INICIAR SESIÓNAsaAfter what felt like forever, Sam finally walked in."What took you so long?" I asked, glancing up at him."Well, I had to drag a certain someone out of bed because, as you can see, it's three in the morning, and people are usually asleep at this hour. Normal people, I mean."The last two words sounded more like an insult, but before I could ask what he meant, another man walked in. He looked close to Sam's age and was dressed in pajamas, with the expression of someone who would rather be anywhere else.Which, honestly, I could understand."This is Liam, a friend of mine and Kirill's. He's a doctor and the only one I could find at this hour.""Not a friend. More like someone you used to bully back in college, just like you're doing now." The man glared at Sam.Normally, I would have been interested in hearing more about their college days, but Kirill was still acting strangely, and that was far more important."Can you please check on him?" I asked, directing my attention to Liam.
AsaSo, Kirill ended up being discharged that very same night.And yes, perhaps I was being dramatic about the whole thing, considering I'd refused to speak to him since. But what about him? Couldn't he have convinced me to change my mind? Coaxed me a little? Maybe even refused to let me be unreasonable?Instead, I was lying in bed alone, unable to sleep, thinking about him. Which was very annoying, if I might add.I turned to check the time. It was barely past midnight."Ugh!"I threw the blanket aside and climbed out of bed. I couldn't keep lying there like an idiot when I knew he was somewhere in this enormous mansion.The hallway was pitch-black when I stepped outside. What was I even doing? I had no idea. It wasn't as though I was going to magically find Kirill in this huge place he called home.Sam had told me this was where Kirill grew up, but I'd been too angry to listen. Now I regretted it because I was almost certain he'd mentioned which room Kirill had been moved to after I
Asa"Are you done being angry now, baby?" No actually I wasn't, I wanted to bite him so he never thinks of such things again. And what kind of question was even that?I lifted my head just enough to glare at him, and the more I looked at him the stronger the urge got but I reined it in. After all, the idiot was injured.Instead, I pressed my face deeper into his chest, inhaling his familiar scent until the raging emotions inside me finally began to settle.God, I'd missed him."Wow. You really weren't kidding about the dramatic tactics." Mila's voice interrupted us. I lifted my head and turned toward them, glaring.Sam burst out laughing."Right? Who would have thought I'd ever see the day my boss actually begged someone? Got threatened, too, and it worked!" He shook his head, looking thoroughly entertained. "Maybe I should ask the kid for some tips. He's quite impressive."Both of them laughed. I ignored them and turned back toward Kirill, only to find him rolling his eyes."Would I
Kirill"Mila, don't scare him. He scares easily." I barely recognized my own voice.My throat felt as though I'd swallowed glass, and even breathing hurt, but none of that mattered when I saw Asa turn around. Everything was worth it.For a moment, he simply stared at me. I waited for the familiar smile, the sarcastic remark, perhaps even one of his ridiculous threats. Anything.Instead, his face crumpled."Kirill?" It was barely a whisper, but the sound of it made my heart ache.I tried to lift my hand toward him, but my body refused to cooperate. Even that small movement sent pain shooting through my chest."Come here, baby." He didn't move. Instead, his eyes filled with tears, and he shook his head as though trying to convince himself that what he was seeing wasn't real."You're awake," he whispered.I swallowed painfully. "Yes, baby. I'm awake."A tear slipped down his cheek. Then another. "You're actually awake?"My heart twisted. "Come here, Asa."He took one hesitant step toward
AsaI spent the next few days by Kirill's side.He'd been in the ICU, but tonight they were moving him to the general ward. The doctor had told me he was doing much better, that he was finally out of danger and should wake up soon.My legs had nearly given out in relief.He wasn't leaving me. He was going to be fine.And for the first time in days, I could breathe without feeling as though there was a hole in my chest, constantly sucking the life out of me.By the following morning, they'd already moved him. The doctor had also said he could now receive visitors and that it wouldn't be long before he woke up. But that had been last night. And now, hours later, he still hadn't opened his eyes."Asa, you should go and rest. At least for a few hours. When he wakes up, I'll call you first. I promise."Sam had been nagging me since yesterday to go home and get some rest, but which home was he talking about? The only home I knew in this place was right here, beside Kirill. I was perfectly h
AsaI jolted awake, my hand reaching for the person who wasn't there.For a moment, I didn't recognize where I was. The white ceiling, the unfamiliar clinical smell, and the steady beeping somewhere beside me only made my confusion worse.Then everything came rushing back.The gunshot. Kirill falling. The blood covering my hands. His blood.My breathing quickened as I looked down at my hands. They were clean now, but somehow I could still feel the warmth of it as it gushed from the wound, how quickly it had come out of his body no matter how hard I'd tried to stop it. And it had been a lot.Tears burned my eyes, and small sobs escaped my mouth. The door burst open, and Sam came rushing inside."Asa! You're finally awake." He hurried toward me, looking relieved. "You scared me, kid. I thought I'd lose you too."My heart stopped, hoping I had heard him wrong as I snapped my head toward him."Too?" My voice came out barely above a whisper. "What do you mean, too, Sam? Where is he?" Sam b







