Evident

10.

Wiping the cloth across the floors, my knee pressed into the surface as I cleaned the wooden floors of the hut from the dirt that had gathered.

I lost myself in thought. Med school taught me one thing and that is adaptability.

It taught me how to adjust to new conditions, whether the conditions were in my favor yes or no.

I was aware that not every stage of my life will be the same; hence, here I was, deep within the jungle of a forest, within the home of a Don that was making my life ten times harder than it already is.

Tossing the makeshift mop, which was used as cloth, into the bucket of water, I wash the material, then wring it, proceeding with my work as I commence to wipe across the wooden floor.

I didn't know why Aureliano wanted to disregard a life of luxury for just simplicity within a jungle.

What truly happened to him twenty years ago has now become the main focus of my thoughts, as I wondered why, in the sense that he was set on staying here.

I knew it wasn't my business, but I was only curious.

As I arched my back, my chest descended toward the wooden floor, the cool surface a stark contrast to the warmth of my skin. My hands scrubbed back and forth beneath the table, the rough wood scraping against my palms. The sound of my scrubbing echoed through the room, accompanied by the faint scent of wood polish and dust.

A loud groan resounded from behind me, and I froze, my hands suspended mid-scrub. The bed creaked and shifted, the wooden frame protesting the movement. I held my breath, listening intently.

"This is what a full-blooded man like myself would love to wake up to in the mornings," Aureliano's low, husky voice drawled.

Thinking he was commenting on my cleaning efforts, I turned my body toward him, but instantly regretted it as my head collided with the table's edge. A sharp pain shot through my scalp, and I winced, rubbing the tender spot.

Groaning, I glance at him, scoffing as I notice that his eyes were steadfast on my ass.

He stood up from the bed as if he wasn't injured, his tall frame hovering above me as the bandage that I changed a few hours ago, strapped neatly on his side, his large chest bare, as it dusted off with veins and thick muscles.

Unconsciously, I found myself standing up from the ground as I ignored the strong whiff of his scent while tipping on my toes to reach his shoulders.

I used the back of my hand and pressed it against his forehead to check his current body temperature, which was alright.

Letting out a breath, I embarrassedly coughed into my fist as his eyes burned the side of my face.

"Interesting..."

"I'm fine, darling. If I had known you'd miss me this much, I would have fought much harder to wake up."

Rolling my eyes to deflect the heat rising to my cheeks, I turned toward the bucket, its wooden frame weathered to a vintage effect but was still sturdy. I stooped down, feeling the cool mist of the water rushing over my hands.

"Get over yourself, I'm only doing this for the benefit of the both of us."

I plunged my hands deeper into the chilly water, feeling the coolness envelop my fingers. I lifted it, wringing it out with a gentle squeeze, the water drips from its folds and trickled on the swaying surface.