Arouse

Have you ever had the sensation of being hit on the head with various types of hammers?

Right now, I'm experiencing that sensation, and let me tell you, it's like walking barefoot on a chunk of burning coal. As the hammering became louder, I moaned in agony and clutched my left ear. When the pain subsided, I slowly opened my eyes to the blinding white light. I blinked a few times and squeezed my eyes shut. I reopened them and took a look around.

I was in a strange white room. A long horizontal blind hung over my head on the wall to my right. There was an obnoxious beeping sound nearby, and my hands were all twisted up with tubes. I guess I didn't die. By the way, what day is it?

"Pssst...Hey," I frowned, perplexed when I heard an unfamiliar voice from somewhere.

"Over here, to your left," said the same unidentified voice. I slowly turned my head to the left, where I saw a bed similar to mine and a man sitting on it with a fractured arm and bandages on his head. He was beaming at me, his white teeth on show. I pressed my arms against the sheet and painfully lifted myself in a half-sitting, half-lying position.

"Karolia, right??" the same guy asked, and I nodded weakly.

"How did you get my name?" My voice was hoarse, and I mentally grimaced. I gave him a once-over and noticed that his face looked familiar.

"We go to the same university," he said cheerfully. "Names Tyler. Ring any bell?" he asked

I paused for a moment before studying him, and it finally dawned on me. I've seen him in my business class, even though we haven't spoken.

Tyler, I'm sorry. Yes, I remember now." I laughed awkwardly, and he joined in. I looked around the room, hoping to see the face I was looking for right now. What happened to him? Is he in good health? But I was let down. There were no other people in the room. I turned to face Tyler. "What happened?" I inquired, gesticulating at his wounds.

"Oh, I fell off my skateboard. "Pretty hard fall from a great height," he laughed as if it were nothing.

"Oh, that sounds painful," he dismissed me, adding that he was feeling better now.

"How did you get five stitches on your head?" he inquired. That caught me off guard. Did I get any stitches? I touched my head and felt the gauze wrapped around it. How did he find out I had five stitches? I looked at him, perplexed, and he shamelessly admitted that he had read my profile, which was kept near my bed.

"Your boyfriend was not prepared to fill me in," he added.

"Boyfriend?"

He appears to be thinking, "Yeah, what was his name again?" before his face brightens. "Ahh, Logan, isn't that right? "Pretty tough guy," he mumbled softly at the end. My heart skipped a beat when I heard his name, but I quickly dismissed it, saying he was just a friend.

Tyler asked me again about what happened that landed me in the hospital, and I was trying to figure out how to tell him that I had been kidnapped by a mafia group and nearly died. Fortunately, the door opened and Scarlet and Patrick entered, saving me from this almost interrogation session.

Scarlet rushed to me and drew me into her embrace as soon as she realized I was awake.

"I was terrified. I thought you wouldn't – you won't be" she began sobbing.

"Shh…It's all right. "I'm fine." She drew back, gave me a weak smile, and leaned in to kiss my cheek.

"If you die, I'll come to your grave and kill you again for abandoning me," she joked, making me laugh.

"Sure miss," I replied. Patrick patted my hair, and I smiled at him, realizing it was his way of saying he was glad to see me again.

"By the way, what day is it?" I inquired.

"It's the same day. You took a pretty hard hit to the head and needed stitches. Because of the sedation, you were unconscious for a while." Patrick responded, and I nodded. So the incident happened only a few hours ago. I looked longingly at the door before turning to face Scar, who was staring at me. I raised my brows and asked her what was wrong, but she just shook her head and smiled softly.

"I'm glad you're safe "I almost lost it when they told me you were kidnapped," she said quietly so only I could hear. In response, I squeezed her hand. It was indeed an eventful day.

"Where has Logan gone?" I inquired Patrick. I'm dying to see him. Even though I have a lot of questions about the whole thing, I'm glad Logan was there to save me from that horror, and I want to thank him so much.

"He was here until just a few moments ago. He went to ask for a different room," Patrick shrugged, looking at the person behind me.

In perplexity, I scrunched up my brow. "This room appears to be in good condition. So why is he on the lookout for another?"

"That will be because of me." I turned to face Tyler when I heard a voice behind me.

"What?" I questioned.

"Well, our first official meeting wasn't exactly a success," he shuddered, touching his nose. "But all I was trying to do was help you," he surrendered, his eyes wide with innocence.

"Well, it didn't appear that you were attempting to assist" Patrick hissed, his arms crossed, "More like trying to take advantage of the situation." It's safe to say I was confused.

