a distinct sound of shoes and something else clicking on the ground, echoing throughout. The sound only increased the chaos unfurling within me. 

I gulped. 

“Doing things I don’t permit?” The voice echoed again, this time, closer. 

“I am sorry, I was just loo-” 

“I asked you to stop bringing in nurses,” The voice was probably now a meter or so away, it was still moving closer. 

My muscles tensed, as if sensing the presence of something ominous. 

Or it was probably me being overdramatic. 

Whatever it was, his presence was enough to scare me.

“I was worried, Ares,” Archer sighed, briefly glancing at me, “Besides she is not a professional nurse, I brought someone who is more willing to learn and she can handle-” 

“I have already stated, do not interrupt in my life, Archer,” The voice was now extremely close, so close that the warmth of his body threw my mind into a frenzy. 

The clicks of shoes came to a halt as I let out a breath. 

“Adrianna can help you-” 

“Adrianna, huh?” 

Some people are born to intimidate, to instill fear in other’s mind; they have this menacing aura that’s make you think thrice before you speak with them.

As of now, Ares Estevan sure seemed like one of them. His presence alone was menacing, fearful. 

Was it a shield he built around himself to protect himself from everyone because of his anxiety or he was genuinely an asshole? 

I let out a shocked gasp as I felt something hit my legs. It was light, but enough to startle me and snap me out of the brume of my thoughts. 

He did NOT just hit me with his stick-

I twirled around as a reflex action, only to come face to face with a tall man. 

By tall, I mean this guy was tall. His documented height was 6 foot 3 inch. Only now I could understand how drastic of a height difference it was. 

I gulped as I stared at his black shirt covered chest, not daring to look up, feeling more small than ever. 

I was used to have men in my presence, but this was the first time I was caught off guard. Maybe it was because I could sense the impending hatred I was about to receive or maybe it was because of the thrill of the challenge that came with this person. 

But if I wanted this job, I had to overcome my fear sometime, right? 

I gulped as I sucked in a harsh breath, calming my nerves and preparing myself for hearing a lecture. 

His musky cologne filled my senses as I clenched my jaw, tried my hardest not to let myself be affected by it. 

“Ares, Ms. Campbell is not like the other nurses, I have studied her profile. She is bright, young and diligent. She has some serious achievements-” 

I felt a surge of power rush within me as Archer’s voice hung in the air. 

Ready to confront him, I looked up. 

My self-restraints vanished into thin air as I took him in. 

If I thought Archer was hot, this man was the freaking sun. They weren’t joking when they added the clause “Employees are not to behave inappropriately.” 

Ares Elliott Estevan was definitely not an old, wrinkly guy. He stood tall, proud- his shoulders were broad. Unlike his brother, who’s hair was styled neatly, his hair was rather messy.

It was slightly long, curly, as black as the carapace of the night. I could make out a grey hair or two dusting his temple.  

His features were sharp but blank and had unusual coldness in them. His nose sharp, the shadow of age making him look more mature and graceful. 

I was suddenly reminded why I was into older men. 

His lips were plump, his jawline sharp and neatly carved stubbles graced it. 

He wore a black mask at the right side of his face.

It covered half of his face, blocking my access to the right side of his face. The only thing I could see was his eye from under the mask.

Among all these beautiful features this man possessed, his eyes stood out the most. 

A strand or two hair fanned his forehead; from under which, his eyes peeked. His right eye was smoky grey that mirrored Archer. 

The left eye however, was black.

Two different colored irises, one black and another gray. His eyes were as empty as his features as they met their gaze into the void of nothingness. 

The black mask made his grey eye stand out even more.

He wore a loose black shirt, his hands rested.... 

My gaze travelled down. 

A stick. 

He held a long, black stick. It was carved in different designs. A skull imprinted at the end of it, his hands resting on top of it. 

I must remain professional for the sake of my recommendation. 

Recommendation means good portfolio and good portfolio means John Hopkins. 

This man needed my help, not my thirsty ass.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, my nerves relaxing a little. Plastering a rigid smile and mentally slapping myself, I extended a hand to him, in order to maintain my good aura. 

The moment my eyes fell upon his, I knew this man will wreak havoc in my mind, fucking up my resolution.

He was annoyingly handsome. And attractive.

Was I going to put up with him for the sake of that one extra ECA? 

Yes, absolutely. 

My recommendation was extremely important to me.

“Hello, I am Ad-” 

“You’re fired.” 

........

A/N: Ares is wildin 😂😂

Thoughts on him?
o

w. When I am done with the story, I will definitely edit some grammatical errors that might be there.

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