CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CATHERINE’S POV
I have been on my bed since morning, not wanting to leave my room, at least not after yesterday night, when I was almost caught cheating on Jaxon, and I was caught by Harley of all people.
Burke’s confession was still ringing in my head, and I wondered whether what he said was true, whether he liked me, or if it was just another game.
The kiss Burke and I shared last night was extraordinary, something I would do over and over again, without thinking twice, and that was the problem; every second I spend in Crescent pack, I am bent on cheating on Burke.
Suddenly, a knock at my door jolted me from my thoughts; it was still six in the morning, so I wondered who was knocking at my door so early.
“Hope it’s not Burke,” I said to myself, as I remembered our passionate kiss last night, which almost ended in sex until Harley interrupted. I placed my hand on my lips and rubbed it gently, smiling sheepishly at myself.
“Come one, girl, it’s Ava, open the damn door,” Ava said, and relief washed over me; at least it wasn’t Burke.
I got off my bed, grabbed my nightwear jacket, and slipped it on before heading towards the door.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” Ava said as I opened the door. She was acting very friendly, which was surprising, but I was happy we were getting on a good note.
“Good morning Ava, to what do I own this special visit,” I said, as she walked into my room holding a tray that contained freshly made orange juice, which was my favorite.
“Let’s just say this is some peace offering,” she said, setting the tray of orange juice on an empty table beside my bed.
Ava took a chair next to my bed waiting for a reply from me, but I was too shocked to say a word, making Ava laugh out loud.
“Come on, I’m sorry if I look stupid, but I’m just surprised that you want peace when your best friend hates me,” I said, shutting my door. I wondered whether Burke had put her to this; probably he heard me complaining to Ethan days back.
“Did Burke put you up to this?” I asked, sitting on my bed, facing the glass of freshly made orange juice.
“What? No, he did not; I just think you deserve better treatment from us, most especially me. You have done nothing but good to us; you are even saving my father from death’s call,” she said, smiling, picking up one of the glasses of orange juice and gesturing to me to take the other.
“Ava don’t tell me we are going to cheer for that?” I said, closing my eyes and giggling playfully.
“Of course we are,” she said, raising her glass higher, making me chuckle. I missed this part of Ava, and I’m happy I got to see this part before I left.
“Okay, Miss Ava Michelson,” I said, grabbing the glass of orange juice.
“Cheers to peace,” we said simultaneously, hitting our glasses together and giggling at the same time.
I took a sip from the orange juice and. It tasted kind of harsh, making my eyes smaller.
“Did You add something to it?” I asked because the taste was rather too harsh.
“No, I didn’t. Is there a problem?” She asked like she was scared of something.
“Mine tastes different. Have a sip”, I replied to her questions, pushing my glass of juice to her directly, but she refused to take it.
“No, no, I don’t think that is necessary, I added a little alcohol in it,” She said, sipping her juice.
Although I knew she was lying, if she had added alcohol, we would have had the same reaction, but I shoved the thought off.
Soon, I finished my glass of orange juice, but I began to feel heavy; my eyes were heavy, and my throat was burning. I coughed, but nothing came out of my mouth, Although my mouth tasted like blood.
“What is happening to me, Ava?” I managed to ask while coughing.
Ava ran to where I was and held me tight, her hands shivering, as she saw blood dripping from the corner of my mouth.
“I don’t know, you aren’t supposed to be bleeding,” Ava said, fidgeting; it looked like she knew something was supposed to happen to me.
“Call the freaking Guards then,” I yelled, making more blood leave my mouth as my stomach began to hurt; I held my stomach tightly as tears clouded my vision.
“I can’t do that, Catherine,” She said, as tears were falling from her cheeks.
Why can’t she call the Guards so I can get help? Did she poison my drink?
“Ava, please, I can’t die; I have kids who need a mother because they don’t have a father. I play both roles for them even if Jaxon makes it easier,” I pleaded, losing my strength as the clock ticked.
“You won’t die, I promise. But you will get hurt a little,” She said, trying to push me to the bed; what did she mean by I’ll get hurt a little when I’m already getting hurt? Is there more pain to come?
Soon, my eyes began to close slowly, and I could barely see anything until it was complete darkness.
“Is she going to be okay?” I heard Burke’s voice and opened my eyes slowly. I did not know how long I was unconscious but the worry in Burke’s face meant that I was unconscious for a long time.
I tried to remember what transpired and landed me in this hospital bed, but I couldn’t recall a thing except the night with Burke.
“What happened, Burke,” I asked but did not get a reply; it was like they weren’t seeing or even hearing me. Burke kept asking the doctor if I should be alright.
“Burke,” I yelled a little until I felt a hand on my shoulder.
“Save your strength, child,” the familiar voice said; I turned only to see Ethan looking at me.
“Shit, I’m already dead,”