"Give him some slack, Rick," Scarlet counsels Patrick. "He was assisting us at the pub. Someone was attempting to get into our pants, but Tyler intervened. Logan, on the other hand, misunderstood and punched him," Scarlet explained to me. Despite the fact that I don't remember anything from that night, I nodded my head in understanding and smiled graciously at Tyler.

Patrick rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah yeah." "You girls fall for anything," he muttered, drawing a glare from Scarlet. A nurse in her fifties rushed in to check all of my tubes and vitals.

"How are you today, sweetie?" She asked, a sweet smile on her face.

"I'm fine," I said gratefully, smiling at her. The way she addressed me as sweetie reminded me of Grecia. I'm curious if she's aware of the situation.

"Does it hurt?" she inquired of my bandaged head.

"A little," I groaned.

"Hmm, I'll give you another pain reliever, then everything will be fine," she said.

"No, I'm perfectly fine. "I don't want to sleep again," I mumbled.

"Karrie, you need to get some rest. Pay attention to the nurse." Scarlet said sternly, but all I did was shake my head, which exacerbated my dizziness.

"No. "I'd like to talk to you guys," I sighed, making Patrick smile. "We have plenty of time to talk. But right now, you need to rest." I sighed in defeat as Patrick said this.

"Fine". The nurse smiled as she injected the painkiller into the tube.

"You'll feel better now," she assured.

I mumbled, "Thank you." It didn't take long at all. I could feel drowsiness seeping through my veins almost immediately. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

*******

As something warm and smooth touches my face, my eyes flutter open. It trailed from my left eye to my neck, causing tingles on the skin where it came into contact. When I turned to my right, I saw Logan sitting on a chair near the edge of the bed. We lock gazes, his hand still resting on my cheeks. After what seemed like an eternity, I finally looked away, clearing my throat.

"Hey," Logan said as he drew his hand back.

"L-Logan" My lips cracked as a result of my attempt, and my throat burned from a lack of water.

I was about to prop myself up when Logan realized what I was up to. He pushed a lever, which raised the bed to a sitting position.

"How are you feeling now?" he inquired softly, sitting beside me.

"Much better," I said as I noticed the intensity of the pain had lessened. He handed me a glass of water, which I greedily gulped down. I took in my surroundings as I looked around the room. The room appears to be....luxurious. The wall to my left is entirely made of arched windows, and it overlooks the hospital's expansive lawn, where people and patients are strolling. It was pushed up against by a small round table with two chairs. I was wearing a baby blue hospital gown and had a glucose drip bag attached to my arm.

"The other room looked fine," I said, turning to see him drinking in my form. I notice the cuts and scrapes on his arms, which he may have received during the blast. Bandages were wrapped around some of them.

"But the patient next to you wasn't fine," he hissed, his scowl set. I sighed and rolled my eyes. Jealousy is in the air.

I raised my brow as a small smile grazed his lips. His knuckles rubbed against my cheek, leaving a trail of tingles. His gaze darted around my face before settling on my lips. A shiver ran down my spine as his eyes darkened as he stared. As I stood there frozen, he rubbed my bottom lip with his thumb. He began to lean in closer.

I mumbled the first question that came to mind, "What are you doing?" out of nervousness.

"I'd like to kiss you. "May I?" He leaned in closer, whispering huskily. He came to a halt just as our lips were about to meet. Mother of cookies, sweet mother.

"Uhmm...No?" I mentally smack myself because my words came out as a question.

His eyes shifted up to meet mine, and his lips twitched. "Is there any legitimate reason?" he asked, pressing a light feather kiss at the corner of my mouth. I gasp at the sensation, my hands unintentionally grabbing his shirt collar.

"Uhmm.....I'm allergic," I mumbled. I mentally facepalmed as he raised his brow in amusement. Karolia, are you serious? Allergic? My foot!

"Allergy to kissing?" he inquired, and I timidly nodded.

"Well, I promise I'll take you to the doctor if your allergy worsens," he said quietly, and my eyes widened slightly. What?

Before I could react, he pressed his lips against mine, and I whimpered slightly as his hands wrapped around my waist, drawing me closer to his chest. I followed his lead, hoping I was doing it correctly. Delicious tingles ran through my body as I closed my eyes and savored the moment. The kiss was both rough and gentle. As he held me close, cupping my face in his hands, my hands clenched around his neck, digging my nails into his skin, our lips moved in unison.

He drew back slowly and pressed his forehead to mine, breathing heavily as I struggled to catch my breath. My eyes were closed, and a gentle smile spread across my lips. The kiss woke up everything inside of me, and I bit my lower lip tightly, trying not to shiver.

