Temptation Of The Knight ✔

Chapter 17: Her Nightmare

The flashing lights confused her as she struggled to find her way out of the apartment complex.
"Ms. Callahan!" Judith's eyes searched for Elio as she heard his familiar voice yell her name. Elio attempted to approach her but was being shoved away.
Judith rushed up to Elio, who hurriedly led her to where a car awaited her.
"I apologize, Ms. Callahan. I arrived here a little late." Elio apologized, and Judith said hurriedly as if breathing was becoming difficult for her.
"It's fine, just get me away from them!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Elio stated this as he rushed her to the car, and as soon as she was inside, they drove away, leaving the paparazzi standing.

Judith could feel her chest straining as her breathing became slightly more arduous. Elio turned around to face her as she gasped for air.
"Are you all right, Ms. Callahan?" When he inquired, Judith shook her head. Elio was terrified as he noticed Judith's face becoming paler.
"Oh my goodness! What happened, ma'am? What do you need? Do you want to drink some water?" Elio repeatedly asked as he handed her a bottle of water, and she took it and opened the bottle cap with a shaking hand. While Elio was scrolling through his phone, he was scared to death.
"Sir, Ms. Judith is not feeling well!" He barked in fright and grimaced when Drazhan shouted from the other side.
"We arrived a little late, and the paparazzi were already there for her when she walked out of the building. I sincerely apologize, Sir." Elio apologized and gestured for the driver to turn around. "Ma'am Mr. Agnor wants to talk with you!" Elio said as he turned to face Judith. Elio handed her the phone, which she accepted and pressed against her ear.
"Judith? Are you all right?" She could hear Drazhan's anxious voice. "I-I'm okay," she mumbled, her breath quivering. "Are you suffering another attack? Don't worry, love. You'll be okay! Just breathe!" Drazhan exclaimed anxiously in a soft voice. "O-ok." She breathed out as she tried to even her breathing.
"Judith, I'm right here. Just breathe and don't think about anything!" Drazhan's anxious voice came through the phone, and she nodded, not remembering they were on an audio call. Drazhan attempted to comfort and calm her, while Judith sought to even her breathing, but she was struggling as the cameras' bright flashes reminded her brain of the car headlights on the wet dark highway. And all of the chatter, yelling, and shutter sounds made her mind fuzzy, making it difficult for her to stay abreast of where she was and where she was heading. All the while, she could hear Drazhan's feeble voice through the phone which was slightly overpowering the buzzing in her head.

She didn't notice when the car came to a halt and the door was flung open as Drazhan's arm drew her into his embrace, gently pulling her out of the car. Her legs were wobbly, and she felt as if all her strength had been drained from her as she struggled to stay upright with the help of Drazhan's arms. "It's all right, you'll be fine. You're safe now." Drazhan murmured as he took her in his arms in bridal style, as she became slightly calmer. Drazhan carried her to his house through the elevator, and she snuggled onto his chest.
"I'm sorry, love. I'll make absolutely sure nothing like this ever happens again. I'm sorry!" His voice was laced with remorse and despair as he murmured.

Judith's respiration calmed as she was finally able to fill her lungs with the necessary air without struggling. Her hands clutched his shirt for dear life as she took a deep breath, Drazhan's fragrance filling her lungs and soothing her burning airway.
Her body, on the other hand, was weary from the strain it went through. Drazhan looked at her with soft eyes and watched her eyes close and breathing even. His troubled thoughts eventually calmed down, and he gently placed her on a soft bed. He helped her take off her jacket and took off her shoes. Drazhan drew the duvet over her body as she lay back down on the bed. He knelt beside the bed, next to her head.
"I'm sorry." Judith shook her head, a feeble smile on her face. "Thank you," she mumbled as her eyes closed and she drifted off to slumber. Drazhan sat there, peering at her sleeping features. She looked so calm and tranquil as she slept. Warmth and flying flames filled his body and heart as his knuckles gently brushed over her cheeks. His being was filled with the desire to hold her close and shield her with every ounce of strength he possessed. Drazhan pulled away his hand and stood up walking out of the room.

