The Faded Rose

Chapter 24

"Hay.. Hay.. awake.." I heard a distant voice. Rubbing my eyes groggily as I opened them tiredly. Having not slept well for the past few days, the emotional and physical toll that the last 36hours had on me had exhausted me completely. 

Blinking away the sleep, "What?" I replied, my voice raspy. Clearing my throat, "Is everything okay? Is Nicholas alright?" My mind alert, sleep now a distant land. 

"Nicholas is awake. The doctor said that we can go see him. They have transferred him to room 404."

My eyes widened, jumping to my feet. "Let's go," I said pulling her towards Nicholas' room.

"Wait. Before you go in, you might want to know......" Sky started but before she could complete her sentence we were already outside his room.

The door was ajar, I heard laughter coming from inside. My eyebrows furrowed as I opened the door. Nicholas was sitting there laughing earnestly. He hand on his stomach as he laughed heartily, wincing at the end.

Two pair of eyes snapped towards me at the sound of the opening door. Nicholas' laughter ceased as he took me in. I likely looked homeless. With may hair dishevelled, eyes puffy. My face red, my clothes covered in blood, I probably looked deranged.

I slowly walked in, It felt like I was intruding an intimate moment.

"Hi!" I said softly. "How are you?" I asked unsure of what to do next. I raked my eyes all over his frame. Letting out a sigh, He is fine. He is fine. Except for the hospital gown and his slightly pale face, no one could have guessed that this man was recently stabbed. It didn't escape my notice that they were holding hands.

I felt a wave of jealousy pass through me. I felt a slight ache in my heart at the thought of her being someone who is or had been intimate with him. She did look his type. She was a stunning female, her dress screamed rich. Her eyes were puffy with dark circles underneath them as if she hadn't slept well. Her figure slender, platinum blonde hair flowed till her waist. A button nose sat on her face, high cheekbones complimenting her tanned skin. She belonged to a runway in Paris.

"Hayley," I heard Nicholas whisper, loving the way my name rolled off his lips. "I am fine," he said replying to my question. "Where have you been?" He asked as he looked at me with a small smile on his full lips. Surprise, relief and what I recognised to be hope shining through his grey orbs. "I have been waiting for you, I thought you weren't going to come," he said softly, his grey eyes holding mine, unable to look away. 

"How could I not?" I replied just as softly. Suddenly, surprising myself,  I threw myself at him, clutching him tightly. "I am sorry.. I am so sorry. It's all my fault" I cried, my head resting on his chest, tears staining his hospital gown, letting out all the agony and fear that I felt since he was stabbed. "I thought I lost you." 

"Shhh I'm all right. It wasn't your fault. It's okay. I'm here," He cupped my face, his right thumb stroking my cheeks lightly, his voice soothing, brushing my hair in an effort to console me, Rocking me as I kept crying. I didn't know how much time had passed with his arms wrapped around my waist cradling me, whispering words of comfort when we heard someone clear their throat. 

Detaching myself from his hold, we turned towards the voice. Noticing the woman looking at me with confusion and vice versa, "This is Ashley, Addy and Seb's daughter. We have grown up together," He introduced us, his eyes softening as he looked at her, I could see that she meant a lot to him. Another wave of jealousy passed through me.

Who is she?

What is she to him?

"And this is Hayley, my.. my friend," He said, furrowing his brows.

My hear clenched in pain. 

A friend? Was that what I really was to him? 

Maybe he never meant those words, maybe he just said them to get my apology. 

"I..." I started when the doctor entered.

"Ms. Preston and Ms. Smith, I need to check Mr. Lorde's wound. I would like you to please step out of the room," the doctor told us politely. Ashley walked out while I stood there, not wanting to leave Nicholas alone.

"I.."

"Let's go Hayley. We will come back later. He is okay," Sky whispered in my ears, suddenly reminding me of her presence. Nodding, I followed her to the waiting room.

*****

Dear Readers,

Here is another update as promised. We are moving towards the end of the story, there will be a couple of chapters more so stay tuned. If you like the story then please vote. Let me know what you think of this chapter. Your support keeps me motivated.

Thanks

SGnGigi