He cocked an eyebrow at me. “What?”
“Don’t leave me okay.” I said in a low voice.
I loved this twin of mine so much.
He rolled his eyes at me. “You are being ridiculous. Trey’s coming back in six months, and besides, he said he’s going to keep in touch with us once in a while.”
“I know.” I replied. “But just, don’t leave me. I won’t bear it if I lose you.”
“Oh, Amanda.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple. “I am not going anywhere, twin, until you get sick of my face.” He smirked.
“I won’t get sick of having you around Aiden.” I tiptoed a bit to kiss his cheek. “You are my baby brother, remember?”
“I am not your baby brother. We are twins. We were given birth at the same time.” He hated it the most when I referred to him as my baby brother, he didn’t like being called baby brother.
“But I was born half a minute earlier than you are.” I pointed out smugly. Yeah, I was born thirty five seconds earlier than Aiden, and I considered that as the standard of me being the older one between the two of us.
He raised a brow at me, staring at me with emerald green eyes that pretty much looked like mine. “And that makes you older?”
I brightly grinned and said, “That technically made me older.”
~***~
It was rainy on the third day of the third week of September, I was alone at home, since Aiden was having an overnight group study and Trey was gone two days ago. I just got home from the diner and currently was busy flipping on the channels on the TV, couldn’t find something I would like to watch. The shows were boring as hell, no Vampire Diaries to get my soul fueled.
Damn, no sexy Damon Salvatore as well.
I have no idea how long or when the raining would stop, the rainy weather intensified the cold temperature of New York fall season and I was wearing the thickest fall outfit I had ever put on. I thought I just put on every item inside my closet for my outfit tonight, literally.
Then suddenly my phone started ringing and an unknown caller flashed on the screen. I pushed the button and answered. “Hello?”
“Amanda?” A woman’s voice came on the other line. I knew I have heard her voice before, I just couldn’t remember where or when.
“This is her speaking, what can I do for you?” My forehead couldn’t help but furrow in deep thought. I really recognized that voice of hers.
“This is Joan Miller.”
Joan Miller? I didn’t remember a Joan Miller.
“I am Mister Damon Rhodes’ housekeeper.” She added after a short pause.
Oh, I remembered now. Wait, the older blonde or the younger one?
“I need you to come here. Mister Rhodes is asking for you.”
“Uhm, Joan, I can’t. Damon and I…well, we are…” I didn’t know how to say that Damon and I were really not in a relationship or something related to that.
“He is in a very bad shape, Amanda. He’s asking for you.” She informed me. “Please, come here.” She said in a pleading voice that made my heart squeeze. Damon might be in a very bad shape, and he needed me.
I closed my eyed forbidding myself from imagining Damon in the worst possible situation, my heart clenched in pain. “I’ll be there.”
Fourteen
I was running inside the lobby of his building and everyone glanced at me like I had three heads on my neck. I know, I was wearing something ridiculous and I was soaking wet. But I didn’t care. Stare all they want.
I had jumped out of the cab as soon as it pulled up in front of the building, the rain hasn’t stop and I have no idea when it would. I ran straight to the elevator across the lobby and pushed every up button I could push. I needed to get to him as fast as I could.
He needed me.
I was impatiently tapping my foot on the marble floor as I waited, what was taking the elevator so long? Ding! One of the doors slid open and I literally jumped inside of it. I would wrestle anyone who tried to grab my elevator.
I pushed the code for the penthouse and waited with little patience left inside of me as it ascended, as slow as the turtle crawled. Why was everything moving so slow today?
When I reached the penthouse, I ran to the foyer and into the main door of his home and knocked, rang the bell, and knocked again.
Ugh, I did not know what to do anymore.
The older blonde opened the door for me and stepped aside immediately, she might have seen the urgency and panic in my eyes. I had no time to think about my manners and smile or say hello to her, I hurriedly ran for Damon’s room without further ado. I needed to see him.
When I reached it, I opened the door as fast as the lightning struck and took in the sight of him.
There he was lying on his bed with a blanket tucked under his chin, his eyes shut closed. A cloth pressed on his forehead, his hair messed up and beads of sweat formed on his pretty face.
Shit! He was really in bad shape.
I approached him and sat on the edge of his bed, my body trembled all over. I looked down and examined his face, and I wanted to cry for him. I hated seeing him this weak and vulnerable. This was not him.
“Amanda.” The same voice I talked over the phone earlier registered into me, so I swiveled my head and saw the older blonde approaching. “I’m Joan Miller.”
“Hi. I’m sorry I didn’t greet you on the door earlier. I just―” I started but she never let me finish my sentence.
“It’s okay darling. I know you needed to see him.” She smiled down at me with the motherly affection I hadn’t garnered from anyone since my mother died.
“What happened to him?” I asked as I returned my eyes back on Damon, he was still sleeping.
“He was stressed this past few days, he worked everyday throughout the night and didn’t took any day off. He even brought some of his work at home.” Joan said. “When he started feeling bad, he wouldn’t let me call the doctor. He said he was going to be fine. Then his body gave up on him and here he is. He would not take any medicine, nor eat. He said he only wanted you and that he needed to see your face.”
