Chapter 7

Ondina

Ondina had been in and out of sleep the whole day. Every now and then, she caught glimpses of the nurses checking her vitals and switching the IV bags. Camille sat with her for a few hours before she was called to a casting gig; promising to be back after. Ondina told her it was okay and she was too tired for company anyway. Despite everything, she was just relieved to know that there were no signs of sexual assault. What time is it? Oh, shoot! Work! She reached for her cell phone. Moving faster than she intended, pain shot through her ribs, causing her to shriek.

"You should really stay still." A males voice filled the room, causing her to jump.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." Ondina glanced up. Raphael was walking through the doorway of her room, closing the door behind him.

"It's late. What are you doing here?" Ondina asked. His face was unreadable. He continued to walk to her bed and gently sat next to her. Her heart started to race. What is he doing? She thought to herself. He grabbed hold of her hand.

"I came to check on you... I'm sorry I left earlier. I had business I needed to attend to."

"It's ok," was the only thing that was able to come out. Why is he looking at me like that? Ondinas heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest. What is wrong with me? Here I am in a hospital with two broken ribs from being attacked, and I'm getting all worked up over this man. I should be afraid of him. As if he sensed her uneasiness, Raphael let go of Ondinas hand. Ondina immediately regretted her thoughts.

"I'm sorry. Would you like for me to go?" Uncertainty crossed his face. "You've been through a lot, and here I am coming in here... I should leave." As if making a mental decision, Raphael stood up and started walking towards the door.

"No!" Ondina blurted out, louder than she intended causing Raphael to halt to a stop. Her hand shot to her throat. It was sore and talking so loudly didn’t help it. Suddenly feeling embarrassed, her cheeks rose a few temperatures.

"I'm ok. It's ok. You can stay." Ondina studied him. He looked a little older than he did since she last seen him.

"I thought I wouldn't see you again," Raphael said. Darkness shadowed his eyes for a split second, and then it was gone. You're gonna be a hard one to read aren't ya? She thought to herself. He reclaimed his original spot on her bed.

"I didn't think I would see you again either. I admit... I'm embarrassed that it had to be under these circumstances..." Ondina looked down at the blanket and twisted a loose string around her pinky finger.

"You probably think I'm some irresponsible woman who's careless and jus-"

"I don't think that at all. Stop blaming yourself. There is nothing to be ashamed of." He placed his hand over her fidgeting ones, causing her to look up into his eyes.

"Now what you need to be ashamed of is ruining my shirt." Ondina giggled remembering their first encounter.

"Seriously. I have yet to get the stains out. What exactly did you eat? Red dye?" Humor danced in his eyes and a hint of a smile shadowed his lips.

Ondina really laughed this time ignoring the pain that came with it. Raphael joined in her laughter. Suddenly aware of how much closer he had gotten to her, Her heart started speeding up again. Come on Ondina get it together! He seemed to notice how close he was to her too; his hand was still resting on top of hers.

Obvious lust clouded his eyes and the woman in her reacted. This is crazy. Breaking the sudden warmth that lingered between them, Ondina cleared her throat. "It's getting pretty late."

Raphael straightened himself. "Your right. I should go."

She frowned, suddenly regretting interrupting the moment they were clearly having.

"Don't frown, your much more beautiful when you smile." Ondina looked up at him in shock.

"I will be in touch." And with that, Raphael Lahsen was gone.

                                                                                 ***

Weeks had gone by. The bruises on her face were gone and her ribs were doing a lot better too. The doctors told her that they were pretty much healed but they would still be sore for a few more weeks and that if she needed to, to take her pain medication. What rang through her mind more than anything what that Ondina still hadn't heard from Raphael.

Camille repeatedly reassured Ondina that Raphael would call, and Ondina had given up. She was lounging on the couch with Camille while eating a bag of potato chips when the doorbell rang, and Camille jumped up to get it.

"It's for me!" Camille shouted. Ondina kept her nose in her laptop, working on her mystery novel while continuously eating chips.

"I was wrong. It's for you." Camille yells.

"Geez, you do realize we are in the same room?" Ondina announced while closing her laptop. Turning towards the front door, she froze. Oh no! I'm still in my pajamas! Raphael was standing in the door with a coffee in one hand and a brown paper bag in the other.

Camille had a big dumb smile on her face as she closed the door behind him. Once Ondina locked eyes with her, she mouthed YUM while making her eyes cross-eyed. Ondina blushed.

"I'll be in my room. If the door rings, send Jason."

Camille walked off down the hall and closed her room door behind her, leaving Ondina and Raphael alone. She turned back to him, who was now making his way to her small outdated kitchen.

"Hey," She said nervously. "I was starting to think you forgot about me." She watched as he placed the coffee on her small kitchen counter and pulled out donuts and a croissant.

"Oh, I'd never," Raphael said with a smile, showing both rows of white teeth. Could you get any more handsome!?

"I got you a mocha. Also, donuts and well," He picked up the croissant, and started to wave it slightly. "This one's for me."

Ondina smiled. "You seem to be in a good mood." She watched him casually lean against the counter as if he was at home and not in hers for the first time.

"Why yes. There is nothing like surprising a beautiful woman with coffee and donuts, on an off day." Ondina blushed. He thinks I'm beautiful.

Ondina placed her laptop on the coffee table and stood up. She walked over to the kitchen counter, grabbing a powdered donut and took a bite out of it.

"This was thoughtful. Thank you." She looked up at Raphael. With him being 6'4 and her being 5'2, Ondina started to feel small standing across from him. She noticed Raphael's eyes scan her over. The same darkness she had seen at the hospital clouded his eyes causing her heart to skip a beat. Why do you have to look at me like that...

Raphael's eyes stop on Ondinas shirt. She blushed. She had forgotten that her shirt was practically transparent, exposing her bare breast underneath. She quickly folded her arms, covering them. Ondina notices his jaw clench, and he swallowed before he looked away.

"I should go change," Ondina blushes. Avoiding eye contact, she turned quickly and made her way past the living room and down the hall to her room.