Key Lime Cake

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Zavion POV

I arrived in Brazil around ten in the morning and checked into the hotel I had booked. The fight was scheduled for noon in Sao Paulo, so I took a quick shower and got myself ready.

Not to sound cocky, but I have a pretty solid track record of winning, and I felt confident about this match as well. Before heading to Sao Paulo, I made sure to hydrate properly; I knew it was important. Although the fight had already started when I got there, I wasn't up just yet. After a few minutes, it was finally my turn to step into the ring, and I quickly changed out of my clothes since I couldn't fight in them. This match felt different from the one I had in NYC; it was straightforward and fast, and I ended up with fewer bruises than usual.

Once it was all over, I told my manager I wanted to head home right away. I knew Izzy would be back from the hostel, and Ethan would still be at the office. Glancing at my phone, I saw it was already 2 pm. I asked my manager to leave my winnings with them because, honestly, I didn't come for the money; I was there for the thrill of the fight.

I finally landed in NYC after a grueling seven-hour flight. I couldn't help but think that if I had taken my dad's jet, I would have made it here much faster. But as soon as I stepped back into the city, something felt off. My fans were there, as always, eager for autographs, and I was ready to oblige. But then, out of nowhere, I felt a sharp pain—someone had stabbed me with a knife in the middle of the crowd.

I immediately recognized it as a move from one of the wrestlers I had faced off against. The cut wasn't too deep, but it was enough to make me bleed and feel faint. I tried to call out for my manager, but we were completely engulfed by the throng of people. Realizing I needed medical attention fast, I made my way to the nearest hospital, knowing that if I didn't get this treated right away, it could lead to a nasty infection.

I didn't even think about tracking down the person who attacked me; my priority was getting help. I ran into the hospital around 10:40 PM, making my way to the pharmacy. After a quick chat with a nurse for directions, she told me to head down the hall. It struck me that she probably had no clue who I was; not everyone follows wrestling, after all. I'm the son of Mr. Gutierrez, a billionaire, but right now, I looked nothing like the polished guy you'd see on a magazine cover.

As I wandered down the corridor, I was a bit lost, unsure whether to turn left or right. In my confusion, I rounded a corner and accidentally bumped into someone. We collided, and she ended up falling right on top of me. I tried to get up, but with her still on me, I was worried about not getting blood on her off-white sweatshirt. The scent of her shampoo was surprisingly pleasant. She placed her hands on my chest to push herself up, and after a moment, she managed to stand and offered me a hand. I took it and got back on my feet, and she immediately apologized, looking a bit flustered.

As I turned away from her, ready to walk off, I muttered, "It's fine," while pressing my hand against my throbbing elbow, which was bleeding and in desperate need of care. The pain was intense, and I knew I had to tend to it right away.

"Did I cause that?" she asked, and I glanced back at her, finally taking in her features. She was actually quite beautiful.

"No, it was my fault for bumping into you," I said, watching her as she knelt down to gather the chocolate that had spilled everywhere. With that, I made my exit.

Zoella's POV

I arrived at the hospital bright and early, eager to assist my sister with her treatment. The doctor had just placed her on a ventilator to help with her breathing, hoping it would eventually restore her voice. I understood that the process could stretch on for weeks or even months, but at that moment, I was clinging to the hope of a miracle.

She was starting to show some improvement with her treatment, and regaining her voice was just the beginning of her recovery process. Whenever she needed to use the restroom, I would wheel her there, and the nurses would assist with everything she required before bringing her back to bed. Unfortunately, she was still reliant on a breathing tube, and the costs for her treatment were piling up, hitting $350 per session. I couldn't help but wonder where I was going to come up with that kind of money.

My job delivering pizzas barely covered my expenses, and my paycheck was nowhere near enough to handle the medical bills. With only $112 in my account and no family to lean on, I felt overwhelmed and trapped, especially since I couldn't keep relying on Eva for help when I was in such a tight spot. In a moment of desperation, I grabbed my phone and called Frankie. She didn't answer right away, but finally picked up on the second ring. I asked if she could lend me some money, promising to work extra shifts to pay her back, but she said she couldn't help. I then shifted my request, asking if she could assist me in finding a daytime job to help ease my financial burden.

***One week later***

"Your legs and feet are basically the building blocks of walking, and to get anywhere, you've got to keep moving one foot in front of the other," as her therapist pointed out. "Don't forget, balance plays a huge role in walking too. Along with your foot and leg workouts, it's super important to include some balance exercises in your routine. And let's not overlook your core; a strong core is key to maintaining your balance while you're on the move," she added, guiding Chloe as she attempted to take her steps.

I hadn't found the job I was hoping for yet, but I could see Chloe struggling to articulate her thoughts, her words coming out a bit jumbled. I watched her as she focused on taking those steps, each attempt ending in a fall, but she always grabbed onto the railings to pull herself back up. It was clear she wasn't ready to throw in the towel.

My phone vibrated, and it was a message from Frankie asking me to deliver pizza to the Gutierrez mansion again. Part of me was excited about the opportunity, thinking it might earn me some brownie points, but another part of me was reluctant to go. I tucked my phone back into my purse and decided to help Chloe instead. Earlier that day, I had gone to the receptionist to pay off all the cash I had on me, promising to settle the rest once Chloe finished her treatment.

As she took my money, she asked a personal question: "Where are your parents?" I smiled at her, but it was bittersweet.

"If they were here, I wouldn't be," I replied, feeling tears welling up. I quickly covered my face with my hands, trying to hide my emotions.

"I'm really sorry to hear that," she said gently, offering me a chocolate bar with a warm smile. "You'll find a way... you're really strong."

It was like she had a sixth sense about my chocolate cravings at that moment. "My parents are alive; I just have no idea where they are," I said, grabbing the chocolate and making my way out.

I settled down and watched my sister practice her steps, and once she finished, I told the therapist I'd handle taking her back to her room.

Chloe rolled over to me in her wheelchair, and I guided her back to her space. "Guess what? I brought your favorite cake—key lime!" I set it down in front of her, grinning as I added, "Eva made it just for you." I plopped down beside her, feeling a warmth in my chest.

She glanced up at me and whispered a soft, "Thank you."

I reassured her, "You're going to get your life back; I promise you'll be okay." Pulling out the 'After' novel I was into, I asked, "Want me to read this to you?" I described it as a romance that was really captivating, hoping to spark her interest. When I looked at her for a reaction, I couldn't help but chuckle at something amusing. She shot me a look that seemed to say, "Is she alright?" I noticed a bit of cream smeared on her cheek and gently wiped it away with a cloth before taking her empty plate. I helped her settle back comfortably.

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