Chapter four: His gentleness
The days that followed blurred together in soft shades of white and quiet.
Adrian Cole once a name that might have carried weight in boardrooms and headlines, though he didn't know it, was now just a man in a hospital bed, with bandages on his head relearning the rhythm of ordinary life.
it was a strange sight, Elena thought, watching someone so tall, broad shouldered and sharp eyed, he seemed oddly lost .Every small act he did, like lifting a spoon, walking down the hall with the physical therapist, trying to recall the word for something as simple as television, Elena never knew that loosing ones life memory was this harsh, it felt like his existence in the past just vanished, like he never existed in the first place. But, what surprised her more was his gentleness even when he's passing through all this
''here'' she said one morning, sliding a food tray closer to his bed
''Oatmeal and fruit nothing fancy''
He stared at the bowl like it was a puzzle and says softly ''it looks complicated ''
AfCShe raised a brow ''Complicate? Its oatmeal you just scoop and eat
''Alright,'' Elena sighs, taking the spoon from the tray, She scooped up a bit and held it out ''like this. Open your mouth''He blinked at her
''you're serious?''''Deadly'' she said, her tone stern but her lips were twitching To her surprise, the corners of his mouth lifted faintly. He leaned forward and took the spoonful without any protest.
Elena froze, spoon still in midair .she hadn't expected him to actually listen. Most men she knew would have laughed it off, teased her, and turned it into some joke. But Adrian, he accepted the help as though trusting her came as naturally as breathing.
''you're good at this,'' he murmured''At feeding grown men? hardly''
''No,'' he said, gaze steady
''At… making me feel like I'm not useless''.
The words struck deep within her heart, she busied herself with the tray, ignoring the way her cheeks warmed.
Later, when the nurses came to change his bandage, Adrian's temper finally frayed. The tug of gauze against his bruised skin, made him hiss, his jaw tightening. Elena having already moved by the window side to give the nurses space to work, saw his fist clench on the blanket ''Easy, Sir,'' the nurse said gently.
But Adrian's patience snapped. ''I can't do anything myself, I can't even…'' his voice broke , low and rasp. He turned his face towards the wall ''Whats the point?''
Before she could think, Elena moved. She crossed the room and laid her hand lightly on his arm.
''Hey.''He flinched. Then looked at her
''you're alive and that's all that matters, you'll get through this okay and you'll get stronger. One thing at a time ''For a long moment, he just stared at her. Then, slowly, he eased up. The nurse finished her work quietly and slipped out, leaving them in a fragile silence.
Elena meant to pull away, but Adrian's hand shifted, covering hers, not gripping, not demanding just resting warm and steady.
'Thank you.'' He whispered She forced herself to nod in response, even though her heart was beating way too fast for her comfort
That evening, she tried to leave again
" I will be back tomorrow '' she said while adjusting her bag
Adrian looked up from the book the nurse left him, something simple to adjust his memory of day to day life. His storm grey eyes caught hers , quiet but piercing
''You'll really come back?''
the question wasn't a polite assumption, it was a plea wrapped in fragile hopeElena swallowed, and responded to his plea with a soft
'' Yes''
His lips curved faintly, softer than any smile shed ever seen on him
''then I'll wait ''
And for reasons she couldn't explain, those three words followed her all the way home, lingering in her mind long after she turned out her lights.She couldn't explain how this man she didn't even know his name or identity was affecting her, and falling in love was the last thing on her mind, there are so many things she needs to do and distractions are the last things she needs right now,She was even contemplating on not going back to the hospital tomorrow, she has done enough good by helping him so far,
'' AH!!! why cant I stop thinking about him, I never knew that someone could look this good wearing a hospital gown and bandages on his head ''
'' I just need to do all I can do to help him, because it will be hunting my conscience if I don't, definitely not because he looks so good ''
''yeah, not because of h is face,''
Elenas knows she has a severe addiction for handsome faces, to the extent that she joined so many fan groups not because she knows whats going on in the group but just to get access to photos of celebrities And this addiction has landed her into so many troubles at the bakery, cause she could just daze out mopping with wide eyes and gaping mouth looking at customers that fits her aesthetics, making most customers uncomfortable and reporting her to the bac kery owner at first, but they don't report her anymore cause everybody are already used to it. Now, it's c sort of a funny joke that shes teased with now
But what can a girl do.