A light in the darkness

Chapter 15

Ben had sat at the edge of the couch in the living room of a suite they had rented at the five-star hotel. His elbows were on his thighs and he had his hands buried in his hair. Jade had sat in front of him crossed legs, sipping from a mug of coffee deep in thought.

Maria was still unconscious and Rich was checking her up. The waiting was killing Ben. It was three hours that she was out cold. He had promised to keep her safe and he had failed. She was lucky that Ohara had not raped her, just truly lucky. 

Ben was ready to strangle Mason the moment he would see him. The thought of Maria coming was wrong from the start. The thought of her walking all day in front of all of those hungry eyes in short shorts and a lacy tube top was boiling his blood. He wanted to take out all of the eyes that had stared at her with lust and cut off all hands that had touched her.

"That girl..." said Jade and Ben looked up at her. She was looking down at her lap thoughtfully. "She had just stood there like an idiot, unable to kill that bastard. There was no one around, no cameras. She didn't need to act. Yet she didn't pull the trigger. She had just stood there, letting that junk talk. She began to cry the moment that fucker told her I was dead and she didn't see that his hand was going to his second gun. She would be dead if I had not arrived."

She paused and looked up into Ben's eyes. "I lived with her for a week." she said confidently. "That woman is innocent like a child. There is no lie in her eyes. I believe her. She is not a spy."

Just then, Rich walked out of the room and closed the door behind him softly. Ben shot up to his feet and looked at him worriedly. "What's wrong?" he asked. "Why is she still unconscious?"

"Calm down. She is fine." said Rich and took off his stethoscope. "She has gone through so much stress this week and especially yesterday. And even before this week, still, she was through so much pressure. That's the normal reaction of her body to let her rest. She had become too weak."

"She would barely eat in the last week." said Jade and Rich nodded.

"I attached her to an IV and added vitamins to the serum." he said to Ben. "Also I sedated her so she can sleep. She should rest as much as she can and must eat healthily. She will be fine soon."

"When will she wake up?" asked Ben a bit relieved.

"Probably in the morning." answered Rich.

"Thank you." sighed Ben and ran a hand through his hair. "Go and rest. You look tired. I will take care of her."

Rich walked toward Ben and patted his shoulder. "Take out her IV once it's done and check her temperature every few hours." he instructed. "If you saw anything unnatural call me instantly." He then walked to the door and left. 

Jade put her mug on the coffee table and stood up as well. She turned to leave but stopped in her steps. "Don't lose her Williams." she said without turning to him. "You can't find anyone like her."

Ben watched her leave before locking the door and slowly walking toward his room. He walked to the bed and frowned as he stared at Maria's pale face. There were dark bags under her eyes but she seemed to be sleeping peacefully, certainly because of the effect of drugs. 

He sighed and sat on the chair beside the bed and took her small hand that was not attached to the IV in his. She looked beautiful. Jade had changed her clothes and now she was only in one of Ben's dress shirts which was going to a bit under her butt.

He just sat there and draw small circles on the back of her hand, staring at her face, wishing she could open her eyes right then and let him see her beautiful eyes. But yet again, what he could tell her. Sorry that I let you be almost raped when I had promised to keep you safe?