Chapter:81: The Attack
Cornell
Damn, what the hell was going on?
I got up from my seat before my brain could catch up, running upstairs Sam cursed behind me, fumbling to keep pace, not bothering to wait for him I got up to my room.
My heart pounded like a drumbeat in my chest—too fast, too loud.
"Elena!" I called as I pushed the bedroom door open.
The room was dim. I'd closed the curtains earlier so she could rest properly. The tray of food I'd asked for and the fruits I peeled still sat untouched on the nightstand. But the bed—
The bed was empty.
My breath hitched. Elena?" I stepped inside slowly, eyes scanning the room.
A rustle came behind me, from the cabinet beside the door—then another muffled scream. Just before I could turn, a body launched on my back, hands choking my neck.
"You bastard," Elena's voice came out subbing.
"How dare you do this to me," she banged her small fist on my back.
"Elena, you need to calm down," I said trying to hold her hands in place.
"Calm down, after what you did to me," she said as I felt her warm tears flow down my back.
"I didn't d—" I couldn't finish my words when she bit my ear. "Ahh Elena."
Still holding her hands in a lock, I was able to get her off my back and onto the bed.
"What is wrong with you? Why are you behaving like this?"
Without answering my question she glared at me angrily, the next thing I knew, she jolted towards the knife I had used to peel fruits for her on the nightstand.
Grabbing it she came at me. On reflex, I held the knife as it tore into my flesh. Blood trickled down the handle and onto her clothes. The moment she realized what had happened, her features shifted to one of fear.
"Now do you mind telling why you're so mad—and even want to kill me?"
"How can you ask me that, after drugging and raping me?" She was calmer now but you could feel the sadness in her words.
"What makes you think I did that?" I questioned trying not to raise my voice.
"I lost consciousness after your drink and my clothes are gone," her voice heightened.
I couldn't blame her for coming to that conclusion after I joked about it before she passed out, and waking up to find herself in my clothes.
"You fainted due to exhaustion, I brought you here so that the doctor could check on you," I said as her features relaxed.
"What about m—"
"The housekeeper changed your clothes," I said pointing at the lady standing beside Sam at the door.
While the commotion was happening I had signaled them not to interfere.
She looked at the door, her expression turning sad as her eyes darted between my face and bleeding hand.
It was a deep cut but not out of the ordinary for me.
"I'm—I'm sorry," she stammered out.
"You can let go now," I said looking at the knife she was still holding.
She immediately released it from her grip and I threw it to the floor, the blood from the cut flowing nonstop.
"Omg," she gasped. "You're losing a lot of blood," she said worriedly.
I couldn't help but take advantage of the moment. I could easily handle the cut, but why would I do that when she could carefully attend to me.
"Ahh, my hand," I held it painfully coming closer to the bed.
"Let me help you," she said getting up quickly to my aid.
She gently helped me settle into the bed before turning to the housekeeper. "Get me the first aid kit," her voice came out with urgency.
Immediately the kit was brought, she grabbed it opening it and got to work. Gently dabbing at the wound with antiseptic, her hands trembled slightly, but her touch was soft. Focused. She avoided my gaze, but I couldn't stop watching her.
I signaled for us to be left alone before talking to her. "You can sit down." I tapped on the bed beside me.
She didn't argue, placing herself beside me. I didn't miss the way her expression softened as she carefully wrapped the bandage around my hand. Every brush of her fingers against my skin sent a sweet sensation through me. Her lips pressed together in concentration, her brows knitted—she was beautiful, even in her guilt. I rested my head on her shoulder knowing she wouldn't turn me down.
"There," she whispered. "That should hold until you get it properly stitched," she said as she tied the final strip of bandage.
I wasn't ready to let her off so easily so I pretended to have slept off.
"Cornell," she called my name softly but I gave no answer. She decided to lay me down properly on the bed, trying to tuck the blanket around me and shift me into a more comfortable position. Her fingers were careful as they guided my arm, trying not to jostle the bandage.
She thought I was asleep. I could feel the way she moved around me—Then, just as she leaned in to ease the pillow behind my head, my arm slipped around her waist.
Ah!" she gasped softly, trying to pull away, but I tightened my grip—just enough to keep her close.
"Elena…" I murmured, my voice barely audible, "Don't go…"
She stiffened.
I didn't open my eyes. I knew she was debating what to do. Leave and risk waking me—or stay.
She gave a heavy sigh, then slowly lay down beside me, careful not to disturb my arm. Her body was tense. I could practically feel her staring at the ceiling, counting down the seconds until she could escape. I knew she only did what she did because she felt guilty but I didn't care as long as she was beside me.
That was all that mattered.
As the minutes passed, I felt her body relax. Just a little. Her breathing slowed.
Had she slept off?? I wanted to open my eyes. I wanted to watch her in that quiet moment. But I didn't.
Eventually, she began to shift again. Slowly, she eased her body from under my arm, inch by inch, careful so as not to wake me.
My hand slipped off her waist and she froze.
But I didn't move.
I let her go.
The bed dipped and her footsteps padded softly toward the door, I cracked one eye open just in time to catch a glimpse of her. "Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?" I said and she froze, her hand on the doorknob.
"N—no—I," she stammered, now facing me.
"Let me see you out," I interjected, not letting her speak further. I could see she was concerned about my hand but my expression showed her no room to convince me to stay in bed.
I got up walking her down stairs, neither of us saying a word. We got to the main entrance and I opened up the door.
"This is okay—I can find my way from here," she broke the silence to stop me from the escort.
She turned headed for her apartment door when I called. "Elena." She paused turning to me.
"The elevator is in the other direction," I noted to her raising an eyebrow. I knew she didn't want me knowing we were neighbors, so I was going to keep things that way till she told me herself.
She froze for a second before slowly turning around.
"Hehe," she gave a shrilled laugh. "It's easy to forget things these days," she added, giving me a nervous smile.
"Yeah," I smiled at her finding her actions cute.
She waved at me now headed for the elevator. I stood there for a moment longer, watching her disappear down the hallway.