Chương 7: Thoughtful Or Devious

Marcella took a peek at Tony. He was earnestly picking the cotton ball with the forceps and dipping it in the medication. As his suit was not comfortable to do the task, he removed it. Noticing her uncomfortable stance, he offered it to her to keep it under her head.

He is so… thoughtful and effective.

Marcella thought as she pulled up her shirt and closed her eyes. In the comfortable embrace of his scent, she could think more clearly.

She needed help. She wouldn't be able to properly clean the wound herself and if she goes to a doctor that will raise a lot of questions. She cannot file a police case as that would reveal her identity.

Accepting Tony's help is the best way forward. She can feel shy all she wants afterward.

She clutched her shirt as she felt him moving closer to her. She couldn't keep her eyes closed. She opened her eyes to see his steady hands reaching her wound. His eyes were so focused. It was mesmerizing; enough for her to bear with the sting as he cleaned her wound.

His serious eyes reminded her of the time he sat beside her and helped her with her assignment. She never understood a single thing about trigonometry. But he is a smart fellow. He tutored her; he tried to. In the end, he resorted to doing her assignment himself. She won't blame him for losing his patience with her. She's that dumb in Math.

Maybe he felt her stare, he glanced at her. Her heart skipped a beat. He proceeded to wipe her wound.

"All the blood, and that cut… Sigh! My brand-new Chanel blouse is ruined! I saved for months to buy this beauty and now…" she sighed twisting the hem of the shirt.

She didn't know what else to do in that awkward moment. She noticed the soft smile hanging at the corner of his lips disappear. His eyebrows twitched and he pressed his lips.

Is he angry?

She might have sounded shallow. Or… he is worried.

"Is the wound deep?" she asked.

Tony nodded. "It would need a stitch," he said. "Otherwise, it would leave a scar."

"I don't mind it," she shrugged. "What's one more scar?"

The day she found her mother dead, she got attacked too. She almost died as the knife perforated her intestine. She had to have surgery to survive. She still had the scar.

Tony wetted his lips. He looked at her with his gaze oozing with gentleness. She wanted to melt in those eyes.

"I'll try to be gentle as I bind the wound. Take these medications first," he offered her the medications.

She tried to sit up but she couldn't get up. He helped her drink the water to swallow the painkiller and antibiotic. She laid back and closed her eyes.

She couldn't help but think about her sister and her family. She felt the cold ointment on her wound, followed by Tony's clumsy attempts to bandage the wound.

Maybe he was stressed, his breathing was a little loud. It was rhythmic. Was it the repetitive sound or the painkillers or her tiredness after losing blood? She fell asleep.

In her sleep, she was transported to the time when she was careless.

It was a sunny spring day. The garden had all sorts of fragrant flower blooming that attracted bees and butterflies. She was a little girl running in the backyard, giggling. Her dad was chasing her with a hearty laugh, and her mother and sister were sitting on the patio laughing while they soaked in the sun.

It was pleasant. It was peaceful.

She then started floating on a big, warm cloud. She felt light as she was enveloped with a warmth so comfortable as a blanket. The enveloping warmth had a pleasant scent that lulled her. It had been a while since she had felt this secure.

The cloud disappeared and she found herself lying on a beautiful grassland. The wind ruffled her long hair. A smile crept up her lips as a handsome blue butterfly hovered above her face. She was mesmerized by the titillating blue and reached for the butterfly.

As if it was playing tag with her, the butterfly eluded her hand. But when she almost gave up, the butterfly fluttered its wings and reached her hand.

Warmth kissed her fingertips as the butterfly hovered through her fingers.

*Blank*

Everything went blank afterward as she fell deep asleep. There were no dreams. Only peace.

-----

Tony gently placed her hand to the side. The deep red blood on her shirt had dried. It would be uncomfortable for her. He furrowed his brows. His long finger reached for her button.

He stopped.

Covering her with her blanket, he stood up. He turned to leave but as if his feet got stuck, he couldn't take a single step forward. He took a good look at the room. The floral wallpaper suited her. His eyes ended up on the beautiful woman sleeping deeply.

She was more delicate and prettier than any flower he had ever laid eyes on. He placed his hand on his lower abdomen. He couldn't take his eyes off her.

He almost took a step forward. Shaking his head, he walked out of the room closing the door. He cleaned the mess in the living room. Picking up his jacket, he walked to the door. His eyes got drawn to the bedroom door, but he willed himself to walk to the door.

He saw the keys she left in the bowl on the cabinet in the foyer. He put his hand inside his trouser pocket and pulled out a set of keys. His sharp eyes found the key resembling her key as if he was used to it.

His lips curved to a lopsided smile as he looked at the bedroom door. He patted his cheek. He smiled too much it hurts.

With his key, he locked the door. As if someone wiped his face clean of all emotions, his face went blank. The gentleness in his blue eyes disappeared as if it was a mirage.

As if he has put away the mask he was wearing, everything about him changed. Or was he wearing another one of his masks? Who knows?

*Ding*

Just as he got near, the elevator door opened. The elevator boy saluted Tony with a bright smile. Tony stepped inside the elevator.

"She never brings men over, sir. You're the first," the elevator boy said.

Tony said nothing. He pulled out a bill from his trouser and passed it to the elevator boy. The smile on the elevator boy's face got blindingly bright seeing Andrew Jackson's face on the bill.

"Have a great rest of the day, sir," he gave his best salute to the man. He must be someone important if he hands out $20 as tips.

Tony stepped out of the elevator and passed the lobby. Mr. Williams opened the door for him. Tony nodded at him and stepped out.

"Hello, Jackass," Tony scoffed at Adrian standing by the pole, smoking. There wasn't even a hint of politeness in his tone.

Adrian turned fisting his hands. "Oh, look! Here comes the mutt!"