ADRIAN'S POVAfter what felt like an eternity, I finally blinked my eyes open, trying to focus. . It felt like I’d been out for days, though the clock on the wall suggested it had only been a few hours. My eyelids felt incredibly heavy, the after-effects of the anesthesia still lingering. I woken up in fits and starts before, but my vision had always been hazy like looking through a fogged-up window, glimpses of blurry faces and muted sounds . This time, though, the first thing I saw was a crisp, white ceiling – unmistakably a hospital.My body felt like a lead weight, every muscle screaming in protest. I was sore and battered, a painful reminder of what had happened. A dull throb pounded in my head. Tentatively, I reached up and touched the bandages wrapped around my forehead. My right hand felt restricted, then I noticed the IV drip snaking its way into my vein. I tried to sit up, but a sharp, searing pain shot through my abdomen, instantly reminding me of the two stabs that had nea
DAMIEN'S POV Adrian lay in the hospital bed, pale and still, a stark contrast to the vibrant, energetic man I knew. I watched him, guilt gnawing at me. Just a few minutes ago, I tentatively asked him if he remembered who had attacked him in the gym parking lot. His reaction had been… strange. Not anger, not fear, but a flinching, almost physical recoiling, like he was trying to escape a memory. I chalked it up to trauma, to the lingering shock of the attack. But deep down, a knot of unease tightened in my stomach. Something felt wrong. After texting Sienna, to cancel Adrian's appointments and inform his patients about his hospitalization, I was back at his side. He is awake. I was peeling an apple for him, the crisp scent filling the sterile air, when he spoke, his voice was raspy. "You know I can eat that apple with the skin on, right? You don't need to peel it," he chuckled, a weak, breathy sound. "Don't be a spoilsport," I replied, trying to mask the worry in my voice. "Just le
ADRIAN'S POV I slowly opened my eyes, wincing at the pain that still lingered in my body. Every muscle screamed with protest with each tiny movement I made. It was already Monday morning, just a day after I was attacked by Jace in the gym's parking lot.Honestly, a part of me couldn't entirely blame Jace, even with the throbbing pain in my side. Jace had thought I was Damien, and his jealousy had gotten the better of him. I had given Sandra a ride to the bus stop, an innocent act born out of simple human decency, which had led to the confusion. While I couldn't blame Jace for his actions, I did condemn the way he dealt with his jealousy issues, especially considering he was the one who broken Sandra's heart by cheating on her in the first place. With her best friend, no less. Disgusting.As I lay in my inclined bed, I tried to shift positions, but the doctor's advice to refrain from too much sitting echoed in my mind. The stress on my newly stitched stab wounds was still a concern. I
DAMIEN'S POVThe exhaustion clung to me like a second skin. Consulting with patients all morning, navigating their needs, always took its toll. I rubbed my temples, a familiar ache blooming behind my eyes. A quick bathroom break was all I needed, a momentary escape before diving back into the paperwork. I leaned back in my swivel chair, massaging my temples, trying to knead away the building tension. A few stretches did little to alleviate the stiffness from hours of sitting. I glanced outside my office door. Adrian’s office door was closed. The clinic felt strangely muted, hollow without the sound of his enthusiastic, booming voice. It was already lunchtime, and usually, by this time, Adrian would cheerfully barge in, a whirlwind of energy, asking for my lunch order. "The usual, Damien?" he'd always ask, a mischievous glint in his eyes. I missed that small ritual, that little burst of sunshine.I hastened my bathroom break, hoping maybe Adrian would be back by the time I returned.
ADRIAN'S POVAfter Selena and Grandpa Alex visit, I decided to distract myself by watching a movie. My eyes were glued to the television, lost in the world of a sci-fi epic. Explosions, spaceships, alien landscapes – anything to keep the real world at bay.The movie was reaching its climax, the lead characters making a last stand against the overwhelming forces of the villain. Just as the final battle began, the door to my hospital room swung open with a bang. I jolted, my heart leaping into my throat.I looked up, shocked, to see Damien striding towards me, his face a mask of disapproval. He glanced from my face to the television screen, and then, without a word, reached for the remote and switched it off."What the… Damien! It was the most important part!" I shrieked, frustration bubbling inside me.He glared down at me, his gaze sharp and intense. "When I told you to stay in the hospital, Adrian, I meant for you to rest, not tire yourself out watching movies like you're at home.""
