Chapter 6
1208 Words
“Thank you.” I said after the maid put the tea and medicines on the table beside me. I’m here standing on the veranda of Rydell’s master bedroom. It’s been four days and this room has become a battleground because of his stubbornness.
But I’m glad that his fever had finally gone, and his skin returned to its normal color. I did control him for four days but today, I hope I still can because as he recovers, his stubbornness also doubled. I do understand that he’s a man running two worlds; underground and legal businesses. And being confined to his bed like an invalid person would make him feel small. But I’m the wife, I have to care for him or else, I’ll be ungrateful.
Then, I heard the closet sound being open so I walked inside the room only to see Rydell standing, he had managed to slide a pair of black trousers and he was currently reaching for a fresh black shirt, his face looking dead from the mirror. The bandages on his chest are still there but his movements are back to normal.
I leaned on the door of the closet, crossing my arms and said. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Rydell froze, his hand stopped moving as the shirt was still stacked on his arm. Slowly, this old stubborn man turned his head to look at me. The moment his gray eyes met mine, his shoulder relaxed slightly. The usual fierce look on his face vanished, he looked just incredibly exasperated and defeated.
“Oh? You’re there? Hmm, why am I holding a shirt?” he said then tossed the shirt on his arm before looking back at me. I stopped myself from smiling because he looked so new, I’d never seen him act like a child who was caught stealing and then put it back to keep himself safe.
“Hmmm really? Go back to bed.” I commanded, gesturing him with my eyes to the bed.
“Hazel,” he groaned, his voice roughly pleading. “It’s been four days. The stitches are holding perfectly fine. The company needs me, and my capos are waiting for me at the docks. I have operations to run. I can’t rule the city if you’re baby-ing me.”
“You aren’t ruling anything if you open those chest wounds and bleed out on the docks,” I said, walking to him slowly. Then I picked up the shirt on the floor. “I told you. You are forbidden from leaving this room until I say so. So, back in bed. Now.”
“Hazel, please,” he muttered, trying to look authoritative but seeing me in serious mode he failed miserably. “Just for three hours, okay?”
I smiled at him. “No.”
He let out a long defeated sigh as he walked slowly on the bed. Those pleading eyes and massive frame of him won’t stop me from doing this. He needs full recovery and since I’m so free, I’ll take care of him. It’s not like he’s the only one who can be authoritative here, my times in the gallery as an employee taught me very well, though I never had the chance to use it on them. I’ll keep Rydell hostage here until his bandages are gone.
“Fine,” he murmured. “If I have to stay, you have to keep me company.”
“Isn’t what I’m doing right now, I’m-”
His injured arm shot suddenly wrapped around my waist that made me get closer to him. With a powerful grip of him, he pulled me straight down to his chest.
“Rydell, you’re stitches-” I gasped, I put one of my hands to his shoulder to keep myself from crushing his wound.
“Let it rip,” he whispered roughly.
Then to my surprise, he leaned up and the next thing I knew was that his lips were brushing into mine, warm and demanding, that gave me a dizzying wave of heat through my veins. These kinds of kisses made me want to give up my sanity and give myself to him but then knowing that he’s just helping me, and I shouldn’t betray his kindness. A sudden spike of panic flustered hit me so I did my best to scramble backward and pull myself out of him. I held the edge of the bed and tried to stand away from him. I could feel my cheeks burning up and my heart pounding like crazy.
“You-you can’t just do that!” I stammered then tried to smooth down my clothes just to hide my face cause I know it’s so red now.
When I didn’t hear any reaction from him, I instantly looked up to check on him but then he’s not on the bed already. He’s now standing in the closet once again, and this time he’s now wearing a plain black polo shirt. A victorious smile played on his lips.
Did he just kiss me to escape?!
“Thank you for taking care of me, little honey,” Rydell chuckled, his tone full of amusement. He walked past me, the pause just to plan a quick kiss on the top of my head. “I’ll be back before dinner.
Then I heard a running footsteps sound in the hallway while I’m still processing what just happened.
“That old man!”
*****
After an hour, while I’m checking a job nearby on the internet, the head butler Alfre knocked on the open door softly. I’m now in my room and I don’t like being locked so I always keep it open during the day. Even in my apartment I’m like that, the only difference here is that the staff here knows how to knock.
“Mrs. Keirston,” Alfred said with a respectful bow. “The Don requested that I deliver this to you before his departure.”
I walked over and he handed me a black card. My eyes widened as I saw it. It was a solid black card, completely unbranded except for the discreet, elegant engraving of the Kreiston crest in the corner. Why would he give me this?
“I-I don’t need money, Alfred. Please tell him that.” I said.
It’s true, why would I need it? I’ve been properly being fed here, I have fancy clothes, and other things that he bought me. Why would I still need money?
“Please, take it back.”
“I’m afraid that is impossible, Ma’am,” Alfred replied with a knowing smile. “The Don was very explicit. If you refuse, I am to be fired.”
I sighed, staring at the card. I can’t let my pride ruin someone else’s job. Rydell sure knows how to scare me even though he’s not here. But what should I do with this card? I don’t want to do some partying or go shopping spree just to fit in with the high society women.
Then, as I flipped the card in my hand, a sudden warm thought struck me.
“The orphanage, yeah, right!”
I'm going to buy them gifts before I visit them today!
- Writer
