Chapter 11: Chapter 11

The ambulance arrives, and they force me away so they can treat Richie’s wounds and load him into the ambulance.

I was worried that more blood would flow if I moved my hand, but thankfully it didn't. I hold on to Richie’s hand tightly as the ambulance drives. At the hospital, they force me away from him again. I feel like this is all my fault, if I had seen the plank falling down, Richie wouldn’t have rushed to save me and he wouldn’t have risked his life for me.

While sitting in the waiting room, I consider if I should call one of Richie’s family members but I didn’t know how to tell them that Richie is in the hospital and is bleeding to death because he was trying to save me. I should be the one laying on the hospital bed, it should be my blood flowing out, I should be the one in pain. Richie doesn’t deserve all this. It’s my fault and I am supposed to be in there not Richie.

If anything happens to Richie today, I will blame myself for it because it’s my fault. I want to ruin Richie but not like this, I want to murder him but not by risking his life to save mine.

I began twirling my thumbs as nervousness intruded on me. The fear for Richie’s life is consuming me. I know I need to call at least one of his family members just in case he needs blood and the hospital doesn’t have it in their blood bank. The thought of calling one of his family members screwed in my head and I decide to wait till they were done treating him. If his situation is serious, I'll call one of them, but if it's not - which I am praying it isn't-then I won't call anyone. Richie can call them himself once he's okay. I just pray his situation is not bad.

He is meant to die in my hands, not in my eyes. I don't want anything to happen to him. I have already vowed that I will ruin him, so he has to be alive for me to accomplish my goals.

You have to be alive Richie, for me.

"Miss Miller," Someone calls my name. I quickly lift my head and look for the speaker.

"Here," I say, standing up from my seat and walking to the doctor.

"Mr. Maranzano sustained a minor cut and a concussion to the head. He also has a little bruising on his back, but he should be fine with a few days' rest."

"Thank God. I was worried because there was a lot of blood; I thought something serious might have happened."

"No need to worry. Mr. Maranzano will be fine. The nurse will bring him out soon and you can take him home.

"Thank you, doctor." I shake the woman's hand to show my gratitude.

"You're welcome, Miss Miller."

I don't have to wait long before the nurse walks Richie out to the waiting room. The second I see him, tears welled up in my eyes. There are bandages on his head and ribs, and he's having to lean heavily on the nurse as she helps him to walk.

"Oh, Rach, please don't tell me you are crying because of me?" Richie says, and it's like he just turned on the faucet for my tears because the tears begin rolling down my cheeks. I didn’t plan to cry but looking at all the bandages on his body, I can't help but feel guilty. This should be me not him.

"I am not crying." I immediately wipe my tears. "I am just sorry this happened to you. I should've been looking where I was going." I grab Richie’s arm that is not around the nurse's neck and places it around my shoulder.

He shifts his weight over to me, releasing the nurse, and I walk him to the closest available seat and help him sit down.

"It's not your fault; stop feeling guilty." He says

"This should have happened to me not you," I say not wanting to burst into tears

"It's fine, I am fine. Please stop crying." Richie wipes away the tears staining my face.

"I said I’m not crying." I sniffle between words.

"Okay you are not crying but can you please stop letting tears roll down your cheek?" He says with a bit of laughter in his voice

"I can’t control my eyes. They can be very difficult to handle." A single tear rolled down my cheek and I quickly wipe it off.

"Now smile." He says and I manage to crack a small smile.

"Much better." Richie drops his hand from my face. As he does, I don't miss the wince that twists his features. He tries to hide it, but I still see it. Because of his back, it must be hard for him to move his hands right now. I don't even want to imagine the amount of pain he must be in.

"I need to take you home, you need some rest," I say

**

A few minutes later...

We make it back to Richie’s house, and his driver and I help Richie to lie down on the living room couch. I look around the house, everywhere seems to be quiet. It’s almost like no one is around.

"Where is everyone?" I ask Richie

"They all traveled to Hawaii last week but they will be back by tomorrow." He says

"And the maids, where are they?" I ask. If Richie’s family members aren’t around to take care of him at least the maids can.

"They are around." He responded

"Great. Where are they? I need to tell them about your medication. I don’t trust you with the medicines."

"What do you mean, you don’t trust me with the medicine?"

"I know you, Richie, you won’t take the medicine," I say looking around for the maids. I don’t see them anywhere.

"Where did you say the maids are again?" I ask turning to look at Richie

"They are somewhere around. Just keep the medicines, I will give them to them." He says

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure."

"Okay." I keep the ointments the doctor prescribed for Riche on the table and I realized that I left the painkiller in my bag. I forgot to carry the bag with me as we took Richie inside. My whole mind was focused on getting him into the house without causing him any more pain than he was experiencing already.

"Ohh, I forgot the painkillers," I say mostly to myself. I leave Richie on the couch and went to get the medicine.

As I take my bag I hear the watchman telling the driver that Richie sent all the maids away because he didn’t see the need for them to be in the house since no one was around.

Why would Richie lie to me? That was the first question that popped into my mind.

