RAVIEL (25)

When I said it was nothing, I meant it. The graze wound from the bullet was nothing compared to when I got shot near my collarbone. It was just a few inches above my liver. I was new to the organization at the time and I still had a lot to learn about the cartel and about businesses that sometimes don’t go as expected. My uncle sent me to San Diego to deliver a package. I just followed my uncle’s trusted men like a dumb buffalo. That was the night I started to realize how dangerous the path I had chosen was. Once you make a wrong move, there’s no turning back because you won’t be around to fix your mistake.

I got shot in my right chest because the delivery didn't go smoothly. For some reason, my uncle's client refused to pay the agreed price. They had been waiting for us that night, and instead they prepared their best shooters to erase our tracks forever. I was the only one who managed to survive that night because I crawled under the trailer. But the horror lingered forever in my brain. I watched my uncle's trusted men being shot one by one. I survived the whole night under the trailer with an open wound on my right chest.

I thought I was going to die from blood loss that night. I passed out, and woke up the next morning still in the same place. People had left the place and only left bodies lying on the ground. I had to endure the pain even longer because no one in that place would help me. I had to walk very far until I found a clinic whose doctor was willing to stitch my wound and didn't charge me at all. Because at that time I had no money. I was just a poor, pathetic young man who was abandoned by my father.

“This must hurt a lot. I cringe every time I stick a needle into your skin.”

“Just go on. I’m fine.”

“Doesn’t it hurt?”

“Trust me, the pain is no joke. That’s why I want you to finish it quickly, so the pain will end soon.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll make it quick. Hold on a minute.”

I studied Claire’s face closely. She cared about me a lot. And I knew it wasn’t because of my money. She was sincere. She even shed tears when she saw me hurt. Even though this wound was nothing. This was just a small scratch compared to the many fatal injuries I have experienced. Her mother wouldn’t even care about me if I didn’t give her a lot of money to support her glamorous lifestyle. Karina never called or asked how I was. In fact, she wouldn’t even look at me if I didn’t have money and this luxurious mansion.

“Claire.”

“Hmm? Just a little bit more. One more stitch and… Done! Huh, finally.”

Claire wiped the sweat from her forehead. She was so nervous that she was sweating profusely in this room, which I thought was very cold.

“I told you, you can do it.”

“But I don’t want to do it again. This is the first and the last time.”

Claire took off the latex gloves from her hands, then scooped up all the dirty cotton with blood stains before throwing them into the trash can. She tidied up the first aid kit deftly, and everything was neatly back in its original place.

“Wait,” I grabbed her wrist before she could stand up.

“I’ll be back after I return this first aid kit to the bathroom and wash my hands.”

“I haven’t thanked you yet.”

“No need. This is nothing compared to all the things you’ve done for me and my mother. I wish I could do something to repay you, but I know I can’t.”

Claire slowly released my grip from her wrist.

“You haven’t eaten yet. I’ll make you a sandwich. What do you think? I think it’s a pretty quick meal to make.”

“You don’t have to bother. I’ll just take my medicine and go to bed.”

“No. You have to eat before you take your medicine. You can’t go to bed on an empty stomach.”

Claire made a gesture with her index finger. “I’ll be right back. Don’t you dare go to bed before I come back with your sandwich and medicine.”

Claire reminded me of my long-gone mother. She cared about me so much. The only person who truly loved me. I even thought I would never find a woman like her, but I was wrong. Claire was very much like my mother. She cared about me. She treated me like I was a person, and not a tool to make money.

“I came back as soon as I could. I was worried you would be sleeping.”

“Nope. I’ve been sleeping too much. How long have I been unconscious?”

“Umm… More than three hours. If you don’t open your eyes tonight, I’ll have Glen take you to the hospital.”

“I’m just tired. The meeting didn’t go well. I barely slept in Miami.”

Claire sighed softly. She sat down on the edge of my bed. Under normal circumstances, I would have imagined dirty things about her. She had never been in this room before, and her presence here made the room feel different. Livelier. Warmer. And more normal.

“That explains why you’re being like this.”

Claire handed me a plate of cheese sandwiches.

“I hope you like them. My sandwiches probably aren’t as good as my mom’s or Alberta’s.”

I took a bite of the sandwich while staring at her intently. She seemed worried about my reaction. When she bit her bottom lip, I wanted so badly to replace her teeth with mine, then suck it with my lips.

“Does it taste bad?”

“No. It’s good.”

“Really? You’re not lying just to please me, right?”

“If you don’t believe me, you can try it yourself.”

Before Claire could say anything, I shoved the sandwich into her mouth. She gave me an annoyed look and tried to push the sandwich away from her mouth, but I insisted that she take a bite.

“You won’t know until you taste it. How?”

“Hmm… Not bad.”

I smiled as she chewed the sandwich stiffly. I didn’t know what she was thinking, but her cheeks were slightly flushed. She suddenly became awkward and kept looking away.

“Thank you for the sandwich and this,” I gestured towards the wound on my arm. The wound was stitched very neatly, like a professional doctor's stitches.

“I only did what I could for you. Go to sleep. Hopefully the medicine will work well tonight, and you’ll feel better in the morning.”

She was so caring. She tucked me in and made sure I was lying comfortably on my bed. She was so close. Her face was only a few inches above mine. Claire smelled so good. The scent of peaches and fresh summer flowers. I was lost in this intoxicating scent. I wanted to taste her to cure my longing for her.

“Claire.”

“Hmm? Do you need anything before I leave you to sleep?”

I pushed her nape and her lips landed right on top of mine. She gasped in surprise. Her palms were resting on my pillow, trying to hold her weight so she wouldn’t fall on top of me. She was so tense. Her lips were tightly closed as I slowly moved my lips on hers. She felt so good, so soft, and so wet. I couldn’t stop moving my lips on hers. My tongue tried to flick the seam of her lips to tease her. I was getting greedy and wanted more. But this woman wasn’t ready for that. I had to take it slow.

“Wh-what did you do, Rave?”