Chapter 4: Death kiss

Marco's POV

Marco has been bedridden for two weeks after the accident. His head is severely damaged as a bandage is wrapped around his whole head, depriving him of the gift of sight.

He wakes up every morning to a maddening headache and a darkness that even the brightest days couldn't dissolve.

He dreads the news of having to be permanently blind. 

Although, the doctor assures it was temporary, Marco doesn't believe them. Any of them, except a nurse that seems to catch his fancy. 

Sarah, she calls herself.

It could be because she was the only English-speaking nurse, but there is certainly something about her aura.

All attempts by the hospital to reach out to his family or trace his origin yielded nothing as Marco refused to spill anything about himself–a Mafia code that has been ingrained in him.

"How's my favorite patient?" he hears Sarah greet. It must be morning outside since his current predicament denies him of the time of the day.

Marco doesn't move from where he lays. 

He's becoming sick of the hospital, but her voice seems to be the only consolation. However, he's not one to admit.

“At least you're not trying to escape today,” she taunts.

Marco is eager to find out what his nurse looks like. 

The way she tends to his injuries with such sweetness. Her soft palms. Her charm. Everything, swaying the emotionally distant Marco into an abyss of lust.

Admitting what he feels isn't an option he would consider. Especially now that his life is a complex bag of mess.

She dresses the bandage on his right leg, filling the silence in the room as usual,

“Are you excited? The bandage would be taken off today and you would be free to go by tomorrow,” she chatters happily, trying to brighten his mood.

Marco has refused to utter a word since the accident. Were it not for some tests, the doctors would have thought the accident affected his hearing and speech.

"Heard you've some visitors. They seem like your parents. They must have been worried sick looking for you."

Marco jerks up from bed at her words and for the first time he speaks,

“What did they call their names?“ he asks, massaging the pain around his head.

"I see. You're not dumb after all now, are you? Well, only the doctor is aware of their presence."

He feels her getting away when he grabs her arm. She gasps at the sudden act, holding the stretcher for support.

"Find out their names as soon as you can."

Sarah seems to be confused at his words as she remains quiet.

“They are already here. Ask politely next time,” she whispers.

Marco releases his grip on her as the thick voice speaks,

"Little brother. I've searched everywhere for you. What a delight that I found you alive."

“What do you want?” Marco asks with a threatening voice.

He finally pulls the bandage blocking his view since the nurses seem to be delaying.

For the first time he notices Sarah's beauty as she adjusts his infusions.

Now is not the time for romance. He frowns back at his brother.

Andrey turns to the nurse and walks up to her,

"Can we have some privacy, nurse? I would like to have a word with my brother."

"He's still healing. Make it brief," Sarah says to Andrey and leaves hurriedly.

"Very fitting scar, I must say," his brother taunts, taking a seat beside him.

“Father tried to kill me and now you stand here admiring the result of the accident that could have ended…”

Andrey cut him off,

 "Relax, little brother. It wasn't father. He has enough on his plate to worry about your refusal. Besides, it's to my advantage."

"Who did it then?" Marco asks. Now that he realizes he doesn't know his enemy, he feels uneasy.

“Big Tom is in town for a revenge. Being the only lose member of the Snakes, he targets you first. He's ready to kill us all. But we can't defend you if you stay far away from our reach. Come back home…”

"Enough!"

Marco yells, getting up. 

His headache makes him fall back to the bed in pain but it doesn't stop him from expressing his rage,

"I don't care who or what is after you. I'm not a part of this game. I owe no one and I'm never going back there with you. Send my message back to father."

He resumes his full height and staggers out of the hospital, forcing himself to run.

He has to hide. But where? 

Anyone of these people on the sidewalk could be plotting to kill him. They could be working for Big Tom or Igor.

Going back to his father sounds like the best plan, but he would be betraying his mother's last words.

“You seem to be lost,” a voice startles him as he wanders aimlessly around. He has spent the whole day in fear of who or what could be after him.

"You again?" Marco interjects as he recognizes the nurse. Again, he is lost in her beauty.

“The last person I expect to see. Your scar is bleeding again. You shouldn't have left that way, ” she says as she observes his face.

Marco steps back. Right now there's no one to trust.

But, maybe Sarah is different. 

She has taken care of him for weeks.

"Hey! I've been talking. You seem bothered. Wanna stop by at my place?" She asks.

Marco hesitates at first but nods.

He could use a little help from her to stop the bleeding at least.

“I understand you're not a chatty kind but to survive around here, you need friends at least. I'm not patronizing you. If you don't wanna tell me your name then that's fine…"

“Marco...” he cuts her off, as she places a cup of coffee on the dining table.

"Ohh…right. Marco. See. That's how it works. I suppose by now you know mine. Sarah Mayhill."

There's silence. Marco sips the tea, trying to take his mind off something.

Something he's not meant to be thinking.

Lust or love, he can't tell. 

But every moment spent with her only wakes up a beast that has once been his downfall.

“Marco,” she snaps him out of his thoughts after tending to his scar.

"Are you okay?" she asks, cupping her hands on his neck.

His nerves crave for more. More of what could be under her skin.

They lurk eyes, an unseen bond forms between them.

Surprisingly, Sarah makes the first move, smudging her red lips all over his.

Why? Why did she do it? 

Does she feel the same too?

Delighted, he repays the gesture by resuming full height, groping her waist and sucking her lips.

Sarah tries to caress his back, but he takes her hands off, his tongue lurked with hers as he pins her hands on the dining table.

Some ceramics shatter as he spreads her over the table.

He likes to be in charge. 

He hears her moans as he unhooks her bra.

He pulls his head into her blouse and sucks the tips of her ripe nipples.

“Marco…” she moans, brushing her fingers into his thick hair.

He drops her hands back in place, driving the tips of his tongue down to the parting of her legs when a loud knock distracted them.