The Bad Boy's Sweetheart ✓

18.Her

What you must understand about me is that I'm a deeply unhappy person.

John Green, Looking for Alaska

•••

As Ryson held me in his arms, a man stared at us with a gaze that sent chills down my spine, as if I was living in a horror movie. The man exuded a sense of danger, with his snake-like eyes and burly build, and his ragged clothes emanated a pungent odor. Ryson's body stiffened as he tightened his grip around me, as if to shield me from the stranger's malevolent presence.

"Dad," Ryson said, and I widened my eyes in surprise. His father's appearance was vastly different from Ryson's, with black hair that revealed a slight empty patch in the middle, in contrast to Ryson's thick curls. Remembering what his father had done to Ryson's back, I felt a surge of anger wash over me, making me even more furious than before.

"What do you want from him?" I snapped hotly, the words spilling out before I could think. Ryson's frown deepened as he looked down at me, and I realized my tone had come across as more pitiful kitten than hostile defender.

"More like," he licked his lower lip as he continued with a nearly seductive face, "what I want from you."

"That's enough," my back vibrated when Rys shouted at his dad, "you will never touch her, ever." He swore under his breath when the group of nurses barged in with the security guard.

"Dear, it isn't over." He promised and I felt more disgusted at the sound of his voice and his words. Thankfully, the guards took him out.

Blooming flowers were visible through the window beside the hospital bed where we had been lying together earlier. The fear of losing him had overwhelmed me, and in a moment of desperation, I straddled him, gazing intently at his closed eyelids until he stirred awake. I couldn't bear the thought of revisiting what had happened before, wishing only to remain in the present moment with him.

"Evangeline," his voice caused me to turn my head to meet his beautiful amber eyes, "you need to stay away from me for a few weeks while I sort things out." His words pierced each chamber of my heart, and his eyes conveyed pain, danger, and a warning. Suck it up and stop acting like a clingy girl. My conscience urged me, and I knew it was right. After all, it was only for a couple of weeks.

"If you want to," I replied, my voice laced with a hint of sadness. Sensing my disappointment, he leaned in and gently kissed my forehead.

"I promise, I will clean up my mess and come back to you," he tried to console me, "and besides, you have piano training for Julliard."

Shit, I forgot about Julliard. The meeting was supposed to be an hour before.

Ryson narrowed his eyes at me as he sensed my panic, causing my hands to tremble uncontrollably in his grasp, and I felt myself starting to freak out.

"What's wrong?" He asked as his eyes widened like mine.

"Nothing, I just skipped school for the first time," I lied, and I could see the doubt in his eyes as he searched mine. I didn't want to tell him the real reason, as I knew he would blame himself.

"I guess I'm giving you a bad influence." He alluded with a smirk.

"Well, I guess I don't mind that," I joked back, and he smiled down at me, the height difference between us clear. As he leaned in and kissed my cheek, a blush crept up, making me feel both giddy and shy.

Curiosity swirled in my mind as I pondered the reason behind his situation. I knew that if I asked him directly, he would either give me the silent treatment or brush it off, so I kept my thoughts to myself and simply observed.

What if it happens to him again and again?

As fear mingled with my curiosity, I observed him as he rose from his seat and made his way to the bathroom to prepare for his journey home.

I tried to think deeper into this and I realized that my answer was under my nose the whole time. Who would want Rys to be hurt?

The mention of his father made my blood run cold, and I gnawed on my lower lip as I contemplated the situation. However, my thoughts were interrupted when Rys emerged from the bathroom, his broad back exposed as he bent down to retrieve his shirt from under the couch. I couldn't help but stare, transfixed by the sight of his flexing abs and hunched shoulders, but quickly averted my gaze before he caught me.

"Take a picture, baby." He said with a sly grin. Moments like these made me feel hope that we had a chance in life

The nurse got in before I replied to him, she looked young with short blonde hair and hazel eyes.

"Ryson, you need to sign the sick leave papers." She instructed as she took glances at his chest. My jealousy got the best of me, I created a barrier in front of him as I faced her.

"He will be out in a minute." I quipped. She gave me a glare when I informed her and went out. His arms wrapped around my waist as he bent down to whisper in my ear.

"I really like this side of you." I shivered at the intimate contact when he kissed the spot behind my ear.

It was funny how situations change, one moment we were screaming and crying, and another we were laughing and talking on the bed.

We walked out and I still remembered how I saw him being carried out by the police on a stretcher.

"Rys, what happened?" I hollered as people stopped to see what happened. The dried blood on his chest made me more hysterical, "let me in." I shouted at the nurses beside him inside the ambulance but they only shut the doors and drove off.

"He was in a pool of blood for ten hours." A random teenage stated and I cried even more. He was injured for ten freaking hours.

Please God, don't make me lose him.

I hurried off to the medical center, I didn't care that I pushed the people away or I scared them off, all I cared about was inside the CR fighting for his life.

I waited for far too long to the point where I couldn't feel my body anymore, I was numb to the expectations of life. I wanted him to be okay.

The doctor came out and I didn't miss a second, I quickly blocked his way.

"Please doctor, tell me his condition." I pleaded with teary eyes.

"He died," my heart stopped beating and the world spun around me at these two fatal words until he continued, "but a miracle happened." He walked away with a similar shock on his face.

I couldn't help but think that his mom could be the miracle that saved his life.