#07 The Apple

But thats only because his leg loosing his tense. With precise skill, Gia's fingers explored his muscles, gently pressing into the tight to locate the nerve points.

“That’s... nice,” Raven moan again.

There was nothing wrong with Raven’s nerves, so he could fully feel Gia’s touch.

“Quiet!” Unknowingly, Gia reprimanded him, her tone a touch harsh. It wasn't his fault but Gia felt like she was starting to lose her sanity if Raven kept moaning.

Raven straightened up, surprised at her sharp tone. But Gia, having refocused, paid no attention to his reaction.

Gia lifted Raven’s foot parallel to the water, bending his sole outward briefly. She repeated the motion several times to help his leg muscles get accustomed to movement. The second part of the session went more smoothly, as Raven had learned to keep quiet.

Perhaps it was only Gia's own heart that lacked peace. With their position, she was 'forced' to look in Raven's direction, unable to avert her gaze.

Gia tried to keep her eyes lowered, but at the same time, she couldn’t just reach around Raven’s legs without precision. She had to press specific nerve points during this session.

“Ahhh…” Gia took a deep breath, trying to collect her sanity. This session would never end if she kept getting lost in memories she didn’t find pleasant.

After fighting off her frustration, Gia managed to concentrate again. With renewed resolve, she applied firmer pressure as she continued the massage.

Raven felt his leg throbbing painfully from the intensified massage. But he merely pressed his lips together, not wanting to be scolded again for making a sound.

---

After an hour and a half focused on Raven’s legs, Gia ended the session. “I’ll call Marlow.”

Gia climbed out of the pool, drying the water dripping from her body.

“Towel!” Raven mumbled through chattering teeth. Despite the enclosed space, a cool breeze still managed to slip through.

“One second.” Gia grabbed one of the large towels Sophie had prepared on the table near the entrance and wrapped it around Raven, covering him from back to front.

“Ah…”

Gia gasped as Raven suddenly seized her hand, gripping it tightly. Reflexively, she tried to pull free. Her crouched position shifted into a kneel, following Raven’s pull.

“Relax... I just wanted to see if this pleasant scent really comes from you,” Raven said, stopping Gia’s attempt to withdraw her hand.

Raven’s request was granted automatically, for as his words reached her ears, her body melted. Raven’s low voice, which sounded like a whisper, warmed her entire body in an instant. 

All Gia could do was watch as Raven slowly drew her hand toward his mouth. He inhaled, taking in Gia’s scent, his breath warm against her skin.

“So, it really is you... that scent..." Raven didn’t finish his sentence. He released Gia’s hand, turning his face away. Gia quickly withdrew her hand, holding her breath.

A warm sensation coursed through her, as if it wasn’t just her hand Raven had touched.

“Call Marlow,” Raven ordered. His firm tone snapped Gia back to reality. She hurriedly ran inside before her mind turned to mush.

Soon after, Marlow arrived, with Gia following behind. After the earlier encounter, Gia would’ve preferred to go straight back to her room, but she had a few things to discuss with Raven.

“Mr. Lindgren, for now, I ask that you refrain from moving your legs or trying to exert any muscle effort in them,” Gia said, doing her best to avoid looking at Raven, who was tidying himself up in his wheelchair with Marlow’s help. She could only stand being close to the front of Raven’s body for so long.

“Why? Isn’t the purpose of this therapy to get my legs moving?” Raven’s brows furrowed.

“Your muscles are very weak and sensitive right now, so I’m working to strengthen them gradually. Forcing movement could lead to muscle tears that would require additional treatment. As long as you’re in a wheelchair, I don’t think it will be a problem.”

Raven didn’t look pleased. His lips thinned and his brow furrowed.

“I mentioned at the start that hydrotherapy would be intense, and you agreed to cooperate. So, I ask that you keep that promise. When the time comes, our training will focus on movement exercises, and then you’ll be free to move as you wish.”

