Chapter 41

It’s been more than 2 weeks since my stay here in the hospital. My wound is healing pretty nicely. The doctor’s finally letting me out. I’m finally going home tomorrow. Even though I wanted to check out earlier, a lot of them stopped me, saying I shouldn’t go home until my wound will completely heal. Well, considering the fact that I somehow let the wound reopen a couple of times which lengthened my stay. Ashton visited me today. We are strolling around the hospital’s garden. It was kinda huge similar to a park. There were lots of patients roaming around too. Some with their nurses. "Why are you actually here, Ashton? You’ve been coming here with Sierra. Is there something wrong?" I asked skeptical about his solo visit. He grinned at me covering the suspicion. "What? Can I not visit my favourite girl friend?" He said mischievously as he nudged his elbow to me. I scrunched my face. "You just sound more suspicious, you know." "Is your wound healing well?" He asked again for the hundredth time. "Yes, Ash, like for the hundredth time. I’ll be out of here tomorrow. Finally!" I exclaimed happy that I won’t be staying here any longer. I mean the food here sucks and I’m always lying on the bed. I was able to go outside just a few days ago and I have never been more appreciative with the weather. "Are you and Stefano good now? " He asked cautiously. I stopped walking and turned to face him. He followed. I narrowed my eyes. "Uh-huh, so this is what’s all about. You walked us out on a fine weather just so you could know your friend’s development on his relationship." I crossed my arms. "That’s nice of you." I said sarcastically. "I am a concerned friend. Stefano didn’t really talk to me that much." He rubbed his neck with a frown. I don’t know if he’s being a concerned friend or just plain nosy. "So you’re going to squeeze out information from me?" "Maybe." He shrugged. I scoffed as I walked again. "No." He followed. "Hey. You owe me. I’m clearly the reason why you guys are okay now." "There. You said it! We’re okay." I said every word with emphasis. I grinned mischievously. He groaned. "Okay. I’m not going to dig in as long as you guys are good. I really just can’t help but be worried with my best friend, you know. And you... you almost got killed. You two seemed to be like magnet for trouble." "I thought we were way passed this issue." I stopped walking again and sat down at a nearby bench. He followed suit. "For the last time, and for everyone of you who are so worried about me, I am fine. Really." I said frustratingly. He sighed deeply. "That’s not gonna go away for a long time, Ave. I’ve never seen Stef so insanely worried for someone. You made every one panicked. God, that includes me." He exclaimed dramatically. "Okay, okay. I get it." I said with a groan. I sighed. "You know... he did say it was partly his reason to stay out of relationships because he has many enemies. It’s a bit contradicting when you root for us yet you want me stay out of trouble." He frowned realizing what I just said. He sighed. "Yeah... you’re right. But I’m confident though that he’ll protect you. He’s always keeping his family and friends safe and now, you got a place there, he won’t forget you. Heck! I’m pretty sure you’re his priority now." "That’s really reassuring. I’d like to say I can protect myself but considering what happened..." He shook his head with amusement. "All I really want is for you two to be happy. Whether you guys are working it out or not, you guys should know that I’m here. And you got a huge place in my heart too. You’re like my best friend’s hero, Ave. I won’t forget the girl who risked her life for him twice. If he’s being an ***, you know how to contact me." He smirked playfully. "I’m sure I can handle that asshole well, Ashton. But I’m pretty sure you’re this being sweet because you wanted information. No, I’m not gonna give any. Maybe you could convince your best friend for that." I chuckled as he groaned. "Next time, I’m going to send Sierra for extraction of information. " I laughed." Sierra’s more loyal to me you know. She still finds you annoying and childish. " "I’m sure she’s going to change her mind when I **** her senseless." "Eww, Ash." I stood up and turned to leave. "Keep that perverted thoughts to yourself." He laughed so loudly as I heard him following me. --- "Keelan, I dropped my phone under the bed, could you reach it for me? I don’t want to accidentally strain my wound again. The pain sucks." Keelan moved to get it. We were packing my things, afterwards I’m going to get my permission from the doctor and other prescription he recommends. "Here." I reached for it and took it from his hand except it wasn’t Keelan’s hand at all. "Ryker?" My brows creased. "Hey." He greeted. He put his hands to his pockets shyly. "What are you doing here? Where’s Keelan?" "He went out. I asked him to have a moment of your time. It turns out he still remembered me." I saw his hesitance and shyness which was weird for him. He was never like that. Instead of being angry of what he did, I came to be curious why he suddenly came here on the day of my release. "I really wanted to visit you many times, Ave, but your guard dog has been really tight with his security. He’s been particular with people who gets to visit you." "What do you mean? I don’t see any guards here." That’s hard to believe. I don’t see any guards securing the area. He didn’t say anything with the security too. "Trust me. He was very clear on that." I sat on the bed. "What are you really doing here, Ryker?" "I came to apologise to you." He sat beside me with an amount of distance. "I realised I was being too assertive with you and that will never work. I felt guilty even more when I heard something bad happened to you." He said sadly. "Well, I guess there’s a lot of good things happen when I was here. A lot of people realised things. I got to self reflect too." Though I might say it with sarcasm, it was still true. Especially with my family. That was pretty much the highlight. "I’m still hoping for a chance with you though. Maybe I plan to step back willingly but that doesn’t change my feelings for you. I love you." I looked down. I didn’t have the guts to face him. He was so brave to confess his heart to me but I have nothing to return to him. I don’t feel anything to him at all. "I’m sorry. I understood why you are being so forceful and I forgive you for that. But I’m sorry, Ryker, I don’t feel the same way." I looked at him straight in the eyes. "You will find someone... a woman who is so right and just for you. Both of your hearts ache just to be with each other. It’s not just me. I cherish our years together. Though we were both stupid and immature back then, it was still memories worth to keep. " His face looked defeated. I could see the pain he felt. It was written all over his face. He nodded. "Well... I hope you get well soon." He showed a forced smile. Without any second thoughts I hugged him. "Thank you." He wrapped his arms around me tightly. I could feel him inhaling my scent as his face laid in the crook of my neck. I suddenly heard a loud clearing of the throat. We slowly let go of each other and see the culprit. My eyes widened when I saw him. I turned to Ryker who had the same scowl as the man who stood before us. But Stefano’s was more fatal and scary as if he plans to rip Ryker apart. Ryker got up and bid his goodbye. "I have to go." He turned to me and cupped my cheek with his callous hand. It was from playing football in high school. "You should take care of yourself." He brushed his fingers on my cheek. I heard a growl from behind but I tried to ignore it. I was giving Ryker a chance of his moment. "Goodbye, Avery." He withdrew his hand and turned to walk away. He stopped for a moment to glare at Stefano. His back was facing me. Stefano gave him a cold hard glare. His eyes could light up Ryker on fire. It’s as if in slow motion, the two have their own world. And if I know any better, they were having their battle of who’s who. Ryker was the one who decided to finish the staring battle. He then opened the door and walked out. Stefano, on the other hand, never left his eyes on him. When his presence was disappeared, Stefano turned to me swiftly. "What was that all about?" His face still emit that scowl and burning glare. I sighed.