DAMIEN'S POVIt was Tuesday evening, the hands on my office clock inching closer to the hour when the real theatrics began. Five minutes. Just enough time for the knot in my stomach to tighten another notch. My fingers drummed a restless rhythm on the mahogany desk, a subconscious counterpoint to the sterile professionalism I was forcing myself to maintain.They were here. I could hear the distinct sound of two sets of footsteps approaching my door. The Lacrosse. Clients, technically.I straightened in my chair, plastering on the practiced, empathetic expression I reserved for these after-hours sessions. The door swung inward, revealing a man and a woman framed in the doorway. He, all sharp angles and forced charm. She, a study in nervous tension."Mr. and Mrs. Lacrosse," I said, my voice a calm, even baritone. "Come in, have a seat." I gestured to the plush chairs facing my desk.The man, Ryan Lacrosse, extended a hand, his smile wide and, I suspected, entirely disingenuous. "Hello
ADRIAN'S POVIt's been two days since I was discharged from the hospital. I just got home from work at the clinic. I looked at the clock and it was almost 6:00 PM. The penthouse felt empty, silent, and lifeless. A part of me wondered if we had house staff, maybe I'd have someone to talk to when Damien isn't home.Another part of me felt blessed because I have private time with Damien when he's around. I didn't really know what to feel. It's Tuesday evening, which means Damien won't be home until at least 9:00 PM. I confirmed with Sienna that Damien did indeed have an after-hours session tonight.Right. Another woman would experience the focused intensity of his gaze, the warmth of his touch, the practiced charm that had somehow, inexplicably, been directed at me long enough for me to fall… well, for all this.I cursed myself. Two days out of the hospital, and I was already sinking back into the familiar pit of anxiety and resentment. By now, I should be numb to the thought of Damien
ADRIAN'S POV"Where the fuck have you been, Adrian?"Damien's voice sliced through my bedroom silence like a shard of ice. I froze, rooted to the spot just inside the doorway. The air, thick with unspoken tension, crackled around me. Guilt, sharp and immediate, constricted my chest. I’d screwed up. Big time.Damien was sitting on the couch across from my room, bathed in the harsh glow of the city lights filtering through the panoramic windows. His silhouette was all sharp angles and controlled fury. He looked every inch the powerful, intimidating man he was.I snuck out. Plain and simple. Damien had an after-hours session and was having fun with his female clients. I'd been restless, cooped up in this opulent cage for what felt like an eternity. So, I’d craved a taste of normalcy, a night out, a fleeting glimpse of the life I used to have. Liberating's promises of good music and even better company had been too tempting to resist.The problem? I’d lost track of time. I was supposed to
DAMIEN'S POV I was leaning against my car, drumming my fingers on the cool metal, I needed to kill some time. Adrian had informed me that he’d be at least another thirty minutes, stuck in the supermarket’s rush-hour queue. Suddenly, I heard the sound of a shopping cart’s wheels rolling across the asphalt. The parking lot was bathed in the harsh fluorescent glow of the mall’s lights.I sighed, glancing at my watch, when the cart came into view. Pushing it was a woman— a vision of a woman. Her hair was a cascade of blond curls, wild and untamed, and her dress hugged her curves like it was painted on. She moved with confidence.Our eyes met, there was something electric in her gaze, a challenge, a promise. I felt my pulse quicken as she approached, her heels clicking against the pavement like a drumbeat. "Hi," she said, her voice low and husky, with a hint of an accent I couldn’t place. "I’m Nadia.""Damien," I replied, my voice rougher than I intended. I cleared my throat, trying to
ADRIAN'S POVAll throughout the afternoon, I was busy planning dinner for Damien. Roast chicken? Too simple. Pasta? He had that last night. I wanted it to be special, a proper apology for the Selena lunch debacle. God, I still felt so guilty about that. I hadn’t even explained it properly – Selena had just sent me a noticed, unexpectedly, and invited me. It was a business thing, sort of, and I hadn’t wanted to be rude. But Damien… Damien deserved better than a mumbled explanation.Of all the people in my world, it was only Damien I never wanted to disappoint. I loved him. I was hopelessly, irrevocably in love with Damien. Of course, he had no idea. He only saw me as his best friend, maybe a younger brother. But to me, he was everything. His sharp wit, his mysterious aura, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he was genuinely amused… it was intoxicating.During my breaks, I busied myself listing ingredients, scribbling notes on napkins, and covertly Googling recipes. Seared T
ADRIAN'S POVIt was Monday morning, and I'd just finished my last appointment. Glancing at the digital clock on my desk, I saw it was 11:30 AM, practically lunchtime. Usually, this meant heading over to Damien's office – right across from mine – to see what he was planning to eat. It had become a ritual, a much-needed break in the day and a chance to catch up with my best friend.I was about to make my move when my phone buzzed with a text message notification. I smirked, figuring it was Damien. "Lazy bum can't even walk across the hall," I muttered to myself. But when I picked up my phone, the sender ID was Selena.Selena? It had been a while.My stomach clenched as I read her message: "Hey Adrian, it's been a while since we last saw each other. I know you've been discharged from the hospital. I guess it's time to continue our deal, right?"The "deal." A shiver ran down my spine. I'd almost managed to push it to the back of my mind during my recovery. It was a forced agreement, conco