He repeatedly pecked my lips, and I pushed him away, laughing. Despite the fact that he has a smirk on his lips, he leans back. I tuck my hair behind my ear, embarrassed.

"Thank you," I then said.

"For the kiss?" he teases, and another blush coats my cheeks as I shake my head.

"No, for saving me from those men," I said, batting my lashes at him. His expression became solemn, and he nodded away.

"Who exactly were they?" I inquired.

"There's no need for you to strain yourself thinking about it right now. Everything is in order. You no longer have to be concerned about anything." He quickly dismissed the question.

"But I want to know Logan," I started strongly. "They messed with my life," I explained, pointing to my heart. He sighed deeply, not looking me in the eyes.

"I'll go get the doctor," he mumbled, standing up to leave the room. But I quickly caught his hand in mine, and he turned to face me.

"Please, Logan, talk to me," I begged. My mind is filled with questions, and I'm eager to find the answers. He had a gun on him and didn't even blink when he pulled the trigger.

He yanked his hand away from my grasp and bolted out of the room like a lightning bolt. When I realized what had happened, I felt a pang of pain in my heart.

He isn't ready to talk to me. He doesn't have enough faith in me.

******

I was finally discharged from the hospital with a clean report after some scans and observations. It was after midnight, and the streets were mostly deserted. There was a thick tension between Logan and me on the way back to the mansion that we couldn't even cut with a sharp knife. Only responses will suffice.

I have a right to know who those men were and what their true motives were. But Logan Watson, who appeared to be my savior, was not ready to tell me. In fact, he wishes for me to forget everything that occurred the day before. As if that were even possible. For God's sake, a bomb vest was strapped to my body, almost making me believe that those 10 minutes were the only ones I'd ever have in this life.

When we arrived at the mansion, I jumped out of the car and ran inside, ignoring his instruction to wait in the car and let him assist me. I ignored him as the sound of him yelling my name trailed behind me. But before I could step onto the stairs, I was swept up in his arms, and I let out a surprised squeal.

His blue eyes are fixed on me, and his arms are tightening around my body. "Don't f***ing play, Lia. "You have a head injury," he chided, and despite rolling my eyes, I wrapped my arms around his neck and let him carry me upstairs. Why should I exert myself to climb these twenty steps if I have someone to help me?

Logan carefully placed me on my bed and assisted me in getting comfortable by covering my body with the blanket. He then tucked loose hair behind my ear while softly staring at me.

"I know you're upset with me, but please give me some space. "I promise I'll tell you everything you want to know," he said softly, and I looked up at him. At the very least, he is willing to tell me.

"How long will it be?"

He sighed deeply. "Those men are from the dark world I had to live in. It's not easy for me, but..." he rubbed his brow. "I'll give it a shot."

"Now take rest," he advised. He exited the room after gently kissing my forehead.

I awoke after about twenty minutes due to loud noises coming from outside my door, almost like someone shouting. I slowly removed the duvet from my body and tiptoed to the door, which I slightly opened.

"How on earth could you?" Logan was yelling at someone.

"Please, L, stop yelling." Natasha's voice is heard, and she appears to be crying. I couldn't find them in the hallway, so I'm guessing they're in Logan's room.

Logan exclaimed loudly, "She's just a girl like you, Natasha, younger than you." I believe they are referring to me based on the words.

"Please, I'm sorry." Natasha sobbed, "I don't know what I was thinking, Logan." "Please"

"No, I'm afraid I can't forgive you. If you hadn't deleted her message, I could have reached out to her much sooner." Logan stated. My heartbeat a little faster. Natasha deleted the message I sent to Logan? So, how did he track me down?

"I despise her, Logan." Natasha finally yells, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hurt. "I despise the way you look at her, the way you have feelings for her. "I truly hate everything about her, and I can't help but get angry," she sobs.

Logan was deafeningly quiet. Natasha said, "I love you, Logan." They didn't bother to lower their voices, so I could hear their conversation clearly. "I've always adored you, L." My chest tightened.

After a long pause, I hear him say, "I can't Natasha... Not any longer. "I believe you should return to where you came from," he advises.

"But L-"

"No, I'm finished with you. I don't think I can carry on our friendship any longer. Not after knowing you jeopardized a girl's life."

I looked down at the floor, various emotions bursting within me. When I felt a presence in front of me, I looked up. Logan was staring at me with an expression I couldn't place.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly. He made a shaky motion with his head.

"Return to your room, Lia."