Chapter 006

CORNELIA

My walk back to Darcy's from home was an uneventful but a painful process. I had twisted My right ankle while falling I think. Just as I had walked past Bella's, I was joined by Mason.

"Corry!! you don't look good, what happened?"

"I visited my parents Mason"

The rest was understood between us.

"You need to report them Corry! They can't treat you like this"

"I'll take care of it Mason, don't worry!! You know they've done worse to me"

"Corry .... but..."

"Don't worry about it Mason!!! Let me handle my business!!!"

I almost barked at him and I felt instantly bad. Mason was the only friend I have in Amryth, despite our history he has always stood by me. I should atleast be nicer to him, especially when he's worrying about me.

"Mason!! I'm sorry.... I didn't mean too..."

"It's alright Corry.... let me drive you to Darcy's and I'll forget that you snapped at me today", Mason said interrupting me.

I let him help me to his car and then drive me to the motel. He also insisted on coming inside and helping me wrap my ankle, but I politely declined. I can't take anymore help from him. He's already done too much.

As I was making my way to my room, my eyes fell on the person I least expected, Damon.

Our eyes met and he quickly got up from the couch and made his way to me.

"Hey beautiful, do u need some help getting to your room?"

My embarrassment from the dream last night, made my cheeks hot. I just wish he didn't see this.

"No....... thanks for the offer Damon, but I think I can manage"

Call it my rotten luck, but just after saying that as I stepped forward to move, I stumbled and embraced myself for a nasty face down fall. But I didn't fall, instead I found myself in Damon's arm. He helped me regain my posture and held on to me a little longer, until he was sure that I was standing safely.

"Please let me escort you to your room Cornelia. I just want to make sure you don't get hurt anymore."

I didn't protest this time and let him support me to my room. When we reached the entrance of my room, he insisted on helping me inside and I don't know why but I agreed. He helped me to the bed and then quickly got to work.

Once inside my room, Damon wasted no time, he quickly poured some water into the kettle and turned the heat on. Then he procured a small towel and a bowl. He poured the hot water in the bowl, and before I could protest, he was kneeling beside me and had taken my right foot and was gently compressing it with the towel dipped in hot water. It was so relaxing, like all my pain went away in that moment.

Damon and I are total strangers. Why is this stranger helping me like this? What does he want from me? Why did I have a sex dream about him? What's wrong with my brain?

My train of thoughts was interrupted by Damon's voice..

"How did u manage to get hurt so badly Cornelia?"

"I payed my parents a visit and they pushed me down the porch stairs."

There's no point in hiding anything in this town afterall... it's better that he hears the truth from me than the spiced up version from some town gossip.

"Whatt!!!....how can they treat you like this?"

Damon looked up into my eyes. He had concern written all over his face. For a moment I thought I would cry, no one had shown concern like this for me..... no one had taken care of me like this...... no one but Matt. I quickly composed myself. I wasn't gonna cry in front of this complete stranger.

"Well I did tell them to pack their shit and move out in seven days..."

"I'm sure you had good reasons for doing that Cornelia. You are so gentle and kind, I doubt yoy would ever deliberately try to hurt someone."

"You barely know me Damon"

"I know.... but I have a good feeling about you.... and I would like it very much..... if you.... if you would give me a chance to get to know you better"

At this point Damon and I had full eye contact. It felt as if he was peeking directly into my soul. I didn't want him to see her!! She was so broken right now, so incapable of giving or accepting love. I broke our eye contact in that moment.

"Damon, right now I can't do that. I was in love.... I still am in love with Matt. I recently lost him and I don't think I can give anyone anything right now.... I'm sorry"

I could see sadness creeping across Damon's face. But he quickly regained his demeanor.

"It's alright Cornelia, take as much time you need to heal. I'll wait for you... Also I'm sorry for overstepping any boundaries today.... I saw you in pain and knew I had to help !!!

Cornelia just be safe and try to be happy.... that's all I ask from you right now."

He said all this with a smile on his face. I don't know how he did it. How did he control his emotions so well. I also smiled at him.... albeit fake.... but I knew I needed to do it for this stranger who was helping me.

"I'll be safe Damon, I promise..."

After this there was a knowing silence between us. It's the kind of silence which isn't awkward but is actually quite comfortable. It usually occurs between good friends, who enjoy each other's company so much that they're even together when they have different things to do.

Is this what's happening here too?? Are Damon and I.... rather this stranger I met yesterday and I are becoming friends??

When Damon was done with my foot, he wrapped it tightly in athletic tape he had bribed a motel employee into getting. He then got up and planted a kiss on my forehead.

"Cornelia, please call me before u go to your parents next time...... I must leave now, but ill see you soon"

With that he got out of my room and shut the door behind him.