Chapter 28: Chapter 28

'Not now', he cut me off.

'No, seriously, what are you doing here?', I wheezed out, my adrenaline wearing off, as I started to register the pain.

'Later', he looked pointedly at Kade and continued, ' first, let's have you checked'.

My body was waiting for that to be mentioned I think, because as soon as he said checked, my mind went black, I slumped in a dead faint. Good, let's just solidify the fact that you are a damsel in distress was my last thought.

When I regained my consciousness, I thought I would hear chatting (arguing), anything, but it's eerily silent. Have they killed each other already? A girl would know when two men interested in her would react if faced with each other. I haven't opened my eyes yet, and not about to anytime soon.

No one poked me to open them and gave me an idea of how thick the tension is. Come on Erica, you could do it. Try to be casual. I took a deep breath and finally opened my eyes to-

Thanks for making a girl feel important guys. Oh, look at those flowers. Soo pretty.

Not.

I can feel my sarcastic subconscious rolling on the floor laughing out. No one is in the room other than me. Maybe they have gone for coffee. I waited for 1 hour waiting for someone, anyone at this stage (even doctor) to disturb me. When I couldn't control my bladder any longer, I called for the nurse.

Behind the nurse came the two guys I was expecting to see when I came to consciousness. Alas, for me, they are so involved in their staring match, they didn't even look at me. Jeez, just give the girl complex, would ya?

The nurse took me to the bathroom for my business, and when I returned, they were still at their silent duel, albeit now they are sitting on the chairs available in the room.

Checking my vitals, the nurse said the doctor would be coming in 30 minutes and left. I waited for 15 more minutes trying to involve myself in their staring. But woe me, I'm just an audience. Feeling thirsty I asked aloud, 'could you pass the water?'

No answer came. Huff.

Maybe magic words would help, 'Pretty please?'

'It's on the table', came the humble reply from Raphael.

'Glass is also there', came from Kade.

To all those dramas and movies where situations like this occur- check with reality. Men would be men aka slobs.

'Thanks', I gritted out.

'You are welcome', came from both.

Uhh. knife. I want a knife. But poor me, can't even find a knife in this sterile room. A girl must make the weapon with what she got. With that in mind, I poured the water on both their heads.

'Enough is enough. It's me who is hurt. I'm the patient here. It's me who got almost assaulted. You should focus on me, instead of your pissing contest', I huffed, my ribs aching from the shouting.

Guiltily they each have their own sheepish smiles to me.

'If you start pointing at each other and say, "he started it", I swear I'm going to thank you'

My warning may have worked because they both thought of doing it. I can see it in their eyes.

'Now that's settled, Raphael this is Kade. Kade Raphael'. They just looked at each other. So, that would be acknowledging, I Guess. Men.

'So… what are you doing there?'

'She is talking to you', Kade and Raphael said to each other at the same time.

' I'm asking you both. But first, Raphael, you answer me'

He looked pointedly at Kade. 'Ok fine. Kade, could you check on the prescriptions please?'

Kade doesn't want to go. I can see that. But he reluctantly concedes my wishes.

'So?', I want to tap my shoe and say, "I don't have all day".

It's rare to see Raphael speechless. Even rare to see flustered. Experiencing them both in my presence shows he is uncomfortable in the situation. Tough. Even though he helped me I want to know how he came there. There are already enough secrets on both of our sides to be buried by a mountain.

'Tell me, Raphael. How do you know where to find me? How do you know I need help? You were not even on this continent when I spoke to you last time. When did you land? Why didn't you tell me? Answer me damn it!', I shouted the last part when he remained silent.

'I landed in the morning. Wanted to surprise you. As to how I know where you are- I had you followed by one of my bodyguards'

'Oh my god! Do you mean to say someone was following me? Since when? How Long? If he was following me why didn't he stop those guys before it got ugly?'

'He was following the orders. In this case, quite literally, I Guess. I ordered him not to interfere and not to let you know. He will be taken care of appropriately.'

'Stop. What do you mean taken care of? You mean, he will be sacked? For following your orders! It's your mistake, Raphael. Not his. Don't. Just, don't. Ok?'

'Very well. As you wish'

'You didn't answer my question, Rafa. Since when?'

'Since I decided to take you as my assistant'

'You mean to say... you put a tail on all your assistants?'

I remembered the car when I went to set up bob. The chase I did along with Kade. The tail we thought the murderer set for me. Only it's Raphael.

'No. Only you', he blurted after some time. How should I look at this? Positively or negatively? On one side it looks like he had me followed in a stalker...ish way. On the other side, it looks like he is worried about my safety. But even before knowing me? Even before our relationship? I'm confused.

'Why?'

'Because you were different. Because you were careless about your safety. Because you live in an area where crime is no big deal. Because you trust everyone blindly. Because you would never agree to it if asked nicely. Because...I was worried something might happen to you', he took one step with each reason until he whispered the last part cupping my face and then he kissed me.

That kiss made me forget all the reasoning and doubts nibbling my mind.

'So, all the time it was your guy following me?'

'Yes. It was. But after you played tag with him, I let it go. Thought you could handle it. My fault. It's because I was not in the city I had you followed. I was about to surprise you when you left the club. I just wish I had come earlier. '

'Hey. It's ok. You came. That's what matters', I assured him, even though I didn't analyze my own emotional state on what almost happened to me a while ago.