"Letizia."
I gasp and push him away immediately. I turn to see—it's Tina, and then another man walks in; it's Mr. Vanderbilt.
Fuck,
"I'm finished here," I say lightly, grabbing the report.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Mr. Vanderbilt says, approaching Vik, who ignores his father and looks at me instead.
"Serafinne?" Mr. Vanderbilt glances at me and calls my family name.
"Hello, Mr. Vanderbilt." I greet him and step back for Vik's bed.
"You're working here?" He asks confusingly.
"Yes, sir. I'm volunteering," I say, and his eyes are a bit concerned. He shifts his look to his son, back to me, and turns to Tina, who is entering the room.
"First time you come here?" He asks,
"Yes," I reply,
Tina walks to me and puts her hand on my back. "She's reliable, sir. She just checks on the patient and the monitor and writes the report, Mr. Vanderbilt." She supports me and helps me not be chased out, I guess.
"Yes, she's reliable. I heard that before, " he says, turning to his son and showing a tiny smile. "My son seemed enthusiastic—after the long, exhausted nap even after waking up," he says lightly.
I smile mildly,
"Why don't you come to check on him—often? " he says as he looks at me, but I look at Vik, who is stunned by what his father says. "He might get better sooner," he says and chuckles in his throat.
"Today is necessary, sir. She's not allowed to be in here, Mr. Vanderbilt." Tina interrupts.
"Well, she is now. I paid for this room, and he's my son. I can choose who is taking care of him." Mr. Vanderbilt spurts, "Do you want her to nurse you?" He turns to his son and asks,
What the hell?
Vik stares at me, "Yes, I want her." Vik says.
Mr. Vanderbilt smirks secretly but noticeably, "Well, what he said." He says to Tina.
"Hem—Yes, sir." Tina awkwardly responds.
"Good—and you have a minute, Letizia?" Mr. Vanderbilt asks me,
"I—" I stutter.
"It won't take long. I would like to talk to you about something." He says,
I inhale and hold my breath; his presence conquers the room and suddenly minimizes it.
"Yes, sir," I say,
After Tina leaves us, I follow Mr. Vanderbilt outside Vik's room. He puts his hands in his pocket, leaning on the wall beside the door as I stand and wait for him to start the conversation across from me.
"Aren't you working here every day?" He asks,
"No, sir," I reply.
"That's good—because being here full time will affect your classes." He says, but I say nothing. "I know that you're doing fine anyway—hehe." He says and giggles gently,
I look at him as I try to figure out what he plans to do with me. In my opinion, he doesn't want me to spoil the facts about his son's circumstances for the school audience.
"I won't say anything," I say without him asking.
He's a little surprised but not that shocked,
"Is it something you worry about?" I ask,
He smirks, "You are a smart young woman, Letizia, and I know you won't say or gossip about it—because it's who you are." He says and pauses, "I know why—Oskars are so deeply drawn to you and so proud of having you—you know, to be part of their family. You're wise. You know how to be proper and reliable, heh, to anyone who—you side with." He stops leaning and takes a tiny step towards me. "Tytas is a lucky young man. If my son had you by his side from the beginning, he wouldn't be like this—" He says,
That's unexpected.
"From the beginning?" I say lightly,
"I know my son has feelings for you." He says with a tiny smile. "But, he chose to fool around and be with a—barbie girl. Don't get me wrong, she's cute and very supportive, but—she's not a future material for my son—"
I look at him, and I feel upset in my stomach.
"His ego and pride were too high to chase something that was meant for him from the start." He says,
"Ego and pride are normal for a man," I say.
"Heh—hehe, yes." He chuckles and smiles widely.
"Woman too, but she won't admit it," I say,
"You know what can bring a woman's ego and pride down. Love." He says, and takes another step, "But, for a man—winning. He can do anything to win—even if it's low. Of course, if he wants that thing enough. But for a woman, it's easy—she would do anything for love, just give her something worthwhile, precious time and gifts. They are easy to manipulate." I look at him without a blink. "Don't you agree?" He asks,
To be honest, yes. But I think it goes both ways. Love can push anyone to test their limits, and girls can manipulate them, too, perhaps more easily.
"Yes," I say,
He smiles,
—See?
"So you don't think—Love—can break the wall of pride in man, Mr. Vanderbilt?" I ask,
"I think it's the opposite; it will make the wall even higher." He smiles again, "So don't you worry—I don't think you are easy—to be manipulated. You would be with my son's side long ago, but be careful, Letizia. Don't fall too hard when it comes to love. It might take you higher, but then you realize you're at the bottom of your heart—and then you are locked up." He says.
If he says it vaguely, I will let it slide out of my ear, but if he speaks specially, I fear he meant Tytas.
I look down and up to him, "So what are you trying to say to me, Mr. Vanderbilt?" I drag him to the real topic.
"Frankly, I want you to be on my side." He says,
I'm shocked.
I can't believe that Oskar and Vanderbilt have been holding a grudge since the father's line—and now their sons. And why did they choose me to be in the middle?
"Not because I want to win anything—it's for my son's sake. I'm sure you make him better—in every way I can bet." He says,
"I can't, sir," I say directly.
