Chapter 5: Guilty

"She can't be forced to do physical movement until her wound gets better. Once her wound opens, it would be dangerous for her and may cause infection."

I was woken up by the angelic voice of a woman who I think was talking to someone. I hadn't fully woke up but different feelings welcomed me.

My throat was very dry, my left hand felt numb and I could feel my stomach aching. I felt very weak and I couldn't even move my hand.

Slowly, I opened my eyes to see who the woman was talking to a while ago.

Dim light embraced my sight the moment I unclosed my eyes. I looked around me and I was surprised when I saw two people beside me.

"She's awake."

Zadkiro leaned towards me when the woman said those words.

I looked deeply into his eyes and saw worry. He was looking at me as if he was sorry, those eyes were soft and glistening.

"Hey, how are you? Do you feel any pain?" he asked in a concerned tone. I felt him touch my hand carefully.

I shut my eyes and gulped, trying to pull out my voice to answer him. I was having a hard time producing a sound but I still tried.

"I... I-I'm fine," I weakly answered.

I saw in Zadkiro's eyes that he was relieved upon hearing my answer. He looked at the woman behind him and I saw them looking at each other.

I roamed my eyes around and that's when I noticed that there was an IVF injected into my left hand, it may be the reason why it felt numb.

I did not try to make a move. I don't want to cause trouble by forcing myself, as long as I can every part of my body then it's okay.

"Hello, Sereia."

Zadkiro moved backward when the woman spoke to me. I saw him looking at me with an unreadable expression on his face but I just looked away and concentrated on the woman.

Who is she anyway?

The woman took a step closer to me and gave me a soft friendly smile when she saw that I was looking at her.

"I am Xara Evans, Mr. Driavos' private doctor. I am also in charge of you and I've been treating you after you got shot. Can you recall that?"

She's very professional. Her language and voice shout superiority in a friendly manner. Her face is also beautiful and no one could deny that. If I were a man, I would surely hit on her.

Answering her question, I only nodded because I couldn't talk properly yet. I needed water and I am still not in the condition.

She nodded after seeing my response.

"That's good if you can still remember your last memory before passing out. You're perfectly fine but you still need proper care." She stopped and checked the IV bag before looking at me again. "I already explained your condition to Mr. Driavos while you were unconscious. I can't stay with you every day until you recover so I discussed all the matters that he needs to know. I am hoping that you will do as he says for your good sweetheart."

The only response she got from me was a faint smile. I don't want to ask a lot of questions even though I want to because I am still regaining my energy.

Besides, she already talked about it, I am fine and hoping I am out of danger now.

"You don't mind if I will take care you of right?" Zadkiro suddenly spoke.

I looked at him and chuckled when I saw his worried face. "O-Of course that's fine..."

It's a blessing that someone is willing to take care of me, I won't sway the chance.

Dr. Xara stayed for a few minutes checking my vital signs and changing my IV. She even sent Zadkiro out of the room and changed my bandages. I was wearing shorts and a hospital gown but according to her, his presence might bring awkwardness while she cleans my wound.

It didn't take long and she bid her goodbyes. She said she was going to an important matter and we weren't that close for me to ask so she left immediately.

After a minute or two after she exited the room, Zadkiro came in.

Now, it's only the two of us.

Silence superiors between us when no one dared to speak. As much as I wanted to ask him about what happened to his brother while I was unconscious, I couldn't because my throat was very dry.

"Would you like to drink water? You keep on gulping."

I glanced at him. Am I?

Well yeah, I need that. I nodded at him and that's when he went to the table beside the bed. I watched him as he poured water on the glass carefully.

While looking at him, I couldn't but think about the argument that he had with his brother. I remembered how he was trying to keep me away from his brother— Zandrous.

It's just a guest that they're talking about me but I appreciate how Zadkiro defended me against his brother.

"Here, let me help you."

Zadkiro gently assisted me to get up. I hissed when my wound ached even if I was careful and so did Zadkiro. I held my stomach and put pressure on it.

This was my first time getting shot but I couldn't feel any trauma or fear that it would happen again. I was more afraid of feeling the same pain again. It's so painful!

Zadkiro let me drink water on the glass and I finished it in one drink. He slowly tapped my back and put the glass back on the table.

I thought he was going to let me lie on the bed but he fixed the pillows instead to support my back. He let me sit but I feel much more comfortable in that position than lying on the bed.

After drinking the water, I feel better now. I'm not fully recovered yet but I know I'll get better soon.

"Do you want me to get you something to eat?"

