The Dawn

Chapter 13

The sun set outside, casting a beautiful shadow inside the hospital room. It had been full of life, with V and her grandmother's usual bickering. Andrew just either got insulted by Molly or would just stand in the corner looking really uncomfortable.

The two ladies had brought me such delicious food, including bread from the bakery and my favourite chocolate-chip muffins.

Devon and Andrea dropped by an hour ago and left just a few minutes before. Right now, the room was silent and peaceful. I stretched and slithered back under the covers, adjusting my cast covered leg.

When I did close my eyes though, events of that day flashed before my eyes. How Parker lured me out. How he tried to kill me.

I shook my head, not wanting to think about it.

The door opened and Andrew walked in, looking as glorious as ever. He wore a black T-shirt over black, fitting jeans. The smell of his cologne was so powerful that it even overtook the antiseptic smell of the hospital room.

He was carrying a fruit basket, which he placed on the nightstand and then planted himself on the stool. I adjusted myself in a sitting position and faced him with a slight smile.

"How are you feeling now? Better?" He asked, his expression gentle.

I nodded. "I'm good. But about this," I motioned towards the bandaged scar on my cheek, "how long will this take to fade away?"

"The doctor said it might take a while. Since he didn't stitch it, it might not leave a mark behind." 

I nodded. Suddenly, I remembered something.

"You said that I lost a lot of blood, the other day. And the bank didn't have any. So, who gave me blood?"

He nervously ran a hand over the back of his head. "Uh, the thing is," he trailed off.

I realized immediately. "It was you, wasn't it?"

I felt my heart flutter inside my chest. The kind of weird feeling I had when I fell in his arms the other day. It was as if my body wasn't even in my control anymore.

What's wrong with me?

"Well, they didn't have any AB+ blood in the bank and the doctor said if you lost anymore blood, you could've gotten a brain hemorrhage. I didn't know what to do so I, uh, gave some of mine." He said, his voice nervous and shaky.

I smiled.

Not only did he come there and saved my life, but he also gave me his blood so I could live.

"Thank you. I mean it, really. Because of you I'm alive today." I told him, genuinely.

He shook his. "No. It's my fault you got trapped into this in the first place." He answered, his dark eyes burning into mine.

I suddenly felt the urge to comfort him. Maybe it was the sadness in his eyes that forced me to do such a thing.

I placed my hand over his and smiled, not breaking eye contact. "Listen to me. It wasn't your fault. It was Parker's fault, okay? You're the one who saved me."

We stared at one another, my eyes never leaving his and his eyes never leaving mine. We must've stayed like that for a minute at least, but it seemed as if we'd been staring at one another since an eternity.

I felt that weird feeling in the pit of my stomach once more. It was if somebody had released a thousand butterflies in there.

The door opened and I jumped slightly, pulling my hand away. It was the nurse, telling me about my discharge.

A week went by, uneventful. But I did change my hair back to a strawberry blonde colour because of the colour fading from my underroots. Andrew though, paid me visits at my house and even gave me a paid holiday. This was very unlike him but I guess he felt guilty that I got trapped between him and his best friend.

Anyways, Global Construction were holding their 30th anniversary celebrations at Mr. Greysons' house. Of course, Andrew told me I had to be in attendance. My foot was all better now, the injury now no longer painful but I still refrained from wearing high heels.

About my feelings, they were weird ever since the day at the hospital. The butterflies still resided in the pit of my stomach and seemed to come alive whenever I'd think about Andrew. The image of him saving me from Parker was still vivid in my mind.

Words can't explain how relieved I had been when I saw him that day. It was if a new hope had fallen for me from the sky. A kind of feeling I hadn't thought I'd ever experience.

Right now, I was selecting an outfit to wear to the anniversary bash. It had to be formal but something that would make me comfortable.

The doorbell rang and when I opened the door, Andrea stumbled in carrying a huge bag with V close behind, carrying Hailey in her arms.

"Here. I brought you a dress to wear to the party." She thrusted the huge bag in my arms. Then she ushered me inside my room and shut the door behind me. "Come out fast! I'll also do your hair and makeup." She called out.

"Make sure you don't rip the thing! It's expensive!" V added.

I rolled my eyes at them.

Sure. I'll rip the thing with my claws.

Turning my attention back to the  bag in my arms, I unzipped it and pulled out the most gorgeous looking gown I had ever seen.

It was long and off-white coloured with sparkly, white flowers flowing waist-down. A sparkly diamond belt wrapped around it's waste and it had a sweetheart neckline.

Andrea sure knows my taste!

I quickly pulled it on, making sure to not put too much weight on my bandaged ankle. After I was done, I admired myself in the mirror.

Then I stepped outside.

There were gasps everywhere in my apartment before I was being pulled onto the couch and then my face and hair were being touched by several pairs of hands.

Or in this case, maybe just 2 pairs of hands, while Hailey giggled in the background.

I don't know how long these two forced me to keep my eyes shut but when I heard V yell, "done!" I opened my eyes and stood up, gathering my dress.

"You guys sure?" I asked, cautiously. Just in case they were going to attack me once again. I was really tired from all that tugging at my hair and dragging on my face.

V looked like she was awestruck while Andrea had a proud look on her face. "See for yourself."

I walked towards the mirror hanging on the wall and peered at myself.

I looked amazing!