ADRIAN'S POVThe comments exploded. Speculation ran rampant. "Who was the lucky woman? ""Was it a celebrity? ""A fellow doctor?"They had no idea."That's all I'm saying for now," I announced, cutting off the inevitable flood of follow-up questions. "Let's move on to something else."None of them knew that the song was for Damien. My best friend. My confidant. The man who had been by my side through thick and thin, through medical school, through failed relationships, through every single triumph and disaster life had thrown my way.The man I was hopelessly, irrevocably in love with.The lyrics weren't just about gratitude. They were about love. Unspoken, unrequited, simmering beneath the surface for years. The "secrets I keep" weren't just secrets. They were the agonizing words I could never bring myself to say, the confession I feared would shatter our friendship.I hope he wasn't watching the stream right now, but maybe he was laughing along with everyone else, oblivious to the
ADRIAN'S POV "’Are you single, Adrian?’" I read aloud, a grin spreading across my face. "Well, that's a popular question! And the answer is..." I paused for dramatic effect, knowing I was being a tease. "It's complicated." The comments exploded. Even behind the screen, I could feel the collective gasp and flurry of fingers typing. "Complicated... how?" "Who is it, Coach Adrian?" "Spill the tea!" I chuckled. "Okay, okay, I'll elaborate a little. There's someone... someone I care about deeply. Someone who's incredibly important to me. But the nature of our relationship… is not easily defined." I knew I was dancing around the truth, but revealing my feelings for Damien to thousands of strangers online felt like a betrayal, a violation of something sacred. My feelings for Damien were complex, a tangled web of love, admiration, and a deep-seated fear of ruining everything. He was my best friend, my protector, the closest thing I had to the family. He had rescued me from a l
ADRIAN'S POV"Where the fuck have you been, Adrian?"Damien's voice sliced through my bedroom silence like a shard of ice. I froze, rooted to the spot just inside the doorway. The air, thick with unspoken tension, crackled around me. Guilt, sharp and immediate, constricted my chest. I’d screwed up. Big time.Damien was sitting on the couch across from my room, bathed in the harsh glow of the city lights filtering through the panoramic windows. His silhouette was all sharp angles and controlled fury. He looked every inch the powerful, intimidating man he was.I snuck out. Plain and simple. Damien had an after-hours session and was having fun with his female clients. I'd been restless, cooped up in this opulent cage for what felt like an eternity. So, I’d craved a taste of normalcy, a night out, a fleeting glimpse of the life I used to have. Liberating's promises of good music and even better company had been too tempting to resist.The problem? I’d lost track of time. I was supposed to
ADRIAN'S POVIt's been two days since I was discharged from the hospital. I just got home from work at the clinic. I looked at the clock and it was almost 6:00 PM. The penthouse felt empty, silent, and lifeless. A part of me wondered if we had house staff, maybe I'd have someone to talk to when Damien isn't home.Another part of me felt blessed because I have private time with Damien when he's around. I didn't really know what to feel. It's Tuesday evening, which means Damien won't be home until at least 9:00 PM. I confirmed with Sienna that Damien did indeed have an after-hours session tonight.Right. Another woman would experience the focused intensity of his gaze, the warmth of his touch, the practiced charm that had somehow, inexplicably, been directed at me long enough for me to fall… well, for all this.I cursed myself. Two days out of the hospital, and I was already sinking back into the familiar pit of anxiety and resentment. By now, I should be numb to the thought of Damien
DAMIEN'S POVIt was Tuesday evening, the hands on my office clock inching closer to the hour when the real theatrics began. Five minutes. Just enough time for the knot in my stomach to tighten another notch. My fingers drummed a restless rhythm on the mahogany desk, a subconscious counterpoint to the sterile professionalism I was forcing myself to maintain.They were here. I could hear the distinct sound of two sets of footsteps approaching my door. The Lacrosse. Clients, technically.I straightened in my chair, plastering on the practiced, empathetic expression I reserved for these after-hours sessions. The door swung inward, revealing a man and a woman framed in the doorway. He, all sharp angles and forced charm. She, a study in nervous tension."Mr. and Mrs. Lacrosse," I said, my voice a calm, even baritone. "Come in, have a seat." I gestured to the plush chairs facing my desk.The man, Ryan Lacrosse, extended a hand, his smile wide and, I suspected, entirely disingenuous. "Hello
ADRIAN'S POVAfter Selena and Grandpa Alex visit, I decided to distract myself by watching a movie. My eyes were glued to the television, lost in the world of a sci-fi epic. Explosions, spaceships, alien landscapes – anything to keep the real world at bay.The movie was reaching its climax, the lead characters making a last stand against the overwhelming forces of the villain. Just as the final battle began, the door to my hospital room swung open with a bang. I jolted, my heart leaping into my throat.I looked up, shocked, to see Damien striding towards me, his face a mask of disapproval. He glanced from my face to the television screen, and then, without a word, reached for the remote and switched it off."What the… Damien! It was the most important part!" I shrieked, frustration bubbling inside me.He glared down at me, his gaze sharp and intense. "When I told you to stay in the hospital, Adrian, I meant for you to rest, not tire yourself out watching movies like you're at home.""