Chapter 15 - Never believe in everything your eyes see
1340 Words
The following day Kimberly was still not feeling well. Her head was aching as she opened her eyes, trying to figure out where she was. She rose weakly as she realized its Nathan's room. Then hardly walked to reach the bathroom because her bruises from the hit by the car were also painful. Nathan was at the door with a food tray when she came out. He quickly rushed to aid her and put down the tray on the bed.
"I'm alright. What happened?" She asked.
"C'mon, easy." He carefully assisted her back to bed, ignoring her question.
"Nath... I mean... Mr. Conner?" She asked, a bit nervous.
"It's alright. Call me Nathan." He said.
"You're not mad at me?" She asked again.
"Let's just say I'm giving you another chance."
"Thank you." She smiled as his eyes deepened on her.
"Why?" She asked once again, confused. Nathan shook his head and turned to the tray. He took the bowl of soup and spoon, poured a small amount, then blew a bit before giving it to her.
"I can do it, don't spoil me like this. I might get used to it?" She chuckled, trying to kid him a bit.
"It's alright, as long as you get better for tonight." He said faintly, and her smile quickly faded away. She was disappointed as she assumed he was concerned about her health.
"He will never be concerned. Your just a s*x slave, Kimberly! A fake girlfriend!" She thought bitterly.
"So I'm still hired?" She asked, but he didn't answer. She obeyed him and just opened her mouth.
While Nathan continued feeding her, another thought stuck in her head.
"Why would I hope for his concern? When he only treated me nicely because I was his servant. A prostitute. A s*x slave, a girlfriend substitute. I am nothing to him." She thought more.
"What's wrong?" He speaks, distracting her. She's been quiet for a while.
"Nothing. I think I'm full."
"You haven't finished."
"I'll eat it later."
"Fine, here." Nathan gave her the medicine.
"Medicine?"
"You don't remember?"
"No."
"You collapsed with a fever last night. The doctor advised you to take this." He hardly speaks.
"Really?" She said, taking it.
After her meal, Nathan stood and got something in his drawer.
"Here." He said, handing the money.
"What's this?" Her voice was soft. She already knew the answer but still cared to ask. It hurts to realize Nathan just pitied her.
"It's the fifty thousand you're asking. Is that enough?" He said. Kimberly bowed; she couldn't look him in the eye. She couldn't tell if Nathan was still mad, concerned, or what.
"Here, take this too." He took another ten thousand in his wallet. "And even my credit card, you can buy anything." He put it all in her hand.
"Nathan..." She cried and raised her head to look at him. "Please...." She bit her lips to fight her tears from falling. It's painful to witness how Nathan sees her as a pathetic prostitute, paid and used for pleasure.
"I'm sorry about last time... I shouldn't show up at your company... I'm sorry..." She said softly.
Nathan was furious last night, but seeing her like this confused him. Perhaps she was in trouble, and the need for money had a reason. He wants to ask her why but doesn't know how to start.
"Tell me now if it's not enough. You want me to give you another check?" He finally said but was surprised at how she responded.
"Nathan... Sorry..... Please forgive me... I'm so sorry...." She cried out loud. She couldn't fight it anymore, the pain was too much, and she needed to take it out.
"Forget about it... just don't do it again, and besides__" He tried to comfort her. He was very much affected. It's as if she unbearably carries a heavy load.
"Besides, It's just money. You knew that I don't care how much you ask." He added. "Kimberly." He sat beside her and held her as she continued crying
"Nathan... Please forgive me for what I've done. I shouldn't have asked for money... I know... I know it was my fault..." She continued crying.
"Please... Let me return this to you..." She gave back the cash and credit card in his hand.
"I will wait until my job is over... I promise... I won't fail you... And the card... I don't need it... I don't want anything... So please take it..." She continued with tears streaming down her cheeks. Nathan had to clench his jaw.
"What is it?" He asked and caressed her cheeks. "Tell me... What's wrong?" He added softly. Kimberly placed her hands on her face and cried harder. Nathan couldn't help to embrace her while stroking her back.
She cried harder and harder.
"It's going to be alright..." He whispered, trying his best to comfort her. Until she finally stops and moves a bit.
"I'm sorry.." She said.
"Stop saying you're sorry..." He held her again.
"Why are you giving this back to me? You ask this. And I'm giving it now." He said softly. "Tell me, why are you crying? Did I hurt you?" He asked solemnly, and she shook her head.
"No... It was my fault..." She said.
"That's enough. Stop blaming yourself for nonsense. I told you it's just money, and I don't care about it as you do."
"I needed money... Because___"
Kring... kring... kring
She was about to tell him the truth, but Nathan's phone rang.
"It's my Dad. I need to get this. Give me a second." Nathan said and answered the phone.
"Dad."
"I want to remind you about the meeting. This is important. I don't want you to be late." His father commanded on the other line.
"I know. I'm about to leave my apartment, dad."
"Great, see you at the office."
"Alright." He ended their conversation quickly and turned back to Kimberly.
"I leave this money inside the drawer; these are all yours. You can take it here whenever you need it."
"Thank you so much, Nathan."
"I have to go to the office. I want you to stay here and rest, okay?" He said.
"Yes." She nodded. And to her surprise, he kneels to her reach and kisses her lips warmly.
"You confuse me. You're not a gold-digger." Nathan said.
"A gold digger?" She repeated.
"Or perhaps a member of a scam who fooled their victim to give them money." He added that frightened her.
"No, of course not! I'm not a bad person. I never fool anyone in my life." She protested, panicky.
"Hey, calm down. Didn't you hear what I just said?" He held her again to relax.
"But I'm telling you the truth, and I'm not a gold digger. I won't take your money if you don't want to. And I'm not a scammer, and I will never do that to you. Please believe me, Nathan. I'm not a bad person, please__."
"I believe you, so stop. Forget what I said."
"I won't fool you." She said with her eyes on his.
"I know." He smiled. "I had to go. I'll be back at lunch. What do you want to eat?" He asked with his face so close to her. Her cheeks turned red like always, and she couldn't speak. She's puzzled. Why can't she stop herself from assuming Nathan cared about her?
"Alright, then I'll ask the doctor. You got back to sleep when I left." She nodded again for an answer, and he left.
Nathan returned a bit late and was glad to see Kimberly sleeping soundly. He touches her forehead to feel her temperature and smiles when he finds it normal. He stared again, caressing her face lovingly and kissing her with tenderness and passion. She groans and opens her eyes.
"Nathan..." She cried.
"Sorry, I'm late. How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I'm fine. I can come with you tonight." She smiled.
"Great." He stood and prepared the lunch, and they ate together without talking much.
- Writer