They had straightened my hair up completely, letting it fall just a little below my waist. The makeup was good and not too loud, just how I liked it. The eye makeup was on point and the dark pinkish lipstick did wonders to my face.

I turned around to the two with a huge smile on my face. V held up a pair of white pumps.

My phone rang and Andrew's name flashed across the screen.

"Wow, he's on time." V quipped, stuffing her face with spicy chips.

"He likes to be punctual." I told her, fixing the belt and holding my purse in my hand.

"Good luck Ria!" Andrea smiled sweetly.

I thanked both of them, kissed Hailey goodbye and shuffled out the door. When I reached the lobby, I spotted Andrew standing near the front entrance. He looked super dapper in his all black tux, black dress shirt and a red rose on the pocket of the blazer. My heart rate accelerated for no reason.

Dude! Relax. You've been with him in his car loads of times.

Calming the irritating reaction of my heart, I picked up my dress and headed in his direction. When I reached him, he was already looking at me.

"Should we?" I asked.

He cleared his throat and nodded. Leading me over to his car, he helped me in and then closed the door.

I would be lying if I said I didn't feel amazed. I stared at him in awe as he got in the driver's side.

A while later, he sighed, "What is it?"

"Nothing. I was just amazed at how well you seem to be treating me." I teased.

He turned to look at me, his eyes full of seriousness. "Of course I will. You literally almost got killed because of me." His eyes burned into mine.

"It-it wasn't because of you." I replied, feeling a little dizzy. It was to keep my head on straight with his intoxicating cologne and closeness literally blocking my senses.

He pulled away, after what seemed like forever, and put the car into ignition. "We're getting late. Let's go."

I looked at him in wonder.

Does he blame himself for what happened to me?

We arrived outside Greyson's mansion, and boy was it huge. That man was literally swimming in money. The white coloured house was surrounded by an equally large garden. In the centre was a huge water fountain with a tiny sculpture of a cupid.

Many cars littered the parking space in front of the house while some littered the back. The whole house had been decorated with flowers and lights. Andrew pulled up to the front, where I spotted many people standing around.

They all look important.

He got out but before I could pull  the handle to my door, he pulled it open and leaned forward,offering me his hand.

I stared at him, my heart ready to jump out of my chest at his closeness.

"What are you doing? Take my hand." He hissed when I didn't move for a minute.

Snapping back to my senses, I quickly placed my small hand into his bigger and warmer one. As soon as my hand made contact with his, bolts of electricity shot up my arm.

Normalizing my prancing emotions, I willed myself to be led into the venue by him. Maybe, this kind of stuff was important for a huge event like this.

We approached Greyson, who was standing next to a couple of more old businessmen. Andrew shook his hand in greeting and then Greyson kissed the back of my hand, passing me a complement.

I smiled politely and stood next to Andrew as he talked with the men, to whom I hadn't been introduced.

"Ahh, my new sponsor right here. Everyone," Greyson called for attention and then motioned towards Andrew, "this is my latest client, Mr. Andrew Jefferson. And may I say, he is a charming young man with a wonderful sense of duty."

A round of applause went up for my boss.

I smiled and just sipped my drink. These heels were beginning to kill my feet and being in this party was becoming really tiresome.

I had been talking to Mary, a billionaire's wife, when Greyson's son Jared walked up to me.

"Excuse me, miss? You are Jefferson's PA, right?" He asked.

I excused myself from Mary and turned towards him. "Yes. Always a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Greyson." I smiled.

He smirked, his eyes travelling over my body.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

What a sleazebag!

"Please. Call me Jared." He said, taking my hand and placing a sloppy kiss over it.

He held it a bit too firmly though, and I had to practically yank it out of his grasp.

"So," he continued, "how do you like this place?" He gestured to his house. "Big, isn't it?" He didn't wait for my answer before throwing another question, "How about we get away from here and take a nice rest in my private villa up North?"

Before I could reply, I sensed a presence next to me. The presence of the man I had been dying to see.

Andrew stood next to me, a glass of scotch in his hand and greeted Jared. "What is the matter under discussion?" He took a sip.

I eyed him. Up close, he looked so hot even if he was doing something as simple as drinking scotch.

"Oh nothing. Ms. Patricia was just telling me about how fascinating she found our mansion." Jared replied.

My mouth dropped open. What a liar!

Andrew stayed indifferent. "Interesting."

Jared eyed me again. His dirty gaze made me shrink back into Andrew, who had chosen tonight to be an oblivious i***t.

Can't he see the sleazebag ogling and making passes at me?!

"Your beauty is an exception, Ms. Patricia. I haven't seen a woman as beautiful as you even in the Island of Hawaii. My, you must kill men." He said, his voice husky and slightly hoarse.

I smiled uncomfortably. "Thankyou."

He picked up a drink from a waiter passing by.

"Mr. Jared. I heard you just completed your degree program. Anything in particular you want to do next?" Andrew finally spoke up.

Jared shrugged. "No, not really. But," he returned his gaze back to me, "there is something I'd like your permission for."

This can not be good.

Before he could say further, an old sleaze dragged Andrew away for a chat, leaving me all alone with him.

He stepped near to me and brought his face very close to mine. "I think," he raised his hand to touch my face while I stood frozen in my spot, "that you have me-"

"Don't touch her." An all too familiar voice growled.