Only You - LingOrm Unofficial Fanfic - (IraTawan)

Chapter 13: Awakening to Love and Pain

Tawan woke up to a blindingly bright light overhead, her body stiff and heavy. A sharp pain radiated from her chest, but her mind was foggy, unable to recall anything clearly. Before she could piece things together, she felt a familiar, soft touch on her hand. Her vision was still blurry, but she didn't need to see clearly to know who it was. No one touched her with such tenderness except Ira.

As the haze began to clear, her heart clenched when she saw Ira's tear-streaked face. The sadness in Ira's eyes struck Tawan harder than the pain in her chest. This was why she had built walls around her emotions, why she had tried so hard to protect Ira by keeping her at a distance. But it was too late. She had confessed, and now she had no choice but to survive for Ira.

"Tawan! You woke up... You woke up!" Ira's voice was filled with relief, but her tears kept falling.

"Yes, I'm alive... How long was I out?" Tawan asked, her voice strained and confused.

Ira sobbed harder, tears falling onto Tawan's hand. "Two weeks! You've been in a coma for two weeks! I thought I lost you. You scared me so much! Please, don't ever do that to me again!"

Tawan tried to move, but her body felt paralyzed. "Two weeks?" she repeated, struggling to comprehend the passage of time. "Ira, come... Hug me, please. I can't move yet."

Without hesitation, Ira leaned in and hugged Tawan gently, careful not to hurt her. Tawan winced from the pain but ignored it, savoring Ira's warmth. In this moment, nothing mattered more than feeling Ira close to her.

A doctor entered shortly after, checking Tawan's vitals. He looked impressed. "You're a fighter, Ms. Tawan. You survived a very close call. The bullet missed your lungs and heart, but it was lodged deep, and the surgery was difficult. You lost a lot of blood. Frankly, it's a miracle you're awake."

Tawan absorbed the news silently, grateful to be alive but concerned about the time she had lost. She turned her attention to Ira, her protective instincts kicking in. "Ira, are you okay? Were you safe while I was out? Anyone come after you?"

Before Ira could answer, a figure appeared at the door wearing a hoodie and a mask. Tawan's reflexes kicked in, and with a surge of adrenaline, she sat up, placing herself between Ira and the intruder.

"Tawan, it's me! Calm down!" the masked figure said with a laugh, pulling the hood down to reveal Somchai's familiar face.

Tawan let out a sigh of relief. "Somchai... Thank God. What's going on? Is Ira safe?"

Somchai grinned, but his tone turned serious. "She's safe. I pulled together our team the moment you went down. We've had eyes on her the whole time."

"And Amonsak? Has our cover been blown?"

Somchai shook his head. "No. Amonsak still trusts me. I'm deeper in his operation now, closer to cracking his next move. But he's furious about what happened. The sniper who shot you? Dead. Amonsak executed him after the mission failed. He's planning something bigger now, but we've bought ourselves some time."

Tawan nodded, processing the information. "How much time do we have?"

"A few weeks, maybe less. We need to make our move before Amonsak does. But don't worry about that yet. Focus on recovering. We'll talk strategy once you're out of here."

Tawan nodded, her expression resolute. "I'll be out in a week, maybe sooner."

Somchai patted her shoulder. "Good. I'll be in touch." He glanced at Ira before slipping out of the room. "Take care of her, Tawan."

After Somchai left, Ira looked at Tawan, her voice soft but tinged with jealousy. "You and Somchai... you're really close, aren't you?"

Tawan chuckled and squeezed Ira's hand. "He's like a brother to me. We've been through so much together, running the business. He helped me build my company."

Ira's eyes widened slightly. "Your company?"

Tawan smiled softly. "Yeah... I never told you, but I'm the CEO of my own bodyguard firm. I took on your case personally because I wanted to be the one to protect you. That's why Somchai and I are so close—we've been partners for years."

Ira looked stunned for a moment, then smiled, tears brimming in her eyes again. "You mean... all this time, you've been my bodyguard and the CEO?"

Tawan nodded. "I wanted to keep it quiet. I thought keeping my distance was the best way to protect you. But I was wrong."

Ira's tears fell again. "I don't care about that. I just... I just don't want to lose you again. I haven't slept for days. I've been so scared."

Tawan's heart broke hearing Ira's fear. She reached up and cupped Ira's cheek. "This is why I built walls around my heart, Ira. I didn't want you to suffer if anything happened to me. But I realize now that I can't keep doing that. I love you too much."

Ira's tears flowed freely as she leaned into Tawan's touch. "I don't care. I'd rather have you, even if it means risking heartbreak. Please don't ever leave me again."

Tawan pulled Ira into a gentle embrace. "I promise, I won't. I'll always fight to come back to you."Just then, the doctor re-entered, mentioning that Mr. Kraisee, Ira's father, had been instrumental in covering the hospital bills during Tawan's critical state. Although Tawan had the means to pay for it herself, she felt grateful for his kindness.

"You know I could have paid," Tawan said with a smile, "But Mr. Kraisee insisted. He's a good man."

Ira nodded. "He didn't want to lose you either. He knows how much you mean to me."After the doctor left, Ira curled up next to Tawan, resting her head on her shoulder. Tawan, despite the pain, felt more at peace than she had in a long time. She stroked Ira's hair softly, whispering, "This is the last time you'll cry because of me. I swear, Ira."Ira smiled through her tears, clinging to Tawan. For the first time in weeks, she felt safe again. And Tawan, her heart full of love and determination, vowed silently to protect Ira no matter what came next.