Unwritten Chords

chapter 18: compensation?

Author's POV..

She flinched as his fingers brushed against the hem of her top. "Adrian, what are you-"

"Stop moving," he muttered, crouching slightly to get a better look. His eyes met hers for a brief moment, a silent request for permission, before he carefully lifted the edge of her top.

Anya tensed, heat rushing to her face as the fabric slid up just enough to reveal the wound-a shallow but sharp gash running along her side. Blood had stained her delicate skin and begun soaking into her shirt.

Adrian's jaw tightened as he examined the cut. "It's not deep, but it's still bleeding. You need to get this cleaned and bandaged."

"It's nothing," she said sharply sliding down the hem again and stepping away.

"It's not nothing," Adrian shot back,standing up.

"Follow me," he said,starting to walk towards a door.

"I won't." She shot back,making him stop in his tracks.

"That,needs to be treated." His voice sharp as walked to her again,pointing at her injury.

"Stop bossing around" she shot back.

"I'm not-"

"Oh, it's clear," she crossed her arms, only to wince again as she made a movement-"ouch".

"See, Just listen, please." He retorded almost annoyed at her stubbornness.

Anya's eyes widened slightly at his plea. She hesitated, her arms still crossed tightly over her chest. She looked at him for a moment, studying his serious expression, the concern subtly hidden beneath his irritation. Her stubbornness wavered just slightly.

Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "Anya, I don't care how 'nothing' it seems to you. It's a cut, and you're bleeding. It's going to get worse if you don't take care of it."

Anya's gaze softened, but she quickly masked it with a flicker of annoyance. "Why do you even care so much?"

"Because you shouldn't have to deal with it alone," he answered firmly, his voice steady and calm despite the sharpness. "Now, come on."

For a moment, neither spoke. Anya let out a quiet breath, trying to decide if it was worth the fight. Finally, she relented with a sigh, lowering her arms slightly. "Fine," she said, though the word came out begrudgingly.

Adrian gave a small nod, turning back towards the door. "Good. Let's get this taken care of."

Anya followed behind him slowly, her steps hesitant, the sting of her cut a reminder of how stubborn she had been.

They entered the first aid room. Anya followed inside. The place quiet and metallic-smelled like medicine and cardboard.

"Sit here," he pointed at a narrow table

"Nahi baithungi toh?"she blurted out annoyed, in her native language (what if I didn't sit?)

Adrian, dumbfounded,glanced over his shoulders,clearly confused. His fingers stopping mid-rumaging through the first aid box.

"What?"

"Nothing," she rolled her eyes.

"Tell me." He commanded with a slightest glare.

"Not in the mood," she crossed her arms carefully.

He turned around completely, "I know my back is sexy,you said something unholy?" He asked.

"What?! No-"

"Liar," he said,he knew he was just messing around.

"Mr. Adrian Marshall with the sexiest back-"