Chapter 19: What is wrong with me

• JJ and I came down the hall to our surprise, we were flabbergast by how beautiful this enslaved woman looked. We knew she was beautiful but this time being cleaned up her beauty outwardly shines. Her dainty square-type face was no longer dirty. Her hair was nice and silky-looking. The gold tint gave her a glow like a mesmerizing sunrise. Then her eyes! Her glittering ember galaxy hazel is alluring. JJ turned his head slightly towards me. Guess he saw my eyes were fixed on the new woman. Likely, he knew I was voiceless and couldn't get my words out to speak.

So JJ said gleaming back to the ladies standing in front of us. "Wow! She looks great Maria." Adding a joke. "I'll have to let you give me a makeover one day."

Maria laughed at him. "Well, I'll have to charge you. Unlike her, she has natural beauty." As she playfully eyed JJ up and down holding her chin. "You, however, will need some work done." She said joking back.

JJ laughed and said in a joking manner. "If you make me look half as good as her. I'll pay you well. I want a matching dress and don't forget the pink bag."

While gathering her things off the bed and putting the items back in her pink bag, Maria only laughed louder. "It's a deal. I'll see you guys in a bit." She said putting her bag on her shoulder.

She hugged the slave and whispered in her ear. "You'll be fine, trust me. I'll see you soon." She looked at the men, pointing her finger at them. "Don't mess up my beautiful work," She added in a joking way.

Maria walked down the hall and out through the door. While we just kinda chuckled as she left.

"I'd say your feeling better. You look great! Your complexion is back."JJ said looking at the enslaved woman with such a big smile

She only shook her head with agreement but didn't speak, and seemed real nervous of JJ and me.

This time in a soft caring tone, I said explaining. "I want JJ here to draw some blood work on you. Afterward, I want him to fix your broken arm. You started cracking the bone straight up your arm, causing the break to get worst. If he fixes it, you'll start to feel even better. You'll be able to move around freely without the worry of accidentally hurting yourself anymore."

"To do that procedure. I'll need to cut your arm open and glue the bone to seal it back together. This way you'll stop breaking it." Said JJ, in a soothing tone explaining the procedure.

Giving both men a very dreadful look. "Won't that hurt?" She asked not trusting this.

Very gently, JJ said. "I will numb it and give you pain medications first. I promise it won't hurt. After still seeing her worried expressions. "It's a very simple procedure. I've done it countless times. After it's done, you can go climb yourself down from the balcony and let me know how your arm feels." He jokingly said trying to get her to smile.

She looked at him and gives a light giggle with an elegant petite smile. JJ and I both smiled at her too. Finally! I was delighted to see her first smile directed towards us.

"There finally. A cute tiny laugh." After hearing her giggle a little softer, JJ asked. "How about we head to the bathroom and start this procedure?"

With a gentle soft smile, she nods walking into the bathroom with us.

"Have a seat on the sink for me please," JJ said putting his surgical case on the right side of the sink.

She turned her body around hopping herself up on the countertop to sit. Next to the sink while darting her untrusting eyes at me. I was standing to her right side since the break was on her left arm. Unable to stop myself, I looked into her eyes for a second. Almost felt like I was stunned by the sight of her. I need to stop this, I told myself.

Snapping myself awake, "While JJ sets up his medical supplies. I want you to look at me, once he begins this mild procedure. It will be done with very quickly." I said calmly and yet so sweetly.

She nods showing uncertainty in her face towards me. Hearing all these surgical tools clinging together sounded like a wind chime. I stepped aside letting JJ reach her right arm. He first drew some blood on her right arm. Her face winced in pain, as she felt the needle pinching into her skin. I weirdly didn't like seeing her in pain. What is wrong with me? I asked myself, trying to stay focused.

After he was done with that easiest step. I took myself next to her trying to still fight my eyes not to excessively stare into hers. Whatever was going on with me, I need to stop it.

So I looked away to see JJ takes his attention to her left arm starting to unwrap it. Exposing her slave mark on her arm, centered underneath her lower wrist. There was a branded scar mark of two S-shapes with a double circle around it. It was small but still noticeable. Looks like it's been there since she was an infant, I was guessing.

"Ok, the pain killer may hurt." Calmly, JJ said.

He slowly took the needle holding the numbing pain killer and begins injecting it into her broken arm, repeating each injection around the area of the break.

She expressed a discomforting pain in her face. Using her right hand's fingertip, she begins to grab tightly onto the edges of the sink's countertop. She squints her eyelids tight. Her body was twitching from the agony of the shots being given to her.

Abruptly, even to myself, I took her hand to hold it. And gently rub my thumb across her knuckles and within the mid-center of her upper hand. Trying to comfort her.

While she feels this soft tickle gliding around her upper hand from me. "It's alright, the worst part is almost done." In such care, I said softly.

JJ nods to me, setting the shot down on the sink, saying. "This part is done. Now I'll let it numb your arm for a second. Then will begin."

JJ has all the clean-cutting knives and other tools laid out and sorted. Fully ready to cut down into her arm. "Alright, here we go. Please don't look and keep your eyes on Cory." He picked up one of the fine razors.

Being sincere in my voice, I looked at her saying. "Yes, don't take them off me it shouldn't hurt. It will be done fast. JJ is the best at this kinda stuff."