Page 5

Maximo stood besides the hospital bed, peering at the pale face of Iris Saint. He never believe he would be in the hospital he owned that same day, waiting for the woman he plan to use as bait to wake up. He left the bed side slowly and walk gently to the couch in the room. It was a large comfy room, tastily furnished and well arranged. One of the VIP room for whoever that's wealthy enough.

He didn't pay for the room though because he own it, he didn't pay for the drugs and medication iris was receiving because he bought them all. The tallest best hospital in the city was owned by the Italian Mafia boss who was now besides himself with anger. The doctor who had treated iris hasn't call upon him to discuss her illness but Maximo was annoyed already. He couldn't believe iris would be so careless that she wouldn't know when her drugs was about to run out.

What if I wasn't there? What if I am a minute late? The thought clouded the mind of Maximo Santino and he gritted his teeth. He is angry at Konstantin for disturbing the poor lady and he is angry at Iris for not caring for herself at all.

Maximo noticed Iris struggling to sit up from her bed so he slowly stood up from the couch he sat on and Walk towards her.

" Max " She called softly, her lips was dry and her face was pale. She seem so much wane and devoid of life.

" Why can't you take good care of yourself? " Maximo suddenly asked gently. He was dangerously calm but whoever that knows the Mafia Boss so well would realized it's only a matter of time before he lashes out.

" Max "

" How come you never noticed you have run out of that pills? " Now he was raising his voice, clenching his jaw angrily and offering iris who just recover a cold stare " what if I wasn't there? What if no one is there to care for you? What is so wrong with you that your life doesn't mean anything to you? Why? "

His voice was harsh just like his words. Strangely, the thought of Iris dying become something he couldn't deal with. He hate to feel that way, he hate the fact that her pale face worry him so much. He hate to admit the fact that the life of Iris now means so much to him after just meeting her. To all his words, Iris only gaze at him with teary eyes. Her soft sad heart couldn't handle the harshness that Maximo was offering so she only could cry silently. Maximo stare at her for some seconds with burning anger then softly the door opens, interrupting their moment.

An elderly man who was dressed throughly as a professional doctor walk in. He stood just behind Maximo and said softly.

" She doesn't need scolding. I ... I would advice you .. "

Maximo suddenly turn around to face the doctor who Just entered. The glare he offered the man makes him to stop speaking at once. The doctor quickly look away, he walk towards Iris and did some check up on her then he turn to Maximo and smile uncomfortably.

" Can I have a moment with you? " The doctor demanded from the Mafia Boss and the latter nodded.

Maximo didn't even glance at Iris at all. He only followed the doctor who lead him to his neat white painted office. Upon arriving there, the man quickly bow slightly before Maximo. He knows who he is.

" Boss, I never expected to see you at all this year and especially not in new York or anywhere near this hospital"

" Me too joey , I never expected all this but what can I do when it has happened? " Maximo walk Slowly towards the window and sighed softly. " Give me a cigar " He said with a tone that command authority, making it sound like an order than a request.

" I'm sorry Boss, but... You ... I uh "

" I can't smoke here? " He asked, cutting him and the latter replied by nodding. Maximo frown gently in response, he leaned against the wall and smile faintly at Joey to ease the man's tension. " Tell me about the lady I brought. What exactly is wrong with her? "

" Nothing "

The answer surprised Maximo so much. He glare at the doctor who only stare back at him in surity.

" How do you mean? She passed out last night and today she just suddenly burns up and pass out again and now you tell me nothing whatsoever is wrong with her? "

" Yes, she was only passing through hard times. No illness I could fathom medically. She would be healthy if she can be happy "

Maximo suddenly scoffed at the words he just heard. Who would have thought happiness is the cure for iris's numerous ailments? Aside from her eyes which can't see clearly without the aid of lenses, there is nothing wrong at all with her. This piece of information makes the Mafia boss so relieved. He pushed himself away from the wall and then walk gingerly to the window where he peered out.

" Then let's do that. I would make her happy if that is the solution for her weak and pale face " Maximo said with a smile. He turned to Joey and smile softly at him.

" When will you leave for Italy? Why are you here ? " Joey asked curiously but to his surprised Maximo laughed out dryly.

" Don't be so nosy joey. Just by the look of it , I can tell there will be many deaths involved in this brawl "

He smiles again but too dry to be sincere then he walk out and headed towards iris's room. On his way he could see the staffs staring at him respectfully. He never pays them any attention. Maximo know half of the staffs knows who he is, he only pray his cover isn't blown off before he left the large hospital with Iris Saint.

Finally he arrived at the VIP quarters. He took a deep breath before he opened the door and walk in. Iris was already sitting up. Her face was still pale but she look sober and ready to apologized to maximo when she saw him.

Maximo walk towards the bed side. He didn't smile nor was he frowning. He wish to scold her more but was only hanging on because of doctor Joey's warning. Iris Saint needs care not scolding.

