Disclaimer: This a work of fiction. It did not/will not happen in real life and should not be mistaken as such.
Chapter Eighteen: A Perfectly Good Heart
Starring Taylor Swift
Codes: MF, Cons, Handjob, Oral, Roleplay
*****
2019
It was back to reality for Cole. It was like getting beat with a sock full of oranges. His many weeks of bliss with Taylor evaporated as he entered his place of work. People swarmed him, demanding his attention for some asinine task or another. After fighting them off, he finally made it to his own office. His desk was hidden under a mound of marketing materials for his review and approval. Sweeping some of the pages aside, he logged into his computer and checked his inbox. It fared no better. The number of emails was in the triple digits, filled with things for him to approve, complaints at his absence or useless junk mail. He let out a sigh and resigned himself to his fate. The next week was spent entirely playing catch-up. He was first in the office and last out. Every morning he found it harder and harder to get out of bed, away from the warm blonde form next to him. That was the only time he got to see her, asleep. She always passed out, waiting for him to come home and was definitely still asleep when he got up.
By next Monday, nobody hassled him on his way in, his desk was clear and there were only thirteen emails in his inbox. He was finally back on track. That was until his boss dropped the hammer on him. A brand-new pitch for an old client. They wanted some new, stunning guerilla marketing campaign to distract from some bad press. Cole didn't go home that night. Or the one after that either. His phone buzzed like an angry bee. Message after message from Taylor, each filthier than then the last, trying to tempt him home with a list of naughty things she would to do him. Sadly, he could not. He settled on a concept that Wednesday. Now to make it happen and put the presentation together. He got to go home that night, but Taylor was out of town for the next several days. By Friday, through a combination of sheer willpower and enough coffee to jumpstart an elephant, he was ready. At least, that was what he thought. About five minutes into the presentation, he knew it was a lost cause. Passive faces and bored expressions greeted his idea. Ted, his boss stood in the back, growing angrier with every passing minute. The suits left, after asking if he had anything else. He did not. Ted held him back in the conference room after and reamed him out. Screaming. Red in the face. Spit flying. The whole nine yards. Cole could feel his blood boiling as it thundered through his ears. He took it all with a stiff jaw. Everyone was silent and staring as he left the conference room. About halfway back to his office, he knew something was wrong. He could feel it coming on. A panic attack. A big one. He hadn't had one this bad in years. The room started to spin. He stumbled, swaying back and forth like he was drunk. He clutched the wall, desperately trying to remember if he had any meds nearby. He hadn't touched them in months, but he needed them now. Right now. He tried counting backwards from ten, but couldn't remember what came after nine. Spots flashed before his eyes, his heart beating like it was going to explode. He felt his fingers going numb as his abdomen seized up and suddenly he couldn't breathe. As he slid down the wall, the last thing he remembered before everything went black was someone screaming to call 911.
*****
Cole blinked slowly. Harsh, bright white light was burrowing its way into his retina's. He looked around, wondering where he was and how he got here. It was a hospital. He sat up just as a nurse walked past with her nose buried in a chart. Hearing him stir, she looked up.
"Oh, you're awake! Wonderful, let me grab the doctor."
Cole nodded slowly. He didn't feel all that sick, apart from a splitting headache. Although it was all a bit fuzzy how he'd gotten here, his job, the failed pitched, the public humiliation, the attack. Shakily he poured himself some water on his bedside table and wet his throat. A few more minutes past before his doctor came in, smiling warmly at him.
"Mr. Stephens. How are you feeling? Probably a little disorientated?" He nodded silently. "I'm Doctor Smith, your attending."
"So...what's wrong me doc?"
"At the moment, we don't believe anything is wrong with you. Based on your medical history, I believed you suffered from a massive panic attack brought on by anxiety, stress and a severe lack of sleep."
Cole absorbed her words, thinking it over. "I guess that sounds about right. Although, I've never had one like that before. It felt like my heart was going to explode."
"When was the last time you filled your prescription?"
"It's been months. I haven't needed them."
"Uh-huh. And why is that? Any big changes?"
"Started dating someone. She...she keeps me balanced." Suddenly, he jerked up looking around for his phone. He needed to call Taylor. "Where's my phone? I need my phone!"
"Calm down Mr. Stephens. Your emergency contact, Ms. Swift has already been notified." She paused at the name, recognition dawning behind her eyes. She handled it remarkably professionally. "Well, that is wonderful to hear, but I might talk with your personal physician about a refill, just to be on the safe side. And just to be sure, we are going to run a couple of tests and keep you overnight for observation."
Cole relaxed back in his bed. Doctor Smith continued talking about tests. After a quick call to his parents to let them know what was going on, they wheeled him off for the first test. Everything from heart rate, reflexes and neurological tests were all thrown at him. He passed them all. By the time he got back to his bed, he was tired, but his mind was racing. It was dark outside now. He would be free to go in the morning. His musings were interrupted by a flurry of activity at the door. A mess of blonde hair came charging in as Taylor ran towards him. She still managed to look flawless despite the crazed look in her eyes. Her security detail was hurrying to keep up with her.
"Cole!" She shouted, throwing her arms around him and squeezing tight.
Then as if realizing what she had done threw her arms back as if he was radioactive. "Oh god. I'm sorry. Are you ok? What happened? What did the doctor say? How long have you been here? Someone told me heart attack? I got here as fast as I could!" All of these words flew out of her mouth in one long breath.
"Swift. Swift. TAYLOR!" Cole said, raising his voice. "Relax! It's ok. I'm fine!"
He spread his arms wide, ready to accept her hug. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. He breathed her in and felt instantly calmer. Her warm form against his was like its own medicine. She kissed him on the mouth, hard. Breaking it, she looked at him with red eyes, as though she had been crying.
"Tell me what happened." She said quietly, pulling up a chair next to him.