I shook my head to say 'no'. I think I'd throw up if I will eat now, I don't know. I just don't want to.

I only heard him sigh in my response. I know he was looking at me because I could see it in my peripheral vision and honestly, I find it a bit awkward.

I secretly tried pressing my wound and I almost cried when it sent volts of pain to me. I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing at my dumbness.

Anyway, I wonder why Zandrous shot me instead of his brother.

I pouted and scoffed.

That evil guy, I wasn't even arguing with him. Why didn't he shoot his brother instead? They're the ones who were fighting!

Kidding aside, of course, I don't want anyone to get hurt.

On the other hand, do I deserve his action? I just want to see my parents. Psh. If only wishing about someone's bad luck isn't bad, that guy is dead to me.

"You don't seem fine. You're spacing out."

I stopped thinking things when I heard Zadkiro's manly voice.

I looked at him and caught his eyes for the nth time around. I wonder how many times I went under this eye's magical power.

Instead of panicking and worrying about my safety, I felt the other way around because of those eyes. It's always calm and soothing.

"Where's your brother?" I asked in a weak voice, while still meeting Zadkiro's eyes.

I don't know why it came out naturally from my lips. After getting shot by that man, maybe I wanted to know what they did to him. I couldn't recall anything after passing out.

"What do you want to eat?"

I looked at him curiously when he changed the topic, trying to pretend that he didn't hear me.

I took a deep breath. "Zadkiro, you don't need to change the topic. I just want to know."

I saw him avoiding my eyes. He looked down the floor and gulped.

"I-I... I feel guilty. He was my brother and I know him, I know how he thinks, I should've taken the gun out of his hands when I had the chance."

A smile slowly formed on my lips.

"Guilty? Hey Zadkiro Driavos, you're a big man and you easily get guilty? Wow." I laughed but immediately hissed when my wound ached.

Argh!

Zadkiro glared at me when he heard me teasing him.

"That's not funny, you got shot and slept for two days. It was my brother who did it, even if I was big or small, I still have the right to feel guilty."

"Hey, chill. Why are you so serious?" I chuckled. "It's not you who did it. You even called a beautiful doctor to check on me. I'm fine, please stop feeling that way," I said sincerely.

He was just listening to what I was saying without reacting. I don't even know if he's listening to me because he doesn't seem like one.

I don't know what choice of words should I use just to convince him because I don't see a change in his reaction.

I pouted.

I was just trying to be playful to show him that I was fine.

"Come on, I'm not blaming you," I uttered.

I raised my hand and poked his hips, grinning like a child, having fun teasing him while he was very serious.

"Tsk. Stop that," he said and stood up. He stepped back away from me and put both of his hands on his waist before glaring at me.

"I'll cook for you, stop grinning there."

I laughed which made him furrow his forehead.

"You know what, I remember a friend who is like you. Using the angry tone whenever they can't tease back," I said while stopping myself from laughing hard.

I was referring to Devika, my friend in the orphanage. She was like a sister to me and she's like Zadkiro. Always serious when it comes to serious matters and they don't like being teased.

"Whatever. Just concentrate on taking a rest and I'll go downstairs."

"Ah ah ah. No thanks, I'm not hungry yet. Sit down, let's talk about your brother," I answered still grinning.

He stared at me for a second before he tsked. He sat back on the chair beside the bed and crossed his arms as he leaned on the backrest.

"So..." I looked at him. "What happened to your brother after I passed out?" I curiously asked.

This time I wasn't kidding around. Zandrous is still a human and hopefully, they took him easily. Considering that... he doesn't seem normal.

I mean... his constant change in behavior and those tantrums at his age? No no.

Zadkiro sighed before speaking. "My men took him, they sent him back to our parents' old house where he stays. He's locked up there."

Aww.

"He's younger than you?"

He nodded.

"Ow, I hope I don't make you feel guilty, Zadkiro, but... why did he shoot me? I won't deny that I heard parts of your conversation but it's not clear to me."

Zadkiro sighed, he uncrossed his hands and leaned, putting both of his elbows on his knees before looking at me. The way he stares at me, it seems like he's observing me.

"I want to tell you, but I want you to meet your parents with the same love and respect that you have now for them. I won't ruin their image of you... I'll let them tell you that part." I looked at him curiously when he stood up and turned his back on me. He took a step but stopped right before he could reach the door. "For now, I'll try my best so my brother won't have the chance to come near you and hurt you again. Just focus on recalling all your parents' memories and we'll discuss it once you get better."