“He’s one stubborn billionaire.” I uttered under my breathe, and Joan chuckled at me. I was pissed at Damon. Why did he need to be this hard headed? He was ill but still, he was stubborn.
He stirred and fluttered his eyes open. “Hey, baby.”
And I wanted to cry, his eyes were dull and lifeless.
“You’re here.” He said.
“Call me if you need anything.” Joan said to me before leaving. When I heard the door clicked close, I smacked Damon on his forearm.
“Ouch.” He yelped weakly. “What was that for?”
“For being a stubborn patient.” I scolded him. “Why won’t you let Joan call the doctor? You needed to be check, Damon, you look like a mess.”
“I know.” He agreed softly. He reached for my hand and held it in his chest. He grazed his thumb on my knuckles, unconsciously drawing circles as he stared at me.
“And you didn’t even take a medicine or eat. What has gotten into you?” He deserved to be scolded for his tenacity.
“I wanted to see you baby.” He murmured. He was weak and sick, and yet he could still made my heart jump with his sweet words.
“I’m here.” I whispered softly. I ran my other hand over the side of his face and felt his stubble under my fingers.
He closed his eyes briefly and then when he opened them again, looked at me with genuine affection.
“I’m going to call the doctor.” I continued running my fingers on the side of his face and smiled down with all the love and care I have for him. “And you cannot say no to that.”
His gripped tightened on my hand that he was holding. “Don’t leave me.” I could see panic and raw vulnerability in his blue eyes.
“I’ll be back.” I assured him and he reluctantly let me go.
~***~
“The doctor said you needed to take a rest until you get better
and he gave me the prescription for your medications.” I told him when I took the seat at the edge of his bed.
“I can’t take a day off from work.” He said. There he was, as tenacious as he always would be.
“Well baby, you’ll definitely take a day off, whether you like it or not.” I told him in the sweetest voice I could muster.
He raised a brow at me. “And how is that going to happen?”
“Because I told you so.” I pointed out.
He shook his head as he chuckled. “What will happen to me if I marry you?”
I stopped and blinked at him. It felt like a bucket full of ice water dumped on me.
The smile on his face instantly faded and he was on panic mode again. “I’m sorry.” He reached out for me, but I flinched as if he electrocuted me. His eyes widened and looked like he was scared about something.
“No. It’s okay.” I said then looked away from him.
This hurt like shit.
Damon saying it hurt like shit.
No matter how I dreamed of marrying him, it couldn’t happen. Not even if I closed my eyes and waited for a wishing star to make that dream come true. It was just impossible.
“Amanda, I really didn’t mean to say it like that.” He tried to reach out again for me.
I needed an escape. I could not breathe. I wanted to cry, it hurt so bad.
“What do you think of chicken soup?” I changed the topic and moved to something lighter to talk about.
“Sounds good.” He replied then sighed. He gave up trying to reach for my hand and instead looked at me with sad scared eyes.
I stood up and made my way to the door. “Okay, I’ll make you some.”
“Can I help?” He called out but it sounded more like a plea to my ears.
I turned around and stared at him. He looked hopeful, apologetic, pleading, scared, sad and cautious. It was a mixture of everything in between, I was not sure how to read it, but I couldn’t deal with him right now, maybe later.
“No. You stay in bed.” I said firmly.
I heard his deep sigh again as I was walking out the room, closed the door gently behind me and motioned towards the kitchen.
His kitchen was sexy as hell, ultra modern and expensive on every aspect and corners of it, and all to myself, I might be in heaven now!
I searched for everything I needed for the chicken soup I was going to make for Damon. His pantry, fully stocked with almost every ingredient found in the grocery store. His fridge has every drink you could see in stores. It was like a home version of the supermarket here.
As I was slicing the carrots, I could not help but put all the emotions stirring inside of me in what I was doing―I sliced, chopped, wedged, minced and grounded. Poor carrots, they looked like they were not edible anymore. My tears were at bank, I wanted to cry but I wouldn’t cry here, I preferred it if I was in the comfort of my own home.
“Mister Rhodes likes you very much.” Joan startled me that I dropped the knife on the marble floor. She picked it up and placed it in the counter top in front of me.
I stared at her as if she has grown another head in a short span of time. “Excuse me?”
She smiled sweetly at me. “He was calling your name last night in his sleep. He always stares at the picture of you and him at an event together. He was drinking every night since the first night you never came here. And you are the only one whom he let rule over his decisions.”
I was confused, why was she telling me this? And everything she said about Damon, are they all true? Well, if they were…I could not believe it.
“Can I help you with the chicken soup?” She offered, but before I could say “no” or “yes” she was already moving around the kitchen.
After about half an hour, we have done cooking the chicken soup. I was at ease moving around the kitchen with Joan, and the chicken soup we made together smelled so good. I carried the tray with the silver dome lid to Damon’s bedroom. I found him sitting upright on his bed tapping his fingers on his laptop, and I could not help rolling my eyes.
