Chapter 26: Chapter 26
Elizabeth's smile might actually have been effective as Clinton who nearly spat out his tiredness and ready to give up swallowed his thoughts and decided to give it another try.
"Take a deep breath and try again, this time to be determined. You don't give up on what you want, you don't give up on yourself, give it your all and see yourself doing it even when you had imagined that you would not…"
Elizabeth couldn't believe she would spit such words of wisdom and encouragement but she was glad it worked as Clinton shut his eyes tight ready to try again. This time, with his whole heart ridding himself of any form of unwillingness and disbelief in him.
Clinton started to try again. He fell a number of times but didn't stop trying. His entire body was already covered in sweat but he didn't stop. He was determined to get it this time. Elizabeth's words truly got to him.
Finally he stood on his feet, this time without shaking but it lasted for a few seconds. Elizabeth was satisfied with that and told him well-done. She saw no need to further continue for that time as she could feel Clinton's legs on fire even when he didn't say it out.
"Although we didn't complete today's full exercise, I'm glad we made progress. We will continue in the evening. For now, I think your legs need rest."
She helped Clinton into his wheelchair and wheeled him back to his room. She could still hear his faster than normal breathing and could see his legs that were vibrating as a result of the exercise. She pitied him but knew that it was for his own good. It may be hard now but with time he will get used to it and get his feet back in function again.
"I will need to have my bath, can you help,please," Clinton asked the moment Elizabeth pushed him into his room. Elizabeth contemplated whether to ask Cole to help him to bathe but realized that to even be more awkward than her situation. She sighed inside her as she realized she has to do that everyday until Clinton gets better or at least his parents get back.
She however agreed to help him bath and further pushed him into the bathroom while he was still on his wheelchair. On getting into the bathroom, Elizabeth arranged the necessary things he would be needing for his bath. Clinton started to take his clothes off, Elizabeth felt her stomach tighten and three her face away to avoid the sight of his nakedness.
"It's just my shirt I'm pulling now…" Clinton said seeing Elizabeth's reaction to him pulling his shirt.
Elizabeth helped him into the bathtub while he still had his boxers on. Once Clinton was in the bathtub, she tried to leave the bathroom but was stopped by Clinton.
"Thank you. And please don't be too far, I might fall again while trying to get into my chair again…"
Elizabeth stayed right after the door and waited for Clinton to bathe. She would take her ear close to the door and listen to be sure he was really bathing and safe. As she stayed there, she could still see the images of what happened earlier at the exercise room in her head. How everything happened so quickly was what she still hasn't been able to understand since then. She remembered staring at Clinton's lips for a while and was grateful he couldn't have seen her since he had issues with his eyes. She would have even felt more embarrassed and ashamed if he had caught her gawking at his lips and chest in that manner.
"His chest is really broad…" Elizabeth found herself saying out loud. She quickly realizes herself and stops herself from thinking such things.
"Asssh, how am I suddenly becoming a pervert?"
Meanwhile inside the bathroom, Clinton took his time to scrub his body. He couldn't see how dirty he was but how he sweated during the exercise gave him an idea. He found himself thinking about the scenario that occurred at the exercise room between him and Elizabeth. He could still remember the current he felt that passed through him that moment. He wished he was able to see the expression on her face and maybe get the chance to also see her face.
Hard to admit but he realized he wanted to see her face again. He wished she stayed longer before standing up from his body. He hadn't felt that good carrying a woman in his body for a long while. He wondered why he was thinking about her like that all of a sudden. He dared to listen to his heart as he feared for the worst. Nevertheless, he knew he needed to focus on regaining himself back before anything else.
He continued scrubbing his body gently after which he washed off the soap that was on his body. He was all done but needed to wipe his wet body with a towel. He searched around with his hand for any towel that Elizabeth must have kept around for him to reach but found nothing. He tried a few times more before he decided to call for help.
Another problem; he didn't know what to call nor how to call her. He believed Elizabeth must be around but what to call her eluded him. Should he call her Elizabeth or maid? He used to call her maid but wasn't sure if it's best to call her that again considering that she has proven to be more than a maid to him.
Confused on what to do, he reached for the bucket he used to bathe and hit it on the floor noisily hoping Elizabeth would hear it and come in.
Elizabeth heard the sound of something and rushed inside the bathroom. On rushing inside, she found nothing amiss except a relaxed Clinton sitting comfortably inside the bathtub. She looked from him to the four ends of the room and saw that everything was intact.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I couldn't find any towels around. It's just that I didn't know how to call you," Clinton said, dropping the bucket he was holding in his hands.
Elizabeth looked at him and shook her head. He made heart nearly jump into her mouth because he didn't know what to call her. Whatever happened to what he used to call the maids before or was he suddenly thinking of abandoning the name.
Elizabeth reached for the towel and handed it to him. She completely forgot to bring it down before leaving. Clinton took it from her and cleaned his body after which he wrapped himself up with it and was taken in by Elizabeth.