Hate You Not

CHAPTER SIXTEEN (Part 2)

“Mr. Reed.” I nod in his direction.
He walks over me with smooth steps and stops in front of me.

“Good mor-” He grabs my face, and examines it. The injuries were a lot better, the red marks were gone, the swelling went down. Saved for a cut on my lip and one over my left eyebrow, everything looked fine to me.

“How are you feeling?”
“Better.”
“Did you sleep well last night?” His deep voice hits me. Did I sleep well last night?  The audacity.
I nod my head, “I did. In Fact, I never slept so peacefully before, I guess you sleep better with drugs in your system.” Petty, I know.

He doesn’t say anything, but I am sure I see his eyes darken.

He left me hanging, craving, wanting…I hate myself for that.

I move my face out of his grip, “I am hungry.” I push past him and grab the door knob. A rebellious part of me wants to edge him even more, “I hope it’s not locked anymore.” I twist it, it opens with a click. Click.

I descend the curved staircase into the, I suppose, the living room. It is a lot of space for a penthouse, or well I don’t know how big it's supposed to be because it’s my first time being in one.

I look around the space, a ten seater, long, red wood table sat in the middle of the large space. To its far left are the couches, arranged neatly with a…fireplace in front of it, the artificial one.I bet this place has room heaters and it's only for visuals, but this makes the place seem so cozy.

I look towards my right and the entire wall is made of glass, overlooking the faraway city line. I recover from my awe and walk towards the redwood dining table. Ronan and the bodyguard are at the table.

I rush to Ronan, he gets up the moment he sees me. “Ro, are you okay?” He nods.

I caress his face. A deep bruise over his cheek. My baby, he got hurt just to protect me. Yet you were thinking about that brown eyed devil first thing in the morning. 
“Let me see your wound.” I grab his shirt to take a look but he stops me.
“Mev, I am fine. Chill.”

“I told you to run. Why did you stay there? Look at you, you are so badly hurt.” I pull him into a hug, wrapping my arms tightly around him.

“Are you dumb? How could I do that?” he mumbles.
“Well, now look at you” I point at his face “Bet the girls in Northridge will swoon over this look.”
“You worry about yourself. Bet you had fun getting stabbed.” He rolls his eyes.
“Ouch. That was mean.” I deadpan.
“Serves you right for scaring me.” He counters back.
“How-Ouch” I clutch the place where I got stabbed, “It hurts.”
“Malvina, Are -”
“What happened?-”

In a moment, I am surrounded by two men, one is my brother, the other one-well.

Do you feel okay? Are you still hurt?” Concern laced voice of my brother one one side.
“Andrei call the doctor.”  Says Adrian.
“Wait-” I put forward both my palms “Stop, both of you. I am okay.”

“But-
“But-”
I shake my head and smile. “ I am fine.”

Ronan gives a  side-eye to Adrian, which he perfectly ignores as he’s too busy fussing over me.
“Malvina, this man-”
“Let’s eat, I am famished. It’s not everyday I heroically save my brother from goons.” I interrupt Ronan.

Ronan walks over and takes the seat furthest fromAdrian and thebodyguard sits two seats away.

I look at the situation, I am standing a few steps away from where Adrian sits. He looks at me and pulls the chair to his right slightly.
“Mev, come sit here with me.” Ronan pulls the chair next to him.