When would he take a break?
“Here.” I placed the tray on the side table and walked towards him.
I took his laptop and it earned me a scowl from him. I placed the laptop on the side table next to the tray, then opened the lid dome and carried the bowl with me.
When he reached for the spoon, I pulled it out of his reach. “Let me.” I said.
I dipped and spooned the soup, blew to cool it down a bit, and feed him. His eyes lit up after he tasted the soup in his mouth, then he broke into a wide grin as he waited for me to feed him another spoonful of chicken soup.
“You look ridiculous.” I couldn’t help mocking him as I spooned the soup again. “You are smiling like the mad hatter in Alice in Wonderland.”
His grin widened. “I can’t help it.” He was just too handsome, even though his hair was an array of mess and was only wearing a white t-shirt and jeans.
I blew another spoonful of soup. “Why?” I smirked as I feed him, and he smiled at me with love and gratitude. Oh, how I love his smile so much.
“I love it when you take care of me.” He murmured with affection.
“You’re really sick.” I teased before narrowing my eyes at him as I spooned the soup again. “And you will never go to work tomorrow.”
He narrowed his eyes at me too as if he was challenging me, with a smug looked on his face. “You can’t stop me.”
“Well, I am going to stay for the night and make sure you will stay at home. You cannot escape me, or hell will break lose.” I pointed out to him as I smirked.
His eyes widened in surprise by my words for a while before it softened afterwards, then he murmured, “I missed you.”
~***~
“Good night.” I said as I tucked him in, sitting on the edge of his bed again. I combed my fingers through Damon’s hair and smiled down with all the love I was feeling for him.
I love this man so much that I would do anything for him.
“Stay with me. I can make room for you.” He reached for my hand and kissed my knuckles. He made my heart swell by that gesture.
“No. I will stay in the room Joan prepared for me. You need to rest and not be bothered.” I told him, but I did not make any move to remove my hand away from his hold. I wanted him holding my hand, love the feeling of it.
“You won’t bother me baby, and beside I will sleep better when you are next to me.” He stared at me with those blue eyes of his, the shine was back on them and they were even lovelier when he was staring at me like that. “Please?” He widened them like a little kid did when he was asking for something.
I sighed, how could I say no to this man? “Okay.”
I lay next to him and tucked the blanket under my chin with my back facing him. I could still feel how hot his temperature was earlier before the doctor and the medicines. “But Rhodes, this is only because you are sick and I want you to get well.” I reminded him.
“Okay.” He chuckled as he wrapped an arm around me and pulled me closer to his body. He buried his face in my hair and inhaled, then kissed the top of my head as we spooned. “Good night, Amanda.”
It felt so cozy and comfortable in his arms. I wanted to stay here forever. I swallowed hard, and my heart leaped out of my chest. My breathing hitched and my world just stopped revolving.
I was in danger once again.
That night I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t even make a single muscle in my body move, afraid that I might wake him and disturbed his peaceful sleep. I could not even get out of his bed, he was wrapping his arms around me like ivy as if he was afraid I would get out and run away, again. So I chose to listen to his breathing, it was so relax and steady as if he didn’t just gotten sick. He seemed to be so much at ease tonight as he sleeps. I counted his breaths, hoping it would somehow help sleep come to me.
One…two…three…four…
When I reached fifty, he stirred and started sleep talking, he was tal
king in riddles and mumbles and I couldn’t understand him. I couldn’t help but giggle as he continued sleep talking. I never thought he talked in his sleep, he seemed so normal like the rest of us right now.
“Don’t leave me, Amanda…I love you…please don’t go.” He said and my giggle disappeared. I swallowed hard the lump that clogged up my throat, wondering if he was awake and was only making this up.
Well if he was, it wasn’t funny.
I turned around so I could look at his face. I really had a hard time doing so because he was too strong, I might even broke an arm or rib for turning around. I stared up at his handsome face and yep, he was pretty much in sleep coma. He looked so relax and so young with his lips slightly parted. I wanted to kiss his lips.
As I was staring at his lips, they started moving again, and now he was sleep talking for real. “Amanda, baby, I love you. Please come back to me.” He said with his eyes closed.
I wanted so much to stay in this position with him forever, if he only knew. But the world would not let me.
I was not good enough for him.
I was not good enough for anybody.
I silently cried as I stared at him. I could not help touching him so I lightly traced my finger on his stubble. I love this man more than anything in this world. I could not bear to lose him, but I have to stand it.
I wanted to come back to you, Damon.
I wanted to tell you I love you.
But I couldn’t.
Fifteen
“Wake up, sleepyhead.”
I opened my eyes and scanned the place. The covers were stark white, the walls were gray, and everything was monochromatic and sterile in here. The windows were large and were made of flexi-glass where the sunlight happily came inside to spread its sunshine.
Yep, this was not my room.
I immediately sat up and a handsome man came into my view. Damon looked freshly showered and lovely in the morning. He was smiling and was wearing something casual, gray cashmere pullover and jeans, but still looked Calvin Klein-y. He was too damn handsome.
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