MISSING LINK

Chapter 4

"Are you okay, Cherie?" He asked tenderly, his concern evident as he hovered over me.

"My back," I whispered through the pain. "I can't get up."

Link spotted a set of towels hanging in the stall, covered me with one, and placed the other under my head.

"I can't move you until I know what's injured," he cautioned.

"Can you try to pull yourself up?" he suggested, lifting my makeup chair over to me. "Use this for support and try to sit up. I'll keep you covered."

I fought through the electrifying pain, grunting, and gasping as I pulled myself upright using the chair.

"Ah... good, it doesn't seem like anything is broken."

In an instant, I found myself in his arms, then enveloped in a thick duvet, gently placed around me in bed.

"I'll call an ambulance," he insisted.

"No! It's okay," I moaned.

"But you're in so much pain, I must."

"I can endure it, it's subsiding slowly," I whimpered. "Please, I promise I'll be fine."

"I'll at least get you some ice," he decided, rushing out of the room.

                                                                                            ***

Link returned a few minutes later, carefully balancing a tray bearing a large glass of water, a steaming bowl of soup, and slices of toast.

"Maria made the soup," he explained, setting the tray gently on the nightstand. "I hope you don't mind."

I mustered a faint smile through the persistent pain. "It's fine, Link."

Just then, Maria appeared at the door, worry etched across her face. "Oh my goodness, senora Misty, are you okay? Can I help you in any way? Link told me what happened."

She handed Link a gel cold pack, her concern palpable.

"Thank you, Maria," he said with gratitude. "This is exactly what I needed."

"I'll be fine, Maria," I assured her, though my voice quivered with pain. "After you prepare dinner, you can go home. I'll see you on Monday, okay?"

"Are you sure, senora?"

"I'm sure, mama," I replied. "Link is here if I need any assistance."

Maria left the room, and Link helped me lean forward so he could apply the cold pack to my lower back. The pain was sharp, and I couldn't help but grab onto his bicep for support. My skin broke out in goosebumps at his touch.

"How does that feel?" he asked, ensuring that my upper body remained covered.

"Cold," I whimpered.

"We need to apply cold for a few hours to reduce any swelling. After that, we'll use heat," he explained.

We. I cherished the way he said that; it made me feel like we were in this together. His take-charge attitude was something I adored.

"I'll go to the pharmacy and get you some pain medication," he announced.

"Take one of the cars," I insisted, gesturing to my three luxury vehicles, part of my divorce settlement. "You know where the keys are."

"Yes, I know," he acknowledged.

With that, he disappeared from the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. How fortunate was I to have a caring, capable Parisian by my side, tending to my needs? I sipped the soup and soon drifted off into a fitful sleep, his presence providing a measure of comfort despite my pain.