Chapter 4
I've underestimated when I said that 'the way he looked at me will haunt me for the next few days.' It's been a month since the incident and the way he looked at me still haunted me. He stayed true to his word because I didn't see a single glimpse of him. And I didn't know what irritated me more? The fact that he's not around and he could be planning something or my traitorous heart yearning for his presence.
My parents were at the hospital and it was storming outside. Thunder echoed through the sky, lightning lit up dark rooms and heavy rain pounded loudly on the roof. I was in my room trying to get my homework done. But all my thoughts were consumed with Eros and his absence. I ran my hand through my hair frustratingly, and I can't help but glance every now and then at the Panda that Eros won for me.
Maybe I was too harsh on Eros? I mean he did show me a good time at the fair and he was always kind to me except for his flirtations and perverted jokes. Suddenly I heard glass shattering coming from Eros' house. Maybe he was with another girl? Just the thought of that makes my heart clench.
I shook my head willing myself to ignore the thought of Eros but then another glass shattering noise came from his house and I couldn't help but be worried. I stood up and went to my window but it was hard to see anything through the heavy rain. I groaned not knowing if he's alright or he's with another girl. I don't know why it bothered me so much. As I stared at the window through the heavy rain, I knew that there was only one way to find out.
I grabbed my coat as I dashed into the pouring rain and ran all the way to Eros' house. I knew that Eros no longer lived with his parents so it was just him. As I climbed the stairs to his porch I noticed that his front door was slightly ajar. The worst came to mind. What if someone's here to hurt him? Or worse... kill him.
I felt my blood leave my face and without hesitation, I pushed the door open. Vases were broken on the floor but there was no sign of Eros anywhere. "Hello," I called out hoping his annoying grinning face would show but there was only complete silence. As I started walking into his home I noticed the floor was wet almost as if someone got drenched in the rain and walked right through the house.
"Carmichael!" I called out through the house. I heard groaning and instantly stiffened. "Carmichael, if that's you then it isn't funny." But as I rounded a corner I gasp at the sight. Eros was drenched from head to toe, probably from the rain. He looked like he was worn out and a broken glass was on the floor and he had a bleeding hand as he laid on the ground. Who would've known that someone as tough looking as Eros could look so broken.
Immediately I made my way next to Eros as I brought his head to rest on my lap. "Carmichael, are you alright?" I asked the most stupid question. Of course, he wasn't alright. I put my hand on his head to feel that he was burning up. His eyes were drooping as his body trembled. I started panicking as I slapped his face trying to keep him awake. "Stay with me Eros," finally calling him by his first name. "I need you to stay awake and I also need you to help me get you to your bed," going all full nurse mode.
As I helped him to his bed which took a while since we kept stumbling on furniture. I bit my lip as I started stripping him from his wet clothes. I had to convince myself that I was a nurse and this was natural but I couldn't help but gawk at his bulging muscles. But what made me move faster was his rising body temperature. Once he was in dry clothes I started cleaning his wound on his hand. Removing particles of glass from the wound, applying alcohol and finally bandaging it up.
I wiped parts of his body with a clean rag removing the sweat and grime from his body. Who knew? That Grace Hawthorn would be taking care of the most feared man in our town. If it was anybody else they would've left Eros' body to slowly die. I stared at his sleeping form admiring his handsome face and his body as it rises and falls to his breath.
"What are you doing to me, Eros?" I asked no one in particular.
Suddenly I heard a tired chuckle coming from him. "You... you called me by my name," he said tiredly. "It sounds nice coming from you," he added. I blushed as I looked away but then snapped my head back at him and asked, "Why the hell were you lying on the ground wet?"
"Be careful little Grace, you almost sounded like you care," he said with a smirk.
I did care but I blamed the part of me that wants to be a doctor. His smirk faded and was replaced with a pained expression. "I kept my word," he started and I thought he was talking about keeping his word by staying away from me. "That I'd protect you even if it means standing in the rain," he coughed. I rolled my eyes and said, "Didn't your mom tell you that it is bad to be in the rain?"
"No," was his simple answer. I remember that Eros and his parents were never great neighbors. His parents kept fighting and knowing Eros he must not have a great relationship with them. I instantly felt guilty for asking that question. "Gosh... how did I get lucky to have someone as beautiful as you to take care of me?" he asked as he brushed my cheek with his hand making my cheeks turn red.
"I bet you say that to all the girls." I nervously said. I felt disappointed that I was just another girl of his collection. He chuckled and said "Just you, my little Grace. Only you get to hear such words from me. You deserve all the sweetest words in the world."
"Why me Eros? I'm not sexy. I'm not--"
"Grace, you're sexy without you even knowing. It's not a secret little Grace that I'm completely in love with you." he said.
I stared at him with wide eyes. My heart was in flutters and I could feel the possibility of going into shock. Eros Carmichael, the bane of my existence, the notorious bad boy was in love with me. "Why?" I asked. "I've seen you grow up little Grace. You have the most beautiful heart. And you're so passionate and kind about things. You're fierce and not afraid to speak your mind. You're smart and beautiful... And most of all you're not afraid of me."
That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever told me. I never knew someone looked at me in such a way. "Grace," he grabbed my attention. "You heard a lot of bad things about me and I might be mean to other people but to you... I'm different. I want you to understand that no matter what I'll never hurt you." And I believe him. "I've made mistakes and I've done terrible things, and when I look at you I know for a fact that I don't deserve you. Hell, no one does. But I'm a selfish person and I want you all to myself."
He pushed himself into a sitting position I tried pushing him back down but I wasn't stronger than him. He then started leaning towards me and my heart was beating rapidly I think that it's about to leap right out of my chest. I closed my eyes expecting him to kiss my lips but instead, I felt his soft lips upon my head.
"You're my saving grace."