15. Special Feeling

That night, Aileen helped Mark apply compresses to the bruises on his face that were beginning to fade. The bluish color had faded, and the swelling had gone down.

"How does my face look now?" Mark asked, trying to be funny. He felt that his communication with Aileen could thaw and they could get along after what they had been through together the last few days.

"It's pretty good to look at," Aileen replied grimly.

"Being looked at while you giggle and fantasize sweetly, huh?" teased Mark, who stared into Aileen's eyes even though she avoided his deadly gaze at all costs.

"Ish. Such a big narcissist." Aileen sneered.

Mark laughed, which stopped the movement of Aileen's hands, which were busy applying antiseptic to several parts of the man's face.

"Okay, done. I told you it's already healed. It'll get better on its own." Mark insisted and

The next day, early morning, Mark drove Aileen to her rented house. Nothing happened there. It was in the same condition as the last time Mark had be