He looks at me, "Heh, right. But you work here—it's your duty to take care of the patient. I didn't ask you to be his girlfriend, young lady. I ask you to be there for him—at least when you're with him." He says. He also looks soft at this moment. "In the past, he might perform—act foolish toward you, I have heard for some time. I hope you forgive him for how immature he was." He smiles and looks at his watch on his wrist. "I'm sure he will be more gentle to you from now on. During the recovery—it's hard for him." He adds.
Be there for him—at least when I'm with him. I repeat what he said and I sigh in my head. "I'll try my best, Mr. Vanderbilt," I smile at him.
"Good—I'm glad we're on the same page." He says, "Excuse me, I'll see my son."
"Yes, sir," I say.
What the fuck is just happened.
Perhaps I am easier to be manipulated—I'm weak for a helpless man. After seeing Vik in that state, I considered him a hopeless, weak victim
For one more night, I have to take care of the boy from Vanderbilt, stealing my learning time by studying other cases or assisting Tina. I clean and wash him, apply the ointment to the wounds, and prepare his medicines. His broken hand is already healed, but not perfectly. He can't move much and can't use that hand to support his body, and I felt sorry—a bit, just a bit.
I repeat what Vik's father told me: Vik would be gentle to me—he was correct. Vik hasn't moved his hands on me, not because he doesn't have the energy to do so; after last night, he could do anything if he wanted to; he cared no shit about his broken legs and kissed me. However, my mind also replayed what Vik said—he wanted me to be free from Tytas or to win him, like usual.
I don't fucking get the boy's world, or I should say the Apollon boys' world.
"What are you thinking?" Vik asks,
I say nothing and shake my head as I separate the medicines for him.
"Do I have to take all of them?" He asks
I glance at him, "Yes,"
"Why is it added up? Last night, there were only three of them." He cries like a baby in front of me—not an actual tear cry, just a whining baby cry.
"You told them you couldn't sleep—" I say, and he glances at me immediately. "You woke up in the middle of the night?" I ask.
"No—" he denies, and so do his eyes.
I chuckle, and he looks at me surprisingly.
"You still have pain?" I ask,
"A little," He says lightly as he looks at me. "I had nightmares." He says,
I look at him, turn to the foot of the bed, and move his blanket away from his legs.
"I still feel—the crack—when it was hit." He says, staring at me.
I glance at his hand and back to his foot. Then, I hold his left leg gently; he keeps staring at me and lets me do whatever I want. I adjust the pillows and lay down his left leg gently. I am about to touch another one, but I decide to push it a little.
"I'm not hurting now." He says,
I smirk, "I don't want you to whine like a baby,"
He tucks his eyebrow, "When did I whine like a baby?" He says,
"A moment ago—" I say.
As we keep the long pause, he decides to take the pills, and I offer him another glass of water. He holds the glass over my hand, and I pull my hand back slowly.
He swallows, and I take back the glass.
I keep staring at him, and then he sighs; he opens his mouth for me, and I chuckle and look inside to see that he doesn't hide those pills.
"Good boy," I say,
He closes his mouth as he gazes at me differently from a few seconds ago, and then I realize what I have said to him.
Why did I say that?
"Has Felicia visited you?" I ask.
"No," he says instantly.
"She knows, right?" I ask,
"I guess." He says, and I nod. "Hey—you should not stay here till this dark. Walking home this late is dangerous." I give him a look. "I—" he stutters,
"I think I can manage," I say,
"You can stay here—" He said, and I give him another look. "I'm not gonna do anything." He says, showing his palms on his legs.
"It wouldn't stop you before," I say. He looks at me. "It's not appropriate," I explain. I clear the stuff, tidy the room, and pick up the report as he watches me. "If there's nothing else, I'm leaving," I say.
"You really want to walk home?" He asks. I say nothing. "Ah—I see." He says, "Stay here," He repeats it,
I tilt my head, "See you, Vik."
Suddenly, he grabs my hand, "Please—" I look at him confusingly, "I feel hurt." He says,
"Hurt?" I repeat.
"Yes—" He softens his voice.
I glare at him, "Where?"
"All of my body." He says.
"Seriously? All of a sudden?" I raise my eyebrow.
"Yeah—all of a sudden." He tries to hide his smile; he's more gentle, but he's still a sneaky Vik, the same person but more genuine. "Stay," He says softly, holding my hand properly,
"Vik…you're being needy right now," I say,
Then, he pulls my hand lightly closer to his stomach, "Yes, so?" He admits, without fighting back,
I sigh, "My hours are done, and you'll fall asleep soon."
His eyes are begging me so bad, "Then, stay here until I fall asleep," he says,
"He's waiting for me," I say, "If you want someone to watch over I can inform them—"
He sprints his upper body up and puts his head on my chest. "No—I want you. I'll be a good boy—" he looks up at me. I'll sleep like a good baby boy. " He's begging and whining at the same time.
Oh my,
"Did you hear what you just said to me? The pill must kick you in…" I whisper. He starts to put his arms around my waist, "Saline line—Vik,"
"Umm…I don't care." He says,
Thud–Thud,
Then the sound of knocking rises up, and the door is pushed in. I am about to turn to see while pushing Vik to get off me, but his arms don't move away,