" Max " She called softly with her eyes round with apology. " I'm sorry "

" There's nothing to apologize for, I understand your life means nothing to you so you're eager to throw it away " He replied harshly with a new frown. He can't but scold her still. " If you can't give life then don't take it without any tangible reason. That's the third rule "

He was annoyed, way more upset that he forgetted Iris isn't one of his member. He realized that after he had spoken. With a frustrated sigh, he walk away from the bed and towards the couch he had sat on earlier. He pulled out his cellphone and dialed a contact. He tossed his new mobile away after making the call and then he sat back, not speaking to Iris who was now staring at him from where she sat.

The door opens after an awkward minutes of silence and Iris's late breakfast arrived. The beautiful lady who had brought it offers Iris a kind smile, the type she wished Maximo would offer her. The new lady wanted to help Iris up but she declined saying she can help herself. Iris dismissed the lady with a small smile. The lady however casted Maximo's an uncomfortable glance, as though to get a proper permission from him. Maximo nodded at her and she smiles before leaving.

Now Iris notice Maximo wasn't just any man. He is someone great, someone of good standard. Iris would hate if she get on his had side.

She slowly get up from the bed she laid on. She walk up to Maximo and took a seat just besides him gently.

" Max I'm sorry " She started gently but the man wasn't even paying attention. He stood up away from her and put on the TV in the room but low the volume so the noise won't cause a nuisance. He walk back to seat beside Iris but his eye were only on the tv he had on. " Max please... "

" Give me a good reason why you never cared about your Life. Just last night, you are so ready to get crushed by an incoming vehicle and today you can't ... "

" I'm sorry! " She cut in with her voice raised, biting her lower lips to stifled a sob , she look away from Maximo and sighed. " I felt so miserable, living another day is like hell without my parents. I don't wish to live anymore that's why I never renew that pills "

Her voice were now tender, laced with sadness and worries of the world. Maximo saw the tightness of her lips, the way she was choking back tears. He realized he had been too hard on her. After all, she just survive some heartbreak.

" Let it out, cry. Don't keep it in " He said softly, pulling the lady into his arms. Iris turn to him, for some seconds she search his face for any enmity but what was visible to her was only love and care she desperately yearn for. slowly she allowed Maximo to pull her into his arms. Someone crying against his chest was new to him. Iris's tears soaking his t-shirt was strange to him, just as much as it thrilled him somewhat.

Maximo's palm made it's way slowly to iris's back, patting her gently. He allowed her to let out her sorrow and pains. He never advice her to stop crying as he believes emotions are meant to be displayed. After what seem like eternity, Iris ease away from Maximo and sniffed while dabbing her eyes gently.

He left her side for some minutes and then return back with iris's breakfast which he placed before the lady gently.

" Eat to your fill. I asked them to make it specifically for you " He said with a smile. That only makes iris's heart to jump in delight. She eagerly picked up the cutlery and ate a morsel. Her lost profound appetite was finally restored. Maximo watched her filled her flat tummy with the food , just as she was just finishing up, she stop abruptly.

" Oh no! " She exclaimed while offering him a surprise glance.

" What? What is it ? " He question gently.

" Will you forgive me if I tell you I just made a mistake? "

Frowning slightly, Maximo replied.

" I don't forgive that easily "

His response makes Iris shudder slightly. She however pouted before smiling happily.

" The mistake I just made was I didn't offer you any breakfast. I forgot you stayed up all night to care for me and now you are still here caring for me. The least I could have done was to share this my breakfast with you but what did Iris Saint did? I ate it all up. By the lord's name, I know I am guilty "

It was a fine joke that brighten up the tensed mood of Maximo Santino. Involuntarily he giggles for some Seconds. This act only stole iris's breathe away. The smile on her own face was wiped away as she focus and lost herself in his beauty, his gallantry and sensual face.

" Why are you so handsome? " The question fell from her lips before she could take it back. Realizing what just happened Iris stood up from where she sat abruptly " I uh... I will visit the rest room "

After she left Maximo did some thinking. He knew what was happening. He isn't a rookie when it comes to falling in love, he isn't a novice when it comes to winning a lady's heart. Just by the small happy moments they just shared, Maximo Santino knew Iris Saint is growing on him. He knows he also is growing on her already.

If it isn't love then it is a crazy pure lust. Iris return after some minutes with a distant look on her face. She took a seat on another couch and keep her eyes completely away from Maximo who was staring at her naiveness. He stood up when he noticed his presence was making the Lady uncomfortable.

He picked up his cellphone to call the lady who had brought the food to come in and clear the tray when the news on the TV he had on caught his attention.

There the news caster was telling the urgent news about a building which had been blown off earlier that morning. The cellphone on Maximo Santino fell in his hand when he heard the newscaster saying western Hall rent has been blown off. Swiftly Iris turn to him with an expression filled with horror. She had heard and seen the news, no doubt.

Konstantin Puttana! Maximo swore under his breathe in Italian.

The message was cleared now. Konstantin must have learnt about Maximo's visit in new York and he knows he was staying in western Hall rent so he had blown up the house without hesitation.