XANDER POV
A sensation brushed against my chest, a warmth that tingled on my skin. Its addictive nature beckoned me to savor it for as long as possible, soothing me and easing the discomfort that had been plaguing me. As the wound seared through my flesh, a numbing sensation overtook my leg.
Wait a moment.
With a jolt, I opened my eyes and reached for her wrist, studying her features intently. With her head lowered, I could feel the sweet aroma of vanilla emanating from her hair, so close that I could almost inhale it. As our gazes locked, the large, circular orbs before me dilated in surprise. As I observed her countenance, a subtle pallor overtook the once rosy hue of her cheeks. It was at that moment that I became acutely aware of the force with which I had been grasping her wrist, prompting me to promptly release my grip.
Rubbing her wrist, she kept her unwavering gaze fixed on me. She retraced her steps to retrieve what appeared to be a meal from the tray, along with a glass of water.
I cleared my throat and directed my gaze towards the wound on my thigh. Upon inspection, I couldn't help but marvel at the impeccable job she had done. The suture was a testament to her exceptional skills, and I felt a sense of relief knowing that my life and limb were in capable hands.
Dorothy.
With a gentle touch, she carefully positioned the plate of food on the nightstand beside the bed. The sensation of damp sheets clung to my skin, a telltale sign that I had perspired throughout the night.
With a stern tone, she instructed me to consume my meal and medication before retreating to the accent chair situated opposite the bed where I rested.
Expressing gratitude.
"Are you a nurse or a doctor?"
I inquired with great curiosity about her ability to tend to my gunshot wound without the aid of proper medical equipment, yet still successfully mitigating the infection and alleviating my fever. Should she possess the necessary qualifications, I would be pleased to engage her services as my personal medical attendant.
As I posed my inquiries, her gaze remained fixed on the screen of her phone, her fingers deftly navigating its surface. However, as I continued to press for answers, her countenance betrayed a momentary pause, a fleeting uncertainty that flitted across her features before she sprang into action.
"I'm not," she replied with a cough, "I'm a seamstress.
Is the individual in question a seamstress? Upon scrutinizing the sutures, it became apparent that this was the reason for the improved appearance of the stitches.
The question arises as to how a seamstress could possibly afford such a luxurious suite. Please don't take offense, but this particular suite has a value of $35,000. In that moment, the memory of Rio and the assumptions surrounding her role as a mistress flooded my mind. Aah…I refrain from passing judgment as it is her chosen means of livelihood. Her beauty is undeniable. As someone who has had the pleasure of encountering numerous women, I can confidently say that she ranks among the top three.
I savored every last morsel of sustenance in a hushed manner, while she proceeded to resume her digital correspondence. In dire need of medical attention, I implored her to reach out to Lou or Rio at the earliest. My health demanded immediate attention, and I required a fresh supply of antibiotics to combat the ailment.
"Have we arrived at Hoyos?"
She repeatedly taps on her phone, often disregarding my presence. This treatment is unfamiliar to me and stirs up feelings of frustration. She stood up gracefully and made her way towards me, extending her arm to offer me the phone, which displayed a series of numbers on its screen.
The individual inquired, seeking clarification on the object in question. As I gazed upon the numerical figures, my eyes fixated on the grand sum of $40,000 that had been meticulously tallied.
"Reimbursement!"
She returned to the accent chair, summoning her meager strength to inch it closer to the bed. The piercing noise emanating from the accent chair as it scraped against the floor was causing a painful sensation in my ears. As she settled into her seat, she elegantly crossed her legs and swiftly snatched the phone from my grasp.
"What is the purpose of the reimbursement?"
A furrow formed on her brow, as though my words had caused offense.
"Mister, I wish you to take a moment and observe your surroundings. As you entered the room, your bleeding form left a trail of crimson on the sheets. Yet, your gaze seemed to be fixated on the rugs. The bed is now tainted with blood, and regrettably, you had slept on it. As a result, I have been unable to rest since the previous night, and my long-awaited vacation has been utterly spoiled. The amount being offered is intended to cover both the physical damages incurred within this space, as well as to provide recompense for the emotional distress I have experienced. I won't even charge you for the therapy bill. Consider it a gesture of generosity on my part."
I remained silent, my thoughts hidden behind a veil of contemplation.
The notion had not occurred to me. Regrettably, I find myself without the necessary funds to compensate her. Being at Hoyos, it follows that we should have signal.
I inquired of her,
"Can i use your cellphone?"
She reached into her bag and produced a sleek, flip phone, which she then handed to me.
"You can have this phone, and for the cost of $200 in addition to the $40,000, I offer my personal mobile device designed for travel. It operates on a credit-based system, rather than a billing cycle, for your convenience." she smiled.
As I dialed Lou's phone number, her gaze remained fixed upon me.
The phone emitted a few brief rings before the call was finally connected.
"Lou…"
"BOSS!!!!! Where could you be?"
The line was filled with his palpable anxiousness.
"Where are you?"
"Until this moment, our search for you had extended over the vast expanse of water. Regrettably, Rio has been admitted to the hospital, prompting my arrival at the north wing suite to ensure that we depart it in the same condition as we found it. As Willy is escorted to the base, I inquire as to your whereabouts, dear boss. Let me get you!"
"I am at the southern wing suite. Please do knock the door precisely five times, as this will serve as a signal of your arrival."
"Please ensure to bring along my gold card, and arrange for a clean-up crew to be present. Has Tyson arrived?"
"He arrived this morning, and I ensured that the Captain was informed to clear the helipad. The compensation provided was sufficient to persuade him to overlook the matter. "
"Very well. Bring me a fresh clothes"
As I addressed Lou, she feigned ignorance of my words. I examined my wound once more, struck by the thought that the person tending to me possessed a remarkable aptitude for the medical profession, should they ever choose to pursue it.
With a swift motion, the phone was deftly slipped into the pocket. As I reluctantly handed over the sum of 200 dollars, her expression betrayed a sense of confusion.
I am familiar with that inquisitive gaze, pondering over my profession and the reason behind my ability to summon individuals at my whim.
"Perhaps you are curious as to my current occupation?"
"No…I couldn't help but notice that one of your eyes appears to be slightly smaller than the other.?"
Xavier: (*...')
Xavier paused, lost in thought.
SHIT! All of a sudden, a sense of self-awareness has washed over me, and I can't help but notice the asymmetry of my face. This observation was confirmed by a renowned plastic surgeon. What reason do I have to heed the words of a mistress?
"As I observed your hair, I couldn't help but notice its shorter length, which may be considered atypical for a woman."
However, I must reflect on why I am feeling inclined to make such a comment, as it may be perceived as trivial or insignificant.
"My eyes, fortunately, are symmetrical. While hair has the ability to grow and change, the eyes remain a fixed feature, unable to self-correct any imbalances." she said.
"I shall depart from this place and provide you with the necessary funds. You may regard my actions as a form of reciprocation for sparing my life. Thus, we are now at an equitable state. Should you dare to utter a word about this affair to anyone, rest assured that I will track you down, Dorothy Wyatt!"
Although I assured myself that I would never harm my savior, I felt compelled to assert my dominance by issuing a threat. The door echoed with a series of five resounding knocks.
As she made her way towards the door, she inquired, "Is that person your friend?" As soon as I gave a nod, she proceeded to unlatch the door, her gaze shifting briefly towards Lou before returning to me.
"He is your friend?"