"Mommy stop!" A little girl screamed at the woman in the driver's seat, her voice quivering. Tears streamed down her small cheeks as she peered ahead with tormented eyes.
"Please, Mommy, stop! Why aren't you listening to me!" She screamed, hugging herself in the back seat. "Mommy!" She screamed at the top of her lungs as the automobile's brakes screeched and bright headlights and car horns filled the car, blinding her little eyes and filling her mind with buzz. Her eyes widened in terror as a bright large pair of headlights appeared in front of her in an instant-

Judith jolted up from the bed screaming. Her eyes were enlarged with terror, and sweat was dripping down her forehead. The door of the room swung open in a moment, and Drazhan dashed in, seizing her into his arms.
"Judith! What happened? Judith?" He asked in a terrified voice and Judith stopped screaming. Her eyes darted around as the blurriness faded, and she breathed heavily.
"Judith?" Drazhan shook her shoulders, and her eyes were drawn to his frightened face. She gulped down her own saliva in an attempt to soothe her parched throat.

Drazhan grabbed a glass of water from the bedside table and offered it to her. Judith took it and gulped down the water.
"So, what happened? Did you have a nightmare?" Drazhan inquired, his brow furrowed in incredulity. Judith sighed pushing away the hair sticking all over her face and looked at him. Her eyes were filled with terror that she was attempting to conceal from him, and his insides were filled with uncertainty and wrath at not being able to figure out what had gotten her so terrified.
"Are you feeling okay?" He softly inquired and she nodded her head. "You won't tell me what nightmare had gotten you so terrified even if I asked." He stated softly and she shook her head.
"The terrible monster of a human was what horrified me. Who destroyed my childhood and left permanent scars on my body and soul? Nothing but a f*ucking monster." Judith mumbled as she got out of bed and walked to the other door in the room. As she entered the bathroom, Drazhan stared at her, confused.

Standing against the basin counter, Judith stared at her reflection and sighed looking down slightly shaking her head. She turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on her face and neck. She walked out of the bathroom after drying her face and neck, only to discover the room empty. Judith strolled out of the bedroom and looked around to find a stairway at the end of the hallway. She walked down the stairway and into the adjoined living space and open kitchen. She found Drazhan in the kitchen with his back turned at her. Drazhan turned around with two bowls as she approached the kitchen. Drazhan smiled when he saw her "Hey!" He greeted her and turned his attention to the pot. "Hi," she said awkwardly as she sat down on one of the counter tools.
"Hungry?" He inquired, glancing at her, and she nodded. "You came down at the perfect time." He smiled.

Drazhan poured the soup into two bowls and placed one in front of Judith. He sat down beside her with his bowl of food eagerly looking at her. Judith gave him a puzzled look, and he urged her to try the soup. She chuckled as she gulped down a spoonful of soup.
"It's really good! I had no idea you could cook!" Judith exclaimed astounded and Drazhan grinned. "I'm brilliant at a lot of other things you're not aware of!" He proudly stated as he began eating as well. Judith began to eat as well, saying.