I make it back to the door and try the door to Riche’s house but it seems locked. Why would Richie lock the door?

Surely, he couldn't have thought I left. How could I leave him alone in his state? I am the reason for his injuries; there is no way I am leaving him alone. I knock on the door, and it takes a while for it to open.

"I thought the doctor was clear when she told you not to walk around." I grab Richie’s hand and walk him back to the couch.

"I needed to open the door for you, woman." Richie winces a little as I place him back on the couch. I can tell any slight movement causes him pain. I feel so guilty right now.

"Well, you shouldn't have locked the door in the first place."

Placing my handbag on the center table, I walk back over to Richie and adjust the pillows around him, ensuring the pillow supporting his head is soft, so it won't cause the injury there to hurt. Then, I make sure the ones at his back are situated so he can be comfortable while he sits. While doing this, I can feel Richie staring at me. I look away from the pillow in my hand and shoot him a question

"Why did you say the maids were around when they aren’t?"

"Is that what the driver told you?" He asks

"That’s not what I asked you, Richie," I say

Richie takes a deep breath and looks at me "I told you that because I don’t want you to stay back taking care of me."

"Richie." I sigh.

"It’s not your fault, okay? You didn’t cause this, I wanted to save you. You never told me to save you. So if there is anyone that is to be blamed then it’s me. I saw the plank and I went ahead and let it fall on me." He says

Now I feel way worse.

"Richie, I-"

"You are not staying." He cuts me off "I know you don’t want to stay and I understand that but please stop being sympathetic towards me. It makes me feel like I’m forcing care out of you."

"Are you done talking?" I ask "Look, I am not trying to sympathize with you. I am just trying to help you. You saved my life and I take care of you. It’s that simple."

"Rach"

"I will stay." I say not wanting to hear any objections from Richie "I am not going to sleep over but I will stay for as long as you need me. I will make sure you eat and take your medicine before I leave."

"Fine." He says

I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave Richie alone. He saved my life and I think the least I can do right now is to take care of him.

"What’s your favorite pizza toppings?" I ask taking my phone out of my bag. I know Richie’s favorite pizza toppings but I think it’s better if I ask him just for confirmation.

"Pepperoni. Why?"

"I’m ordering pizza."

I ordered one large pepperoni pizza and two small cola drinks. Shortly, the pizza was delivered and I made sure Richie eats before taking his medicine.

A few hours have gone by since we finished eating the pizza. It’s almost nighttime and I should be on the way home, but I'm worried about Richie being alone. I am finding it hard to leave him. The hundreds of ways that his situation could become worse have been floating around in my head all day. I tried to convince myself to leave but I just can't bring myself to do that.

"Rach?"

I hummed my response turning away from my phone to look at Richie.

"Shouldn’t you be on your way home? It’s getting late."

"Oh yeah. I lost track of time." I lie

"It’s okay. I can tell the driver to take you home if you want?"

I look at the time. It’s 10:37 pm. The driver must have gone home already.

"No worries, I can drive myself home," I say walking slowly to get my back on the table. I don’t want to leave Richie but if I tell him that, he will think I’m sympathizing with him.

"Rach?" He says

"Yeah." I turn my gaze to him

"Are you alright? You seem to be lost."

"I’m fine. You don’t have to worry." I grab my bag "Take care of yourself, I will come by to check on you tomorrow morning."

"Okay. Good night." He says

I was about to leave the room when I hear a wince from Richie. I turn around to see him trying to stand up from the couch.

"What are you doing?" I reach to help him "You are not supposed to walk around."

"I wanted to go to bed. I can’t sleep on the couch."

"You could have said something." I put an arm around his waist "I will help you to your room."

I help Richie get to his room and I get him on the bed.

"Is there anything you want me to help you with?" I ask, standing up straight after getting him settled.

"I would love to change for bed, but I would need your help if you don't mind."

"I don't; let me get you something to change into." I walk to his closet to get his pajamas.

I come back once I find a set and help him remove his shirt before trying to help him put on his pajama shirt, but he insists on sleeping shirtless; I shouldn't be surprised, almost all guys do that.

I help him stand so I can take off his pants. As my hands work Richie’s belt, I feel his gaze on me. Looking up from his hard, muscular chest, I meet his eyes and can see the lust building in his stare. It's no wonder his mind went there with what I'm doing. A dark thought comes to mind as I slip the belt through the buckle and remove it. Ensuring my knuckles brush his already hard length while unzipping his pants, I take my time pulling them down. I make sure my hand touches his skin and almost laugh at his intake of breath. Payback is a bitch; this is what he gets for messing with me back at the incomplete building.

I smirk inwardly to myself. I go to stand, taking my time doing it, but stop once I get to his length. I look up at him as my face hovers there. His hands twitch, itching to grab my head and place my mouth where he wants it. The smile on my face widens as I watch his Adam's apple bob. Eventually, I stand up fully, but I continue to play my game.

"You need help with the boxers?" I lean up to him and whisper as my hands rest on his waist, before nibbling on his ear as I take my mouth away. Richie is so hard against my stomach that I feel a little bad about what I'm going to do next.