Calista

Sebastian Dover was known as Antarctica. His cold and unflappable demeanor had earned him the nickname among his business colleagues. Of course, no one ever called him Antarctica to his face but somehow the moniker was widely accepted as being accurate. His personality was icy, massive, and unbreakable. Most days, he totally embodied the frigid continent. Today was no different.

Sebastian glanced at his Rolex before leaning into the leather interior of his Lincoln Town Car while deftly tapping his fingers against his knee. Through the car's tinted glass, he watched several bulky men in black suits herding reporters to one side while his assistant, Roger, opened the car door.

"Mr. Dover, I think we can get through now." Roger Lambert waited for Sebastian to step out of the car before quietly signaling the driver to leave.

A bevy of onlookers braved the humid heat to gather around the reporters and protesters. Months had passed but the horrific events from St. Anthony's hospital were still fresh in everyone's memory. Angry parents waved hand-made signs that read, "Justice for St. Anthony's Children!"

"Please hurry, Mr. Dover," Roger urged. "I can't guarantee they won't throw stuff at us. What if they throw peanuts? You know I'm allergic."

"I doubt they'll try to throw peanuts at us, Roger," Sebastian smirked, slightly turning his head to the crowd. 

The swarm of curiosity-seekers and angered parents remained focused on the statuesque blonde in the fancy pin-striped suit. The Adonis-like face of Sebastian Dover had become synonymous with success. His golden hair and soft caramel-colored eyes photographed on glossy magazine covers had mesmerized women while his reputation for being ruthless in business matters had convinced men he was someone to be reckoned with.

"Did you find out who leaked the pictures?" Sebastian asked, ignoring the questions being thrown at him by the reporters attempting to get past the hired guards.

"Why are you keeping this a secret?" one reporter yelled. "What are you hiding? What is Calista's condition? Is it true she had something to do with the St. Anthony's massacre?"

"Let me through!" a male voice vibrated towards Sebastian. With the help of his friends, the man was able to dodge the guards. "Your sister was in that truck! Why are you trying to cover it up? Don't you feel bad for our poor children? Don't you care about anything?" The man continued to shout as he was being dragged away. "Calista Dover is a child murderer! She deserves to die!"

Sebastian paused mid-stride and the reporters became quiet, waiting for him to turn and address them. Instead, he straightened his shoulders and pushed his aviator sunglasses up the bridge of his nose with his middle finger before continuing down the cement walkway that led to the entryway of Hollow Oaks Hospital.

Once the reporters were no longer in sight, Roger answered Sebastian's question on who leaked his sister's pictures. "Apparently it was a nurse. She said she was desperate. Her parents passed away in a car accident last month and she'd been supporting her brothers and sisters ever since."

"Was she fired?" Sebastian asked, his leather dress shoes tapping against the marbled floor of the private hospital.

"Yes," Roger answered as he pressed the button to open the elevator doors.

Hands behind his back, Sebastian nodded. "Good."

As was their normal ritual for the past few months since Calista was admitted, Roger turned to head back downstairs once they had reached Calista's room.

"Roger?"

Roger looked back at Sebastian. "Yes, sir?"

"The reporter and that man...the ones who spoke Calista's name..."