Chapter 20: Chapter 20

-19-Milly Brown's visit.

"I need someone who knows struggle as well as I do, someone willing to hold my feet in their lap on days it is too difficult to stand, the type who gives exactly what I need. The one who breathes in the dirt but can exhale flowers." [Christian]

Riley had only taken a few steps on all fours when she heard Beggar's voice.

"Your bottom is hot Riley. But dangling it, right in front of my eyes. Are you suggesting something?"

"What no!" She shouted and stood up. She nearly turned towards him again to explain herself. Only to turn back again.

'Oh my God. She saw it again.' Her cheeks flushed even more like a tomato. 'What happened to you, Riley? Why are you behaving like a pervert?' Eww. But Your husband has a large thing huh' her subconscious voice taunted her again. Hastily saying

"Sorry." She left the bathroom and stood outside shouting.

"Please tell me when you are done. I will come to help you."

"Are you sure you will help me? Not attack me." Christian teased relieving his bladder.

"What. No. Mindy. I. I won't do such a thing. If you are not comfortable with me. I can call a nurse from outside."

"No. No. It's okay Riley. If you want to take advantage of me. I'm ready." Christian teased again.

"I'm sorry Mindy. It was a mistake. I am not a pervert woman."

Laughing loudly, he finally decided to end her misery and said

"I know Riley. Don't say sorry. I was just kidding."

Embarrassed, she chewed her lips, and placed a hand on her heart which was beating like a blacksmith's hammer, her ears were red.

Just when she closed her eyes, 'his thing flashed in her eyes again.' Opening her eyes abruptly she shook her head to stop herself from thinking dirty.

"I'm done, Riley. Please come back."

Trying to control her heartbeat she drank a few mouthfuls of water and reached the washroom again. Still closing her eyes. Asking for direction.

Seeing her so embarrassed, Christian laughed loudly. "Haha. What are you doing Riley?"

"I. It's for your safety."

Laughing loudly he gripped her hand and loosened her hand from her eyes.

Through half-opened eyes, she saw him already covered in underwear. Sighing in relief, she helped him with the pants. And then to flush the toilet.

She helped him wash his hands and then helped him to sit on the wheelchair. Riley then helped him to lie down on the bed throwing small cushions behind him.

Kissing his forehead, she said, "Have a good night Mindy."

Smiling, he said "Good night Riley."

Placing the mattress on the floor, she lied down near his bed. It had been a horrible day for both of them. It was a surprise how she went through it. It felt like she had seen all the shades of life in a day. She has gone through a rollercoaster of emotions today.

"Parent's disappointment. Christian's backstabbing, Beggar's protection."

She now realized that people have an image of you, and they won't accept anything that goes beyond that image. So no matter what you do there will always be people who will doubt you.

'So let them be Riley.' That voice again, her subconscious voice again. 'Ah.' Sighing to herself, she closed her eyes. And it didn't take long for her to doze off.

While Christian was in deep thoughts, it seemed that he had chosen the right wife. How hauntingly beautiful day it was for him. 'Riley still holding onto him when he was hit, her worries, her care towards him. Porridge. Changing his clothes. Helping him to the washroom. It seemed Everything was happening in his favor, he was just not aware of it. He had never laughed so much from the day his father died to now.

The darkest time of his life has brought him to the brightest woman in his life. He now learned that what seemed like a curse at the moment was a blessing. He will always value her for that.

He couldn't help but release a snort. For he does not mind being under her, fucking her while clawing on her butts marking his territory. He knew she was the one to break his long armor's heart. Wait. Dick can't have a heart. Ah! Look what you did to me. And you are sleeping so peacefully here.

Looking up he noticed the ceiling's color. It was white with a tinge of grey POP which was made in the shape of squares. Since he wasn't able to sleep, he counted them the middle square had four more squares on the sides. While the central one had a circle in it. There were twenty-two total squares. 3 circles counting now seemed heavy for him. And he dozed off to dreamland.

[The next Morning]

The sunshine goes through the curtain and falls on the bed. Christian opened his eyes and feels his throat too dry to say a word. It seemed his throat was on fire. Seeing that there is a glass of water near the bedside table he tries to get up but fails. Then remembering the words, Riley was muttering when she was helping him to the bathroom. He repeated them,

Slow

Deliberate

With much difficulty, his arm reached the glass and he took the glass in his hand trying to balance it. Since his other arm was fractured and the one from which he had lifted the glass was full of wounds too. Barely hanging he gulped a few mouthfuls when the glass slipped from his hand and shattered breaking Riley's sleep.

She stood up with a jerk, seeing the glass shattered and his hand full of blood, Riley stood up and changed his dressing. Muttering.

"You should have woken me up, Mindy. You can't do these things yourself. Just ask for help. Next time okay. I'm here for you. Please do tell me if you need anything. I will help you."

"Okay."

"Do you want water?"

He nodded in response.

Riley held the glass at his lips, while he drank slowly watching her face, her thick black brows were furrowed but her eyelashes matched the color of her brows. Her lengthy curved lashes were fluttering.

The peaceful silence between them was interrupted by someone entering through the door.

Milly Brown's timing was always bad and it seemed she didn't disappoint her daughter about her prediction of always being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Embarrassed both of them, Riley stood apart from him taking the glass with her.