“Marlow, I didn’t mishear, did I? Did Hazel just scold me?” At moments like these, Raven sounded like a child tattling a parent after being reprimanded by a teacher.

“Yes, Mr. Lindgren, and this time, I’m on Hazel’s side.” Marlow chuckled as he wheeled Raven inside.

“She’s only been here a day, and you’re already taking her side?”

Gia didn’t catch the rest of their conversation, as she didn’t follow them inside. She was still catching her breath, quietly cursing herself for being so easily affected by Raven’s voice.

---

“You look tired. Has Mr. Lindgren been giving you trouble?” Sophie inquired as she lifted Gia's empty dinner plate.

Gia had been unusually quiet during the meal, responding minimally to Marlow’s jokes.

“Oh, no. I'm currently organizing his training schedule." Gia pointed to her head.

“Does it have to be now? Why do you both like thinking about work during dinner? Other people would think you’re enslaved,” Sophie said, pointing back and forth between Gia and Jasper, her eyes narrowing sternly.

Jasper just smiled and set his phone aside, respecting Sophie’s gentle rebuke.

“Relax a bit. You’re doing great. I’ve never seen anyone brave enough to scold Mr. Lindgren directly.” Marlow gave Gia a thumbs-up.

“You what?” Jasper appeared genuinely shocked; his interest piqued as he gazed at Gia.

“You all should have seen how fiery that exchange was. Hazel paid no mind to Mr. Lindgren’s stern face and kept telling him to obey.” Marlow chuckled as he sipped his drink.

“You should’ve recorded it,” Sophie said enthusiastically, bringing dessert to the table.

“Don’t exaggerate. I was just explaining what needed to be done. Mr. Lindgren’s condition has been left unattended for too long. I need to make sure his therapy progresses well, or it’ll worsen.”

Gia tried to calm the mood, which felt overly exaggerated to her. Gia had merely been performing her duties earlier. The praise felt unnecessary, especially since she herself often struggled to keep her composure around Raven.

But her response was overly serious. The lighthearted atmosphere of dinner vanished as Gia threw a stone into the pond.

“We’re just joking, Hazel. You’re too serious. I think you need a vacation after this,” Sophie said, patting Gia’s back. Sophie smiled wryly, watching Gia fumble as everyone suddenly went quiet.

“Sorry,” Gia gave an awkward smile.

“Sophie, is that apple pie?” Jasper’s surprised expression returned as he cut into the pie Sophie had served.

“Why?” Gia found nothing wrong with the pie. It tasted delicious—not too sweet, with a soft, flaky crust. She was enjoying it.

“Mr. Lindgren hates apples,” Jasper said.

“Oh…” Gia now understood why Raven had been so intrigued by the scent of her perfume. He hated it.

“But he called my scent pleasant!” Gia thought about a big question mark in her mind. She remembered Raven mentioning her scent as pleasant when he sniffed her hand earlier.

“Maybe Mr. Lindgren’s tastes have changed. He suddenly wanted apple pie earlier. Good thing I had some in stock…”

Beep...Beep…Beep!

They all looked toward the phone mounted near the fridge. It was a call from Raven’s room. Sophie, holding a tray of drinks, pressed the speaker button with her elbow.

“Mr. Lindgren?”

“SEND HAZEL UP HERE!”

The demand made Gia jump from her chair. Raven said nothing else. Following his abrupt command, he immediately ended the call. Everyone at the table looked at Gia with sympathetic eyes as if she had just lost a family member.

“Stay calm. Maybe Mr. Lindgren just wants to ask about the details of the training,” Jasper tried to reassure Gia, though he was one hundred percent certain Raven hadn’t summoned her for a friendly chat.

“This way.” Sophie pointed to the elevator near the fridge. Gia could get to the third floor faster, perhaps easing Raven’s anger slightly.

With a weary sigh, Gia pressed the elevator button.