The CEO and The Doctor

18. "Don't be. They don't deserve to be pitied."

(1696 words)

Aiden had been knocking on my door for the past fifteen minutes while I sat quietly on my bed, unmoving, still in my bra and leggings, soaked, as tears flowed down my eyes.

"Aysel, open the door!" He repeated for the nth time.

"Aysel!" He raised his voice. "This is the last time! I swear I will break the door down if you don't open it now!"

His little threat caused me to finally make some movement as I weakly stood up and proceeded to unlock the door.

When he pushed the door open, the annoyed look on his face was replaced with concern when he saw my tear-stained face. I looked to the side, avoiding his gaze.

"Aysel... I'm sorry. I was only joking. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." His voice came out as a gentle timbre of concern and regret.

I sucked in an uneven breath. "It's okay," I croaked, going to sit on the bed again, still avoiding his gaze. "It's not you. It's me."

He cautiously neared me, before kneeling down before me. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head, wiping my tears. "Nothing. I just... I get emotional for no reason sometimes."

He scrunched up his eyebrows. "I refuse to believe that."

"Don't then." My voice came out unintentionally rude.

He lifted himself off the ground and left the room.

As I sat thinking I had offended him, he returned with a towel and t-shirt. I sat, stunned, as he used the towel to dry me off before pulling the t-shirt on me.

"I have to head to work. Will you be okay on your own?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Okay. Call me if you need anything."

I nodded again.

He stared at me for a few seconds, as if making sure that I was alright. Then he left.

———

As I was getting ready for bed that night, a knock sounded at my door. "Yes?" I called, fixing the pillows.

The door opened and Aiden put his head through it. "You doing okay?" He asked, masking whatever his actual emotions were.

I looked him in the eyes and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Need anything?"

"Nope, thank you." I replied.

He nodded. "Okay. Good night then."

"Good night." I replied softly, and then he was gone, closing the door behind me.

Turning the lights off, I laid in bed and sighed, unable to close my eyes. What was I doing? What kind of turn had my life taken? I was staying at a man's house that I barely knew anything about. I couldn't go home. There was someone anonymous out there with an intent to harm me. And here I was. Comfortably staying at a stranger's house, and somehow, he didn't feel like one. Each passing day he seemed more normal and human despite his emotionless facade and attempts at hiding his feelings.

It took me quite a while to get used to being around a male alone. It was a suppressed trauma that I didn't even want to recall. But here I was. With this potentially dangerous man. Living in his house. Feeling safe in his presence. Comfortable enough to hold conversations with him. Getting into a hot tub with him, half naked.

What the hell was wrong with me?

———

THE NEXT MORNING