"It's been a long time since I had a delicious chicken soup." She said finishing the soup and glanced at him putting the bowl down on the kitchen counter.
"It's a traditional Luxembourgish soup called Esaü," Drazhan informed putting the dishes away. "Let's go sit in the living area." He directed her to the couch, where they sat.
"Wanna know my secret of how I make the soup?" He inquired, leaning forward with eagerness. Drazhan began speaking even before Judith nodded. "I blend the lentils with the soup base, which adds richness and creaminess to the soup while also bringing out more flavor." Judith nodded and sighed, "You're trying way too hard you know." She muttered giving him a small smile and the façade of excitement faded away from his face.
"I'm sorry about today Judith. I shoved you into-" He was stopped in his sentence when Judith exclaimed picking up a magazine from the table in front.
"Oh my God! Is that me!" She turned the pages of the magazine looking at the pictures where she was tucked into Drazhan's arms. Drazhan sighed with a guilty face, and Judith chuckled as she put the magazine back down. "It's not your fault. My brain just gets scared whenever there are very bright lights or stuff like that. I-I was in a horrible car crash when I was very little and-and it left a deep scar." She laughed awkwardly, noticing Drazhan's face sink deeper as he felt even more guilty. "I had a number of panic attacks following that, which sent me to the hospital." However, thanks to you, the last two attacks were not as painful." Drazhan looked up as she hurriedly expressed her gratitude. "Really?" He inquired, and she smiled and nodded. "That means I'll make sure to never leave your side again! I'll be there for you whenever you have a panic attack! I swear I'll make sure you never have to suffer such pain again!" Drazhan declared sincerely, and Judith laughed. "You should have said, 'I'll make sure you never have another panic attack.'"
Drazhan laughed sheepishly "Yes, you are right! I promise to make sure you never have another panic attack!" They laughed and looked up when the main door was pushed open and their fathers walked it.
"See Fabian I told you they won't end up killing each other! Seesh!" Gerbert exclaimed enthusiastically, and Fabian smiled and nodded. "Well I had my doubts but they seem to be quite enjoying themselves!"
"Why would we want to kill each other?" Judith inquired, perplexed, and Drazhan nodded as they stared at their father, waiting for an answer. Fabian and Gerbert's eyes widened slightly as Fabian leaned in and whispered to Gerbert. "Do you think they're unaware of tabloid mags and the news?"
"I don't know-"
"You guys know that we can hear you right?" Drazhan stated folding his arms over his chest. "Yeah, you're not that far away." Judith agreed with Drazhan. Gerbert and Fabian exchanged shrugs as they glanced at each other. "As long as you don't have knives at each other's throats, everything is OK!" As he and Gerbert sat down in front of them, Fabian stated.
"So, let's talk business, shall we?" Gerbert announced, and Judith and Drazhan sat up straight, serious eyes focused on him. "A few meetings are scheduled in Berlin, as well as some in Greece. And we decided that we would both go to Greece to attend the meeting, while you two would visit Germany."
"Why are you sending me? I know absolutely nothing about businesses and meetings." Judith exclaimed.
"This is why Drazhan would accompany you, sweetheart. He'll help you and you'll learn a lot." Fabian informed and Drazhan raised his brow. "I will?" Gerbert narrowed his eyes at Drazhan and he cleared his throat. "Of course I will and I'll teach you a lot of things!" Drazhan nodded, and Judith sighed.
"You guys can get to know each other better, go sightseeing, attend meetings, make bab-" Gerbert came to a halt when Fabian coughed. "-make business alliances," Gerbert said and Fabian nodded his head. Judith and Drazhan narrowed their eyes at them.
"And you guys can escape from the paparazzi too," Fabian said, and Judith shrugged her shoulders and nodded. "That fair."
"Of course it is fair! See I promised you that I'll make sure you don't suffer a panic-" Drazhan came to a halt when Judith's head snapped towards him and she looked at him with wide eyes. "I wasn't supposed to say that, was I?"
"Judith? You had a panic attack?" Fabian exclaimed, jumping to his feet and rushing towards his daughter. "Dad I'm perfectly fine. I just had a little hard time catching my breath." Judith replied, glancing at Drazhan, who nodded. "Yes, sir, she was just having trouble catching her breath."
"I expected you two to be at one other's throats, yet you two are lying for each other!" Fabian exclaimed and Gerbert nodded. "Yes, such development in their relationship was unforeseen!"
Fabian shook his head at his friend and looked up at his daughter. "Tell me, sweetheart. Are you sure you're perfectly fine?" With terrified eyes, Fabian inquired, and Judith smiled reassuringly. "I promise you that I am fine, Dad. He actually helped me." Judith pointed to Drazhan, and Fabian gratefully nodded.
They all talked amongst themselves, and when night fell, they prepared their food. The supper was filled with laughter and joy, and after finishing the meal, Fabian and Judith decided to stay the night as it was the best option at the time. Drazhan retreated to bed after leaving Judith in one of the guest rooms on the opposite side of his bedroom and making sure she had everything she needed. He fell asleep with the anticipation of the next day as they visit Berlin together!